ramps

[master]

Is 2x10 wood strong enough to build a ramp with? Can it support the weight of my car?

[99GrandAMSE]

... depends on how long a ramp and whether or not you have vertical supports along the slope ... I think they would be fine :)

[rixGAphx]

Why bother?
A decent pair of ramps, in steel or plastic, is regularly on sale for less than $30.

In any wood construction, be it a house, a scaffold, or tire ramps, the strength of the wood member is only one factor.
The more important factor is the connections: You gotta have enough steel (nails, screws, bolts, connector plates, etc.) to distribute the force (gravity) thru the joints to the ground (foundation).

I'm a frugal bastard with a carpentry background, but even I wouldn't consdier wood for service ramps.
(I was involved with a set of 15' wood ramps, but they were for rolling a low-weight/low-clearance race car onto the transport trailer.)

Also, the plastic or metal ramps are much lighter than anything suitable out of lumber, so they would be more convenient.

Just my $.02
-Rick

[tenspeed]

Long ago I made wooden ramps out of plywood and 2x12's. I made a 12" x 16" solid wood block and placed the ramps in front of them. The nice part was that I could pull the ramp part out of the way after the car was up on the block. The bad part was that it was easy to drive off the end.

Save the wood to put in front of the ramps so you don't scrape the air dam when you drive up on your new Rhino ramps.

Pep Boys Rhino ramp sale - $18 (http://pepboys.crossmediaservices.com/pepboys/circular_browse_listing_detail.asp?storeid=2314991&pagenumber=1&rapid=51915&listingid=-2098253200&mapareaid=1062702&ref=%2Fpepboys%2Fcircular%5Fbrowse%5Fpage%5Flarge% 2Easp%3Fstoreid%3D2314991%26rapid%3D51915%26pagenu mber%3D1)

[master]

I looked at the steel ramps but they all have rolled edges and the maximum width of the platforms is only 8". My 225/50 tires can't fit on them. My preference would be the rubber ramps made with used tires but they cost $30 each.

I figured if I double-up the 2x10's and brace it properly, it should be strong enough to hold. plus I'll stick some jackstands underneath before I crawl under the car.

[tenspeed]

Rhino ramps are 9.25 inches wide where the wheel travels. My 235's are 8" wide.

[wiccanferret]

I would never trust wood with ramps being as cheap as they are. If my car falls on me, I want to be able to sue someone! If I survive...

[rixGAphx]

Originally posted by wiccanferret
... If my car falls on me, I want to be able to sue someone! If I survive...
We'll sue on your behalf if you don't survive. :D :D

[sunrunner_pei]

I haven't been able to find a set of ramps that my GAs can actually climb without hitting the front facia first. I just jack the car and support it with jackstands when changing the oil.

I'd stay away from building wooden ramps. It's not worth trusting your life to a few nails. :penny:

[99GrandAMSE]

... I used wooden 2 x 12 ramps to get my Pinto onto a trailer for many years and they works fine ... they were even 10' long without supports in the middle ... wooden ramps, made efficiently with intermediate vertical support to prevent bending while driving up and then significant supports on the ramp summit to support the car while it sits is also easy ... like I said, wooden ramps, properly designed would be just as safe as the 'pressed steel' versions most people use.

[sunrunner_pei]

Originally posted by 99grandamse
... I used wooden 2 x 12 ramps to get my Pinto onto a trailer for many years and they works fine ...

There's a signifigant difference between driving up wooden ramps to get to a higher surface than using wooden ramps to work on your car with you lying on your back underneith.

I use wooden ramps like that to get my car into our workshop, that doesn't mean I'd trust them to support the car with me under it.

To each their own, I guess. Otherwise we can just write about it on your tombstone. :(

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by sunrunner_pei
There's a signifigant difference between driving up wooden ramps to get to a higher surface than using wooden ramps to work on your car with you lying on your back underneith ...

Sure, of course there is but you would not work on the car while it is half way up the ramps either ... even if you did, the wooden ramp still shouldn't be a problem ... got to remember, the only reason steel ramps are strong isn't entirely because they are steel since only sheet steel is used; it is because the steel is shaped and rounded in a manner that makes it strong ... like I said before though, with a properly designed and supported summit where the car will sit there, wooden construction should be no problem ... people should do what they feel most comfortable with :)

[4kQuad]

My Camry rubs on the metal ones also. So I ran to the lumber yard and bought a 8*8 beam. Took my chain saw and cut angles or ramps for the car to run up. It works great.

I have a solid chunk of wood, no nail, bolts or what ever holding stuff together. It cost a bit, but once up on top I have 18 inches to stop before running off the other end and as there solid, I do feel safe. I still block the back wheels, as I've seen cars fall on people.

