steel frame car ramps any good?

danielv40 · Jan 22nd, 2012, 21:39

Hi everyone.

Just been thinking about getting a pair of steel frame ramps off eBay (wedge shaped drive on to type). Mainly because I'm paranoid that my axle stands will slip one day and kill me.

Have any of you guys got them, or used them? Any good or not?

Just gonna be using them to service my V40 & the Mrs fiesta. Gotta get extra wide 2.5 tone ones as the fiesta has 205 alloys on it. Lol.
At least at 2.5 tonne they should easily cope with the weight, piece of mind's worth the extra £10.

My main concern is the height of these ramps, only 20cm lift, so not loads of room, coupled with a steep incline to the platform. Do front bumpers make it up these ok?

Any info greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

Daim · Jan 22nd, 2012, 21:41

Have got a set in my garage. They've been hanging on the wall for like 10 years. Haven't used them once, as I couldn't get my car onto them (too steep).

scr8pdo · Jan 22nd, 2012, 21:46

I personally dont like to actually drive up those ramps, I have found in the past a couple of problems, 1, as you ride up the ramp can shoot out halfway up or 2 as you come off them they can ping out one side and drop the car onto it damaging the bumpers, if I ever use them I normally jack the car up and lower them onto them ramps, then its a very safe way to work compared to the axle stands.

The only other way I have used them is to bang a screwdriver or the like in front of them so they cant slip forward as you ride up them, but its only good on a dirt surface as you cant hammer a screwdriver into a concrete road or path

Rustee · Jan 22nd, 2012, 22:03

You can get ramps that lay flat then drive on and wind them up to the height required. Worth a look but more expensive.

UKTech · Jan 22nd, 2012, 22:14

Another way is to get a couple of good solid wood chocks, coupled with the axle stands you'd be as safe as houses. Jack the motor up, fit the axle stands in then fit the chocks, you can be as high as your lowest item, axle stands or chocks.
Hope you find something that works for you.

UKTech

scottishvolvo · Jan 22nd, 2012, 22:18

Same as scr8pdo. Got them and don't remember when I last used them. Moden cars seem to be too low at the front to drive up.
Decent set of axle stands are by far the best bet with the added advantage of being able to remove the wheels to work...try that with ramps!!

Marty Dolomite · Jan 22nd, 2012, 22:31

I have been using jacks and axle stands for years and never had one slip, they axle stands can not slip if placed under the car properly and on firm ground with the other wheels chocked, I also have drive on ramps, they make nice hanging decorations as they rarely get used for reason said above.

TurboZutek · Jan 23rd, 2012, 00:46

YES! Best tool purchase I've ever made.

Car with only a jack (especially the Volvo one) is a death-trap and axle stands are good, but rely too much on the points of the car being clean and grease free and the ground below being level and in good condition. I only use axle stands when I need to take a wheel off. A good burst of wind or sudden rain (eh, Scotland here) can also be bad news for a car on axle stands.

Only down side with the ramps is they JUST clear the front bumper - have to be a bit careful driving up... Though you can buy ramps that fit on the ramps if you have a low ground clearance car.

Chris...

danielv40 · Jan 23rd, 2012, 01:23

Thanks guys.
I think I'm still swaying towards buying these, most complaints here being the steep incline. I have found the above mentioned universal ramp extensions for low clearance cars.
Failing that I'd still rather jack the car and place the ramps under the wheels than continue using axle stands. As said by Turbozutek, I only want to resort to the axle stands for wheel off jobs, purely for safety.
I was always taught by my father to put the removed wheel on its side under the sill behind the wheel arch. He always said he'd rather the car hit the wheel than him or the floor. Not the best safety tip, but better than nothing.

ruffday · Jan 23rd, 2012, 08:02

I have used ramps now and again and they are ok if you dont need the wheels off.

But I have been using Axel stands for over 25 years and never had a problem.
Make sure you chock the wheels front and back of the wheel if poss before you start to lift the car so it cant move and make sure you put them in a good strong position.

My drivway has a slope and I never have a problem.

I use proper heavy duty 3ton stands that I bought for my old landy.

