heavy truck maintenance ramps-what to use ?

[rfuerst911sc]

My 2 post lift is rated for 7,000 lbs. and was built in the US and is very well made . My concrete floor was specifically poured with the 2 post in mind . But my diesel dually truck weighs over 7300 pounds per the counties waste management scale and I just don't feel comfortable " pushing the limit " . This truck has been drop dead reliable so my main maintenance is oil/filter changes .

Even though it is a 4x4 I struggle to get my .............. ahem ........... manly shape under the truck . So I am thinking about some ramps . Doing a quick search online there are basically plastic and steel . I found a disturbing amount of negative reviews on the plastic one's with the main complaints deforming or cracking Back in the 60's and 70's I used the standard red metal ramps on a variety of vehicles with no issues .

I could also just build a set out of 2x10's or 2x12's and be rock solid . So how about some comments/pics on what you are using ? An additional 5 " - 6 " would be sufficient ( that's what she said ) but a little more wouldn't hurt either . On local Craigslist I see plenty of the plain Jane metal ramps for 20 bucks or so but the sticker with the weight ratings are generally long gone . But only lifting the front so is a " standard " set rated for 2 tons sufficient ?

[cabmandone]

I have metal ones but they slide on the concrete when I try to drive up onto them. I have to put a piece of rubber under them to keep them from sliding. I'm not a fan of the metal ramps. Why not just jack it up and use some good jack stands?

Here's a good looking set of plastic ramps and I think you get the girl in the quasi futuristic outfit if you order today!
https://www.amazon.com/BUNKERWALL-Large-Heavy-Truck-Drive/dp/B073NR2V2T

[ckelly78z]

I have an older set of metal oil change ramps that are bolted together (not the cheap one pc design), but i'm not sure I would put my F250 with the 7.3 diesel, or my Excursion with the 6.0L diesel on these ramps. These ramps do slide on a rear wheel drive car, but not front drive.

I like the idea of having solid wood ramps for such weight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw9Af2IOI8U

[billybek]

One of my co workers had a set of metal ramps collapse.
Lucky he wasn't under the truck at the time.
They were apparently rated for the weight and in good condition.

[rfuerst911sc]

^^^ Yeah I'm leaning towards just making some out of lumber . I may use the ramps on gravel and I think wood will work much better than metal .

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

^^^ Yeah I'm leaning towards just making some out of lumber . I may use the ramps on gravel and I think wood will work much better than metal .

I think that's a good call but I also think a GOOD set of the plastic style ramps would be good.

[speeder]

If you get the super-duper HD ones that are rated for 12k lbs., no issue. The only thing to remember is that if you are draining oil w the vehicle on a slope, you're not getting all of the dirty oil out. For cars, I will drive onto ramps and then lift the rear w a floor jack until the car is level.

[fanaudical]

My ramps are made from 2x12s. No issues parking my truck on them.

[berettafan]

I put 1/2" lift and 33" tires on my Tundra and that is enough for me to slide under (without creeper) and get the oil change done. Before that I just drove onto one or two 2x10's

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by fanaudical

My ramps are made from 2x12s. No issues parking my truck on them.

That's what I'd do...stack 3-4 of them....mebbe add a cross piece or two to connect 'em.

[speeder]

Or you could always just dig a ditch under the truck and drive over that. #thinkingoutsidethebox

[rfuerst911sc]

Being a DIYer and a CSOB 😁 I am not willing to pay top $$$ for a good set of ramps . This is the only vehicle I need them for and only will be used twice a year . The drain plug on the Duramax is at the back of the pan , so having the front higher helps in draining .

I also can't add a suspension lift or taller tires because the lift jack's on my truck camper just lift high enough to load it into the bed . I will make a set of ramps from wood , it is cheap and strong .

[speeder]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

The drain plug on the Duramax is at the back of the pan , so having the front higher helps in draining .

No, it doesn't. Anything behind the drain plug, (in the engine block or elsewhere), will not drain. Don't believe me? Drain it on the ramp or w front higher and then jack up rear w drain plug still removed, observe how much more oil comes out.

I'm obsessed w maintenance and this very subject. I also believe that the most important drainage is the last stuff that comes out; think of the dirt or sediment in the bottom of a swimming pool or drain pan at the end of a draining. You want scalding hot oil, pouring out rapidly and draining as completely as possible.

[rfuerst911sc]

My truck has a nose first attitude so the oil pan is NOT level when parked on level ground . I have actually placed a 2 ' level on the bottom of the pan to confirm . I have to think/hope the factory took that into consideration but who knows .

Getting every last drop out is not a concern , it holds over 10 quarts and changed every 5K . I have other things to obsess over .

[john70t]

Originally Posted by speeder

No, it doesn't. Anything behind the drain plug, (in the engine block or elsewhere), will not drain. Don't believe me? Drain it on the ramp or w front higher and then jack up rear w drain plug still removed, observe how much more oil comes out.

^This.
I've removed relay and bumped the engine over a half-turn on the gunky ones after treatment.

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by speeder

No, it doesn't. Anything behind the drain plug, (in the engine block or elsewhere), will not drain. Don't believe me? Drain it on the ramp or w front higher and then jack up rear w drain plug still removed, observe how much more oil comes out.

I'm obsessed w maintenance and this very subject. I also believe that the most important drainage is the last stuff that comes out; think of the dirt or sediment in the bottom of a swimming pool or drain pan at the end of a draining. You want scalding hot oil, pouring out rapidly and draining as completely as possible.

A rear sump pan doesn't care if the front is a bit higher.

[speeder]

You guys are probably right and if you really keep up w oil changes, it doesn’t make much difference. I’m just a little kooky when it comes to maintenance. I’ve been known to raise and lower the rear of vehicle just to see what else comes out.

[rfuerst911sc]

Don't sweat it speeder it's all good . Whatever routine we have that works is all that matters . If you want to get out as much oil as possible rock on 😁 . Me I let the hot oil drain for 20 minutes and close it up . Many oil analysis samples have been sent with rock solid results every time .

[VincentVega]

Whats wrong with jackstands?

[VINMAN]

I built a set of ramps out of 2xs to use with my trucks.. totally rock solid. A little heavy, but trust them way more than my steel or plastic ones. Although both my trucks are high enough not to need them to do fluid changes.


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