Vehicle Ramps

[ephotrod]

Looking to purchase a friend a gift (vehicle ramps), they have begun doing their own oil changes, to assist them in their efforts I'd like to buy good quality safe vehicle ramps.

Budget is 200 dollars.

While researching and reading reviews I've come to learn many ramps crack, slide, and or fold. If you all could give me suggestions based on your actual use of your ramps I'd greatly appreciate it.

I would also be open to making some out of wood but don't know what the best wood type, and dimensions would be.

 

[k1rodeoboater]

IME all ramps slide unless there's something physically keeping them from moving.

If you get some 2x10s or 2x12s and cut them in descending lengths you can build a ramp that will hold up anything on wheels. They'll be heavy though. To keep a ramp from sliding get some flat webbing and attach it to the ramp. Run it back so it'll be under the rear tires.

 

[M6erfan]

Looking to purchase a friend a gift (vehicle ramps), they have begun doing their own oil changes, to assist them in their efforts I'd like to buy good quality safe vehicle ramps.

Budget is 200 dollars.

While researching and reading reviews I've come to learn many ramps crack, slide, and or fold. If you all could give me suggestions based on your actual use of your ramps I'd greatly appreciate it.

I would also be open to making some out of wood but don't know what the best wood type, and dimensions would be.

You'll hear horror stories!

I have two sets of Rhino ramps, one more than 15 years old, the other set is a few years old. Both are fine with passenger cars and light trucks.

Race ramps are really nice, but Pricey.

I've never done DIY wood.

 

[Locker537]

Ramps slide depending on the surface. I've done plenty of quick jobs using ramps on the side of the road or driveway over the years where they don't usually slide since the surface is rough.

The slide (and make a terrible sound!) on smooth garage flooring.

What about a jack and set of jack stands? You can do pretty well with a $200 budget. Up it to $250 and you can get $179 Daytona jack from HF and some nicer stands.

 

[dusterdude]

I have a set of steel ramps I bought in 1977,still use em

Sent from my LG-US601 using Tapatalk

 

[gungatim]

a decent jack and set of jack stands are much more useful and easier to store. I hated storing my ramps so much I actually gave them away.

I've never seen ramps fold or crack. my pair was black, one-piece steel stamped. no idea the brand, were probably $20 when I bought them in the '80's. used them on anything that would fit up to a Tahoe with no issues.

keep in mind many vehicles won't fit on ramps, too low to the ground/body work gets in the way more often than you think.

that's why people make them out of wood with long low approach angles. but then they are ugly and even more difficult to store.

$200 would get a nice daytona jack and pair of stands.

 

[vavet]

I've had generic steel ramps. They worked fine, but they were heavy and scratched the garage floor when driving up because they slid. Never had a problem putting a RWD vehicle on them, probably because of the mass. The angle was steep for small cars.

I now have a pair of Rhino ramps. The angle is lower. Must easier to move because they are lighter, but they simply do not work for RWD vehicles. My working theory is this - a FWD vehicle sorta pulls the ramps under its own tires. The front tires of a RWD vehicle just push the ramp. I've tried putting bags of deicer right behind the ramp. I've tried setting them on the rougher asphalt driveway instead of the smooth concrete garage floor. I had to resort to jacking up the front end of my car and using jack stands or jacking it up high enough to put the ramps under it.

 

[M6erfan]

I've had generic steel ramps. They worked fine, but they were heavy and scratched the garage floor when driving up because they slid. Never had a problem putting a RWD vehicle on them, probably because of the mass. The angle was steep for small cars.

I now have a pair of Rhino ramps. The angle is lower. Must easier to move because they are lighter, but they simply do not work for RWD vehicles. My working theory is this - a FWD vehicle sorta pulls the ramps under its own tires. The front tires of a RWD vehicle just push the ramp. I've tried putting bags of deicer right behind the ramp. I've tried setting them on the rougher asphalt driveway instead of the smooth concrete garage floor. I had to resort to jacking up the front end of my car and using jack stands or jacking it up high enough to put the ramps under it.

I use my Rhino ramps with RWD all the time. On a smooth surface they will push though. I just use them on our concrete driveway with no issue.

 

[_Riddle]

Another fan of Rhino Ramps. I've had them for a few years now and never had any issues with sliding. Easier than a jack/stands but the ramps do take up storage space.

 

[mike93lx]

Rhino ramps for me. I was very happy to get rid of my heavy and noisy metal ramps.

