Curb Ramp?

[ACHiPo]

What do people with street curbs on their driveway do to keep low-riding cars like Cobras from scraping? I've been using a board to keep the nose from rubbing when I enter/exit the garage I use as a shop, but yesterday when I backed over it the board popped up enough to catch the oil cooler shroud. Not a disaster, but serious enough that I want to find a better solution.

The Bridjit ramps seems to have good reviews, but since my "curb" is really just a 3" lip of asphalt, I'm not sure it will solve the problem.
Bridjit Curb Ramps for Driveways and More!

Griot also has a product that's similar
https://www.griotsgarage.com/product...FRKSfgod90EK4g

I've also thought about just building a "bridge" between the road surface and my garage out of plywood supported by wood blocks. I would just put it in place when I enter/exit the garage. It would probably work, but I wouldn't mind something I can just leave in place.

Thanks in advance.

[EM-0785]

I seem to recall seeing photos of what appeared to be a workable solution that Brent Mills had on his driveway. Couldn't readily locate on quick search. However, you may be able to track down a post on it and/or have success getting info with a pm to him. Brent

[dcdoug]

I saw this from a vette guy who had a similar problem. A lot cheaper solution if you think it would work.

"Here's my solution: 2'X2'X1" rubber tiles. I've got a 1 1/2" drop off the end of my driveway into the road. My air dam would drop hard into the driveway and scrape for the last 6 inches or so till it cleared. Also my front splitter would scrape if not at an extreme angle. Now no scraping at all. They are called 1" eco-tiles and are made from car tires. here's the link: http://www.rubbercal.com/Eco_Sport_1_Inch.html"

There are also some cheaper options more like the others here: http://www.discountramps.com/curb-ramp/c/4240/

[ACHiPo]

Here are some pics that may help explain the situation:

[kevins2]

When roads are paved around here they take a couple of minutes to build a small ramp down to driveways. That's pretty harsh that they left it that way. I'd call and ask if they'd fix that. Otherwise, I'd get some asphalt patch and invest in a hand tamper and make a ramp down to your driveway. As a bonus, you'll get a good workout.

[EM-0785]

Looks like your situation is variable in size and could benefit from something self leveling. Perhaps gravel that would still drain and then set some type of simple ramping over when driving on. Or perhaps something like some sized cuts of thick conveyer belt rubber type material. That can handle car weight well, doesn't easily deteriorate, and can be cut to size and even stacked. That idea may drive over a bit humpety-bumpety, but could perhaps fill the core void distance at issue. My lift manufacturer sells small strips of it to equalize the jack point heights and I like the stuff and now see various uses for it! Brent

[*13*]

You might call a shop who does fab work for your local utilities. People who fab up traffic rated plates & drainage grates. They could quote you on & give you advise for a solution to your problem.

Always tough to tell from photos but it looks sloped to keep water away from your garage. Maybe if you call a concrete contractor the could give you a quote to fix your issue & still allow for proper slope to keep the water headed in the right direction.

Unfortunately you have a curve there. That will likely make fab expensive. Asphalt patch usually is a temp fix. as you see, most pothole fixes don't last. If you have some hot asphalt put in properly, it might go a long way to a lasting solution. As mentioned before, drainage is important to keep in mind. you want any rain water to flow away from the house.

I used to do a lot of work with Grating Pacific. They have locations in Tracy & Madera. They might quote a ramp system for you. Maybe something aluminum? that you can store in the garage? Who knows. But, worth giving them a call & with some photos to see if they have any suggestions.

[ACHiPo]

Originally Posted by EM-0785

Looks like your situation is variable in size and could benefit from something self leveling. Perhaps gravel that would still drain and then set some type of simple ramping over when driving on. Or perhaps something like some sized cuts of thick conveyer belt rubber type material. That can handle car weight well, doesn't easily deteriorate, and can be cut to size and even stacked. That idea may drive over a bit humpety-bumpety, but could perhaps fill the core void distance at issue. My lift manufacturer sells small strips of it to equalize the jack point heights and I like the stuff and now see various uses for it! Brent

I like the gravel idea, as well as seeing if I can get the HOA to come in and smooth the transition. There is quite a bit of drainage there, and I don't want it pouring into my shop, so I'll need to be a little careful. I'm not sure when the pavement was done--it's been that way since we bought the house 3 1/2 years ago, but it wasn't an issue until recently when I started using it as a shop for my Cobra.

[ACademic]

Rather than pea gravel I would suggest smaller river stones (rounded rocks) in the 1" diameter range. That will allow enough gaps for drainage and they won't wash away if you get any flow there during heavier rains. Easy to drive over, too, and they won't disburse like a pea gravel would under weight. Good luck.

[Antny]

Angular gravel, 1-1/4 in size to smoothen out that situation. Smaller stuff will constantly need grooming.

[Millsy]

Man that is brutal and it B.S. they left it like that. You could start with the bigger rocks idea and then go the route of an aluminum ramp/grate but how would you secure the ramp to the asphalt. You could send some metal spikes into it but I dont inow if you have neighbors that would complain. How about a set of race ramps, they make big ones for trailers, could be an option.

[EM-0785]

Just found something that could be of interest to you. It plays on the theme of the curb bridging solutions per your initial post, yet seems to offer the added flexibility to manage variable sizes to an extent as you appear to need in your application. The example I saw online was called Curb Cushion (Catalog Item # 87763). Rather than having a fixed center depth and taper like several others, it features a thin 3/8" rubber ramping with drilled holes on either end of the 4' section that is intended to fasten wood underneath that bridges the trench/gap. I would assume you could use wood in width/depth/shape that meets your variable needs close enough, and attach it, then the ramp material would hold all in place and itself bridge the minor transitional tapers (you get the point!). Also may be simple custom units to then drop in place when needed. Best of luck whatever you determine. Brent

[ACHiPo]

Great ideas folks! Thanks!

I've sent a note to our HOA president to see if I can get them to smooth the transition. In all fairness the building did not have a garage door when the paving was done--the previous owners used it as a guest cottage.

[tboneheller]

Level it out with some Quickcrete. I had to do the same thing at the end of my driveway.