Plastic Drive Up Ramps
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 828
Likes: 2
Plastic Drive Up Ramps
Hi,
Does any one here use these plastic drive up ramps?
I feel life threatened because they are plastic. I don't want a car falling on me changing bushings or an oil change.
Some re assurance please!
Thanks
Jack
Does any one here use these plastic drive up ramps?
I feel life threatened because they are plastic. I don't want a car falling on me changing bushings or an oil change.
Some re assurance please!
Thanks
Jack
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 945
Likes: 10
From: Winston Salem NC
I've see them but can't afford them. Race Ramps are the popular ones now. They are very thick and should be stable enough. I saw some off brand ramps at Advance Auto that nested inside each other. That was interesting to me but I have my Harbor Freight jack stands and they are good for now.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 284
Likes: 4
From: Philadelphia Pennsylvania
I changed my oil while the front was on a pair of plastic ramps and I was pretty scared, especially when I had to yank on the oil drain plug to get it loose. They didn't show any sign of failing... but I bought jack stands for all future work and plan on using cinder blocks along with them.
There's exactly enough clearance under there to squish your head like a melon.
There's exactly enough clearance under there to squish your head like a melon.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
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From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Rhino ramps are excellent which i paid about $40 for. I don't think you have to worry about any of these ramps collapsing as the liability would be staggering for the manufacturer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
That's a fair point...it does help your survivors after you're in the ground after the necessity of a closed casket viewing.
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
I always use a backup support no matter what I use.
Even a couple of cinder blocks with some thick pressure treated wood blocks will catch the vehicle if a jack fails.
I have seen cars start to list when a jack was the only point of lifting.
Dirve up ramps of heavy duty type are what I use with forementioned jackstands or blocks.
Unless you need to pull a wheel of course.
Bman
Even a couple of cinder blocks with some thick pressure treated wood blocks will catch the vehicle if a jack fails.
I have seen cars start to list when a jack was the only point of lifting.
Dirve up ramps of heavy duty type are what I use with forementioned jackstands or blocks.
Unless you need to pull a wheel of course.
Bman
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
As mentioned, always good having a back up plan, like some jack stands or wood blocks underneath. Wheel chocks are good too, as read a few articles, on guys who wished they had. One guy was working on his car that got loose, hooked and dragged him into a lake, drowning. Not exactly what I'd consider as having a good day, and the car was totally trashed too.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Cinder blocks? 
Use solid wood blocks if not proper jack stands. Actually, use 3/4" plywood squares about 12" square or larger under jack stands on any surface besides concrete.
Keeping a supply of 8" x 8" wooden blocks about a foot long or so and a number of 6-ton or larger jackstands is the only way to go. Put a 6-ton stand beside those little toy stands and you won't want to use the toy stands again. A good pair of ramps used with wheel chocks will also suffice, especially if you're working on say a gravel surface where stands or blocks can easily sink.
Use solid wood blocks if not proper jack stands. Actually, use 3/4" plywood squares about 12" square or larger under jack stands on any surface besides concrete.
Keeping a supply of 8" x 8" wooden blocks about a foot long or so and a number of 6-ton or larger jackstands is the only way to go. Put a 6-ton stand beside those little toy stands and you won't want to use the toy stands again. A good pair of ramps used with wheel chocks will also suffice, especially if you're working on say a gravel surface where stands or blocks can easily sink.
Last edited by lionelhutz; Jun 29, 2012 at 09:56 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 67
From: Midland Ontario
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I've been using the plastic ones for over a year now....not as steep an approach as my old trusty red metal ones....so much better for a vette. Have a higher payload rating than my steel ones.....I'd recommend them.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Native Californian CALIFORNIA
Army
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I have two sets of the Rhino Ramps and have never felt like they were going to give in on me. Both of my Rhino Ramps are the heavier rated ramps that are sold at Auto Zone or Advance Auto. I have used them on every truck I have had, vettes, camaros, avalanches etc... Mine are not the newer stacking kind that I have seen. I also have two sets of jack stands for when I need to work on a vehicle with the tires off.
Having said all of that, I do think a set of the Race Ramps would be so sweet to have.
Having said all of that, I do think a set of the Race Ramps would be so sweet to have.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,713
Likes: 31
From: Shreveport LA
LA Events Coordinator
I used to have a set of Rhino Ramps. But about 5 years ago, I was going up the ramps and the passenger side, just as I was about half way up the ramp, slid away from the car. The ramp flipped out, the Vette fell and the ramp slammed into the side of the Vette!! Since then I only use steel ramps that DON'T SLIDE. And besides, I want to have STEEL hold up my car....not plastic!! I have never seen a plastic (or composite) car lift....has anyone?
Now those Rhino Ramps are in the local landfill where they belong. JMHO
Since then I only use steel ramps that DON'T SLIDE. And besides, I want to have STEEL hold up my car....not plastic!! I have never seen a plastic (or composite) car lift....has anyone? Now those Rhino Ramps are in the local landfill where they belong. JMHO
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Philadelphia PA
$25 Race Ramps Gift Card plus $25 Instant Rebate offer
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Between July 1 and September 30, 2012, Race Ramps is offering a $25 Visa Gift Card with the purchase of the most popular trailer ramps and service ramps. Reverse Logic is matching this offer with an additional $25 Instant Rebate on ANY other Race Ramps ramp product purchased on the same order during the promotion.
More details on our Specials page.
http://www.reverselogic.us/ReverseLo.../Specials.html
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 828
Likes: 2
I've been using the plastic ones for over a year now....not as steep an approach as my old trusty red metal ones....so much better for a vette. Have a higher payload rating than my steel ones.....I'd recommend them.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en
I have those red steel ones too.
The plastic Rhino's from Advance auto said guaranteed to 8,000 lbs and have less of an incline.
I can go up with cars that are lower to the ground.
I don't bottom out on the ramps with the plastic ones.
Jack
Last edited by xkeots; Jul 1, 2012 at 06:45 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 828
Likes: 2
I used to have a set of Rhino Ramps. But about 5 years ago, I was going up the ramps and the passenger side, just as I was about half way up the ramp, slid away from the car. The ramp flipped out, the Vette fell and the ramp slammed into the side of the Vette!! Since then I only use steel ramps that DON'T SLIDE. And besides, I want to have STEEL hold up my car....not plastic!! I have never seen a plastic (or composite) car lift....has anyone?
Now those Rhino Ramps are in the local landfill where they belong. JMHO
Since then I only use steel ramps that DON'T SLIDE. And besides, I want to have STEEL hold up my car....not plastic!! I have never seen a plastic (or composite) car lift....has anyone? Now those Rhino Ramps are in the local landfill where they belong. JMHO
Jack