[MagusXIII]

Master...DO NOT DO IT!!!!!!!! You DO NOT want to trust your life and personal safety to wood at all! My cousin last June trusted his life to a jack...and lost... :(

Now the rhino ramps are good as well as the Tru-Cut Automotive Ultra Ramps.

http://www.tracyvette.com/autoramps.html

I had a set for my 77 Malibu wagon a long time ago because that car used 235/75/15 tires. I still have those ramps today as they are NOT cheap and are very solid. If you need to find decent ramps for your tire width, just get ramps meant for C4 and C5 Corvettes.

Master, there is one thing else you may not have taken into consideration. Wood rot. Over time, or even just one damp spring/summer/fall, the wood will rot out somewhat. Sure, you can use pressure treated wood or water sealant...but do u really want to trust it?

[MagusXIII]

Originally posted by 99grandamse
got to remember, the only reason steel ramps are strong isn't entirely because they are steel since only sheet steel is used; it is because the steel is shaped and rounded in a manner that makes it strong
Not only that Kel, but it is a one piece stamping. My ramps are probably made from 1/8" to 3/16" thick steel. They are not thin.

I guess my concern is that how could one make a wooden ramp in a 1pc design? With what Master is proposing, he would have to have a 2pc design and where the incline met the summit would be the weak point.

[99GrandAMSE]

... every design has a week point :)

For the record, I am NOT suggesting a wooden ramp is any better than a steel version but rather a person can easily build a wooden ramp that would work just as well as a steel ramp ... I obviously will not convince all of you, nor will I try, but I can assure you what almost any Engineer will tell you, "anything can be built to be strong with the proper design and engineering behind it" :)

[MagusXIII]

Originally posted by 99grandamse
... every design has a week point :)

For the record, I am NOT suggesting a wooden ramp is any better than a steel version but rather a person can easily build a wooden ramp that would work just as well as a steel ramp ... I obviously will not convince all of you, nor will I try, but I can assure you what almost any Engineer will tell you, "anything can be built to be strong with the proper design and engineering behind it" :)
That's quite true, Kelly. they CAN be made strong...but I am no engineer! :) I guess I am just biased after seeing my cousin's body laying on a hospital table against any form of homemade ramp, esp wood. :( Sorry 'bout that, Kel...

[99GrandAMSE]

Originally posted by MagusXIII
... Sorry 'bout that, Kel...

Sorry for what?! For being uncomfortable with using wooden ramps?! For having an opinion different than my own?! No need to be sorry, brother!! You are entitled to an opinion and have experienced a situation that would understandable bias your thoughts, no worries :)

I will be sure to roll out the steel ramps when you come to my place so as to make everyone happy :D :lol:

[Night Wolf]

I got my ramps for $30 at Advance, they are 1 piece metal, but have 2 support bars that you bolt on (1 on each side) they are really strong, says they support up to 8,000 lbs or something like that... my car is only 3,600 lbs and it's not lifting the whole weight up (as the back tires are still on the ground) So I have nothing to worry about...

... it says on the box that they sell ramp extensions if your car hits them etc... I do not have a problem with clearance, only the first time i used them, I almost overshot the ramp :)

http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/attachment.php?postid=277702

[MagusXIII]

Originally posted by Night Wolf
...the first time i used them, I almost overshot the ramp :)
At least you ALMOST overshot them. I DID overshoot them about 4 years ago! :D

http://home.neo.rr.com/donaldjr/pix/cav.jpg

I have been using ramps ever since I got my drivers license and never had it happen. Oh well, like the old saying goes, s**t happens...

[master]

hey Nightwolf, I noticed that you didn't put jackstands under your car. Especially with those steel ramps you MUST put jack stands because the ramps can collapse suddenly. I have a set of those and even the instructions say to use jackstands.

The reason I don't use them is because my 225/50 tires don't fit - the rolled edges are too narrow. And I can't seam to find a pair that are wide enough. I'll keep looking though.

[Dragonwings]

I just bought some of those Rhino brand plastic ramps and they work fine for me.. the bottom plastic does rub a little going up.. but oh well.

Working under a car is not something to mess around with. I remember when I was 16 or so, a friend's dad (a seasoned mechanic who follows necessary precautions) was working under a car with 4 jackstands.. when the front two kicked out.. which caused the back to to kick out.. and one of them to pierce the gas tank... while me and 2 friends were playing basketball...

The sound of a grown man cry out in helpless terror is something you never forget... We rushed over and picked the car up enough for him to squeeze out from underneath as gasoline is spilling all over the place... (near electrical tools as well) ... adrenaline is an amazing thing... escaped with just some bruised ribs... he was lucky.

A friend of mine literally sliced open the top of his foot while changing the brakes on his car... the rotor came down on his foot and opened it up like a baked potato... he was probably a quarter of a second from losing his foot completely...

Don't risk your life over something foolish... it CAN happen to you.

Oh yeah, HAPPY EASTER! :D