Best Jack Stands to Keep You from Getting Jacked Up – Buyer’s Guide and Review

Working on your car can be a fun and relaxing experience. It can also be extremely dangerous. In addition to common injuries like scraped knuckles, getting your finger pinched, or a burn on your skin, many serious injuries are lurking just around the corner. All it takes to fall victim to such an injury is a momentary lapse of judgment or carelessness.

When you are using a jack to raise your vehicle and when you are working under it are two perilous times. The last thing any person wants is to have several tons of car falling on top of them. Thankfully, you can avoid many of these issues by selecting a quality jack stand. We’ve researched the best stands available and created a top ten list, and handy buyers guide to assist you in making the best purchase for your needs. Ok, lets see our updated jack stand ratings 2018:

The Torin T43002 Big Red Steel Jack Stands

– Best Budget Stand Option

The Big Red Steel Car Jack Stands come as a pair. Each stand can support 3 tons, and features ratchet action vehicle support. Stability is provided by a locking rack and pawl. These stands are designed to be used in pairs for ultimate safety. The stands comply with ASME Safety Standards and offer a support range of 11 ¼ to 16 ¾ inches.

Performance Tool W41021 2 Ton Heavy Duty Jack Stand Set

– Great for Lightweight Trucks

The Performance Tool 2-ton Heavy Duty Jack Stand Set comes with two jack stands. Each stand can support 2 tons. The stands feature a double locking pawl and a quick adjustment mechanism. Stability is provided by a locking rack and pawl. These stands are designed to be used in pairs for ultimate safety. The stands meet ANSI requirements and offer a support range of 10 3/8 to 16 3/8 inches.

ESCO 10498 Jack Stand, 3 Ton Capacity

– Best Single Stand with Lots of Adjustment Settings

The ESCO Jack Stand has a 3-ton capacity. This professional grade jack stand features an exceptional flat top as well as a removable rubber saddle cushion. This functional design helps to protect the vehicle’s frame in an improved fashion as opposed to the traditionally curved axle post jacks stands. The stand offers a support range of 13 to 21 inches and has ten adjustable positions.

Cartman 3-Ton Jack Stands

– Good Budget Choice Jack Stand Set

The Cartman Jack Stands come sold as a pair. Each stand has a 3-ton support capability. This option features a double locking pawl and tooth design, offering extra safety and protection. Strength and durability are ensured with a one-piece multiple position ductile ratchet bar. This model exceeds the requirements of safety for ANSI and offers a support range of 11 to 16 inches.

The Powerzone 380036 3 Ton Steel Jack Stand

– Great Inexpensive Wide Base Jack Stand Option

Milestone Tools Powerzone 3-ton Jack Stands come as a pair. Each stand can support 3 tons and is crafted from heavy-duty steel. Designed to provide a wide base and sturdy frame, this stand was created to ensure a reliable method of working under your vehicle. This model offers a support range of 11 to 16-1/2 inches.

The OTC (5372) Stinger 3 Ton Jack Stands

– Best Moderately Priced Jack Stand When Extra Stability is Needed

The OTC Stinger Jack Stands are sold as a pair. Each stand can support 3 tons. This item features a ratcheting system and a quick release handle. It has also been crafted with an over center cam to ensure that the arm is locked into place safely under a heavy load. The stands offer a support range of 12 to 18 inches.

The Craftsman 4 Ton Jack Stands

– Best Moderately Priced Stand for Heavier Vehicles

The Craftsman 4 Ton auto jack stands is sold in a set of 2. They are rated at 4-tons each. This model features a ratchet design and provides easy, secure, and fast adjustments. Stability is ensured by a sturdy welded steel construction. These stands also have a counter weighted pawl with quick adjustment control as well as a safe, secure locking device to prevent accidents and injuries. The stands offer a support range of 12 to 17 5/16 inches.

The Strongway Double-Locking 12-Ton Capacity Jack Stands

– Best Professional Stands for a Moderate Price

The Strongway Double-Locking Jack Stands are sold as a set with two stands included. The stands have a support capacity of 12 tons. This model features a patented double lock technology, and are also designed with a safety pin which adds extra security. Strongway Jack Stands are manufactured from high-grade steel and coated with lead-free paint. These stands are crafted in ISO certified facilities and are engineered utilizing the technology applied to Aerospace and Automotive industries. The stands comply with ASME PALD Safety Standards and offer a support range of 18 5/16 to 28 inches.

The Powerbuilt 620471 3-Ton Capacity Unijack

– Best Multitasking Stand Option

The Powerbuilt Unijack has a support capability of an impressive 3 tons. The Unijack is one of the only models available in today’s market that can safely and properly lift and hold a unibody or a body on frame style vehicle. This item offers a support range of 11 to 21 inches.

The Camco 44561 Olympian Aluminum Stack Jack Stand

– Best Jack Stand for RV Owners

The Camco Olympian RV Aluminum small jack stands are crafted specifically for RV positioning. The design allows for secure, stable, and level positioning. This item is made from cast aluminum. It features a support weight of up to 3 tons. This jack stand is able to extend up to 17″. It’s extremely cheap and easy to use and perfect for RV owners. I see it on walmart, by phrase how much does a car jack cost? and where to buy jack stands ? But you can buy it at Amazon too

Jack Stand Buying Guide

It may seem obvious that the best way to stay safe while lifting your vehicle is by ensuring you use a floor jack. Unfortunately, a floor jack is not enough to keep you from injuries. Floor jacks have movable parts that are prone to wearing out, which means they can become weakened and eventually fail over time with use. Sometimes, a floor jack can slowly lose pressure and slowly lower the car down onto you, resulting in serious injuries or even death. The best rule of thumb is to never work under a car supported by a floor jack. Instead, you should invest in a quality jack stand to prevent injuries and fatalities while gaining peace of mind.

