Car ramps

[tedfred]

Dear All

Would anyone know whether a standard pair of wheel ramps would clear the front valance on an SLK 200.
To me there does not appear to be enough clearance in front on the front wheels to position the ramp. I wish to check whether it's possible to use ramps before buying them from eBay.

Many thanks
Tedfred

 

[alexanderfoti]

I have some ramps that I bought on ebay that have bottle Jack's built into the platforms. Really good and the s class and clk can clear them without issue.

Can you put a link to the ramps up? Some of them are very steep

 

[rf065]

I put a set of ramps in the skip recently, came to the conclusion the none of my cars for the last 20 or so years had enough clearance to use them.

Russ

 

[KennyN]

If extra clearance is required then just add something to the front of the ramps prior to driving onto them.

I have found a sturdy piece of flat wood does the job when required , it also helps to clamp the ramp and prevent it sliding forward as you start to drive onto them.

Just remember make sure the wood is still there before reversing off them.

Kenny

 

[EmilysDad]

Just buy (or make) extensions for standard ramps. https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/car-ramp-extensions/

 

[rf065]

Another point to watch out for, a lot of older ramps are not even as wide as modern tyres.

Russ

 

[alexanderfoti]

Yes my ramps have a max wheel with of 255, but make some jobs a doddle. You can also jack the car up and put the ramps under the wheels for certain jobs. I did a gearbox removal on the S class on the jackable ramps.

 

[Ricardo_e220]

Buy some extensions as pointed out, I bought some (dad had thrown his out doh!) so I can get under my Lotus elise - but I jack it up and put the ramps under as it’s drive wheels and very light car... I’d do that with the other cars if needed as I think the bumpers would foul on them all i think

 

[M80]

For my earlier cars I used to rest 18mm ply to the front of the ramps so the car would lift earlier. approx 400mm and wider than the ramps.

To stop the ramps skidding away as I drove onto them webbing straps were tied to the lower rung and fed below the ply, then led out so the car wheels would drive over the straps.
So by the time the front wheels were climbing the rear wheels were over the straps.

 

[tedfred]

Thanks for your replies Guys,


I see the point regarding the need for ramps .
My problem at present is finding a set of ramps wide enough for the tyres.

Regards


Tefred

 

[alexanderfoti]

Thanks for your replies Guys,


I see the point regarding the need for ramps .
My problem at present is finding a set of ramps wide enough for the tyres.

Regards


Tefred

What size are your front tyres?

 

[Noelmc]

Used to use a strip of old carpet folded around the bottom rung of the ramp, stopped the ramps skidding on the ground

 

[Ken_R]

To stop the ramps skidding away as I drove onto them webbing straps were tied to the lower rung and fed below the ply, then led out so the car wheels would drive over the straps.
So by the time the front wheels were climbing the rear wheels were over the straps.

I like that idea.

Must admit that I'd never thought of it myself.

 

[tedfred]

What size are your front tyres?

Alexander Foti


Thanks for you reply Alexander the tyre size is 225 40 R18 so width would be 225mm I believe

Regards

Tedfred

 

[alexanderfoti]

These would fit:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/191445405876

It's what I have. Even my 255 tyres fit just about.

 

[tedfred]

Thanks Alexander
I will have a look at them tonight.

Regards
Tedfred

 

[Wighty]

Thanks Alexander
I will have a look at them tonight.

Regards
Tedfred

Halfords have some that are half price (ramps) , down to £30 for the pair

 

[tedfred]

Hi Wighty

I you referring to the ones with the integral hydraulic jack ?
Regards
Tedfred

 

[Jimbo1959]

I usually sit my ramps on an old piece of carpet to stop them sliding as I drive on. At the moment I'm using an old rug which also means I don't have to lie on the cement floor. When I'm doing an oil change I have an old shower curtain which I cover the carpet with just in case there are any splashes.
The entrance to my garage is approx 3" higher than the pavement so when I have a low spoiler on a car I set the ramps to start at that point and a piece of wood plank to aid lift, it (so far) has meant I've been able to get quite an assortment of cars noses inside the garage to keep dry while working on it (them). See photo.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

The main problem is the width of the ramps.They are never wide enough for my car tires , so i dumped them .