Harbor Freight "Maintenance Ramps" any good?

[goodysgotacuda]

http://www.harborfreight.com/magnum-16000-auto-ramp-set-with-built-in-safety-chock-67722.html


I'm interested in in a set of ramps and these seem like they'd do what I need them to do. Does anyone here have some experience with them? Their reviews are not good, but it wouldn't be the first time the product was updated/improved under the same part number and kept the old reviews on their site..

Thanks!

 

[kythri]

Here's some more reviews from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007B6BHW6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Personally, I'd buy Rhino Ramps. I've got a pair of the older grey ones (12,000lbs, I think?) and they work/worked pretty well. I don't really use them anymore, unless somethings really low and I need to put it on the ramps before trying to put a jack under it.

The newer Rhino stuff seems to have a higher weight capacity, and they stack/nest in each other, so storage is nicer.

The HF ramps appear to be a 3rd-party product rather than something they've made/sourced themselves: http://www.magnumautomotivegroup.com/auto-ramp.html

Here's the Rhino 16k lb ramps: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006EGAIJ2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Here's the Rhino 12klb ramps: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006EGAIII/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[goodysgotacuda]

I'll check into those. I liked that the HF ones had the break-away ramp though..

 

[RECox286]

I've had two sets of ramps in my time under cars. Had one

ramp collapse while I was driving up on it. The next set, I

was real careful with, and had no problems. If the set you're

looking at will really hold up 4000#, it seems like it would be

enough for home use (regular vehicle, not bus or other heavy

truck. I got away from using ramps b/c they just scare me

a bit, after that one incident. I would advise you to make sure

the ****** is in Park, and the E brake is functional and Set, then

have a pair of good wheel chocks for the wheels left on the ground.

As a note of interest, which you may consider, I rely on two 2t floor

jacks and two sets of 6t jack stands which takes the scare out of

the evolution, gets the vehicle higher up, and is much cheaper than

a lift (which I cannot afford). So, I can't walk under the car, but

I do what needs be done w/o thoughts of being reduced to an oily

grease spot !

Uncle Bob

 

[BirdMobile]

I would NEVER, NEVER, NEVER trust a Harbor Freight item for anything where my life was at risk if it broke. Jack stands, strut spring compressors, ramps, etc. should come with giant skull and crossbones painted on the side...
NEVER!

Love a lot of their tools, particularly their impact sockets and breaker bars... but the quality is just not inspiring enough for me to trust my life to any of it.

 

[LEVE]

I've been using a set of Rino ramps for over 15 years and they've worked flawlessly. I do, however like the ability in the HF ramps to take off the ramp. I'll be looking at them more closely. As for quality? Well, I'm working on Prii and I've metal ramps for my Ranger.

 

[zkling]

Personally I would get a jack and a set of jack stands. I think you could do alot more with them. Then again I've just never been a fan of ramps. YMMV

 

[goodysgotacuda]

I definitely have jack stands around here, 8 actually. I have 4tons [2], 6tons [4] and 12tons [2].

However, this vehicle [VW Golf] just doesn't lend itself to being jacked up very comfortably and I've setup dozens and dozens of vehicles on stands. The Golf takes jacking up, setting stands at weird angle on parts that aren't loading the stand in the way I'm too comfortable with. I'm sure I can get it done, but working under it twice now, I've since sought out an easier method [ramps] for basic maintenance that I would be more comfortable with.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Don't know about the ones you are looking at but I've had a set of the metal ones collapse under my 1973 caprice station wagon years ago and never trusted ramps since. Whatever you do don't get a set of the stamped metal ones.

Read the amazon reviews for the rhino ramps. There are a few "they collapsed just before I was climbing under my car" in the reviews.

Chris

 

[trentonmakes]

Make your own from wood planks

 

[zkling]

I definitely have jack stands around here, 8 actually. I have 4tons [2], 6tons [4] and 12tons [2].

However, this vehicle [VW Golf] just doesn't lend itself to being jacked up very comfortably and I've setup dozens and dozens of vehicles on stands. The Golf takes jacking up, setting stands at weird angle on parts that aren't loading the stand in the way I'm too comfortable with. I'm sure I can get it done, but working under it twice now, I've since sought out an easier method [ramps] for basic maintenance that I would be more comfortable with.

In that case I'd suggest you build a set of these (space permitting). I helped a friend build a set, who ironically also has a VW Golf diesel. Man I hate working on that thing.

http://corvettec3.ca/ramps.htm