We recently moved and out new place is exactly what we wanted except I no longer have access to a flat slab of concrete to lift cars up with the floor jack. It dawned on me in all my years I've never lifted a vehicle on a gravel surface. It seems obvious to me not to do it for safety sake as I REALLY take that part of it serious. It's packed down hard but just figured I'd get confirmation on what I already kinda suspect is the answer.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
changing oil on gravel driveway
- Thread starter Tlhfirelion
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I use a 12" x 24" piece of 3/4 Plywood under the jack to disperse the load and never had issues.
Better yet, buy some pre-made Rhino ramps.
I assume the same support would benefit the jack stands? I have the material to do that.
I have a large piece of cardboard to spray paint stuff on but the other side is clean. 
I did that a few years back with 2x8 and never liked the feel of it.
Thanks for the replies everyone.
wemay
Site Donor 2023
Originally Posted By: Kuato
Both suggestions are good....and get a refrigerator box to lie on while working....
4WD
$50 site donor 2023
Have used my glued and screwed 2x10 ramps on an old area rug over gravel
I do everything on dirt drive. Most oil changes are done without a ramp or jack.
I always use wood under a jack.
I would suggest a bottle jack over a floor jack.
Originally Posted By: Donald
I do everything on dirt drive. Most oil changes are done without a ramp or jack.
I always use wood under a jack.
I would suggest a bottle jack over a floor jack.
Rhino Ramps are great on concrete or asphalt. They don't have enough surface area on the bottom to work on 'dirt', and they flex when used on gravel (I tried them on gravel once. And only once. I backed the van off the ramps as quickly as I could get in and find reverse).
Heavy-ish cardboard is probably the best solution when crawling under a vehicle parked on dirt or gravel. Think blankets or thin plywood can be comfortable, but cardboard can cheaply go in the trash when oil and grease stained.
4WD
$50 site donor 2023
Was thinking that would happen … would have to use some 3/4” (24 x 48 precut) plywood pads for Rhino … but I prefer the staggering on a wood ramp anyway …
Will be changing Forester to snows in a few weeks on dirt drive with factory jack (pinch welds).
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2023
Buy a 2"x12" board at Home Depot, you can even have them cut a couple 12" squares for you. I transport lumber all the time in my Sonata, I just fold the seats down.
Also, get a tarp at Harbor Freight to lay down on so you don't get all dirty.
When I rented a place with gravel I dug down and permanently installed a couple solid concrete pavers inset in there with their tops flush with ground level. I then put my drive-on ramps on these so they wouldn't sink in. In hindsight a couple layers of plywood would be safer since concrete cracks if it's on uneven ground, and the ground could settle/ wash out over time.
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