It's time - RIP Rhino ramps

[crasher98]

Noticed a crack in the corner of one of my Rhino ramps - the only set of good jack stands I have are currently occupied by a car, but I needed a couple for a different car so I put the first car on the rhino ramps so I could borrow the jack stands. While I was crawling around under the second car I happened to look over and see the crack in the Rhinos. They're probably 8-10 years old so I got a lot of good use out of them, and I already have a newer set and now will go buy another set to replace this one (which of course is going directly into the garbage). So I'm pro-Rhino ramps, but this confirms my belief that sticking a pair a steel jack stands under the car when it's on these ramps is a sensible idea. Also a PSA: if you have these ramps check your corners from time to time.

I don't think these ramps have ever had anything heavier than a Subaru STI on them -- and only half the car at a time! -- so I suspect there's some operator error involved in this failure.

 

[BrandonV]

Thanks for the PSA. The set I'm using is probably 20 years old and has been stored in an Arizona garage their whole lives. I'll probably get a pair of ultra low profile jackstands just in-case.

They look different so I wonder if their construction is any better/worse.

 

[isb cornbinder]

When you go to buy replacement Rhinos, take the cracked ones with you. You may get some consideration on the new set/

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

If you decide to throw out the Rhino Ramps I'd suggest you cut them up into pieces. Wouldn't want to be the reason someone gets crushed not noticing they are damaged albeit slightly.

 

[vavet]

So what’s the hive mind think about the right way to dispose of these? I’d hate to toss them only to have someone come behind me and dig them out, use them, and get hurt or killed because they failed. Even worse would be a scavenger recovered them and resold them To someone who got hurt or killed.
would you take a recip saw to them and render them completely incapable?

 

[mike93lx]

When you go to buy replacement Rhinos, take the cracked ones with you. You may get some consideration on the new set/

If you want that I think you need to reach out to rhino directly. A retailer isn't going to give you a discount or free replacement without a specific warranty

 

[mike93lx]

So what’s the hive mind think about the right way to dispose of these? I’d hate to toss them only to have someone come behind me and dig them out, use them, and get hurt or killed because they failed. Even worse would be a scavenger recovered them and resold them To someone who got hurt or killed.
would you take a recip saw to them and render them completely incapable?

I'd just throw them away and not think about it again

 

[BrandonV]

So what’s the hive mind think about the right way to dispose of these? I’d hate to toss them only to have someone come behind me and dig them out, use them, and get hurt or killed because they failed. Even worse would be a scavenger recovered them and resold them To someone who got hurt or killed.
would you take a recip saw to them and render them completely incapable?

Probably just saw them if you're in an area where you think people will be digging thru your trash.

Where I live the big green truck will make quick work of it before anyone has an opportunity to grab them.

 

[P0234]

I'd just throw them away and not think about it again

Just put them in the recycling like everyone else does! It's plastic right????

My neighbors put a Dyson in their recycling bin.... Diapers too.

 

[Levaughn]

Could it be that the plastic deteriorates over time?

 

[P0234]

Common issue, mine have cracks in the end. I was going to get a new set but the new ones appear way flimsier than my old ones. Wish there was a reasonably priced alternative that was built a little better.

 

[crasher98]

I did think about how I could keep them away from 'pickers'; if I can stuff them in my garbage can so it can be closed and no one can see them from the road I'll do that, because the garbage truck has a grabber that picks up the cans and dumps them into the truck and then they'll be gone -- not even the garbage men will be able to get them. But if they don't fit in the can then yes I'll cut them up or something, because where I live someone would definitely claim them. Probably it would be one of my neighbors and I like them!

The plastic still seems sound except for that one corner, and these have been stored indoors their whole life; the most extreme climate was a no-HVAC shop in the New Orleans area. So they got sweaty along with me when I was out there but they've never been frozen or out in the sun for an extended period of time or anything like that. I think the operator error I mentioned above was either driving up onto them too ineptly, letting a car onto them too hard (I've had at least one car that was too low to drive onto them so I had to jack up the car and then lower it onto the ramps), or getting the car on them too far off center, if you know what I mean. Any time I didn't get the car dead-centered on the flat part of the ramp I always fixed that immediately, but perhaps too much of that and the damage was done.

I didn't upload this picture initially, but you can see the bad one (left corner of the ramp on the right) is bulged in the bad corner. I think that started first and then the crack followed, so from now on I'll be watching for that kind of distortion and then retire the ramps if/when that happens, not wait for a crack to form. I do think Rhino ramps are safe tho - especially with jack stand insurance - and they're too convenient to quit using!

 

[PCustoms]

Thanks for the PSA. The set I'm using is probably 20 years old and has been stored in an Arizona garage their whole lives. I'll probably get a pair of ultra low profile jackstands just in-case.

They look different so I wonder if their construction is any better/worse.

My sets must be close to 20yrs old too, just used them last week for an oil change on my truck. No signs of issues but I suppose I should give them a once over.

 

[isb cornbinder]

If you want that I think you need to reach out to rhino directly. A retailer isn't going to give you a discount or free replacement without a specific warranty

You will not know the limits of the retailer until you press them. Another win is leaving the failing Rhinos with the retailer. this should transfer the responsibility to the retailer.

 

[mike93lx]

You will not know the limits of the retailer until you press them. Another win is leaving the failing Rhinos with the retailer. this should transfer the responsibility to the retailer.

Responsibility? For what?

 

[DrinkMan]

I was curious about RinoRamps warranty (I have a few sets and no cracks yet but your post made me wonder) so I went to their website (FloTools.com) and could not find any information. Perhaps if you use their Contact Us form and tell them what you have they may take care of you? Can't hurt and easy to do.

 

[nicks78camaro]

I'd never trust plastic to hold up a car. I know many people do, I just wouldn't.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Have a set works great.

 

[mikedodge]

It's that cone in the middle and the cross pieces out of it that holds most of the weight. I would have thought that cracking on the back corners would be more common with force the back sees when a car drives up it the way metal ones would start to fold at the back as they started making them cheaper before they started putting he side brackets on them.
But that does leave to question if there's an age limit on these things when plastic does have tendency to get britle and change when it gets older especially if it's been out in the sun a lot.
For getting rid of them bag them up with other garbage or see if you can damage them in an obvious way. Otherwise maybe circle the crack with paint to make it obvious why they're being thrown out and beyond that if someone does take them to use that's on them.

 

[driftpin]

I have a pair of solid-sheet aluminum ramps made from diamond plate. The easiest way to use 'em is to jack-up the car and then slip the ramps under the wheels. I've never owned Rhino Ramps, I just think steel or aluminum is better.

I agree with cutting them in half to discard them.

I doubt the manufacturer would provide any credit if you tried that route. There is probably a molded # somewhere that has the date of mfg. on each one.

 

[JohnKal]

Rhino ramps on sale at Amazon. $48 after 24% off and $12 coupon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0117EETEK?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[lolaetype]

I was curious about RinoRamps warranty (I have a few sets and no cracks yet but your post made me wonder) so I went to their website (FloTools.com) and could not find any information. Perhaps if you use their Contact Us form and tell them what you have they may take care of you? Can't hurt and easy to do.

Home Depot says they are warranted for 90 days from date of purchase.