Retire old car ramps?

[ls1mike]

I like ramps, but I have two sets that are useless. The Buick could get up on them but the Grand Prix, Malibu and Trans hit them with the front of the car and the truck is too heavy.

If anyone wants them and you live close to Poulsbo WA. Drop me a PM and come get a set.

 

[Delta]

Originally Posted By: DBMaster
I once accidentally drove off the front of a pair of metal ramps with my 1972 Pontiac Catalina. Fortunately, the car had an actual full frame. It dented the ramps down a bit. I had to use a jack to get them out. No damage was done to the car and the ramps remained usable even after that.


I actually did this with a set of the plastic Rhino ramps. Was driving up them and went too far, and wham! Luckily the Jetta was just tall enough they didn't get too stuck, but in my panic I forgot to set the parking brake and left the car in neutral. Soon as I yanked the second one out I was chasing the car down the driveway...

 

[Malo83]

Got rid of my metal ramps, hairline cracks started on the inside curves/corners, really like my Rhino ramps

 

[DBMaster]

Originally Posted By: Delta
Originally Posted By: DBMaster
I once accidentally drove off the front of a pair of metal ramps with my 1972 Pontiac Catalina. Fortunately, the car had an actual full frame. It dented the ramps down a bit. I had to use a jack to get them out. No damage was done to the car and the ramps remained usable even after that.


I actually did this with a set of the plastic Rhino ramps. Was driving up them and went too far, and wham! Luckily the Jetta was just tall enough they didn't get too stuck, but in my panic I forgot to set the parking brake and left the car in neutral. Soon as I yanked the second one out I was chasing the car down the driveway...


LOL! I laugh only because I did something very similar. When I lived in Corpus Christi I was working on my 89 Honda Accord. I had one side of the front up on a floor jack and didn't set the parking brake. The car started rolling on three wheels and the jack toward the street. I jumped inside and yanked up the brake handle. Darn it if two neighbors across the street didn't witness the event and laugh.

 

[xfactor9]

How do you use jackstands with a ramp? The ramp would be blocking the lift point

I don't use my metal ramps anymore, but when I did use them, I placed 2x4's underneath

 

[mjoekingz28]

Malo83,

Are they aluminum? Isn't it more likely for steel to bend before it fractures?


Af far at metal ramps for safety, I think we need to decided whether age and usage tempers them or weakens them.


Like a smith hammering on a sword. Does not it seem it would mess up the blade, but instead it gets stronger?


Also, are any metal ramps still mass produced in the United States? Is plastic the new go-to?