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Crawling underneath a car or truck is a leap of faith. However, knowing that the vehicle is safe and secure—with two tons sitting over your head—keeps you focused on the job. While the ramps vs jack stands debate has raged for decades, it primarily comes down to the desired task.
If DIY oil changes are your primary need, you’ll do well to buy a set of ramps first. It’s quick and easy to get the vehicle up onto the ramps, but you’ll want to do this with a buddy to spot.
However, jack stands are essential if you need to pull the wheels off for brake service or swap out suspension components.
Ramps vs Jack Stands: Vehicle Weight
Two-piece ramps–like these Eastwood Detachables–provide easier access behind the front wheels.
Pay close attention to the weight rating when shopping for new ramps or jack stands. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and choose accordingly. It’s always best to buy larger than smaller when shopping and comparing ramps vs jack stands. That ensures that you can never overload them. Putting too much weight on the ramps or stands can lead to disaster.
Ramps vs Jack Stands: Ride Height
Race Ramps Wheel Cribs, with multiple height options, provide an alternative to jack stands or conventional ramps.
The lower a vehicle sits, the trickier it is to get it up in the air for service. While lowered cars often require a low-profile floor jack or specialized ramps, there are workarounds. For example, crawling onto a pair of 2X8s is quite handy, whether you use them to make room for the jack or clear the ramps.
Vehicles with a good bit of ground clearance also require specific equipment. For example, a lifted Jeep Wrangler or pickup truck calls for high-lift stands.
Car Ramps: Steel or Plastic?
Some steel ramps include hydraulic jacks for additional height.
Car ramps use either steel or plastic construction. Before the advent of plastic ramps, steel was the only game in town. Steel ramps start around $100. However, plastic ramps are more popular these days, mainly due to cost advantages.
Here are a couple of plastic ramp options to consider:
- Rhino Ramps are the best-selling affordable ramps for most applications, with prices starting under $75.
- Race Ramps get the nod for low-slung cars, although they’re significantly more expensive.
Jack Stands on a Budget
When comparing ramps vs jack stands on an affordability basis, there’s a clear winner. A pair of two-ton jack stands starts around $30. While prices rise accordingly with the weight rating, the costs are reasonable. Some vehicles (for example, BMW, MINI, and Tesla) call for specific jack stand adapters for safety.
While you can’t put a price on peace of mind, a few more dollars spent on quality equipment is always money well spent, especially when carrying thousands of pounds of weight above your head.
With a solid set of jack stands or ramps, your workshop travels with you, no matter where you go.
