2005 4Runner with V-8 on ramps

[Harold1950]

I bought some homemade ramps today to make it easier to get under the car when I change the oil. The ramps are about 12-14 inches tall. I tried them today and drove up the ramp (incline) about half way and stopped there by using the brake. When I took my foot off the brake to press on the accelerator, the truck rolled backwards off the ramps. Is this normal? Shouldn't the transmission hold it long enough for me to get to the accelerator? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[toto]

I've had that happen with other cars and ramps. I'd say it's normal. I had to learn not to stop 1/2 way up, although there is a huge fear of driving too far over the edge!

 

[SSt4r]

Try stepping on the brake with your left foot & holding slight pressure as you use right foot for accelerator. The ramps are pretty steep (prob. too steep for the transmission to hold). And it may be too short a distance of movement for the hill start assist to function?

 

[JB.]

I bought some homemade ramps today to make it easier to get under the car when I change the oil. The ramps are about 12-14 inches tall. I tried them today and drove up the ramp (incline) about half way and stopped there by using the brake. When I took my foot off the brake to press on the accelerator, the truck rolled backwards off the ramps. Is this normal? Shouldn't the transmission hold it long enough for me to get to the accelerator? Thanks in advance for your help.

It's an opportunity to put it in low range and excercise the low range actuator. It should hold the ramp and make it easier to go up and down.

 

[Barefoot]

Try stepping on the brake with your left foot & holding slight pressure as you use right foot for accelerator.

After many years of going up and down boat ramps, and learning to drive with a stick shift, using the left foot to brake come naturally to me.

Barefoot jr has his learner's permit now. I'm debating how long to wait before I get him away from right foot only.

 

[Nuke]

Ramps are fairly steep and, with the 12" or so climb you stated, that's more than just a "hill". Absolutely normal for the car to want to roll back off. That's too much for an engine at a normal idle to be able to compensate for.

The more you run up on them the more you'll get used to it. And FYI, it's not as safe to be part way up. You need to get up on top. Hopefully those homemade ramps have a stop plus an indent to allow the car to not roll off from the top. If not, get a set of RhinoRamps. Best $50 you'll ever spend.

 

[Kramer420]

It's an opportunity to put it in low range and excercise the low range actuator. It should hold the ramp and make it easier to go up and down.

i was gunna suggest the same thing :reddance:

 

[Harold1950]

Yes the ramps have a 1" angle iron piece to act as a stop, when you get on top, you go over a 1" angle iron onto a flat piece of steel and there is a 1" angle iron at the end to act as a stop. I appreciate the infor and yes, it is a little unnerving to drive up them but I can almost sit unter the truck to get to the oil drain plug.

 

[Harold1950]

Yes, there is a piece of 1" angle iron you go over at the top of the ramp and then you go onto a piece of heavy steel plate. At the end of the steel plate is another 1" angle iron to act as a stop. Yes, very unnerving to drive up the incline but I'll get used to it.

 

[Nuke]

Yes. Just enough gas to roll up at a slow, steady pace and then prepare to brake as soon as you feel the tire going over the 1st angle iron. I have 5 vehicles I presently use on the same ramps and I have to be very self conscious of each cars "feel" so I don't overshoot. Haven't done it... yet.

 

[tomhaney1]

Yeah, I have those and I just heal-and-toe the pedals. Even if you drive off of them you're really not going to hurt anything, except your pride. My friend drove off a pair one time with a Golf and we had to use jacks to lift the car off the blocks. He even had mudflaps that just folded out of the way. Didn't hurt anything at all...