Different types of jack stands

Stand Material

There is not a lot of variance in jack stands but the material they are made out of can make a big difference.

Small, lightweight stands tend to be made out of aluminum or light steel. Jack stands made for heavy duty vehicles should be made of cast iron or steel.

Fixed Height

These stands have a fixed height, which gives them the advantage of having zero moving parts to fail. However, they cannot be adjusted so they are not as versatile and are not really portable. These stands are extremely reliable and durable and if they are only used in one location with the same vehicle, they are a great choice.

Adjustable Height

Adjustable jack stands allow the height to be adjusted. The most common type is a tripod stand using a notched center column for the height adjustment. The height is adjusted using an attached ratchet.

Heavy-duty adjustable jack stands often use a steel pin that is inserted into holes in the center column. High quality stands will come with a second safety pin.

The final type of adjustable height jack stands are called rotation stands and the user must turn the center column clockwise to raise the height and counterclockwise to lower it.

Why Can’t I Just Use a Floor Jack or a Ramp?

A floor jack is what comes in your spare tire changing kit. These high lift jack stands are lightweight, small, and are not safe to use in any other application other than changing a tire. Even then, you need to exercise caution and ensure you stay safely out from underneath the car.

While a ramp is a safer alternative than a floor jack, they aren’t as versatile as a car lift stand. They offer large, solid contact points that are not likely to fail. However, if you need to remove a wheel to examine your brake pads, for example, a ramp will not let you hold the car up safely without a wheel. While ramps are useful in many ways, such as when replacing a muffler, they cannot replace a jack stand.

What’s a Jack Stand Anyways?

A jack stand is an essential item to ensure your safety when working under a vehicle. A jack stand is a mechanical tool that allows you to adjust the height of the vehicle and supports the vehicle’s weight once it is lifted. This tool allows for a stable machine driven failsafe to prevent your car from falling. This means that you would not need to rely on the hydraulics of the low profile jack stands only to avoid the car from falling back down. It’s important to note that you should never depend on the hydraulic car jack to keep a car lifted, it is entirely unsafe to do so. A jack stand is also safer since it has few possible failure points.

Typically, a car lift stands will consist of a base frame, a ratcheting post which is attached to the platform where the vehicle sits, and a ratchet handle mechanism. Most of the adjustable jack stands currently on the market allow you to pull the platform in an upward motion freely, while you will need to disengage the ratchet mechanism to lower the jack stand. Once the vehicle is resting on the platform, it is practically impossible to accidentally release the ratchet since by doing so it would require that you lift the entire weight of the car with your hand strength only.

In What Situations and When Should You Use a JackStand?

Generally, a jack stand should be utilized every time you lift even one wheel of a vehicle off of the ground. You should use one if you were working underneath your vehicle in any capacity whatsoever. The reasons for using a jack stand include:

• Raising a vehicle with only a floor jack is dangerous
• Hydraulic jacks have been known to fail occasionally, allowing the car to fall
• A jack stand prevents the car from wobbling or tipping, as well as from falling
• A jack stand provides multiple points of contact to support the car
• Jack stands provide a fail safe from the vehicle falling and crushing you

Safety Tips for Using a Jack Stand

You should use one vehicle jack for each wheel that is lifted off from the ground. To maintain the vehicle’s stability, it should have four points of contact with the ground or with one or more jack stands. This will ensure that the car is as stable as possible and can prevent accidents and injuries.

Be aware of the specific points on your vehicle where it’s safe to place a jack stand. These areas are typically referred to as jack stands autozone points, lift points or jacking points. They are reinforced to be able to hold the entire weight of the car. You can easily find these areas in an owner’s manual or through a quick online search. If you don’t use these points, you risk damaging the vehicle or causing it to fall by accident.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knowing Your Jacks – Right Jack For The Job

Car Stands / Jack Stands

Provide stability to your vehicle when it’s raised. Always use in conjunction when using a jack.

• designed specifically to hold vehicle weight for extended periods of time

Trolley Jack

Used to lift and lower a vehicle in order to place vehicle support stands underneath it.

• not for holding vehicle weight

Bottle Jack

Used to lift and lower a vehicle in order to place vehicle support stands underneath it, or for roadside use.

• not for holding vehicle weight

Scissor Jack

Used to lift and lower a vehicle in order to place vehicle support stands underneath it, or for roadside use.

• not for vehicle repair work

Important Considerations for Choosing Jack Stands

It is important to understand that car jack lift are made in a wide variety of heights, sizes, and weight capabilities. The height they can lift the car to will vary widely. You’ll need to be certain that the stand can lift your vehicle to the proper height. For example, a sports car will be lower to the ground and lighter than an SUV so that you would use a lower stand with less weight capacity. A large truck or SUV will require a taller stand so that you can get under the wheels to work under the car properly. This is especially imperative if the vehicle is lifted.

While jack stands are relatively simple tools, there are vast differences in the quality of their build. Choosing a stand that is made from high-quality materials is imperative for safety. It’s also easier to buy a well-made stand once than purchasing a poorly made one several times as they wear out or break down. Selecting a stand that is rust and corrosive resistant can also be helpful in wetter climates.

In closing, using a jack stand during automotive work is the best way to ensure you and your vehicle stay safe. With so many options available it can be confusing to pick the best one for your needs. By focusing on the weight and size of your car, you can quickly determine which stands will work best for you.

Summary

Reviewer

Matt Seals

Review Date

2017-07-13

Reviewed Item

Torin Big Red

Author Rating

5