 

[k1rodeoboater]

I now have a pair of Rhino ramps. The angle is lower. Must easier to move because they are lighter, but they simply do not work for RWD vehicles. My working theory is this - a FWD vehicle sorta pulls the ramps under its own tires. The front tires of a RWD vehicle just push the ramp. I've tried putting bags of deicer right behind the ramp. I've tried setting them on the rougher asphalt driveway instead of the smooth concrete garage floor. I had to resort to jacking up the front end of my car and using jack stands or jacking it up high enough to put the ramps under it.

Seriously try the strap method. You need enough to run the length of your wheel base, up the front of the ramp and down to your front tire + a few inches for wiggle room. It'll hold the ramp in place for you. Alternatively if you have a long cam strap you can accomplish the same thing, just put a lasso loop with the cam buckle around the ramp

 

[sparky 1971]

I have the Rhino ramps also. They have never slid that I can remember. When I bought them 15+ years ago, one of the first thing that went onto them was my brothers 1994 Chevy 3500 quad cab with the diesel engine. I did that just to make sure they wouldn't smash when I put my normal sized vehicles on them.

The only downfall that I can see with them is that they aren't very tall. A heavyweight (fat guy) like me may not be able to get under some cars. This is pure speculation since all that I can remember having on the ramps are pick up trucks and suv's.

Edit. About 10 years and 50 pounds ago I had an ******. I don't think there were any clearance issues with me then. I do know that I didn't have to go very far past the bumper to reach the drain plug though.

 

[jasonphelps]

Scepter 08226 ramps. Used them for years with great success.

 

[FlaGman]

I have the RaceRamps and they are great. 10" lift, 12" wide, doesn't skid at all. Just over $300, though...

https://raceramps.com/car-ramps/garage-and-service-ramps/67-xt-race-ramps/

 

[Jazzman442]

You'll hear horror stories!

I have two sets of Rhino ramps, one more than 15 years old, the other set is a few years old. Both are fine with passenger cars and light trucks.

Race ramps are really nice, but Pricey.

I've never done DIY wood.

Rhino all the way. I have 2 sets and they are the best especially for the price.

 

[wolf_from_wv]

What kind of vehicles do they have? A car that sits low may not be able to go up the ramp.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

I have metal ramps and have used them for years without issues. They don't slide on my garage floor either. I wedge them under the tire as far as possible to start and then drive right up.

 

[KBigg]

It depends on what he drives IMO. I bought a set of rhino ramps but cant use them on my car without ripping off the valance. It just your average 2007 Pontiac G6. However I still use them to change the oil on my S10 and Grand Cherokee and they have do their job well. I wouldn't know about them sliding as I have a gravel driveway though.

 

[rsanter]

How about get the a good jack and jack stands

 

[Wamsutta]

Rhino ramps are fine. They can be pain getting your tires centered on them though.

 

[fsae0607]

I don't like ramps. I'm always scared I'm going gas it too much and drive over the stop. I gave mine away a long time ago. Not to mention the clearance issues on a lot of cars.

I much prefer a jack and jackstands.

 

[Jtels85]

I recently cracked a Rhino ramp two weeks ago. They slide on concrete so I placed them outside of the garage on the gravel. As I rolled by big *** car up onto them, I discovered after getting out that the base on the front had cracked about 4”. I deemed it unsafe and disposed of it.

I’m not sure if that should’ve happened or not considering the surface it was resting on, but still disappointing nonetheless. That plastic is thick.

 

[FigureItOut]

Have you considered wheel cribs? Ramps can be a pain for all the reasons mentioned, and jack stands do require some experience and good judgement to use properly. Personally, I strongly prefer wheel cribs to jack stands. I just don't feel comfortable under a car on stands, and when you're not comfortable you're not efficient and attentive.

 

[Bighead38]

Buy wood and make ramps for him.

 

[Qualitytools]

You'll hear horror stories!

I have two sets of Rhino ramps, one more than 15 years old, the other set is a few years old. Both are fine with passenger cars and light trucks.

Race ramps are really nice, but Pricey.

I've never done DIY wood.

+1 on Rhino ramps, I have had my grey ones since 2004, I use them monthly and no issues for my BMW, Ford Ranger and escape

 

[rcjoy]

Race Ramps are great. Very light, yet durable. The small "roll-up" version is nice when you just need to raise the car a bit. The long 2-piece version for when you need to get up high. Or use both to raise both the front and rear of the car.

Much safer than using a jack and jack stands if you are not doing wheel/suspension work.

