Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 18:27:23 -0400
Reply-To: Rowan Tipton <uther@DRAGONHOME.ORG>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Rowan Tipton <uther@DRAGONHOME.ORG>
Subject: Re: Good types of drive-on lift ramps?
In-Reply-To: <054801cafc57$1ea58a00$6401a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes
Scott,
In the general case I agree with you... but In my case there is no
choice.
I live on a narrow two lane road with no parking so I can't work on the
street. I don't have a garage or the money to build one so I can't work
in my garage. I don't have a level slab or the money to get one so I
can't
work on a level place. That only leaves my driveway which is not level.
I've got jack stands but they are VERY unsafe on my unlevel driveway.
I use my floor jack to jack up a corner of my van, put a ramp (4 ton
truck
ramp) under it and go to the next corner. When I'm finished I put the
floor
jack under the van somewhere out of the way with just a bit of weight
on it.
I'd like to do better but that is the best I can afford.
r
On May 25, 2010, at 6:10 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
> of course they are.
> people should do whatever they think is right.
>
> here is what I do not like about ramps.
> sometimes they just slide on the floor instead of the wheel going up
> onto
> them.
> need someone to hold them or whatever.
>
> maybe it is because I rescued my father from dying under a car
> supported on
> ramps.
> if it were not for that , maybe I would not be so against them.
>
> even still....
> no matter what though,
> any vehicle supported by tires, or by suspension ...
> is inherently less stable, compared to a vehicle supported on the
> frame or
> jacking points.
> No way around that.
>
> I could mention that perhaps some people don't realize a floor jack
> pad does
> not travel straight up, it goes up in a curve...
> this pulls on the van, like if the other end if off the ground.
> so, the jack wheels have to roll, and if they don't you're putting a
> pulling
> force on the end your lifting ...
> easy to pull the other end of jack stands or whatever , doing that.
>
> I also like that the brakes and suspension are exposed with jack
> stands, and
> with ramps they are not.
>
> where safety is concerned....it pays to use black/white rules.
> Seat belt usage is like that ....we might not put a belt on to drive
> say 500
> yards...
> but if you *always, always* put the belt on, no matter what, you
> have it on
> then when you need it for sure.
>
> so ....with that logic, if never want any 'roll' factor in a supported
> vehicle ..and are looking for solid, static support...
> that rules out ramps.
> just a preference, but I am quite a safety nut.
> I dare say it's easier to hurt yourself using ramps than jack stands,
> overall.
> not that ramps can't be used carefully and intelligently...
> but the risk is a little higher I think.
>
> you know, there are ten thousand ways to make mistakes in car
> repair, and
> people find their way to them now and then, and I think reducing risk
> factors is smart.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John Rodgers" <inua@charter.net>
> To: "Scott Daniel - Turbovans" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
> Cc: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 2:01 PM
> Subject: Re: Good types of drive-on lift ramps?
>
>
>> Good ramps will be made with a tire dimple in them so they also act
>> as a
>> chock to aid against rolling.
>>
>> John Rodgers
>> Clayartist and Moldmaker
>> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
>> Chelsea, AL
>> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>>
>>
>> On 5/25/2010 3:04 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
>>> do whatever you like of course.
>>> I don't recommend them. they are dangerous.
>>> or sure can be.
>>>
>>> when a van is on jackstands, it's not going anywhere.
>>> the same can not be said when it's in the air and it can still
>>> roll, and
>>> you're under it.
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Mike "Rocket J Squirrel"" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
>>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 10:27 AM
>>> Subject: Re: Good types of drive-on lift ramps?
>>>
>>>
>>>> John Rodgers wrote:
>>>>> I have one pair of drive-on's that I use in conjunction with
>>>>> jackstands. Drive up one end, then jack up the other and put jack
>>>>> stands under it. I like having the ramps instead of four jack
>>>>> stands -
>>>>> just more stable that way. Of course four ramps would be even more
>>>>> stable.
>>>>
>>>> That's my plan. Just need to find sturdy ramps with lead-in skirts.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
>>>> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
>>>> 74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano,
>>>> Calif.)
>>>> Bend, OR
>>>> KG6RCR
>>>
>>>
>>
I remain, as always
YrLyl&ObdntSrvnt,
r
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