Have an old pair of metal ramps that hit the bumper of every car I've ever worked on. Had my eye on some Rhino ramps for some time but some of the Amazon reviews scare me with all the cracking and buckling. Granted I don't own very heavy vehicles (2013 Mazda 3 and 2005 Honda Odyssey). Am I being too cautious about buying some new ramps?
Looking for low profile ramps that won't prematurely end my life
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For a low profile car, I've found store bought ramps to be overpriced so I just built my own out of wood. Excellent compressive strength and should last almost forever. Even if I had to, I will never buy a metal ramp again because it's easy to forget to regularly inspect it over the years and rust could develop enough such that they collapse. Happened to me once with a 5000 lbs van ontop so I will never do it again.
Triple_Se7en
$50 Site Donor 2024
Always include either bottle, scissor or floor jacks, along with a new pair of Rhino 16,000 lb ramps in your future.
Last week I saw Pep Boys with the best Rhino pricing.
Last week I saw Pep Boys with the best Rhino pricing.
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Pep Boys had the best pricing on Rhino ramps when I bought mine in 2017. My old Rhino ramps (made by the bankrupt company way back when) developed cracks and the rubber foot stopped holding the ramps from sliding. New ones are fine.
Originally Posted by nobb
For a low profile car, I've found store bought ramps to be overpriced so I just built my own out of wood. Excellent compressive strength and should last almost forever. Even if I had to, I will never buy a metal ramp again because it's easy to forget to regularly inspect it over the years and rust could develop enough such that they collapse. Happened to me once with a 5000 lbs van ontop so I will never do it again.
Exactly what I have done, used 2x12's and they work great. I got the idea from my time on the fire department when we had to put chains on the older rigs. I figure if it will hold a 80k lb aerial it'll work for me.
For a low profile car, I've found store bought ramps to be overpriced so I just built my own out of wood. Excellent compressive strength and should last almost forever. Even if I had to, I will never buy a metal ramp again because it's easy to forget to regularly inspect it over the years and rust could develop enough such that they collapse. Happened to me once with a 5000 lbs van ontop so I will never do it again.
Exactly what I have done, used 2x12's and they work great. I got the idea from my time on the fire department when we had to put chains on the older rigs. I figure if it will hold a 80k lb aerial it'll work for me.
The Rhino ramps are flat out superior, and safer, than ANY pair of metal car ramps I have ever seen.
I've seen metal ramps collapse, a few times.
I had a 8 year old pair of Rhino ramps that developed cracks, but I did the prudent thing, which is junk them, and replace them. Besides, in those 8 years they had been used hundreds/thousands of times, so I definitely got my moneys worth.
I've seen metal ramps collapse, a few times.
I had a 8 year old pair of Rhino ramps that developed cracks, but I did the prudent thing, which is junk them, and replace them. Besides, in those 8 years they had been used hundreds/thousands of times, so I definitely got my moneys worth.
Never had any issues with the rhino ramps that i have and i use them often, not just oil changes
I like my HF ramps; I used them twice this week.
I always inspect them.
Based on this thread, I will back 'em up with a jack stand.
Thanks to all.
I always inspect them.
Based on this thread, I will back 'em up with a jack stand.
Thanks to all.
JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted by PimTac
If you are under your car and you hear a cracking or creaking noise from the ramps you will have about a half second to get o...............
What do you have to back that up?
Metal ramps have risks, but if kept in a reasonable environment (not outdoors) can last a long time. They also can be nested for more compact storage.
The new beatable rhino ramps are great. I had no issues with my original ones, though I did swap them on age. Keep them out of the sun and don't use them too cold and they'll give good service. I have my doubts that they'll just pulverize into dust and drop a car. Crack or chunk out I have no doubt. But in those failure modes there will still be some structure under there, plus the height from the tire.
The bad cases I've seen have all included jack stands with no backup, tipping over onto people.
Wood ramps can be great, but far heavier, bulkier, and can't be nested one into the other, so also terribly inconvenient for storage.
If you are under your car and you hear a cracking or creaking noise from the ramps you will have about a half second to get o...............
What do you have to back that up?
Metal ramps have risks, but if kept in a reasonable environment (not outdoors) can last a long time. They also can be nested for more compact storage.
The new beatable rhino ramps are great. I had no issues with my original ones, though I did swap them on age. Keep them out of the sun and don't use them too cold and they'll give good service. I have my doubts that they'll just pulverize into dust and drop a car. Crack or chunk out I have no doubt. But in those failure modes there will still be some structure under there, plus the height from the tire.
The bad cases I've seen have all included jack stands with no backup, tipping over onto people.
