Handy Bros, Help Me Out!

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BrutalB83

BrutalB83

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I keep my RSX in a storage unit for the winter. The unit is built on a big slab, and then each stall has it's own slightly recessed slab, so it's kind of a "step up" to get in to it.

See shitty MS Paint illustration # 1 for a visual:

Storage Unit.jpg


I can get the car in without any sort of ramp if I give it a decent amount of gas, but it's a little more abrupt then I like, so I just chopped up an 8' 2x6 in to four 2' parts, and I lay the boards down next to each other (2 per wheel) to use as ramps.

See shitty MS Paint illustration # 2 for a visual:

Storage Unit 2.jpg


This works well enough most times, but sometimes the boards will move around a bit if I don't hit them just right. Also, it's annoying to have to lay them out and pick them up individually every time and I also have to line them up with the wheels pretty precisely seeing as two 2 x 6 boards next to each other are just barely wider than the RSX's tires.

SO, I'd like to build something a bit more permanent and quicker/easier. I'm thinking get a 12 foot 2 x 6 and once again chop it in to 2' sections. This will give me three 2 x 6 boards for each side, so I can have a wider surface and can then be less precise with my placement. I also want to attach the three boards together and then screw some handles on to the sides to form two ramps that are quick and easy to lay down and pick up.

See shitty MS Paint illustration # 3 (attachment # 3) for the proposed ramp:

Storage Unit 3.jpg


So my question is, what's the best and most secure way to fasten the three side by side boards together?

Sorry, I'm sure this is elementary shit for some of you guys. I have tools and I'm perfectly capable of being handy, I just don't have much experience with building shit out of wood...
 
Hinges? That way you can fold it all up when you're done to store it inside easier? They won't offer an structural support though, but should be strong enough to keep it all together.
 
go to an auto parts store, or even a home improvement store.
they have metal ramps used to put atv's, mowers, motorcycles, etc. into trucks.
buy a set, they arent terribly expensive and after all is said and done with building your own, it would probably be about the same cost. plus all the time saved.
they are much longer so it will cut down on how abrupt of an incline it is. just make sure you get ones with a proper weight rating for a car. or you could even just put a wood block underneath for a little more strength.
set them up on the concrete to where they will fit under the car and make a mark in the concrete on each side. now all you have to do is pull them out, set them between the marks and go.
 
go to a place that makes car and utility trailers, get a utility drop gate. that will take the guess work out of worrying if you're gonna hit the ramps or not.
 
Not really interested in buying premade metal ramps. I've looked in to it and they cost a lot more than I'm trying to spend on this project.

Like I said, the wood ramps work just fine and they're cheap as Hell. I'm just trying to figure out the best way to attach the boards together so that they'll be a bit sturdier and so I won't have to pick up and put down four pieces of wood ever every time I want to get the car out.
 
Briansol said:
Hinges? That way you can fold it all up when you're done to store it inside easier? They won't offer an structural support though, but should be strong enough to keep it all together.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm not really looking to add structural support of any kind. Just want to keep them together so I don't have to lay out a bunch of individual boards to get the car out.

Hinges might work, but I don't really need to fold them up. With the handles on the sides they'll be easy to pick up and just lean against the wall of the garage.
 
well a local muffler shop has boards for low riders, and what he did was just lined it all up and marked them and then put a bolt through the boards into the ground/pavement. that kept it from moving side to side and backwards. now when he needs them he just drops the boards with bolt down into the hole.
 
AHHVTEC said:
well a local muffler shop has boards for low riders, and what he did was just lined it all up and marked them and then put a bolt through the boards into the ground/pavement. that kept it from moving side to side and backwards. now when he needs them he just drops the boards with bolt down into the hole.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, yeah, I can see how that would be nice but I don't think the place I'm renting the garage from would want me drilling holes in to the slab, lol.
 
get some cheap tow strap
place the 2x6s side by side
loop 2 runs of tow strap across the 2x6s, making loops for handles at both ends
cut to length
melt the ends so the webbing doesn't unravel
secure the tow strap to the 2x6s with washered screws (probably worth melting holes in the strap to put the screws through)

Untitled.jpg


portable
foldable
has handles
 
Use the 2x6s to build an enclosure and pour yourself a permanent angled concrete ramp for both wheels?
 
92stoccord said:
Or a single piece horizontal across the 2x6s. In the front where there is a gap between the ground and the ramp.
Click to expand...

Yes! this is the kind of stuff I was wanting. My ideas were either that or some kind of metal strap:

Storage Unit 4.jpg


Actually, maybe one on each end, both set back a bit to avoid the ground on the bottom and the lip of the first slab on top? OR, maybe even put them on the ends of the 2 x 6's (assuming I can find a board thin enough or cut something to size)?

E_SolSi said:
get some cheap tow strap
place the 2x6s side by side
loop 2 runs of tow strap across the 2x6s, making loops for handles at both ends
cut to length
melt the ends so the webbing doesn't unravel
secure the tow strap to the 2x6s with washered screws (probably worth melting holes in the strap to put the screws through)

View attachment 22763

portable
foldable
has handles
Click to expand...

Hadn't considered tow straps at all, but that might work. I'll have to look in to it.

Briansol said:
http://www.hardwarestore.com/mending-plates-824.aspx
Click to expand...

Yes! This is the kind of shit I was hoping for.

I guess I probably just need to go to the store and start poking around...
 
You could drive it down here and store it next to the Si? ;)

How much is your rental for per month?
 
2000Si said:
You could drive it down here and store it next to the Si? ;)

How much is your rental for per month?
Click to expand...

$120. I store other things in there too, though. A fridge, tools, table and chairs.

Plus, I do drive the car about twice a month even during the winter to keep the tires and battery from going bad. I just don't like it sitting completely out in the open all winter long.
 
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