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Wood boards as a backup for Rhino ramps—how high?
#4697437
03/17/18 09:01 AM
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,330
paulri
OP
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OP
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,330 |
I have a pair of 16,000 lb Rhino ramps I drive my cars up when I change the oil. Because of stories of ramps and jacks failing, I like to use a stack of boards that I have in my garage, as a backup plan. I put them in between the two tires on each side.
My question is—is there a given height that my stack of boards should go? Do I simply have to put my stacks high enough to allow me to have room, below the level of the boards, if the chassis falls? Or could the innards at the bottom of the car, drop lower than the frame itself, that is resting on the boards—in which case, I’d need to give myself a few extra inches of leeway here.
2005 Toyota Sienna LE; 163,000 miles 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 118,000 miles
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Re: Wood boards as a backup for Rhino ramps—how high?
[Re: paulri]
#4697459
03/17/18 09:27 AM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 340
MRtv
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 340 |
How high do you want? Each board is about 1.5 inches thick. So for whatever hight you need you can calculate from there. I put in four layers. It got my Versa up 6 inches. Perfect for my oil change on the Versa. Need higher? Add layers but know that wood can be heavy so you are adding weight as you add on height.
2014 Nissan Versa Note 1.6 liter engine. 1997 Ford F150 4x4 4.6 liter engine.
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Re: Wood boards as a backup for Rhino ramps—how high?
[Re: paulri]
#4697460
03/17/18 09:27 AM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,285
Snagglefoot
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,285 |
I’d recommend the full height to the chassis and tight against the chassis. May I recommend to pick up a set of jack stands on sale. They are are much easier to work with. (But rememeber to pull them out at the end of the job. )
If you want the job done right......do it yourself.
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Re: Wood boards as a backup for Rhino ramps—how high?
[Re: paulri]
#4697470
03/17/18 09:39 AM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,457
AVB
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,457 |
$100 is [censored] wishful thinking, marketing. Those are around $25 anywhere you go.
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Re: Wood boards as a backup for Rhino ramps—how high?
[Re: paulri]
#4697471
03/17/18 09:39 AM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 9,661
Linctex
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 9,661 |
Because of stories of ramps and jacks failing, I like to PLACE REAL JACKSTANDS under the car to support it, if needed. There, I fixed that for you.
"The evidence demands a verdict". (Re:VOA)"it's nearly impossible to actually know the particular additives that are in there at what concentrations."
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Re: Wood boards as a backup for Rhino ramps—how high?
[Re: paulri]
#4697473
03/17/18 09:42 AM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 9,661
Linctex
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 9,661 |
I'll vouch for these (That all pretty much come from china, no matter who sells them) The ratings are utterly ridiculous - 3 tons (6,000 lbs) is wishful thinking at best. Used properly in general auto use, they are just fine. I like to place a 12" x 12" square of 3/4" plywood under each one when used on any surface other than concrete.
"The evidence demands a verdict". (Re:VOA)"it's nearly impossible to actually know the particular additives that are in there at what concentrations."
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Re: Wood boards as a backup for Rhino ramps—how high?
[Re: paulri]
#4697476
03/17/18 09:44 AM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 9,661
Linctex
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 9,661 |
My grandfather built something similar to these about 50 years ago. They are nearly indestructible & will hold a semi-truck! 
"The evidence demands a verdict". (Re:VOA)"it's nearly impossible to actually know the particular additives that are in there at what concentrations."
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Re: Wood boards as a backup for Rhino ramps—how high?
[Re: paulri]
#4697478
03/17/18 09:47 AM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,457
AVB
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,457 |
If you are worried about the ramps failing make some of the pine-o ramps. That is what we used when servicing semi's.
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Re: Wood boards as a backup for Rhino ramps—how high?
[Re: Linctex]
#4697482
03/17/18 09:54 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,897
4WD
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,897 |
I see why he has wheels … mine are heavy enough that I put a gate handle on the end
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Re: Wood boards as a backup for Rhino ramps—how high?
[Re: paulri]
#4697499
03/17/18 10:09 AM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 51
Kansas_Ron
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 51 |
 Purchase 2, 2"x 10" x 12' boards. One board will make a ramp. Lowes will cut to lengths shown. Get some nails, or screws and adhesive. Cheap. simple, and heavy. I have used them for 8 years.
2000 Chevy Prizm 2015 Honda Civic 2017 Hyundai Elantra
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Re: Wood boards as a backup for Rhino ramps—how high?
[Re: Kansas_Ron]
#4697507
03/17/18 10:17 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,897
4WD
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,897 |
 Purchase 2, 2"x 10" x 12' boards. One board will make a ramp. Lowes will cut to lengths shown. Get some nails, or screws and adhesive. Cheap. simple, and heavy. I have used them for 8 years. One nice thing about these is they will not slide away when bringing a RWD vehicle up on them … the first 1-1/2” rise pins them down tight Pine-O Ramps have their place …
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Re: Wood boards as a backup for Rhino ramps—how high?
[Re: paulri]
#4697515
03/17/18 10:26 AM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,254
Leo99
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,254 |
I use the harbor freight jack stands when I need to use jack stands.
Without data you're just another person with an opinion. W. E. Deming
2003 Corolla 250,000 miles (RIP) 2004 Corolla 125,000 miles 2004 Rav4 392,000 miles 2015 Camry 90,000 miles
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Re: Wood boards as a backup for Rhino ramps—how high?
[Re: paulri]
#4697520
03/17/18 10:31 AM
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,330
paulri
OP
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OP
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,330 |
If wood is capable of holding up the car as the primary support, it should also be ok as a backup support, shouldn't it?
If possible, I'd like to get more input on my original question--assuming I'll continue using wood boards, how high do the boards have to get? Snagglefoot said take the boards up to the height of the chassis. Is that what is best or what everyone does, who uses boards?
2005 Toyota Sienna LE; 163,000 miles 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 118,000 miles
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Re: Wood boards as a backup for Rhino ramps—how high?
[Re: paulri]
#4697522
03/17/18 10:37 AM
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,406
Kestas
Global Moderator
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Global Moderator
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,406 |
My ramps are a stack of 2 x 12s. For safety I throw a short log or two under the car and chock a wheel. It's not worth taking short cuts when it comes to safety.
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