Since seeing the ramps in the workshop when Tim had his towbar fitted, I have been looking around for something that would safely lift our kombis to a decent height.
I discounted the full length ramps, and the tilting types due to cost and size (nowhere to store them), but found these that might be of interest.
OK, they are still fairly expensive, but you would probably save the initial cost on just a couple of services.
I am not sure yet, but with 4 heavy duty axle stands, I reckon, if necessary, it may be possible to lift a van off all 4 wheels so it is level.
Only thing I didn't like, and I haven't made my mind up yet, is that they only lock on maximum lift, but I suppose that is irrelevant as it would be lowered onto the axle stands.
http://www.cjautosheywood.co.uk/hyramp.shtml (see the camper demonstrated down the page)
TimV Admin
Cabin : Flight 001 Location : Brighton, East Sussex U.K. Posts : 14335 Join date : 2009-09-27
They certainly look better than the old 'drive-up' type I've used before. I hate them - very difficult to use if you're working alone. I once did a load of damage to an old Golf, working alone, in the pouring rain, I went too far up the ramp and the car came crashing down with the front wheels over the end of the ramps. Both sills were damaged. Had to use a trolley jack to lift the car off the stands. Will never use them again. Px'd the car swiftly afterwards.
________________________________________________________________________________ Max SportsKombi - The Bay Racer @brazilianvwbay
I hate them too, for the same reason. If I don't need to take the wheels off, I use a trolley jack, and then put the ramps under the tyres as well as using axle stands.
Like the look of those. Not sure about the price though
That's why I have been umming and aghing for weeks. There is another company that do identical ones for half the price, but they only do the 900kg ones, and I think you have to ship them from abroad.
Found it...... http://www.uni-max.co.uk/hydraulic-ramp-platform-900-kg/d/
If they're 900kg each then can't see that being too much of an issue. If you use two you'll have 1800kg which theoretically is enough to lift the whole Kombi
Would not like to work under a bus with just the hydraulics holding it up as its the same as working under with just a trolley jack. All thats holding it up is a piston seal (basically a rubber o-ring) but these seem to have a locking mechanism
I hate my drive on ramps. They are too narrow going up and so worried about driving off the end stops. They also have a great habit of firing them at a hell of a speed when you drive off them!
