Choosing the Best Floor Jack Is More Than Just Weight Capacity
We are fascinated by the mechanical advantages of hydraulic jacks. With a little physics plus engineering, we are able to lift more weight than ourselves. So how do you choose the best floor jack for your job? We spoke on the phone with Bob Fox from Sunex Tools to learn about his almost 5 years of experience.
choose the right material
- Steel: heavier, but more durable and less expensive
- Aluminum: lighter, but won't last and is more expensive
- Hybrid: combining steel and aluminum components for the best of both worlds
Choose the right capacity
- Find your gross vehicle weight and front and rear weights on the sticker inside the door or in the vehicle manual
- Be sure to get more weightlifting capacity than you need
- Don't go overboard – the bigger the capacity, the slower and heavier the jack
If you don't know Jack, you should know Bob
Mr. Fox began his career in the lifting equipment field in 1970. He is extremely knowledgeable and highly regarded in the field over the past half century. As a member of the ASME Committee on Portable Automotive Service Equipment, he has contributed to recommendations and codes in this field. It could be said that he knew Jack.
Finding the best hydraulic jack for your truck, car or SUV will usually divide you into two categories: construction material and capacity.
The Best Floor Jacks: Types of Materials
steel
Steel jacks are by far the most popular as they are the cheapest and most durable. The trade-off is weight: they're also the heaviest.
Professionals who choose steel jacks usually work in repair shops and dealer service stations. They mostly perform tire changes and don't have to move the jack very far.
aluminum
On the other end of the spectrum are aluminum jacks. These are the most expensive and least durable – but may weigh less than half as much as their steel counterparts.
Aluminum jacks are perfect for mobile mechanics, road rescuers, DIY enthusiasts, and race tracks where speed and maneuverability are paramount. In Bob's experience, some roadside assistance experts don't expect aluminum jacks to last more than 3-4 months before needing to be replaced.
hybrid
A few years ago, manufacturers introduced aluminum and steel hybrid jacks. Important structural components like the lift arms and power unit remain steel, while the side panels are aluminum. Not surprisingly, these hybrids strike a balance between weight and price.
Hybrids are certainly available for the Mobile Pro, but the heaviest everyday users will still stick to steel for its greater durability. Serious DIYers and gearhead enthusiasts also want to save weight like this option.
The Best Floor Jacks: Tonnage Capacity
The 1.5 ton steel jack is declining in popularity over the heavier 3 or 4 ton jacks. But do you really need that much capacity?
Most Pro users can use a 2.5 ton machine, but repair shops usually choose at least a 3 ton to cover all bases.
The trade-off for higher capacity jacks is slower action and heavier weight. To combat this, many professional-grade jacks are equipped with a dual-pump piston system that lifts on the upstroke and downstroke only when the jack is under load. At that point, the jack bypassed one of the pumps and the speed returned to normal.
Determine the appropriate tonnage capacity for your vehicle by finding the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) on the sticker on the driver's side door jamb. Most vehicles also split the weight into front and rear weights. This information is also included in the vehicle manual.
Make sure you get a jack that can lift more than the higher of the two weights. For example, if you know you need 3100 lbs (just over 1-1/2 tons) in the front, choose a floor jack that will cover your 2 or 2-1/2 tons. You don't need to lift 3 or 4 tons unless you just want to know you can lift a larger vehicle.
short interjection
Another thing – check your service jack's max height. Some may only reach 14" or 15". This works well on most cars, but get into a truck with 20" wheels and you won't be able to lift it all the way, or you'll have to climb under the vehicle to find the lower contact point.
This reminds me… check out these service jack safety tips.
Thanks Bob, you now know Jack!