metal ramps from HF

[M-EGT]

Just bought the pair of metal ramps from Harbor Freight, on sale for $40, used the 20% coupon bringing my after-tax total to $34.
Best part, they are made in the USA

Anyone else use them?

 

[yjWrangler]

You should link to the item on their site so people know which ramps you're talking about.

 

[Vvmvbb]

Nah, too steep for low cars like mine.

 

[M-EGT]

You should link to the item on their site so people know which ramps you're talking about.

good point

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-solid-steel-auto-ramp-set-68365.html

 

[Hootbro]

I bought a set of these and trashed them the first time I used it.

As previously mentioned, if you have anything that is low to the ground like any standard sedan, they will not fit. I tried on a Honda Civic and Toyota Camry.

Anyway, I have a full size Toyota Tundra and the factory tires are way wide for the ramp for one thing. When I tried to drive up the ramp gingerly and not overshot the top flat part, the ramps skidded about 6" on asphalt and tweaked in the front inboard radius bend and developed a crack. After that, they could not be trusted and I threw them in the scrap pile.

I will take a picture when I get home later and post. This design might have been fine for 1980's and back designed cars, but any truck or SUV today, I would not use them.

 

[Super Sport]

Not to **** on your thread, but Rhino ramps are around the same price, also made in the USA, wider, and can accommodate most lower cars (my Camaro has never had a problem with them).

 

[mmack66]

Doesn't look like it would take much to have those ramps fold up like a wet taco.

 

[M-EGT]

I bought a set of these and trashed them the first time I used it.

As previously mentioned, if you have anything that is low to the ground like any standard sedan, they will not fit. I tried on a Honda Civic and Toyota Camry.

I will take a picture when I get home later and post. This design might have been fine for 1980's and back designed cars, but any truck or SUV today, I would not use them.

Thanks.
I plan to use it for my '67 Buick.
Definitely too tall for my Ford ****** though

 

[M-EGT]

Not to **** on your thread, but Rhino ramps are around the same price, also made in the USA, wider, and can accommodate most lower cars (my Camaro has never had a problem with them).

I'll take a look into it.

 

[tribbles]

Stamped steel ramps give me the heebee-jeebees. I've got a pair I got for Christmas back in the '90s that I only dared use under a Ford Festiva.

 

[aka Larry]

Not to **** on your thread, but Rhino ramps are around the same price, also made in the USA, wider, and can accommodate most lower cars (my Camaro has never had a problem with them).

+1 for Rhino Ramps. Lighter, stronger, and have a better approach angle.

 

[theamcaddict]

The rhino ramps crack sometimes so even they are not invincible. For $40 ill buy an extra set if they are Made in USA. I have a metal yellow pair that have been in heavy use and have not let me down yet. I still like the rhino ramps for certain applications , especially on smooth concrete or for lower vehicles.

 

[Coach James]

My dad has been using a set of steel ramps from K-Mart for 30+ years. For my Saturn, I tool a pair of three foot 2x10s, drove 2 spikes into the end of the boards, bent them 90 degrees and put them in the ramp holes half way up the ramps. Made it easy to drive my Saturn up the ramps.

I have Rhino Ramps and like them. Much better for my wide tire vehicles.

Nice to see HF selling a USA made steel product.

Coach

 

[M-EGT]

Nice to see HF selling a USA made steel product.

thats what I was pleased about. I quite honestly didnt think HF sold anything from the US...

 

[M-EGT]

here it is

 

[Hootbro]

Below is a pic of my set that shows the crack on the right ramp and the mangled leg on the left ramp.

In reading one of the other HF reviews, another guy also claims to have collapsed his set with his truck. I do not trust them.

 

[jamesemery728]

Any ramps that leave air between the bottom of your tires and the ground can collapse. I have had good luck with Rhino ramps, but always keep a jack or two under the car or a set of jack stands. Don't let any ramps give you a false sense of security, build yourself a set of solid wood ramps that can not collapse.

 

[mmack66]

I have some of the older style Rhino ramps, and under proper use, I don't foresee a situation where they could collapse, though I have heard that the newer Rhino ramps have a lot less bracing in them.

 

[jonathan75]

The set I got 18 years ago from Kmart looks like it is from the same factory or mold. They have been great. At the time they sold these adapters that were heavy duty plastic that helped with low profile cars. I have the adapters that attach to the ramp.

 

[alan camby]

I use some steel ramps I built.

I always place one of my homemade stands under the vehicle for extra safety. These stands were tested at 40,000 lbs each

 

[Coach James]

Below is a pic of my set that shows the crack on the right ramp and the mangled leg on the left ramp.

