Ramp rental - North Herts/Central Beds/Cambs tri-county area
Discussion
I know this question gets asked for every area once in a while but would appreciate if anyone has any pointers.
I live near the Herts/Beds border, close to the A1. I occasionally spanner at home and enjoy it. Whilst I have a decent jack and axle stands, I don't want to put my head or torso under the car which does limit me to brakes and basic servicing.
I realise that's my hang up, I've never had a car fall, but I'd like to try out one of those rent-a-ramp places so I can get some under car jobs done with the security of a big lift holding the car up (2 or 4 post is fine for what I have in mind).
Does anyone know of such a place in the area? The only ones I've seen are inside the M25.
I live near the Herts/Beds border, close to the A1. I occasionally spanner at home and enjoy it. Whilst I have a decent jack and axle stands, I don't want to put my head or torso under the car which does limit me to brakes and basic servicing.
I realise that's my hang up, I've never had a car fall, but I'd like to try out one of those rent-a-ramp places so I can get some under car jobs done with the security of a big lift holding the car up (2 or 4 post is fine for what I have in mind).
Does anyone know of such a place in the area? The only ones I've seen are inside the M25.
Bit of a leap, but my Monaro is currently floating on a set of those Quickjacks and they work very well. ~ £1100 from Costco, run off a car battery, lift up in about 30 seconds and uses the jacking points to lift.
It's also higher than my jack or axle stands could reach, so is an improvement over stands even without the ease.
At half and full height they are mechanically locked in position, the hydraulic pump is used to raise / lower the car only, it's now disconnected and packed away whilst the car is being played with.
I'm J15 of the M1 if you wanted a nose around or to see if they fit your car etc.
It's also higher than my jack or axle stands could reach, so is an improvement over stands even without the ease.
At half and full height they are mechanically locked in position, the hydraulic pump is used to raise / lower the car only, it's now disconnected and packed away whilst the car is being played with.
I'm J15 of the M1 if you wanted a nose around or to see if they fit your car etc.
Edited by SturdyHSV on Monday 4th April 15:02
donkmeister said:
Very kind of you, thanks. Unfortunately I wouldn't be able to have that sort of ramp as I wouldn't be able to store them out of sight here, but if I move to somewhere with a proper garage I'll be taking a good look at those.
They do go flat and would comfortably sit up against a wall, think a 4 inch thick ironing board sort of size (bit taller I suppose but that sort of scale)They have wheels on one end so can be wheeled about
The nearest ramp rental I found was https://thisisyourgarage.com/ in West Oxfordshire. It's very good but an hour+ from Hemel. Google says there is a place in Wembley but the reviews look awful.
@sturdyhsv - I looked at those car jacks and their website says they need a compressed air supply. Is that true?
@sturdyhsv - I looked at those car jacks and their website says they need a compressed air supply. Is that true?
Collectingbrass said:
The nearest ramp rental I found was https://thisisyourgarage.com/ in West Oxfordshire. It's very good but an hour+ from Hemel. Google says there is a place in Wembley but the reviews look awful.
@sturdyhsv - I looked at those car jacks and their website says they need a compressed air supply. Is that true?
They're raised / lowered using a hydraulic pump that runs off a car battery (or any old 12V supply, takes about 70A apparently). @sturdyhsv - I looked at those car jacks and their website says they need a compressed air supply. Is that true?
They have an air cylinder on each one that you need to pressurise to 40-50psi, but this is just a one off upon initial set-up (assuming they don't leak...). This cylinder is just used to help compress them back down fully once the car is back on its wheels and there's no weight on them.
I have an update to my OP.
I found a company in Sandy called DW Autos. They are an MOT/Tuning/General garage who will rent ramps by the hour during the week. I paid I think £55 for 3 hours; not exactly chump change but if you only need it once or twice a year it's cheaper than having and maintaining your own lift.
I would recommend them to anyone looking for similar. One of the mechanics showed me how to use the ramp, and offered to load the car on (I was very grateful as I had never used a two-post before!). Being a garage they have oil disposal on-site, for £5 per sump (so whether your car holds 2l or 12l of oil, it's £5). I opted for this just for convenience, but you could always take it to your local tip.
Obviously take your own tools, blue roll, brake cleaner and so on. You are only hiring the lift. No idea if they have air or mains power available as my impacts are cordless, but I'd be surprised if they don't. Worth checking at booking time if you need either.
I could see it becoming a regular habit now I have tasted the luxury of a two-post ramp
I found a company in Sandy called DW Autos. They are an MOT/Tuning/General garage who will rent ramps by the hour during the week. I paid I think £55 for 3 hours; not exactly chump change but if you only need it once or twice a year it's cheaper than having and maintaining your own lift.
I would recommend them to anyone looking for similar. One of the mechanics showed me how to use the ramp, and offered to load the car on (I was very grateful as I had never used a two-post before!). Being a garage they have oil disposal on-site, for £5 per sump (so whether your car holds 2l or 12l of oil, it's £5). I opted for this just for convenience, but you could always take it to your local tip.
Obviously take your own tools, blue roll, brake cleaner and so on. You are only hiring the lift. No idea if they have air or mains power available as my impacts are cordless, but I'd be surprised if they don't. Worth checking at booking time if you need either.
I could see it becoming a regular habit now I have tasted the luxury of a two-post ramp
Gassing Station | Herts, Beds, Bucks & Cambs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff