Floor jack size??

[mfrost]

Not even going to try lifting one wheel off the ground with my little 1 1/2 to floor jack. Works good on the Honda. I would think that a 3 ton would work Ok but then wouldn't want to get one and it not do the trick. What would be worse would be having to listen to the wife:-{} if it didn't work.



Haven't broken out the on board jack and really don't want to but I suppose I should.



What are you using??

 

[ThomasLawrence]

My 3-ton rolling floor jack has lifted the front tires without a problem, although it's rarely used. I find it much easier to lift all 6 at once



-Tom

 

[LSteiner]

jack size

mfrost,



This is one you can get lots of opionions about , I

imagine.



I recently had to make that decision too. I narrowed

to either a 3 ton or 3 1/2 ton.

I looked at them side by side, lifted them to check weiight, looked at size of wheels, size of lift pad

and axel retainer type etc. In other words I looked

to see which was more jack for the money.



I ended up getting the 3 1/2 ton from my local auto

parts store .



Then I needed to decide on something else, ( even

more important), which is the jack stands. I ended up

getting a set of 6 ton rated stands 'cause they just looked more sturdy than some 'lesser' ones.



But since I still don't trust either one of them for safety I also aquired some railroad tie (sp?) drops

and feel much better prepared should I need to

slide under a lifted truck. hee hee



Sorry about being so longwinded

 

[CAKUZ]

Originally posted by mfrost



The 3-1/2 ton jack available at Sams Club for $59. 95 has worked well for me.

 

[nickleinonen]

my jack is a 3 ton unit from a local parts store. works well. when it next goes on sale again, i will buy another one for in the bed of the truck [factory jack won't reach anymore with 315's under it]

 

[y-knot]

I hate to say it, but I don't much care for those cheap 1 1/2 ton floor jacks. They are small and lite, so I suppose many like that feature, but there are just to many GOOD tools available today to limit yourself to junk and possible injury.

First ... ... the floor jack is a vary important piece of equipment, you trusting it to lift a heavy truck. BUT do not trust it alone, to protect yourself from an accident. Please use jack stands, and ones that are capable of supporting the load. For many the purchase of a heavy Dodge Cummins truck, is there first experience with vehicles that weigh this much. If that is the case with you, look at the purchase of a good floor jack and 2 or 4 good 6-ton jack stands as required equipment. Take the time and effort to locate these items and make sure they are built to a high standard, yes they are expensive, but they are also safeguarding your life. I have had the very unpleasant experience of helping two different people in two separate occasions, on which they were trapped after there car feel on them.

I have a Sams floor jack, it is a 3 ton model and works well. I also have several other floor jacks, including the 3-ton model from Sears that is made of aluminum. This model works very well and is a third of the weight of a steel model. There are many manufacturers that make good floor jacks, you owe it to yourself to take the time to fine one. Becarefull not to get an aluminum racing jack, that is made to lift the side of a 3400lb car in one stroke. These look cool and are featured in Nascar, but do not work on a 7000lb HD truck. Good luck

 

[y-knot]

I hate to say it, but I don't much care for those cheap 1 1/2 ton floor jacks. They are small and lite, so I suppose many like that feature, but there are just to many GOOD tools available today to limit yourself to junk and possible injury.

First ... ... the floor jack is a vary important piece of equipment, you trusting it to lift a heavy truck. BUT do not trust it alone, to protect yourself from an accident. Please use jack stands, and ones that are capable of supporting the load. For many the purchase of a heavy Dodge Cummins truck, is there first experience with vehicles that weigh this much. If that is the case with you, look at the purchase of a good floor jack and 2 or 4 good 6-ton jack stands as required equipment. Take the time and effort to locate these items and make sure they are built to a high standard, yes they are expensive, but they are also safeguarding your life. I have had the very unpleasant experience of helping two different people in two separate occasions, on which they were trapped after there car feel on them.

I have a Sams floor jack, it is a 3 ton model and works well. I also have several other floor jacks, including the 3-ton model from Sears that is made of aluminum. This model works very well and is a third of the weight of a steel model. There are many manufacturers that make good floor jacks, you owe it to yourself to take the time to fine one. Becarefull not to get an aluminum racing jack, that is made to lift the side of a 3400lb car in one stroke. These look cool and are featured in Nascar, but do not work on a 7000lb HD truck. Good luck

 

[Eric_77]

One consideration is how smooth the operation is both up and down. A friend had a transmission fall off the lift when he went to lower it as the jack kinda dropped in a jerky fashion. He has since bought a Mac-Tools floor jack ( I think it was 3 ton model) the operation is very silky smooth both up and down. expensive jack ~$150 but the transmission he dropped was worth over 10 times that much.

 

[GerryDrake]

In my tool box I carry two 6 ton and one 20 ton bottle jacks... . Floor jacks are big and cumbersome to haul around... . I think I paid $20 for the 6's and $28 or $20 for the 20 ton at our local auto parts store. . Yeah, I have to take out a mud flap from the bed to lay on as I roll under the truck, but no big deal. .

 

[mfrost]

Thanks for the feedback guys. That confirms confirms my assumptions. Don't know how my old 1 1/2 to sears floor jack of 24 years is going to take being replaced by a 3 tonner. I'll keep her around for the Honda. It just sneeks under it.



The bottle jack idea sounds good. Will check to see if there are good flat jacking points down there for them.



Thanks again

 

[DocDetonancour]

Warning on using wood for holding the truck up. I have seen RR ties crush like toothpicks with the weight of a truck. Lucky no one was under the load. . Doc

 

[RTuvell]

Originally posted by GerryDrake

In my tool box I carry two 6 ton and one 20 ton bottle jacks... . Floor jacks are big and cumbersome to haul around... . I think I paid $20 for the 6's and $28 or $20 for the 20 ton at our local auto parts store. . Yeah, I have to take out a mud flap from the bed to lay on as I roll under the truck, but no big deal. .

The 20 ton bottle jack for the truck is a great suggestion.



I realized that my 1 1/2 ton floor jack was too small for my truck. I didn't really like the idea of getting a larger floor jack because they don't store easily and take up floor space in my garage. So, I followed up on your suggestion and looked at the bottle jacks. I just purchased a 20 ton bottle jack on sale for $21. Works great, I can easily raise my wheel 4" off the ground, and the jack stores in a small space. Now all I need is a couple 6 ton jack stands and I'll be set.