Dumbo question: ramps

[c4koh]

Does anybody know where I can get hold of some widish ramps?

The typical "frame" jobbies (a la Halfords) look too thin even for 275s, never mind 315s...

There must be biggers ones available? Are they expensive?

[LuS1fer]

A lot of people get a set made up. In the US, they use Rhino ramps which are lower angle. Personally, I use Halfords ramp and the tyres overlap on both sides. Looks like it could damage the tread but it doesn't. I can only get my cars on backwards though and I have to watch the front doesn't bite the tarmac when I do.

I suspect there are bigger, wider lower-angled ramps but also suspect they are expensive.

[c4koh]

That's what I was wondering, whether the tyres being over each side would damage the treads but seemingly it doesn't...

Have seen the Rhinos in the US, $40 a pair too, but as they're big buggers it'd cost more than that to ship 'em probably...

Anyway, have had a thought in the meantime - will visit (one benefit of living in the countryside!) my local "agricultural engineer"... they keep all sorts of ridiculous-large things (like 50mm spanners!) for tractors, so who knows there may be some sort of ramp...

[vetteheadracer]

I bought one of these........

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2485941411&category=63697

then use a set of axles stands.

[c4koh]

vetteheadracer said:

I bought one of these........ http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2485941411&category=63697 then use a set of axles stands.

Looks very nice!

I have a 2.5 tonne jack, but it's not aluminum, and it just weighs an f-ing ton... and it's certainly nowhere near 3½ pumps ... more like 20 required!!

But I think I could probably look to get some made... Perhaps buy 2 pairs of halfords ramps, and get a blacksmith to weld 'em together maybe??

[Gixer]

c4koh said:

vetteheadracer said: I bought one of these........ <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2485941411&category=63697">http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2485941411&category=63697</a> then use a set of axles stands. If you are going to do that then you may as well get them to fix something to the front of the ramp so that you can get the car on forwards without the car's nose pushing the ramps along Looks very nice! I have a 2.5 tonne jack, but it's not aluminum, and it just weighs an f-ing ton... and it's certainly nowhere near 3½ pumps ... more like 20 required!! But I think I could probably look to get some made... Perhaps buy 2 pairs of halfords ramps, and get a blacksmith to weld 'em together maybe??

[te51cle]

Being a cheapskate I went to a DIY store, bought some MDF and had it cut into 1' wide pieces. At home I cut into a few pieces that were each a few inches shorter than the last then laminated it together with wood screws. Heavy, but cheap and solid !

If you want something more sophisticated Mike Mercury designed this: http://mikemercury.home.att.net/ramp.htm

[yellowshark454]

I know this probably not that helpful but some years back (for the C3) I invested in a hydraulic scissor lift. Best thing I did for a car where brake bleeding becomes a way of life as well as an art. You can get car up and all wheels off in 5 mins, or less with a hydraulic/electric lug wrench