Ramps for the Van..

Post it here, if it doesn't fit any of the above.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

StuM
Registered user
Posts: 653
Joined: 16 May 2010, 13:47
80-90 Mem No: 8281
Location: Surrey, UK

Ramps for the Van..

Post by StuM »

Hi All,

Would you put your van on these and lie under it:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... ink:top:en

Or, could you recommend an alternative, please?

Am I right to look at 2.5T ones (1.25T per ramp) or would 2T be fine (panel van tin top with just a RnR bed in it)?

Thanks,
Stu
ex-1985 Type 2 T3 Transporter - 1.9 DG - The Van's Blog

User avatar
clift_d
Registered user
Posts: 3401
Joined: 04 Oct 2012, 23:51
80-90 Mem No: 11695
Location: Hackney innit

Re: Ramps for the Van..

Post by clift_d »

Neither of them are strong enough.

You need to look for ramps that are each rated to carry the whole weight of the van on their own i.e. 3T per ramp. Then if one of them fails while you are underneath the other one will continue to hold the van up.
1988 LHD T25 1.6TD Westfalia Club Joker Hightop syncro

StuM
Registered user
Posts: 653
Joined: 16 May 2010, 13:47
80-90 Mem No: 8281
Location: Surrey, UK

Re: Ramps for the Van..

Post by StuM »

clift_d wrote:Neither of them are strong enough.

You need to look for ramps that are each rated to carry the whole weight of the van on their own i.e. 3T per ramp. Then if one of them fails while you are underneath the other one will continue to hold the van up.

Thanks.

Unladed weight is 1320kg according to this:
Image

Given some of that will be at the front wheels on the floor (accepting that the van is rear-biased in the weight distribution), I'm not sure you'd ever need 3T per ramp. I don't think I've ever seen 3T per ramp ratings - do you know who makes them?

Cheers,
Stu
ex-1985 Type 2 T3 Transporter - 1.9 DG - The Van's Blog

User avatar
pionte
Registered user
Posts: 549
Joined: 17 Oct 2009, 10:35
80-90 Mem No: 8209
Location: Tonbridge Kent

Re: Ramps for the Van..

Post by pionte »

you asked for a personal opinion, so yes I would be happy to use the 2,5 t ones.

The way I think about it this, you are not supporting the total weight of the van.... on each wheel you support a percentage of it, the front to rear isnt divided 50-50 so you cant just divide the weight by 4.

Tyres arent weight loaded for the whole van so why should a ramp need to be. If one ramp collapses then that wheel is now resting on the ground, so the other one isnt taking the whole weight now either , in fact is never will.

I would however be careful who makes them, and only buy from a known manufacturer , better than some chinese unknown,

Just my opinion, make your own mind up when it comes to safety ! :ok
2.5 Quad Cam Scooby engine . Westfalia California 1989

User avatar
clift_d
Registered user
Posts: 3401
Joined: 04 Oct 2012, 23:51
80-90 Mem No: 11695
Location: Hackney innit

Re: Ramps for the Van..

Post by clift_d »

Don't think I've seen them either - most ramps are max 1250Kg each. I prefer to use axle stands instead - you can get a pair rated at 3T per stand i.e. 6T per pair of stands for around £30 on fleabay - Sealey for example. If you use them, don't forget to properly chock your other wheels before you go underneath.
1988 LHD T25 1.6TD Westfalia Club Joker Hightop syncro

User avatar
Ian and Lins
Registered user
Posts: 1906
Joined: 27 Apr 2007, 13:18
80-90 Mem No: 3532
Location: Rushden, Northants (God's waiting room)
Contact:

Re: Ramps for the Van..

Post by Ian and Lins »

Belt & braces me. If I run the van up on the ramps, I put axle stands under (depending on the work) as well. I really can think of better ways of dying than being crushed by the van.
Are we going on anything else?

