Car Ramps

[Kinger]

What car ramps do you recommend for oil changes?

I had a plastic set from Auto Zone or somewhere similar but they got run over by the wife.

Current vehicles are a 2002 Grand Prix and a 2002 Ford Explorer.

Thanks

 

[littletoes]

NONE.

Got a set for Christmas one year years ago, rated fairly well. Drove my full size blazer up on 'em, and one side crushed....it was in my concrete driveway....never used 'em since then.

 

[fr0mastaj]

I have the Blitz Rhinoramps (plastic) from AdvanceAuto... i've driven sedans and pick up trucks on them probably 75 times now (weekend warrior)... never had a single issue. Actually just used them 2 days ago to change oil...

 

[amolaver]

i use rhino ramps pretty frequently. my grey pair are rated for something like 6 or 8k lb and the black ones are rated for 12k. i drive my dually - which weighs about 8500lb empty - up on the black ones to service it. my grey set have been in service for about 4 years, everything from miatae to explorer-sized SUVs. anything bigger than that goes on the black set, but i've only had them for about 2 years.

i was nervous as hell about driving up onto a plastic ramp initially, but don't think anything of it now - they work great.

ahm

 

[dsaabm]

I have the Blitz Rhinoramps (plastic) from AdvanceAuto... i've driven sedans and pick up trucks on them probably 75 times now (weekend warrior)... never had a single issue.

I have these same Rhinoramps, bought from advance about 1 year ago, not a single issue with them.

 

[strnjss]

I also have plastic rhino ramps. Get the highest rated ones they have. It's better to have overkill than to get killed.

The biggest thing I've put on mine is a Grand Cherokee. Never had a problem with them (of course I'm sure those who do never live to post about it).

Even when I put my car on ramps, I still put a few jack stands under the frame too, just in case one were to collapse. Just a little extra layer of protection.

But yeah, I would recommend the rhino ramps. They seem well built. They're not as high (off the ground) as I would like though. I would be happier if they were steeper, don't know if cars would clear though if they were.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

i've got an old steel set at home that belonged to grandpa. they are tough. i can say this because just about everything vehice (car, truck, or tractor) has been on top of them.

 

[trainwreck]

I also used a set of the grey Rhinoramps. Like everyone else, I was skittish at first, but never had a problem with them. Make sure you don't lose those rubber stoppers on the bottom. I found that the ramp is more prone to sliding if it's missing that block. I eventually switched over to a floor jack and jack stands because.... well, I don't really have a good reason. I guess I just got tired of being skittish.

Current vehicles are a 2002 Grand Prix and a 2002 Ford Explorer.

The biggest thing I've put on mine is a Grand Cherokee.

I don't know how much ground clearance a Ford Explorer has, but back when I had a Grand Cherokee, I just slid underneath the car. No ramps, no jacks, just wheels.

 

[Hurricane_Whisperer]

These are solid plastic.

Made well in America, still light weight, can be bought with long aproach angles.

Can also get a set for rear and get the front and back off the grounds.

http://www.raceramps.com/

 

[LEVE]

I have both the metal ramps and the plastic Rhino ramps. I use the metal ramps when I want to leave a vehicle up for an extended period. But I really like the Rhino ramps. I find myself using them more and more because they're lighter to move to the vehicle.

As for drawbacks for Rhino ramps, I've seen two...

A friend was driving his pickup up on a set and the passenger side front wheel was half off the ramp toward the outside of the pickup. That caused the ramp lift up on the inside and to deform to that side. It did not collapse, but it's certainly wonky.

In the winter all my vehicles use studded tires. Once I was driving a Caravan upon the ramps from outside the garage; the Caravan tires were filled with ice and snow. The driver's side tire started to spin on the incline of the ramp; then the the studs started to dig in. That ramp is very scarred, but functions fine.

If I buy another set, they'll be a set of Rhino ramps.

 

[Capri driver]

I have a nice set of steel ramps that I have had for 15 years or so. They are 2 piece with the ramp section detachable.


I don't get them out very often, but I like being able to remove the ramp portion for better access once the car is up.

 

[JimmyM]

I built a pair of step ramps out of 2 treated 10' 2x6's cut one
4ft 3ft 2ft then 1ft left over stack them and screw together, if I had it to do all over again I would have used 2x8's or even
2x10's

 

[84bimmer]

NONE.

Got a set for Christmas one year years ago, rated fairly well. Drove my full size blazer up on 'em, and one side crushed....it was in my concrete driveway....never used 'em since then.

Wow. To hell with that.Do you know who those were made by? Any idea what the weight capacity was? Old Blazer or new blazer?/ big or small?

Edit: just noticed you mentioned full size blazer.

 

[Capri driver]

These are solid plastic.

Made well in America, still light weight, can be bought with long aproach angles.

Can also get a set for rear and get the front and back off the grounds.

I would be nervous as hell driving up 4 ramps at the same time.

 

[blown94conv]

I've used the black Rhino ramps for years with no problems.

 

[pipsters]

I too have the 12k Rhino Ramps (actually rated @ 3k per each ramp), they are US made and I believe my wife paid $36 for the set at Advance Auto or Autozone for my birthday several years ago. They are plastic, yes, but that means no corrosion. Also they are US made. Metal doesn't = strong, plastics are used in many high strength applications.

I've used them with zero issues many many times, I wouldn't hesitate to buy again. I have a old Volvo wagon, not sure how much it weighs but probably just as much if not more than a Blazer. I want to say it's around 3800 pounds.

 

[Wes28376]

These are solid plastic.

Made well in America, still light weight, can be bought with long aproach angles.

Can also get a set for rear and get the front and back off the grounds.

http://www.raceramps.com/

Those are really nice but at $300 they are out of my price range.

 

[scott37300]

12,000 pound rhino ramps are great.

 

[Coach James]

I've had the grey Rhinos for ~7 years now and zero problems. I'm going to buy a set to give to one of my employees as well.

Coach

 

[Hurricane_Whisperer]

I would be nervous as hell driving up 4 ramps at the same time.

The back ones are lower. Of course, you don't have to use them for many tasks, but they come in handy for washing the car.

And it is a little nerve racking.

 

[Hurricane_Whisperer]

Those are really nice but at $300 they are out of my price range.

That's only for the extra long, extra wide version for low sports cars with wide tires.

The 40" version which is comparable to the kind you get at the auto parts store in size is $144.00

The 56" version is $214.00


Still more expensive. They are very nice to use.

 

[Vinko]

I was going to make a set next week and was going to post on here asking if anyone has done this? I was thinking of 2 x 2 tubing with 3/8 diamond on top and for the incline.

 

[ajchien]

I built a pair of step ramps out of 2 treated 10' 2x6's cut one
4ft 3ft 2ft then 1ft left over stack them and screw together, if I had it to do all over again I would have used 2x8's or even
2x10's

Similar to what I've done. Except with 2x10s and only 3 steps up. Heavy, but solid.

 

[shampoop]

i really like the race ramps design. Yea they cost more, but the difference in design and quality justify it. They have a polyurea coating, same stuff sprayed on by pro truck bedliners. Super lightweight and work with very low sports cars. Appears to by far be the best design, best quality, and that they will last a lifetime. I plan on buying some eventually.

 

[HoseB]

Free (I built a set and reinforced a little. They hold up my F350 diesel dually just fine):

http://tim-yvonne.com/mikemercury/ramp.htm

 

[Kinger]

Thanks for all the replies!

It appears that the Rhino 12,000 Lb. ramps are the consensus. The race ramps look pretty sweet, but I am not sure I want to spend that much right now.

Even the homemade ones are intriguing. Now it is time to make a decision.

Thanks again, this site has offered me a lot of valuable information!

 

[NJ Diver]

I have the Blitz Rhinoramps (plastic) from AdvanceAuto... i've driven sedans and pick up trucks on them probably 75 times now (weekend warrior)... never had a single issue. Actually just used them 2 days ago to change oil...

Same here. I use these on my 2009 F150 and the wife's 2006 Lexus is250. They work great, no issues.

 

[aspera]

I looked all over for the aluminium ones that rally cars use in England, but nobody sells them in the US. They look great, but the neat thing about them is that the top of the ramp has a round 'saddle' for the tire instead of a flat ledge. I've got two sets of black ramps and the gray Blitz ramps and they do the job, but they just aren't "best".

The RaceRamps with the removable ramps/bridges are innovative, but the price is offensive. You could almost install air jacks for the price of their top-of-the-line kit.

 

[DARK AGE 53]

Gray Rhino ramps, have had no issues with these ramps.

 

[aspera]

I looked all over for the aluminium ones that rally cars use in England, but nobody sells them in the US. They look great, but the neat thing about them is that the top of the ramp has a round 'saddle' for the tire instead of a flat ledge. I've got two sets of black ramps and the gray Blitz ramps and they do the job, but they just aren't "best".

The RaceRamps with the removable ramps/bridges are innovative, but the price is offensive. You could almost install air jacks for the price of their top-of-the-line kit.

 

[rob0781]

Free (I built a set and reinforced a little. They hold up my F350 diesel dually just fine):

http://tim-yvonne.com/mikemercury/ramp.htm

F350??? thats looks like a 3500 chev to me

 

[sgrammel]

F350??? thats looks like a 3500 chev to me

Why do you need ramps with that much ground clearance?

 

[sgrammel]

but they got run over by the wife.


Thanks

Maybe time for a trip to Jenny Craig?

 

[spencejm]

I've got a set of the black Rhino ramps as well. They've held up fine. Just don't do what I did and drive right over the top! I had to dig out the jack to get the car off the ramp. They still work just fine.

Joe

 

[gunner3773]

I have these:
http://www.discountramps.com/sports_car_ramps.htm

Better than outstanding!

 

[Kinger]

Maybe time for a trip to Jenny Craig?

 

[domoMKIV]

I built my own, kind of like these. http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=284607
Mine are a bit wider and a bit longer. I also put a stop at the top so I could use the highest "step".
Of course, these are really best for low ground clearance vehicles. There isn't enough room to fart under the front bumper of my supra.
I did use them on my wifes stock IS300 and they get the car up enough to manuever (a bit) underneath. Enough for an oil change.

 

[babzog]

I'd never trust plastic ramps with my life. Built me a set of wooden ones.

Take 2 - 2x10. Cut into 4' 3', 2' qnd 1' sections. You can optionally mitre the ends to 45 deg while making your cuts - makes the driving onto the ramp easier. Screw them together and stack the boards so one end of each is flush with the one below. Add a stop strip to keep from driving over the end and you're done. They will support a lot of weight, will not crush or deform, are cheap to build and will last for years.

 

[metal1313]

i too built mine. actually i have two sets, one for my truck to make things easier, and another for my moms car which need different angles to work. since i had some scrap 2x10 it was easier to just make new ones. i also use them to raise my trailer when it needs to be serviced

 

[Vinko]

@HoseB: that's a nice simple design. I had thought of something like that (at least for the structural area) welded out of scrap 2 x 2 sq. tubing). Maybe that with a ply top might do the trick. It would certainly save time cutting 3/8" steel plate.