In reading one of the other HF reviews, another guy also claims to have collapsed his set with his truck. I do not trust them.

The one that is cracked looks like the crack is covered in paint. Did it come from the factory cracked?

The lower rated Rhino Ramps have less bracing than the ones rated for a higher weight. When I bought mine, I think there was just one version.

Coach

 

[Hootbro]

The one that is cracked looks like the crack is covered in paint. Did it come from the factory cracked?

The lower rated Rhino Ramps have less bracing than the ones rated for a higher weight. When I bought mine, I think there was just one version.

Coach

Do it did not come cracked. If you look, the crack is in the valley of one of the stamping creases.

When I drove my truck up on them, their was an audible tone when they cracked that I heard. The other ramp on the left but not in the camera frame also has a like crack.

My truck was well within rating of these ramps.

 

[jonathan75]

Here is the only picture I could find of my ramp that looks just like the HF version. My Son was helping me change the oil. He was two years old in this picture. My ramp is very old but it looks like it is from the same factory. If I remember correctly I got it from Kmart. If you look closely you can see the low profile adapter at the end of the ramp. It was sold separately as a kit.

 

[Guns R Tools]

I would stack 2x4's under the ramp as safety.

 

[ATC]

I have never used those metal ramps because I don't trust them. I've seen/heard of too many folding up. Besides...all the trucks I've owned have been too heavy for them.

I use Rhino Ramps. I've had a pair for about 8-9 years now, and use them exclusively on gravel under my 3/4 and 1-ton trucks. I just wish they were taller. I've had plans drawn up to build a set similar to "alan camby"'s above for a while now...I just haven't had the spare cash for the steel...

 

[Skin]

USA or not those things look sketchy as hell. Another negative, you'd need to put plywood under them if you have an asphalt drive to keep them from sinking in.

 

[wkohler]

I have a set of Rhino ramps but I really don't like them. Most I use them for is setting wheels on them while jacking them up. I have found them nearly impossible to actually drive onto since they just skid out of the way. The non-skid rubber pad is hardly adequate, particularly when all of the force is exerted at the approach. I have used expansion joints to aide with that in the past, but I decided it just wasn't worth it. That's what makes some of the heavier options more appealing. It's gotten to the point where I don't much trust jack stands either, particularly those that make a very small contact point with the car.

 

[Skin]

I have found them nearly impossible to actually drive onto since they just skid out of the way.

I've done this to but attribute it to either unfamiliar throttle response or a very touchy peddle.

 

[Vvmvbb]

When I use the Rhinos, I jam the ramps under the wheels and then ease up. They don't slide, and I don't have the rubber piece. Maybe that will work for you.

 

[mmack66]

When I use the Rhinos, I jam the ramps under the wheels and then ease up. They don't slide, and I don't have the rubber piece. Maybe that will work for you.

I've never had mine slide either.

 

[Goon]

I first bought a pair of the steel ramps at Napa about 6 years ago because I didn't trust plastic ramps. I always used steel ramps but they were my Dad's so I had to get my own set eventually.

I have driven my Jeep Cherokee, Crown Victoria P71, and my K2500 up them and I have NEVER had a problem or felt concerned that they would fail. I'm not sure they are the same as the HF ones, but I've only seen one version of these in the last decade.

That being said, this year I bought a set of the max weight rated Rhino ramps for around $55. I needed them for working on my Subaru Impreza. As said the metal ramps are pretty tall. I've used them with my K2500 too and had no issues. I like that they are wider and the K2500 is tall enough to crawl under with no ramps so the low Rhinos are fine.

I would not dare use the Rhinos in the winter. It gets below zero here and I have to work outside or in unheated garages.

 

[jonathan75]

It looks like you can still get the low profile ramp adapters. Here is the company that makes the ramps and adapters.

http://www.autoramps.com/ultra_ramps.htm

 

[tomshep]

I have some of the older style Rhino ramps, and under proper use, I don't foresee a situation where they could collapse, though I have heard that the newer Rhino ramps have a lot less bracing in them.

There are two versions. The older ramps are black and have a number of ribs in them underneath. I recently saw a set that were gray and were rated much lighter with less ribbing.

Tom

 

[e-tek]

^^ Only on GJ does a guy show his new purchase, get razzed for it, then it turns into a "lhere's how I built it - but better" thread....

LOL!!

 

[cajunfirehawk]

I use a combo of: Rhino ramps, a floor jack and or jack stands = my redneck lift...LOL
Saw the steel ramps and passed. My F150 on those would scare the **** out of me...