Are car ramps safer than jacks? What size car ramps do I need? Are car ramps worth it?

While some people prefer to leave their car maintenance and work to the experts and spend more money, if you know what you are doing and like to tackle it yourself, having the right equipment is key.

If you are looking to do some work on your car and want to be able to get greater access in safety, a car ramp is the best way to do it. Here we will take a better look at car ramps and why they are worth the investment for you.

Are car ramps safer than jacks? 

One of the top criteria to consider when choosing between car ramps and jacks is safety. When you are lifting up your car, and planning to take a look underneath, nothing is more important than knowing that it is safely and securely held and that you aren’t in harm’s way while you work.

A jack is a mechanical device used to lift your car. It is placed underneath, and then the height is adjusted using hydraulics to get the space that you need. Jacks are commonly used to change tires, and are reliable and safe when used correctly and with the right weight. You should never use a jack on a car that is heavier than its stated weight.

If you are using a jack to raise your car to carry out further work, you should back up your jack with a jack stand. This further secures and stabilises the vehicle. Again you should check and double-check that they are placed correctly, and are being used for the right car weight.

You should always consult your user manual and only use jacks to raise the car, not to hold it in place for longer periods that need proper jack stands as well. Never go underneath a car held up only by a jack. They should be used on a level surface and you should double-check that they are holding rather than just trusting that they are.

There are many different types of jack and they should only be used for their specified purpose. They are the best choice for changing a tire, but for other more prolonged work, you may find car ramps to be the top choice.

Car ramps, for one thing, are much easier to use. You simply place them in front of each of the wheels, drive up, and brake. You once again need to know the maximum load before you start, but the process is altogether much less tricky than using a jack.

Further, they are safer as they spread the load far better. A jack lifts the car up from one point and needs jack stands to keep the car level and secure. Car ramps can instantly get your car up where you need it without a lot of fuss, safely, and securely.

They are quick and easy to set up and can raise your car to a higher elevation than a jack can alone. This means that you have more space to work, which again can be safer altogether. Wheel riser ramps by SureWeld are also fantastic when loading and unloading freight, lifting up the vehicle to a more helpful height and getting the job done safely.

The big downside to car ramps is that you cannot change the tires or remove the wheels while you are using them without trying to jack the car up further – something that is highly dangerous. If you need to work on the wheels, go for a jack. If you are looking to change your oil or carry out pretty much anything else, car ramps are the safer and superior choice.

What size car ramps do I need?

The kind of car ramp you need will vary based on the type of car you have, why you want it, and the weight of the vehicle among other factors. If your car sits low to the ground, for example, you will need a longer ramp to prevent it from getting damaged. If, however, you want to change the oil you will want ramps that give you as much space as possible under the car. 

The big one is once again all about weight. Never use ramps on a car if they don’t specifically state that they can take a load even heavier than that. If in doubt, check your car manual and it should tell you everything that you need to know.

The figure stating how much weight the ramp can manage usually assumes that you are using two ramps, to raise the heavier end of the car, but again you should always double-check this before moving forward.

You should also ensure that the ramps are wide enough to fit the entire wheel, otherwise, the safety of the process can be compromised. If you are in any doubt, consult an expert before attempting to use car ramps.

Are car ramps worth it?

If you work on your car at times, or even like to carry out tasks like oil changes, then car ramps are most definitely worth it. They are much safer and simpler to use than a jack and jack stands, give you more space and can get your car up quickly and efficiently.

However, if all you really do is change the odd tire, you are better off keeping a jack in your car and leaving car ramps to those that might really use them. When you are working with something as heavy and potentially dangerous as a car, safety really is paramount. Car ramps are safer, so they are worth it.

Conclusion 

To Sum Up:

• A jack raised up your car using hydraulics and is the best way to access your tires and wheels. 
• You should never go under a car being held up with a jack alone, but rather use jack stands or car ramps.
• Car ramps are easy to use, very safe if set up properly, and spread the weight of the car better.
• The size of the ramp you need depends on the weight of the car, the size of the wheels, and more.

If you are thinking about doing work on your car, or wish to load or unload various items, check out the incredible car ramps available to buy today.