Rhino ramps filled with structural foam?

[iCurious]

I've been using rhino ramps forever. Just inspect for cracks and for good measure, add some jack stands if you are scared.

 

[gfh77665]

you should test how the plastic reacts to the solvents in spray foam, and then the long term effects of the two materials being in contact for years.

Correct.

I really like my RR's but I would never try to enhance them by adding any chemical. I bought the HD version of the ramps. I feel very confident putting my 2750 lb. car on ramps with a 12,000 lb capacity.

 

[pudge]

plastic ramps, not a chance

 

[billt460]

 

[IndyIan]

Foam of sufficient compressive strength adds structural integrity. I'm thinking of a spray foam type product which fills the voids and expands when poured into the ramp.

Think of it as a hybrid Race Ramp (expensive) which are themselves solid foam.

There is urethane foam that is sometimes used to fill skid steer tires that frequently get punctured.
Once you fill a plastic ramp with heavy foam, you have no advantages over a wood ramp, and it will still age out eventually. Wood doesn't care too much about UV or gas fumes, or ozone from an electric motor.
You could get fancy and design quite a light wood ramp that easily could support a dump truck as even the weakest softwood construction material still doesn't deform until 500-600psi.
Also I haven't noticed plastic used for blocking or cribbing when 10-20+ ton rolls of steels are chained down to flatbed trailer....

 

[Pablo]

ZERO possibility I will use plastic ramps. Crazy dangerous.

I got 2 stage steel ramps for low profile vehicles.

How aren't steel ramps actually are more dangerous?

Do you have data?

 

[billt460]

If you're out to "strengthen" plastic ramps, that mix and pour epoxy they make coffee tables out of looks to be a better bet than the foam.

The only downside might be cost. I doubt that stuff is cheap.

 

[thastinger]

I have both, very old steel ones at one house and Rhino ramps at the other. An Armada is the heaviest thing the Rhino ramps get but I feel perfectly safe using them.

 

[Wheel366]

Looking at lower profile race ramps myself for my Audi (and subarus too but primarily my lowered S4). I looked at RR but I think the Race Ramps are better; I "think".

 

[4wd]

There were pictures posted of a Rhino ramp that parted where that deep relief is - not sure why that weak point exists rather than a continuation like this:

 

[TomYoung]

Every time I pull out my steel ramps, and when I put them away, I promise myself I will get Rhino Ramps at first opportunity. It has not happened yet.

I agree with other posters that modifying them with structural foam, or whatever, is a bridge too far for the simple reason that you are exposing products to unpredictable chemicals, including solvents, in both directions. My suspicion is that for most of us plastic ramps and metal ramps work equally well.

 

[Zee09]

Buy German or Subaru and top extract...

 

[97K15004WD]

If you are worried, fill the Rhino Ramps with concrete. They will most likely never collapse

 

[4wd]

If you are worried, fill the Rhino Ramps with concrete. They will most likely never collapse

Only your spine will

 

[Zee09]

If you fill them with anything hard most likely under compression that fill in high spots would most likely fracture the ramps... I wouldn't do it.

 

[Pew]

Isn't those fence post foam stuff just the normal canned spray foam stuff?

 

[NavyVet88]

My Rhino ramps are ten years old and still in great shape after hundreds of various oil changes.

 

[Egg_Head]

What is the OP using the ramps for that require reinforcement? An Abrams tank?

 

[PWMDMD]

I've used Rhino 16000 ramps for years but I still place either jack stands or more often two 3-ton hydraulic floor jacks for backup. I'm also in the habit of using my 6'5" reach and not getting all that much of myself under the vehicles.

 

[D1dad]

We put an f250 diesel up on my plastic ramps for a little extra room to swing a wrench. If they can hold a powerstroke I have complete confidence they’ll hold my Nissan Altima.