1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

What lift ramps do you use?

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Oldwolf, Jul 30, 2019.

  1. Oldwolf

    Oldwolf Prius Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2011
    820
    110
    0
    Location:
    NC
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Four
    I am getting ready to change my CV fluid but decided my single arm hydraulic lift won't cut it for this job.
    Then I planned to buy a set of the nifty and lightweight RhinoRamps until I read some of the reviews. Mostly good, but enough reports of catastrophic failures to give me pause. I'd also use the lifts on my wife's Prius V, btw. Since I am a worry wart by nature, I thought I'd come to my fav PriusChat forum to find out what the rest of you guys are using for ramps. Thanks.


     
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    11,330
    4,614
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Yea... There seems to be an epidemic of cheap short-lived plastic everything everywhere these days.

    For me, I use some old rusty metal ones I got from a free pile and they have served me well for more than 15 years! If I ever get an air compressor powerful enough for my big blasting cabinet I'll probably restore them to like new condition with spray paint that matches the color of my car. :)
     
  3. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2018
    2,233
    1,596
    0
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    I use Rhino Ramps. No problems in more than 10 years. No evidence of impending implosion or catastrophic failure. Keep them out of the sun.
     
    michael.sfo likes this.
  4. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,257
    15,491
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    I made a set out of 2x12’s and 4x4’s that I had laying around from around the house projects:).

    If it can hold up a house, it’ll hold up a Prius ;).

    A lot better than jack stands too(y).
     
    PriusCamper and Mendel Leisk like this.
  5. frenzee

    frenzee Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2013
    95
    73
    16
    Location:
    Costa Mesa, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    I have the plastic model from Harbor Freight and have used it many times. If you can find one near you, they have both plastic and metal versions. Both with hold 4 Pirus C's stacked on top of each other.
     
  6. Oldwolf

    Oldwolf Prius Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2011
    820
    110
    0
    Location:
    NC
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Four
    Does anyone know the axle weights of the Prius C?
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,686
    39,235
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Considering the car should be level for the transaxle fluid fill, to get the level right: I would run the front up on ramps, then raise the rear with floor jack. And to be safe, you should settle the rear on safety stands.

    Personally, ramps make me nervous. I stopped using them over 30 years back; stick with floor jack, safety stands and wheel chocks.

    Plus whenever practical/possible, I put a largish section of tree trunk under a main beam first, just in case.
     
    michael.sfo likes this.
  8. Oldwolf

    Oldwolf Prius Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2011
    820
    110
    0
    Location:
    NC
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Four
    These are intriguing. Made of wood, owner says they have an 8" lift.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2015
    2,254
    2,241
    2
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You guys are making me nervous now. I have the rhino stands. Had for about 5 years. I guess I will go back to floor jack, jack stands and something else to prevent an accident.
     
  10. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2018
    2,233
    1,596
    0
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    I wouldn't worry about it. In the OP, there was a vague reference to some problems people have had with these ramps. Inspect your ramps and if they are still in good condition, keep using them. They aren't going to go from good condition to sudden and catastrophic failure with one drive onto them. Note that the ramps are rated for quite a bit more load than a Prius applies.

    Like any other piece of lifting or supporting equipment, regular inspection is advised. Even jackstands have been known to fail eventually if they have cracks or other damage.