Foundations for four-post ramp

[Spoonman]

I've bought an old four-post ramp, which I'll soon be installing in a barn. I'll be laying a new concrete floor, but I'm currently in two minds about whether or not to recess the ramp into the concrete to enable low cars to drive straight on.

Good thing or bad thing? Is it worth the extra effort?

[GreenV8S]

Spoonman said:

Is it worth the extra effort?

It's entirely subjective, so I think you're the only person who can answer that.

[del mar]

Is it just us in here !!


I have two, neither are sunk into the ground.

Issues I have had with it, two of the cars are very low and using the standard 2/3ft ramps they come with you can bottom out in the middle on the sills, a few planks of wood extends the ramps and reduces the effect, but scraping is still a risk. The width of the cars vs the ramp is even more of a concern !!!

With hindsight a sunken ramp would have been much better, but the garages were built first and it was only a couple of years later that I need the ramps.

I am an expert in putting them together now if you ever need any help.

[Spoonman]

del mar said:

Is it just us in here !!


I have two, neither are sunk into the ground.

Issues I have had with it, two of the cars are very low and using the standard 2/3ft ramps they come with you can bottom out in the middle on the sills, a few planks of wood extends the ramps and reduces the effect, but scraping is still a risk. The width of the cars vs the ramp is even more of a concern !!!

With hindsight a sunken ramp would have been much better, but the garages were built first and it was only a couple of years later that I need the ramps.

I am an expert in putting them together now if you ever need any help.

Just looked at your profile... Did you have to be so far away?

I think, from what you've said, it'll be sunken into the ground. I've got a few low cars, and the idea of the four-poster is to give a car a quick check. Messing about with ramps every time would be daft, all things considered.

Ta.

[jamieandthemagic]

Im going to go for one of these

http://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-73...

Gets rid of clearance issues......... yes I know a little restrictive in places. But the clear workspace is primary for me.

[EddyP]

I went through this exact dilemma too.

For me though it was important to b able to drive under and through the ramp to other parts of the barn, if there was a big recess under the ramp it wouldn't have been possible.

So, will you ever want to park something under it? or need to drive through?

[anonymous-user]

I have a four post standing on a suspended floor. I wanted to have one car on the lift and still be able to park another under so having recesses in the floor wasn't an option - and wouldn't have been possible due to the nature of the floor anyway. It's great to be able to store and work on one car on the lift and easily drive in and out with the other. That said, even though I bought the low profile option from Strongman Tools I still need to use additional planks to get my cars on and off - I have some very low cars. I also need to remove the access ramps to close the garage door as firstly they are longer than normal in order to minimise the approach angle, and secondly I wanted to maximise the space in front of the lift where I have my workshop. It's a bit of a fiddle each time I need to move a car on or off but in the bigger scheme of things I'm happy with the setup. Recessing the lift also leaves two channels in the floor to trip you up when working on the car and makes it a pain to move equipment about if needed. If you have the space just buy the longest/shallowest access ramps you can.

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 16th December 10:14

[chammyman]

where I mot test currently the ramp is sunk and its good for driving onto but can't park under it.

Where I used to test the ramp was above and even some normal cars would catch going on.