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Best car ramps for the Toyota Prius 2011?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Nuke87654, Aug 1, 2019.

  1. Nuke87654

    Nuke87654 New Member

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    After getting a new hybrid battery replacement, I now have another need which is getting the undercarriage of my 2011 Prius fixed. Problem is, I need proper car ramps for them as I'd like to do it myself and my local mechanics have been lousy in fixing my issues underneath. I tried the low profile car ramps v2 from Amazon but they were not effective for my needs so I'm looking for any other car ramps that have a higher height while allowing the Prius to roll on it without jury-rigging some extender to get it on there as it's dangerous. Any ramps you guys and gals would suggest?
     
  2. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    A short piece of 2×8 placed behind each ramp takes care of that problem perfectly for me. They can be taken out of the way, once the wheel is on top.
     
  3. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Where are you located:whistle:?

    Might be able to offer you some suggestions on other shops or members in the area that might help:).

    But I made “ramps” out of old 2x12 and 4x4’s that I had lying around and they work very well;).

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
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  4. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    Rhino ramps from walmart
     
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  5. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    I use 2x8 boards cut to length and stacked 4 high. I don't screw them together because I want to retain the ability to adjust the height. I also find the individual boards easier to handle and store... and having 8 boards of varying length comes in handy for blocking, etc. around the house and shop.

    I don't have a pic of mine, but similar to this:
    [​IMG]
     
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  6. Jim Swart

    Jim Swart Member

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    Agreed. Lightweight and easy to store.

    006.jpg
     
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  7. Nuke87654

    Nuke87654 New Member

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    In the boonies in Gloucester, Va, USA. So far my luck with the dealers with Gloucester has at least been less than satisfactory to where if possible I'd like to do things on my own.

    I'm considering those 40 inch Race low profile ramps on Amazon here [​IMG]

    Would these be fine?
     
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  8. Jim Swart

    Jim Swart Member

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    As long as they get you high enough off the ground for what ever service you intend to perform (oil change?) they would be a good option.
     
  9. Nuke87654

    Nuke87654 New Member

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    Strange as I did buy Rhino ramps for my Prius (first option chosen in fact) but for some reason they had issues climbing up on the thing. I may have done it wrong or so. Wouldn't hurt to try again.
     
  10. Jim Swart

    Jim Swart Member

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    Position your car on level ground. Install the ramps right in front of the tires. Drive up slowly.

    I have found that home made wooden ramps tend to slip on a front wheel drive car. Haven't had that experience with the Rhino plastic ramps.
     
  11. schmuber

    schmuber Member

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    Chances are, your car is sitting lower to the ground than examples above. Mine does it too (guess it's time for new springs, eh?), and as a result I cannot get on Rhino Ramps without losing the bumper cover.

    There's an easy solution though, it worked for me at my previous apartment. If you can find a place where the pavement forms a well defined ridge at an obtuse angle (such as slightly sloped driveway turning into a level parking lot), you can position the ramp entrance exactly at this ridge and get on it without any issues (don't forget to chock the wheels though).

    Edit: wasn't sure that I've explained it good enough so I drew a quick diagram.
    ramps.jpg
     
    #11 schmuber, Aug 2, 2019
    Last edited: Aug 2, 2019
  12. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Just keep in mind post 11 changes the vertical force alignment with the support structure molded under the ramp. The steeper the angle of the pavement, the more likely the ramp will collapse. Rhino Ramps (which I DO have) shatter with minimal warning when they fail. Similar to PVC. Regardless of what they say about being stronger than steel, it's most likely only in a perfectly vertical direction. I use the Rhinos only for my 2007 Prius due to bumper height. Other cars....steel. Although I have used the 2x8 method in post 5. Adjustable for whatever height you want and STOUT, when done right. Just heavy as heck.........
     
  13. schmuber

    schmuber Member

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    Correct. I've exaggerated the slope on my illustration, in reality 1 to 5 degrees (depending on how much your springs sagged) are more than enough to clear the bumper.

    Oh, and the Prius weighs more than 3x less than what the cheapest and lightest Rhino Ramps are rated for, so I won't be much concerned about them collapsing under it, regardless of the force vector (assuming you won't go past 10-15 degrees).
     
  14. Toyotally04

    Toyotally04 Member

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    Changed my oil with Rhino Ramps over the weekend.

    They don't give much leeway between ground and undercarriage.

    Anyone have the same experience? (I have a 2G tho).
     
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  15. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    I use Rhino Ramps also. The flap grazes the floor when I swing it to oil change position. It works so I just live with it...

    moto g(7) power ?
     
  16. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Had these for nine years, now. Like you, I hated the Rhino Ramps. These don't slip and slide on concrete and also work perfectly on grass as they distribute the load over a large surface area.
     
  17. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    If you have trouble clearing the grade of the Rhino Ramps, I use a service jack to jack up the center lifting point until the lip will clear but the front tires still contact the gound. Then I slowly drive up a little. I get out, lower and remove the jack, then drive up the rest of the way.

    moto g(7) power ?
     
  18. Paul E. Highway

    Paul E. Highway Active Member

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    I have a sloped driveway, Rhino Ramps work very well. I throw a piece of scrap cardboard down, put on coveralls and some junky boots and slide around under the car easily. Also use a couple jack stands and chock rear wheels for safety. Just in case.
     
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  19. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    Putting a piece of 2x6 or 2x8 lumber on the ground in front of the ramps is an easy way to get an extra 1.5" of clearance. Many times, that's enough.
     
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  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I use a 3 ton floor jack and safety stands: jack at either front or rear central jacking points, settle onto jack stands, at solid underbody points.

    Here I’ve got the whole car up, for swap between snows and all-seasons, using 3 ton safety stands somewhat extended. Can also manage enough lift to sneak in 6 ton jack stands.

    46AB72B9-9FAC-4424-BC33-71DF80DD9106.jpeg
     
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