Jan 22nd, 2012, 21:39	#1
danielv40 Junior Member Last Online: Feb 1st, 2014 14:05 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Holywell	steel frame car ramps any good? Hi everyone. Just been thinking about getting a pair of steel frame ramps off eBay (wedge shaped drive on to type). Mainly because I'm paranoid that my axle stands will slip one day and kill me. Have any of you guys got them, or used them? Any good or not? Just gonna be using them to service my V40 & the Mrs fiesta. Gotta get extra wide 2.5 tone ones as the fiesta has 205 alloys on it. Lol. At least at 2.5 tonne they should easily cope with the weight, piece of mind's worth the extra £10. My main concern is the height of these ramps, only 20cm lift, so not loads of room, coupled with a steep incline to the platform. Do front bumpers make it up these ok? Any info greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Jan 22nd, 2012, 21:41	#2
Daim Brit in Germany Last Online: Yesterday 15:57 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bremen	Have got a set in my garage. They've been hanging on the wall for like 10 years. Haven't used them once, as I couldn't get my car onto them (too steep). __________________ The Best Nation Is Imagination 2010 V70 (Type 135) D5 (D5244T10) Automatic (TF-80SC)

Jan 22nd, 2012, 21:46	#3
scr8pdo Premier Member Last Online: Aug 27th, 2016 13:21 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Greater Manchester	I personally dont like to actually drive up those ramps, I have found in the past a couple of problems, 1, as you ride up the ramp can shoot out halfway up or 2 as you come off them they can ping out one side and drop the car onto it damaging the bumpers, if I ever use them I normally jack the car up and lower them onto them ramps, then its a very safe way to work compared to the axle stands. The only other way I have used them is to bang a screwdriver or the like in front of them so they cant slip forward as you ride up them, but its only good on a dirt surface as you cant hammer a screwdriver into a concrete road or path __________________ SAAB 9-5 HOT Aero Audi A4 1997 TDi Avant (old smoker!) Iveco Turbo Daily Recovery Lorry

Jan 22nd, 2012, 22:03	#4
Rustee Rustee Last Online: Jun 1st, 2015 20:49 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ipswich	You can get ramps that lay flat then drive on and wind them up to the height required. Worth a look but more expensive. __________________ 1988 Volvo 240 GLT Estate

Jan 22nd, 2012, 22:18	#6
scottishvolvo Premier Member Last Online: Jun 3rd, 2024 20:32 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Glasgow	Same as scr8pdo. Got them and don't remember when I last used them. Moden cars seem to be too low at the front to drive up. Decent set of axle stands are by far the best bet with the added advantage of being able to remove the wheels to work...try that with ramps!! __________________ Chris '98 S40 2.0T..Gone. 2000 S40 2.0 SE Auto and loving it. 2014 V40 Cross Country Please consider registering with the Anthony Nolan Trust, you could save a life.

Jan 22nd, 2012, 22:14	#5
UKTech Senior Member Last Online: Jan 21st, 2017 12:03 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: South east	Another way is to get a couple of good solid wood chocks, coupled with the axle stands you'd be as safe as houses. Jack the motor up, fit the axle stands in then fit the chocks, you can be as high as your lowest item, axle stands or chocks. Hope you find something that works for you. UKTech

Jan 22nd, 2012, 22:31	#7
Marty Dolomite Premier Member Last Online: May 25th, 2024 12:10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Southampton	I have been using jacks and axle stands for years and never had one slip, they axle stands can not slip if placed under the car properly and on firm ground with the other wheels chocked, I also have drive on ramps, they make nice hanging decorations as they rarely get used for reason said above.

Jan 23rd, 2012, 01:23	#9
danielv40 Junior Member Last Online: Feb 1st, 2014 14:05 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Holywell	Thanks guys. I think I'm still swaying towards buying these, most complaints here being the steep incline. I have found the above mentioned universal ramp extensions for low clearance cars. Failing that I'd still rather jack the car and place the ramps under the wheels than continue using axle stands. As said by Turbozutek, I only want to resort to the axle stands for wheel off jobs, purely for safety. I was always taught by my father to put the removed wheel on its side under the sill behind the wheel arch. He always said he'd rather the car hit the wheel than him or the floor. Not the best safety tip, but better than nothing.

Jan 23rd, 2012, 08:02	#10
ruffday Senior Member Last Online: Jul 7th, 2015 07:38 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sheffield	I have used ramps now and again and they are ok if you dont need the wheels off. But I have been using Axel stands for over 25 years and never had a problem. Make sure you chock the wheels front and back of the wheel if poss before you start to lift the car so it cant move and make sure you put them in a good strong position. My drivway has a slope and I never have a problem. I use proper heavy duty 3ton stands that I bought for my old landy.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)