Is This Ramp Configuration Safe

[Tdbo]

Originally Posted By: John_K
Originally Posted By: yonyon
I don't like it at all. The ramps are pointed downhill so the front wheels which carry the majority of the weight will want to roll downhill over the bump at the end of the ramps. The bump stops them, but with a lot less room for safety than on level ground.

Turn the van around so that the ramps are on a lesser slope and if it rolls it rolls back towards the street instead of dropping right onto you.


+1000 I wouldn't.

John


+1001.

I'd never change my oil before I'd get under that contraption.

No oil change is worth ending up dead over

 

[Eddie]

The picture is what I have done for many years without incident.
I back into the garage and put the ramps at the edge of the garage on the driveway. I slowly drive out onto the ramps, then set the brakes and chock a rear wheel. I do it this way because the drive is angled down so I end up with the vehicle being more level. This helps draining ecause the CX5 drain plug is not at the back of the oil pan. Ed

 

[Rolla07]

Id reverse the car..i use ramps on level ground and have plenty of space and im a big guy..(6ft6) 320lbs. I also put jack stands underneath the car in case of any issue with the ramps and chocking the rear wheels. I always rather be safe than sorry..

If i were you i would park on the ramps on the road in front of your house (hard to see but looks more level) and change the oil like that. Unless there is a law against it..i live in the city so thats how i do it..

 

[babyivan]

Looks fine to me as long as you set the e-brake of course.

Too many "Nervous Nellys" on here, you shouldn't be surprised with all of these responses.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I rather pay someone $10-15 labor to change oil than doing it this way. I don't want to be paralyzed the rest of my life if anything wrong happen.

 

[FL_Rob]

Is street-side parking permitted? It looks like a Crown Vic is parked like that next door anyway, If you can put the two right wheels on the grass and use the valley in the gutter area to slide under you'll have plenty of room with no ramps needed.

 

[Samuraidog]

I like this idea (much safer). Better yet, put the two right wheels on the end of the concrete driveway.

Originally Posted By: FL_Rob
Is street-side parking permitted? It looks like a Crown Vic is parked like that next door anyway, If you can put the two right wheels on the grass and use the valley in the gutter area to slide under you'll have plenty of room with no ramps needed.

 

[yonyon]

FL_Rob is clever. His idea gives you all the height you need and doesn't squish you.

 

[tom slick]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I don't like the ability of the ramps to flip forwards down the ramp. In reality they would jam under the van and probably stay elevated, but I'm not interested to find out that dynamic.

No thanks.


You raise a good points about those terrible ramps.

Ramps should be used on level ground. I doubt the thing is going anywhere as I stated, but I don't trust those ramps.

Come to think of it, I would never to that with my Race Ramps!


I sense some ramp snobbery!

 

[Pablo]

I used my Race Ramps today. Cleaned them up afterward and nestled them in their beds.

Seriously, they are nice and still growing on me. Too easy to drive up - there is no getting under the WRX nose without ramps!

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: FL_Rob
Is street-side parking permitted? It looks like a Crown Vic is parked like that next door anyway, If you can put the two right wheels on the grass and use the valley in the gutter area to slide under you'll have plenty of room with no ramps needed.

I did just like that when I change oil and filter in my LS400. I park the passenger side on sidewalk, I can easily slide under to reach the oil filter.

 

[DBMaster]

I guess this depends upon your ramps and configuration. The first time I used my ramps like that I used one wheel chock and the parking brake. I bounced the car, pushed on the back of it, and sat inside to make sure it was stable. My ramps, though, are heavy gauge steel with very sizable front lips. You practically can't DRIVE off the front of them.

 

[IndyIan]

That's how I do it on my driveway. I always set the parking break and then let the car settle in N, then put it in Park. My cars won't roll over the ramps just with gravity.
My ramps are rated for 6000lbs so I'm not worried about the slight angle with 3000lbs on them...