 

[KHatfull]

I'll throw in for Rhino Ramps too. I got the Max ones, the 16000lb. pair even though I only have passenger cars and a minivan. Never, ever felt unsafe under them. I do look them over before each use though because, well, I'm me.

 

[Honest Bob]

I had some rhino ramps and they ended up cracking after a couple years. I ended up with some large metal ramps from the flea market for my truck but my cars wont fit on them. The guys at work use ramps made from cut up 2x6's for everything including semi trucks, thats probably the route I would go.

 

[dubdoc]

These are my 25 year old steel ramps, modified for use on a concrete floor. First, I cleaned them thoroughly and sprayed with bedliner (for better traction). Then I addressed the sliding issue. See that roll on the top? It's a roll of ribbed rubber matting that can be unrolled to make a base for the ramp to sit on. Since it's screwed to the front of the ramp, NO slides. Perfection !

 

[Stooge]

What about a jack and set of jack stands? You can do pretty well with a $200 budget. Up it to $250 and you can get $179 Daytona jack from HF and some nicer stands.

a decent jack and set of jack stands are much more useful and easier to store. I hated storing my ramps so much I actually gave them away.
.......

$200 would get a nice daytona jack and pair of stands.

How about get the a good jack and jack stands

I agree with these guys. a person who starts doing their own oil changes is probably going to want to make the natural progression and start doing more stuff themselves on their vehicle. while ramps are fine for oil changes, most of the general diy stuff like brakes, suspension, steering, or even with some cars changing a headlight bulb or a belt requires removing a wheel or 2 and where a jack a pair of stands become infinitely more useful.

 

[jgromada]

I agree with the comments about jack stands. It is mandatory once you start doing things like brake work. But eventually you will want the jack stands and of course a real jack to lift the vehicle.

I had a bad experience with ramps early on. I bought some on a yard sale and it was too steep an angle so it snagged the fender liner on my old BMW. This is an area where materials have greatly improved over the year. My old fender liners were brittle . The new liners were very flexible and have held up great. So i may still use these ramps but I just jack the car up and stick the ramps under the wheels. Not to mention I don't like that feeling of driving up onto ramps, as i always feel like i will drive over the top of them.

 

[ephotrod]

The friend is a female and she has let me know she not to interested in jack and jack stands. I have made the choice of making wood ones for her, in talking with her she feels most secure under a solid block rather than plastic. Thank you for all the input.

 

[Wamsutta]

The ramps are a necessity for tightening up control arm bolts. The bushings need to be tightened unloaded and the only way to have the bushings unloaded is to have the vehicle sitting on its tires.

 

[mike93lx]

The ramps are a necessity for tightening up control arm bolts. The bushings need to be tightened unloaded and the only way to have the bushings unloaded is to have the vehicle sitting on its tires.

LOL. Control arm bolts for someone just starting to change her own oil? Crawl before you run...

 

[Wamsutta]

LOL. Control arm bolts for someone just starting to change her own oil? Crawl before you run...

It's worth mentioning for somebody else reading this thread that might be faced with the same decision.

 

[wildbill23c]

A better purchase would be a floor jack and jack stands. In my experience with ramps they just slide around unless you have a way to secure them to the ground...I have a set of ramps and I much prefer jacking up the vehicle and putting jack stands under it than trying to use those stupid ramps. Course a Floor Jack to lift the vehicle and then put the ramps under it would be another method I guess LOL.

 

[jd_1138]

I'd just get them some Rhino Ramps, a wheel chock and a set of frame stands. Teach them to double up on safety -- toss a jack under the side and/or frame stands. Put e-brake on, etc..

Having some ramps, frame stands, at least a trolley jack or better, wheel chock, and a creeper are all nice to have for the DIYer. Sometimes you can find a package on sale for like $99 that comes with ramps, creeper, frame stands, etc. on ebay or other online stores.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I built some out of scrap from a construction sight i was helping on. Work great but heavy for sure

 

[Fcvapor05]

Race ramps are the best product on the market for this need.

Within your budget:

https://raceramps.com/car-ramps/garage-and-service-ramps/40-inch-sport-ramps/

A little bit of a stretch:

https://raceramps.com/car-ramps/garage-and-service-ramps/56-race-ramps/

 

[atikovi]

I've used these home made wooden ramps for over 20 years. With 5 different levels you can get one side of the car higher if a drain plug is on the other side. Think I used three 2x6's and each level is about 10 inches long.