Getting after it with the Bridjit Three-Piece Expandable Curb Ramp
- Good: Relatively easy setup, heavy construction.
- Bad: Slightly painful setup, heavy construction.
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Once I test-fit the ramps, I set about attaching them together with the long bolts. Flipping each piece over individually was pretty easy. Putting the whole thing back in place once they were connected was not so easy.
The musical montage of me having heat stroke — 90 degrees in early May — while trying to lock the curb ramps into place is real. It’s also my fault for a few reasons. First, I couldn’t find the adapter for my impact driver to mount the socket, so I did it the old-fashioned way by hand. It sucked and took forever. Second, I didn’t dress for the warm weather. Finally, I’m out of shape.
Regardless of whether or not you use a power tool, note that you’ll need something to pry the bolt up a bit to get the socket around the head. It felt like it wasn’t moving at all for some time, but it was. After several wrenching positions, I found that they were all miserable, so I made each kid take a turn working on it for a bit. (#parenting)
With all of the bolts finally set, I added the provided nuts, and then it was time to flip it back over. Putting the darn thing in the final position is probably a two-person job, but I figured for the purposes of the review I would do it solo. The curb ramps are the epitome of dead weight, and without a central structure, they start to bend when you lift them. After dead-lifting the center section, I got it to flop into place. Once that’s completed, you shimmy each side to where you want it. Your driveway design will really determine how and where you place it. There are no bolts or openings provided to secure it to the ground, although I’m not sure if you would need to (or be allowed to in some neighborhoods).
Then it was time for the big test: driving over the thing. I’ve never spent so much time working on something just to drive a car over it.
I drove as my eldest filmed. The other kids were bored, and my wife cringed while supervising. I slid our new-to-us BMW M4 slowly onto the ramps, and they didn’t budge. The company’s rep told me that they can rock back and forth a bit at times, but I didn’t experience that. It likely depends on your driveway.
The point is that the ramps are supposed to change the geometry of your driveway enough to keep the front end from scraping, and that’s what they did. No scrape, no pain, no cringe. I know my stock M4 isn’t that low, but we’ve attempted a driveway entry before, and it would usually scrape. Coming in at an angle, a tried-and-true low-car technique, helps as well.
What’s Good about the Bridjit Three-Piece Expandable Curb Ramp
Well, it works. That’s the best part. I was skeptical, but having noticed a set down the street from me, I asked the owner what he thought. He uses them to get his track 997-generation Porsche 911 up to the garage, and it’s low. The Bridjit is a good design, and I like the tapered ends that should help reduce the likelihood of tripping over them. I’m sure my kids will find a way. The water channel underneath was also a smart design feature.
Yes, the bolts were a pain to get on, but it’s a good idea that might help to keep someone from running off with them.
They are fairly environmentally positive as well. Each set is made with recycled crumb rubber from old tires. So, your tires have old tires to drive over. Cool. Bridjit says it has recycled hundreds of thousands of tires over the years, and each 12-foot section uses 12 tires, which is great.
What’s Not about the Bridjit Three-Piece Expandable Curb Ramp
Again, they are very heavy. So, if you plan to move them with any regularity, it’ll be a pain in the butt. Thankfully, they seem to be designed not to have to move them, but if you are on a busy street, they may get run over by something larger than a passenger car. Bridjit claims the ramp is designed to withstand that, but at some point something has to give.
A determined thief or a small team of thieves could also heave this thing into the back of a truck and take off. Then, poof, you’re out $400. So, think about how secure your neighborhood is before pulling the trigger on something that could disappear overnight.
It’s not cheap, and there are tons of competitors with cheaper offerings. There is a company called Pyle that offers a set of two 19-inch ramps for $76. We have yet to test those, but they only weigh 9.9 pounds each and don’t bolt together. So, you also have to wonder with those if you get what you pay for.
Our Verdict on the Bridjit Three-Piece Expandable Curb Ramp Set
Your car is an expensive item, and investing a bit here and there to keep it in tip-top shape is usually a good idea. Looking at the options out there, you can definitely get your car up the driveway cheaper. However, I can say for certain that the Bridjit set is very well made and should last. Plus, it actually works, which is really the point.
They advertise that it’s functional for a variety of curb options, and they show some cool cars traversing the ramp set in their promotional material. Plus, it’s made of tires, so it’s made to live outside. The Bridjit Three-Piece Expandable Curb Ramp Set isn’t cheap, but you do seem to get what you pay for in this case.