Ramps or jack stands?

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Originally Posted By: 3800Series
I've always just placed them right in front of the car and eyed them straight. Wouldn't say it's been perfect 100% of the time but it's been better then going up them blindly.


I do the exact same thing but I can't the tires centered the first time to save my life.
 
Stands. I like the idea of ramps but I just can't get over the potential safety issues, which is not to say that stands are perfect either. The centering issues as mentioned would annoy me as well. Perhaps it's more an issue of sticking with what you know.
 
I have homemade solid wood ramps. Made them out of 2x10s screwed together. I like them better than the cheap ramps they sell now.
 
Originally Posted By: SirTanon
Use the ramps to get the car up, then put jack stands under the jack points.

I don't care how strong the ramps are - you cannot rely on just them.


ok, this might be a stupid question but why wouldnt you trust ramps? i have used homemade ramps and jackstands and i personally would trust the ramps more... so what am i missing?
 
Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
I prefer ramps for anything that doesn't require taking the wheels off. I only use the jack stands when the wheels need to come off, or for when the engine needs to stay cold like when replacing oxygen sensors.


This^
 
Originally Posted By: spasm3
Originally Posted By: oldhp
For changing oil I made 2x8 drive up solid wood ramps. Three screwed together with top piece 16" long, then middle 20", and bottom 24" long. Solid, cheap, won't slide. Get car/truck high enough for me. Anything else, floor jack and 5 ton floor jacks.


I've seen pics of ramps made like that and they look good, the only thing is storage and are they heavy?


Might weigh 5-6lbs. I just lay'em on the floor by each side wall, so they're always there.
 
I have a set of ramps purchased 20 - 30 years ago . We just bought a 2015 Chevy Sonic . Way too low to the ground to use the ramps .

Did my first oil change on it a few weeks ago . I managed to do it w/o raising it up . Barely !

On cars further off the ground , I have no problems with ramps .

God bless
Wyr
 
I have a mate with a pit at his place, so I just use that. In the old days I found a hollow in a field (rural) or a gutter/curb on a quiet street (urban).

My question for you guys who use ramps or stands, do you use two or four? In other words, do you raise all of the car or just the front to change your oil ?

I've never done it this way, but my wife thinks my habits are a bit "rough". So trying to learn.
 
Just raise the front if needed to change the oil. I think some cars like Mercedes should be level for oil changes but none that I own.

My friend's father growing up used to change oil and do repairs for some extra money in his driveway. He used some homemade ramps that just raised the car about 4 inches. That was enough to change oil.
 
Originally Posted By: Donald
I feel safe under the ramps. But I can change the oil in my Jeep and pickup by just climbing under.


My 2013 has running boards so I am not able to squeeze under the side like I could on my 2008.
 
It really doesn't matter what method you use. Ramps, stands, or lift. You can do it wrong no matter what!
ABC...Always Be Careful
I would always trust ramps to be the safest. It is much easier to knock a car off of a lift, or jack stands. I love my race ramps, but if you forget to put the removable section back in, when backing off, even that is not safe.
 
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Rhino ramps might be bit tougher than advertised.

We had a bet and of course any bet must be tested and honored.

We backed up a 40' pusher motor home with about 20 mechanics and well wishers including a large dog on board, up on the ramps rated at 12,000 pounds for automobiles and pickups. Nothing happened, even when those on the wrong end of the bet commenced to jumping up and down.

There might just be a very large safety margin built into these ramps. This absolutely carefully crafted and controlled scientifically based test with careful oversight is proof positive that these ramps might possibly be good enough for lifting an automobile. There should be a warning label on the ramps to notify the user that there should never be more than 20 people and a dog on board when the automobile is driven onto the ramps. One must be very careful with it comes to safety.
 
I have the heavy duty rhino ramps. I jacked my trans am up and put the ramp under the wheel then jacked the other side of the car. The ramp started to cock and bend. It can't take anything other than a straight down load I guess. Not that impressed.
 
Originally Posted By: turtlevette
I have the heavy duty rhino ramps. I jacked my trans am up and put the ramp under the wheel then jacked the other side of the car. The ramp started to cock and bend. It can't take anything other than a straight down load I guess. Not that impressed.



Try the same with jack stands and see what happens.
 
Originally Posted By: turtlevette
I have the heavy duty rhino ramps. I jacked my trans am up and put the ramp under the wheel then jacked the other side of the car. The ramp started to cock and bend. It can't take anything other than a straight down load I guess. Not that impressed.


Perfect example of using something the way it wasn't intended to be used. They are ramps not stands. Not to be used on uneven, or soft ground either!
 
Originally Posted By: jcwit
Originally Posted By: turtlevette
I have the heavy duty rhino ramps. I jacked my trans am up and put the ramp under the wheel then jacked the other side of the car. The ramp started to cock and bend. It can't take anything other than a straight down load I guess. Not that impressed.



Try the same with jack stands and see what happens.


+1
 
I choose to use a Kwiklift. Strong enough for anything that I own, no worries about them falling over or collapsing, and no issues whatsoever pulling up on it even with a low vehicle. For oil changes or minor work just pulling the pickup or Durango on it without raising it is plenty high enough to get under with a creeper, and when raised it gets the pickup and Durango high enough so I can sit up under them to work.

If I need to remove a wheel I have the steel shelf that can easily hold a jack and jackstand, and the wheel is at chest height when working on it.

Since it folds almost flat I don't loose the shop bay for parking. During the winter I usually have the tractor parked on it.

 
Originally Posted By: jcwit
Originally Posted By: turtlevette
I have the heavy duty rhino ramps. I jacked my trans am up and put the ramp under the wheel then jacked the other side of the car. The ramp started to cock and bend. It can't take anything other than a straight down load I guess. Not that impressed.



Try the same with jack stands and see what happens.


That's what its on now. I had to remove the rhino ramp asap before it distorted and collapsed.
 
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