Wood ramps can be great, but far heavier, bulkier, and can't be nested one into the other, so also terribly inconvenient for storage.
It only takes one instance. As I mentioned earlier in the thread, I know someone who put his vehicle up on ramps to change the oil. It was cold out so he went inside to get a coffee refill and warm up. He figured he was inside for 5-10 minutes. When he came back out the ramps had collapsed.
It only takes one time.
It only takes one time.
I don't know how low profile you're talking, but I've had excellent results with the nestable Rhino Max 16k Ramps over several years. I use them mainly (but not exclusively) for Honda vehicles and oil change service. When I'm finished I store them in my garage out of the elements, they still look new with regular inspection before and after each use. I continue to feel perfectly safe using them as I have for years.
I would add, I don't make practice of leaving my vehicles on the ramps for extended periods of time like weeks or months. Just my opinion, but I'd imagine that a very significant factor to any kind/brand of manufactured for retail ramp failure. As an aside, I still have my metal Ultra Ramps with extenders purchased long ago that are also fine for use and cared for the same way with same practices. Like my Rhinos much better now though.
Based on my experience I'd think they would be fine for the two application you mention in the OP. Believe it or not PepBoys b&m with online order or on PB ebay generally have the best price. The Max had a heck of a price for Black Friday, ~$35, more now. Check the link provided to find links to the Max Ramps on PB ebay and b&m. with current pricing.
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/foru...r-50-seeking-recommendations#Post5246186
Edit. Just checked b&m PB price with online order for the Max ramps, currently $37.50 and add to cart button does work. Great price if you have a b&m PB nearby.
I would add, I don't make practice of leaving my vehicles on the ramps for extended periods of time like weeks or months. Just my opinion, but I'd imagine that a very significant factor to any kind/brand of manufactured for retail ramp failure. As an aside, I still have my metal Ultra Ramps with extenders purchased long ago that are also fine for use and cared for the same way with same practices. Like my Rhinos much better now though.
Based on my experience I'd think they would be fine for the two application you mention in the OP. Believe it or not PepBoys b&m with online order or on PB ebay generally have the best price. The Max had a heck of a price for Black Friday, ~$35, more now. Check the link provided to find links to the Max Ramps on PB ebay and b&m. with current pricing.
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/foru...r-50-seeking-recommendations#Post5246186
Edit. Just checked b&m PB price with online order for the Max ramps, currently $37.50 and add to cart button does work. Great price if you have a b&m PB nearby.
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Originally Posted by Nexoidian
I made my own from wood. I put some rubber on the bottom to help keep them in place. They work perfectly and I don't have to worry about them collapsing on me.
![[Linked Image]](https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/attachments/usergals/2019/12/full-87306-39739-ce00bd36_f71c_4a16_b8f3_4cd39dda45c5.jpeg "[Linked Image]")
![[Linked Image]](https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/attachments/usergals/2019/12/full-87306-39740-7f33eec9_5a2f_4075_a78a_4fbb51bc21cb.jpeg "[Linked Image]")
ðŸ‘.. nicely done.
I use rhino's but I also put stands underneath in case the ramps fail. There are no do overs with some things in life....
I made my own from wood. I put some rubber on the bottom to help keep them in place. They work perfectly and I don't have to worry about them collapsing on me.
ðŸ‘.. nicely done.
I use rhino's but I also put stands underneath in case the ramps fail. There are no do overs with some things in life....
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Originally Posted by Nexoidian
I made my own from wood. I put some rubber on the bottom to help keep them in place. They work perfectly and I don't have to worry about them collapsing on me.
Nice, but that top pad looks kinda short for my taste, by the looks in your pic the tire looks like only half the tire is sitting flat while the other half is hanging in the air, i would make that top pad longer.
I made my own from wood. I put some rubber on the bottom to help keep them in place. They work perfectly and I don't have to worry about them collapsing on me.
Nice, but that top pad looks kinda short for my taste, by the looks in your pic the tire looks like only half the tire is sitting flat while the other half is hanging in the air, i would make that top pad longer.
Been using Rhino ramps for my Tundra (6,000 lbs) for 5+ years.
Key is to use on concrete only.
Those that fail use them on gravel or the front yard in front of the house trailer.
Key is to use on concrete only.
Those that fail use them on gravel or the front yard in front of the house trailer.
I made my own from wood, similar to the ones posted above but with a longer top pad.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
Yeah … I'd probably take 3/4" off that stop on a 45 degree angle and the tire could come in another inch or so
I also use heavy chocks behind the rear tires (both directions) … unless I'm up on 4 like this
I also use heavy chocks behind the rear tires (both directions) … unless I'm up on 4 like this
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