Opinions needed about these homemade car ramps (pictures)

[Saikou]

Hello.

I'm planning on purchasing a couple of ramps to lift the vehicle just in case I had to face more complicated tasks (i.e a clutch replacement).

For those wondering, I drive a bimmer and those dont require removing driveshafts to perform a dual mass clutch replacement.

Up until this day, I was using jack stands and it is certainly enough for oil changes and basic maintenance tasks, but if I wanted to change a gearbox I would need more room down there.


The question is: do you guys think these homemade ramps are safe? I have serious doubts about it, since the ramp's "legs" seem very unstable, they lack diagonal supports between them, etc.

What are your thoughts about them?

 

[RooflessVW]

They look pretty stout but could benefit from some triangulation as you said.

 

[dnewton3]

Without a doubt, there should be more structural gussets in both the lateral and longitudinal directions. There is precious little to keep the legs from fatiguing and failing in any direction. Obviously, they're a bit too short as well. As my kids would say, they look "jenky" as is ...

They certainly are a good start, but not finished to a point I'd feel say yet by any means.

 

[daves87rs]

feel they would struggle under more weight…..

 

[snarl]

The center legs in the third and fourth picture look crooked. How's your life insurance?

 

[RhondaHonda]

They need enough additional bracing that they’d become so heavy you may as well just buy a car lift. No way am i getting under a car on those.

 

[Cherrybomb]

Yes by all means strengthen them.Triangle the legs in the width direction,but the length direction would be my concern.The vehicles push forward and up the ramp puts a tremendous strain on the legs and their joints,especially free standing.I see their was a way to bolt the assembly down at one time.Another concern is one side,walking forward as you drive up,that is a bit of a steep angle.Rember safety doesn't cost,it pays!Good luck,show us some more great pictures

 

[atikovi]

Up until this day, I was using jack stands and it is certainly enough for oil changes and basic maintenance tasks, but if I wanted to change a gearbox I would need more room down there.

Just get taller jack stands. Had plenty of room to get the transmission out even on the lowest level.

 

[Ethan2]

They look too steep for the approach angle and breakover angle of a BMW sedan.

 

[Eddie]

I much prefer my Rino ramps.

 

[Urshurak776]

Do you have a means to get these weight tested? If not, don't do this. Period.

Go buy proper ramps that have been certified.

 

[atikovi]

Or just build some wooden ramps,

 

[TheOilWizard]

Or just build some wooden ramps,

Is the passenger-side tire hanging off the side of the ramp? I wouldn't feel comfortable crawling under that.

 

[tblt44]

I wouldn't get under that

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Hello.

I'm planning on purchasing a couple of ramps to lift the vehicle just in case I had to face more complicated tasks (i.e a clutch replacement).

For those wondering, I drive a bimmer and those dont require removing driveshafts to perform a dual mass clutch replacement.

Up until this day, I was using jack stands and it is certainly enough for oil changes and basic maintenance tasks, but if I wanted to change a gearbox I would need more room down there.


The question is: do you guys think these homemade ramps are safe? I have serious doubts about it, since the ramp's "legs" seem very unstable, they lack diagonal supports between them, etc.

What are your thoughts about them?

Negative ghost rider.

No lateral bracing.
Uneven legs
Not long enough.

 

[atikovi]

I wouldn't get under thatView attachment 229199

Just an inch over. That was just to take underneath pictures. I shake the car to make sure it's solid before getting under it.

 

[Saikou]

Yes by all means strengthen them.Triangle the legs in the width direction,but the length direction would be my concern.The vehicles push forward and up the ramp puts a tremendous strain on the legs and their joints,especially free standing.I see their was a way to bolt the assembly down at one time.Another concern is one side,walking forward as you drive up,that is a bit of a steep angle.Rember safety doesn't cost,it pays!Good luck,show us some more great pictures

After reading the comments posted in this thread I have decided not to purchase those ramps... I was convinced that they weren't safe before posting this thread, but yall have confirmed what I thought about it.

They offer me this other type of ramps, but I don't find them handy since they appear to be very heavy and difficult to store... I have to think about alternatives I guess

 

[oldcodger]

No longitudinal or transverse bracing make me nervous. They could very easily collapse because of vehicle braking.

 

[Urshurak776]

Is the passenger-side tire hanging off the side of the ramp? I wouldn't feel comfortable crawling under that.

Look at bottom of the ramp. Leaning off the ground!

Yikes. you guys are scaring the sugar honey iced tea out of me.....

EDIT: Someone already said it before me. That's okay though, can never be said enough how dangerous that is.

 

[Saikou]

They look too steep for the approach angle and breakover angle of a BMW sedan.

yes, they are too steep for a BMW, but they have another ramp extensions for low vehicles such as bimmers.

either way, I'm not purchasing these ramps since we all find them dangerous