1985 Petrol 1.9 A/S Hightop

StuM
Registered user
Posts: 653
Joined: 16 May 2010, 13:47
80-90 Mem No: 8281
Location: Surrey, UK

Re: Ramps for the Van..

Post by StuM »

Thanks All. Totally agree re belt and braces approach to such things. I have axle stands already so will use them as well. Regards, Stu
ex-1985 Type 2 T3 Transporter - 1.9 DG - The Van's Blog

User avatar
'GHOSTWHEEL'
Registered user
Posts: 365
Joined: 17 Mar 2011, 18:09
80-90 Mem No: 9537
Location: Ashby - De - La - Soul Leicestershire
Contact:

Re: Ramps for the Van..

Post by 'GHOSTWHEEL' »

Ian and Lins wrote:Belt & braces me. If I run the van up on the ramps, I put axle stands under (depending on the work) as well. I really can think of better ways of dying than being crushed by the van.

Same here and big "feck" of tree stumps wedge under it too. :ok
Check out my DJ mixes.
http://www.mixcloud.com/LiminalClass/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

User avatar
itchyfeet
Registered user
Posts: 12425
Joined: 23 Jul 2007, 17:24
80-90 Mem No: 12733
Location: South Hampshire

Re: Ramps for the Van..

Post by itchyfeet »

I prefer blocks of wood but I do use standard ramps as said its only taking less than half the total weight and more stable than axle stands
I jack the van and lower onto the ramps one in each direction so its never rolling off
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
itchylinks

fazzer
Registered user
Posts: 671
Joined: 01 Feb 2010, 10:23
80-90 Mem No: 7803
Location: birmingham

Re: Ramps for the Van..

Post by fazzer »

i made made my own ramps same as in pic but more heavy duty and higher,have have served me well for 25 years.

007bluebell
Registered user
Posts: 151
Joined: 27 Oct 2008, 20:35
80-90 Mem No: 6222
Location: NOTTINGHAM

Re: Ramps for the Van..

Post by 007bluebell »

fill the center of the ramps with timber to make them solid when being used :ok

DavidPallister
Registered user
Posts: 160
Joined: 12 Apr 2008, 16:29
80-90 Mem No: 0
Location: Bridgend, Wales

Re: Ramps for the Van..

Post by DavidPallister »

Let's be honest though, with the ground clearance on these vans, if a ramp did fail, you still wouldn't get squashed! :lol:

User avatar
pionte
Registered user
Posts: 549
Joined: 17 Oct 2009, 10:35
80-90 Mem No: 8209
Location: Tonbridge Kent

Re: Ramps for the Van..

Post by pionte »

DavidPallister wrote:Let's be honest though, with the ground clearance on these vans, if a ramp did fail, you still wouldn't get squashed! :lol:


you say that, but I have eaten A LOT of pies !



I do agree though.



I am quite safety concious, and always use axle stands and chock the wheels, but the other weekend I nearly rocked a car off the stands whilst fitting an exhaust... scared the bejesus out of me... I hadnt chocked the wheels both ways... just against the slope of my drive. lesson learnt!
2.5 Quad Cam Scooby engine . Westfalia California 1989

thegasman2000
Registered user
Posts: 3
Joined: 21 Oct 2013, 19:06
80-90 Mem No: 0
Location: Pewsey, Wiltshire
Contact:

Re: Ramps for the Van..

Post by thegasman2000 »

These look the nuts... eyes angle iron prices...

http://www.restorationramps.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

StuM
Registered user
Posts: 653
Joined: 16 May 2010, 13:47
80-90 Mem No: 8281
Location: Surrey, UK

Re: Ramps for the Van..

Post by StuM »

thegasman2000 wrote:These look the nuts... eyes angle iron prices...

http://www.restorationramps.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They do look great, though sadly at a price :-(
ex-1985 Type 2 T3 Transporter - 1.9 DG - The Van's Blog

Post Reply