I have some plastic / resin like material ramps I got at Pep Boys. They
are rated for over twice the weight of the van and of course only have
to support part of its weight. I've had them for about 4 years now.
Unless I need the wheels to turn, I always use them. I feel 100% safe
under the van with them in place. It just isn't going anywhere. A few
times I have hit the gas a bit hard when getting up on them and shot one
of them under the van which was exciting the first time. It never hurts
them and I can't see any noticeable wear and tear.

I use stands for work like CV axles. Once I disabled the engine, all the
work on dismantling my 84 was done with the stands. But I did much of
what I could with the ramps, but would guess that 75% of the time under
the van was with the stands. I am very careful with chocking the wheels
in both directions with the stands.

I don't think it matters that, you just have to be careful in either
situation. But I do think ramps are safer as there is much less chance
of the van falling from rolling forward or backward. However, I have
never had it come off of a stand. I think you have more room for some
jobs with the ramps because the location of the rear stands gets in your
way. But for access to a rotating wheel there is no doubt or for doing
work like shocks, etc. where you need the wheel out of the way, jack
stands are the only way to go. I think I actually have three sets of
stands, having progressively bought higher capacity and taller stands.
However the smallest ones were rated high enough 2.5 tons and as they
are only holding part of the van's weight when one end is jacked up,
there are strong enough by rating and experience. I would use them
tomorrow if needed.

More than my $.02.

Sam

P.S. - This thread has been around before. I remember the last time
"proudly" stating that I had only shot the ramps out from under a tire
once and having learned to be judicious in how much gas to apply. Well,
in the interim, my foot has gotten heavy twice more and I spoiled my
record. I imagine I'll goof again. But it hasn't hurt or damaged
anything when I have done it and it doesn't bother me much anymore.

--
Sam Walters
Baltimore, MD

89 Syncro GL
85 Westy Weekender

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