Now how hard will this be for a rookie? Any tips on technique or whatever works to get up the ramps safely? When going real slow, especially uphill, if I don't have the clutch "just-right" the tires will either screetch or the car will buck. :crazy:

 

Try running over a piece of 2 x 4 at the bottom of the ramps first. Put the piece of 2x4 in front of the wheels and the ramp behind the 2 x 4. You may also want to put some old rubber floor mats under the ramps to keep them from sliding forward.

 

Practice makes perfect, it's really no different than being stopped on a hill. Just have to get it just right, you don't want to slip the clutch too much, but you can feel when the car is about to stall, just give it a little more gas. Just be sure to hit the brakes when you get over the "hump".

 

i brace the ramps with 2x4 to keep them still then let the clutch out slow....youll get the hang of it

 

Let the front tires touch the ramp, then with minimum gas without stalling, ease up the ramp, let the clutch slip a little, but not too much as any clutch slip is bad on the clutch, woth practice you can tell when the engine is on the verge of stalling, then hit the brake when you get to the top and end of the ramp. You will not go off the end unless you are really going fast. With two or thre tries you will become an old pro. Sid.

 

And get someone to guide you (tell you how far to the top of the ramp), usually helps quite a bit.

 

Use the emergency brake! Pull the brake, release the clutch until it starts to grab, then ease the brake back down till you start to move. Keep your hand on the brake and keep it partially applied for smoother control.
You can also use this method to load up the drivetrain at the dragstrip.

 

I once watched my father put my ol' baby, a Buick Regal, over a set of ramps. the nose went right through the garage wall. Man, was I angry! Where did he get off hurtin my car!??! :D

 

Lots of good advice here. You can also brace the ramps with a couple of long 2 x 4's against the bottom of the garage wall. I always use the emergency brake when driving onto the ramps. That way the front brakes don't grab and cause your ramps to slide. Also, it helps to sweep the floor really good so there's no sand under the ramps and they won't slide so easy.

Greg

 

I know what you mean Flyboy. I get up the ramps with just a little bit of gas and some clutch slippage. I try to keep the revs constant and on the low side. Then I sort of use the clutch pedal as a throttle, adjusting the slip until it starts creeping up the ramp. My Rhino ramps have a big enough stop on the top so I don't really have to worry about going over. Anyway since I'm not revving the engine high and not going very far I don't think this causes excessive clutch wear.

Securing the ramps as suggested elsewhere in this thread is a must if you're working on a slick garage floor.