Plastic vs Steel Ramps

browser on 12/08/2022 - 15:09

About to get a pair of ramps to do oil change, there are choices between plastic and steel ramps.

Plastic is lighter, cheaper, and doesn't corrode, and appears to be as strong, any reason to choose steel ramps?

For example, comparing these two:

There are cheaper plastic variants, but classified as levellers and they don't raise as high, about 11-12cm instead of 17-18cm.

Automotive Ramp

Comments

  • Boioioioi on 12/08/2022 - 15:30
    +3

    what kind of car have you got? For extra piece of mind I like to slide something under the sides. Spare wheels or something. Just in case something breaks, that way you dont die ;)

    • HeWhoKnows on 15/08/2022 - 19:39

      Where have the good old metal ramps gone that were made of flat solid metal with a solid metal bar across the back?

      Both of the ones sold by supercheap auto are cheap rubbish!

      I have a photo Id like to upload but dont know how to do that

  • Muzeeb on 12/08/2022 - 15:34

    Ramps rarely clear the front lip of modern cars in my experience.

    SUVs are generally ok.

    • browser on 12/08/2022 - 15:46

      Oil change for a Prius, not particularly high or low. the front has 15cm, should clear the ramps.

      • Boioioioi on 12/08/2022 - 16:15
        +4

        These plastic ones clear my toyota 86. You'll be fine!

        • Muzeeb on 12/08/2022 - 17:08
          +1

          But that's a Subaru engine 🙂

          • Boioioioi on 12/08/2022 - 17:09
            +1

            @Muzeeb: Yes it is :)

            But how does that impact ramp clearance?

  • trex on 12/08/2022 - 15:56

    Check gumtree or FB marketplace for used car stands? Car stands take up less space.

    • Hybroid on 12/08/2022 - 15:58
      +3

      Not sure I would condone ever getting used safety critical equipment. It's just not worth the risk.

      • trex on 12/08/2022 - 20:27

        Don't look for the cheapest ones available. I once sold my relatively unused car stands (still in the original box) at a low price.

    • Juggernauto on 13/08/2022 - 21:51

      Takes less space but you gotta jack the car, ramps are easier if you just doing oil change

  • Euphemistic on 12/08/2022 - 16:26

    The plastic ones look to be slightly lower angle which would mean they are likely a better option for non-SUVs. I have a set like the steel version and had to jack up the car a bit to not scrape the bumper.

  • USER DC on 12/08/2022 - 16:32

    Why not have a look at second hand/used Metal ramps ?

    • Euphemistic on 12/08/2022 - 19:11
      +1

      Got my current set from a council cleanup. Super cheap!

      • mapax on 13/08/2022 - 08:40

        Me too. Had them for over 10 years, Australian made too.

  • FLICKIT on 12/08/2022 - 16:39
    +3

    Those plastic ones look ok, I'd be inclined to go that way if it's just for oil changes and such, most cheap steel ones look pretty flimsy these days so I doubt you'd be sacrificing much strength or such with the plastic… At least with plastic you wont end up scratching up your concrete or pavers, or leave paint scuffs behind, like you may with steel ones…

    After you drive up and park, get out and give the car a bit of a push and shake side to side at the front to make sure everything feels solid, if you drive to far forward and then put the handbrake on you can park with the rear of the ramps lifted up off the ground a bit, this makes them very unstable…

    People often die getting pinned under vehicles after they fall off ramps or stands, so take care….

    • browser on 12/08/2022 - 16:57

      Thanks for that, I was thinking about steel ramps will not play nice with "delicate" surfaces and thought about putting cardboard boxes for protection, but they may runaway due to slippiness. But totally forgot about this point.

      Sounds like more reason to go with plastic.

      • FLICKIT on 12/08/2022 - 17:03

        Travelling around the country I've seen plenty of people really punishing those plastic leveler ramps driving their big caravans and campervans over them and they appear to hold up to the punishment really well, so I very much doubt you'll have any issues with a small light car on the plastic ones…

        • rooster7777 on 17/08/2022 - 22:44

          you might be thinking of caravan levellers, which are not the same thing….

