Until now it has been pricey but certainly easier and more convenient to have my oil changed in pick-ups and Suburbans than do it myself. My favorite local repair shop is walking into retirement and too many friends and I can describe poor service at some of the quick-change shops to feel comfortable throwing my money there.
I'm wondering what you folks with larger vehicles use so I can get my fat belly under the vehicle?
My purpose is to have a process that doesn't take all day to set up and tear down.
Some things to consider:
-weight of the vehicle (1/2 ton pick-up and 3/4 ton Suburban both 4x4) and capacity of the ramps
-angle of the resting vehicle while it sits on ramps -- does it inhibit draining of fluids, especially with a rock plate under the oil pan?
-tire width
-and you can come up with your own concerns to complete this list.
Long before I started with the FD the senior folks had an oak 6x6 they had cut diagonal in the center to create a matching pair of ramps, each with about 2' of slope and 2' of flat top. We placed these under the truck on each side so one was in front of the inside tires on the dual-wheel configuration, then drive the fire truck up the ramp.
The intent was to raise the truck enough to install full snow chains on the outer tires.
Safe? Smart? It worked. Especially when we had trucks with the lighter-duty automatic snow chains installed on the bottom of the spring U-bolts, eliminating many options for easily using a floor jack.
RhinoRamps seems to be the least costly of manufactured stuff on the market, but I've also read a minimal number of reports indicating how they failed.
I'm also considering stacking (and obviously fastening) strips of 2x12 with the leading edge chamfered on each strip to create a ramp without the "abrupt" rise if the 2x12 was simply blunt cut.
How high would be sufficient and still safe to work under?
Sorry, but I haven't taken time to consider how long each ramp would need to be, how much lumber I'd need, or how much each would weigh.
I'm looking forward to ideas that make backyard mechanics fun to watch.
I'm wondering what you folks with larger vehicles use so I can get my fat belly under the vehicle?
My purpose is to have a process that doesn't take all day to set up and tear down.
Some things to consider:
-weight of the vehicle (1/2 ton pick-up and 3/4 ton Suburban both 4x4) and capacity of the ramps
-angle of the resting vehicle while it sits on ramps -- does it inhibit draining of fluids, especially with a rock plate under the oil pan?
-tire width
-and you can come up with your own concerns to complete this list.
Long before I started with the FD the senior folks had an oak 6x6 they had cut diagonal in the center to create a matching pair of ramps, each with about 2' of slope and 2' of flat top. We placed these under the truck on each side so one was in front of the inside tires on the dual-wheel configuration, then drive the fire truck up the ramp.
The intent was to raise the truck enough to install full snow chains on the outer tires.
Safe? Smart? It worked. Especially when we had trucks with the lighter-duty automatic snow chains installed on the bottom of the spring U-bolts, eliminating many options for easily using a floor jack.
RhinoRamps seems to be the least costly of manufactured stuff on the market, but I've also read a minimal number of reports indicating how they failed.
I'm also considering stacking (and obviously fastening) strips of 2x12 with the leading edge chamfered on each strip to create a ramp without the "abrupt" rise if the 2x12 was simply blunt cut.
How high would be sufficient and still safe to work under?
Sorry, but I haven't taken time to consider how long each ramp would need to be, how much lumber I'd need, or how much each would weigh.
I'm looking forward to ideas that make backyard mechanics fun to watch.