          • FLICKIT on 17/08/2022 - 23:56

            @rooster7777: I realize they are different ( as I said "plastic leveler ramps"), but they are the same type of plastic, which seems pretty tough…

  • Keplaffintech on 12/08/2022 - 18:50
    +1

    I've used the plastic ones a few times. They aren't gonna break if that's what you're worried about. Certainly nice not having to worry about corrosion or weight of steel ones.

  • xlimit on 12/08/2022 - 18:51
    +1

    I like plastic ones. Reasons being:

    • Weight. Easier to store and move around. I keep mine on top of the shelf and its easy to put up and take down.

    • On the off chance my car overshoots the landing or the ramp shoots under the car like you see on many a youtube fail clip, I feel it'd be more beneficial to have plastic under the body than metal.

    • When I do a service I only use ramps because its so quick to get the car up. I've not encountered any problems using plastic ones at all. Aside from being able to support very heavy vehicles I can't see any benefit in keeping large heavy steel frames about.

    I went with the repco one for the height but I can't remember what it was about the height that I liked.

  • Brucet on 12/08/2022 - 22:30

    I got pair from Repco last year use for oil change.( plastic one ).under $100.

  • blwnhr on 13/08/2022 - 08:07

    The steel ones are made to a Standard (in the description), if the plastic ones are too then get them. I wouldn't lay under something that wasn't sitting on a device made to some relevant standard.

    • Ozpit on 13/08/2022 - 09:54

      Chickens aren’t so fussy.

  • rooster7777 on 13/08/2022 - 08:12

    Plastic will eventually degrade, and accidental damage is likely to be harder to see. Steel ramps will not rust if stored properly, and accidental damage will be easier to see. Plastic is light and handy, steel is more of a pain to store but long term safer.

  • No and then on 13/08/2022 - 08:16

    I'm going to assume you know your car well. But just be sure you can change your oil filter without needing to remove a wheel to get access. Space is different when lying on the ground compared to be being on a hoist.

  • subydooby on 13/08/2022 - 10:50

    My driveway at the back of the house has a sharp drop off and the oil filter on my Peugeot is at the front of the engine so no ramps required. But having said that boast make sure you chock the back wheels just in case…

  • skillet on 13/08/2022 - 13:01
    +1

    I have the plastic ones for more than 10 years now, made in Canada from Autobarn. It's a ramp not a leveler. It's just a big lump of many smaller plastic fused together. Even if it breaks it won't collapse flat it will compress and it will still hold because it's a big lump of polymer. Also it's quite heavy, it's a lot of plastic.

    I don't know if it's UV stable so I kept it indoors. It's held up very well structurally but the rubber feets are worn so it slides on smooth concrete. It will move when the car is climbing on it and it's dangerous. So I use it on my driveway which is a much rougher surface.

    The steel ones are much stronger yes but if there's a weak joint somewhere and if it collapse it will be a disaster because there's lots of crumble space and your car will be lowered alot quickly.

    Both will benefit from a jack stand placed under the car. You can never have enough safety.

    I prefer a hydraulic jack and jack stands I feel they are faster and safer to deploy. The ramps need some finesse driving not to over shoot because if you do that's a big disaster. However the ramps are much safer when the car is on it. I can use all strength on the breaker bar and not worried about the car slipping off as if they on jack stands. Ramps are especially handy when working on bushings when you need them compressed during fastening.

    • backpaqer on 14/08/2022 - 17:07

      search for ChrisFix on youtube. He covers all the options and with each option, he still gives the car a good shake to make sure if it's going to fall it's will hopefully fall while he's giving it a good shove and not underneath it.

      • skillet on 15/08/2022 - 00:43

        Yeah I love the blinker fluid video it really helped fix my turn indicators.

  • browser on 30/08/2022 - 10:59

    Ordered the plastic ones from Sparesbox, look the same as the ones from Supercheap (out of stock).

    Very strong and sturdy, have already done an oil change with ease. Effectively they have already paid for themselves, and enable more regular oil changes and other maintenance tasks.

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