A jack stand is the only thing standing between you and your car when you are underneath your vehicle. This statement alone proves the significance of a jack stand.
So, you need to understand carefully which qualities make a good stand and which flaws are fatal. But if you wanna skip the hard work, pick any one of the five products we recommended.
However, to find the best car jack stands in the market, you will need to research further. That’s why we have included a buying guide and a guide for precautionary methods while working under high weight.
Best Car Jack Stands Review
Here are the five products we were talking about. They are currently leading the market and have increased the bar for most of the jack stands out there.
1. Torin Big Red Steel Jack Stands: 3 Ton (6,000 lb) Capacity, 1 Pair
These jacks are one of the best in the market. The sturdiness of the stands gives you a sense of trust. Everyone gives their car a little shake after mounting it on the stands. That little shake fuels the trust you are gonna have on this tool for the rest of your life. Because this stand holds its position like a rock.
Most of this stability comes from the pyramid styled base. The form of pyramids or any triangular shape is fundamentally stronger than most other shapes. Also, the legs are wide, which helps to distribute the weight further, decreasing the risk of a breakdown.
It has the typical saw-tooth design. So, adjusting the height quickly will never be a problem. The length of the ratchet teeth is also admirable. However, this longer length can cause problems in the distant future. But you can’t trade your security for length adjusting problems.
You will also be able to use the release handle as a carry handle. The handle is designed in a way that will make carrying a lot easier.
But the thing that I like about this stand the most is the saddle. It is shaped in a concave design and has a lot of muscle. Even if you make the mistake of putting your stand under a curved surface, this stand can compensate for that. So, it is a good piece of tool for newbies.
This stand has a 3 ton or 6000-pound capacity. So, cars, SUVs, and light trucks won’t be a problem. You can easily stand them on a height from 11.25 inches to 16.75 inches.
Lastly, this stand has passed the test of ASME standards. Moreover, an experience of over fifty years is standing behind the brand. So, you can put your money on the big red.
Pros
- ASME standard
- Good height capacity
- Quick adjustment
- Finely welded fram design
- Lightweight
- Sturdy base
Cons
- No dual locks
- The paint job needs to be better
2. Pro-LifT T-6906D Double Pin Jack Stands – 6 Ton
If a product is successful in the market, there are always some specific reasons behind that. The T-6906D from Pro-Lift has been at the top of the market for quite some time now. And, we are here to show you the reason behind there immense popularity.
First of all, they used the best material for building the stand. It’s pure stamped steel. This steel will give you a sturdy hold on a 6-ton vehicle. Although 6 tons or 12000 pounds are recommended, it can go way beyond that. This extra weight capacity makes it good for people who show unnecessary courage.
Like all the top brands in the market, this stand also features a ratchet teeth mechanism to lock the pole in place. The teeth are dense and deep. This allows greater security to your stand.
Nevertheless, the best security feature in any jack stand is a dual lock system. And this stand nailed it. That is because it has a bar lock system along with the retched mechanism. The mobility pin is also strong itself and will never come off if you don’t remove the weight.
With the stand, you will have a minimum height of 15 inches. At this lowest point, you won’t have to put in the mobility pin. If you want to have the double lock, your minimum height will be 17.5 inches.
The welding is excellent here. You will have reinforced bottoms, which makes a stand extra strong. They were very lightweight too.
Lastly, this product meets the requirements of ANSI/PALD. In some cases, the Pro-Lift even exceeds the current standards.
Pros
- Cast Ductile Iron Ratchet bar
- Accidental disengagement prevention
- Reinforced bottom corners
- Double lock mechanism
Cons
- Protective caps need to be glued
3. AmazonBasics Steel Jack Auto Stands, 3 Ton Capacity, 1 Pair
Although people don’t care for cost when it comes to jack stands, the manufacturers of this stand were able to keep down the cost to a minimum level. However, they didn’t compromise any major feature in the stand.
It has a full steel frame. The frame is designed in such a way that it can hold a lot of weight without taking much space. Then again, the legs of the stand have an increased amount of space that comes in contact with the floor. Hence, it can distribute the weight evenly between its four legs.
Moreover, there is an anti-rust coating on the steel so that moisture doesn’t cause any problem. Other than some occasional faults, the welding of the product is also very good.
You will be able to hold 3 tons or 6000 pounds with a pair of these stands. There are two more variants of this stand of 2 and 6 tons. Note that this weight capacity is for a pair of stands. So, a single one will be able to hold half of the mentioned capacity. Don’t get into trouble for that.
The saddle is U-shaped so that you can stand your jack under curved surfaces. It would have been much better if they were made of high friction materials.
Again, this has a ratchet teeth mechanism. They are strong and sturdy. The ratchet, of course, has a self-locking system. It is also very easy to adjust the height. Lastly, the piece of tool meets the standards set by ASME PASE in 2014.
Pros
- Self-locking system
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Easy height adjustment
- Meets ASME PASE standard
Cons
- Inadequate information from the manufacturer
- Occasional welding faults
4. Sunex 6809, Underhoist Support Stand, ¾ Ton Capacity
The Sunex 6809 is a special kind of stand. It is what we call a hoist stand. The different design comes with some unique features and benefits.
Although you will find hoist-position stands with three-ton capacity, they are not known for their capacity range. Plus, that high capacity in hoist stands won’t bleed you a lot of money. It is more like a support stand that assists the stronger jack stands. Moreover, it is used for adjusting the vehicle height that is already on the stands.
The one we are reviewing here is a 0.75 ton or 1500 pound stand. It means that it not only can hold but also adjust the height of vehicles under a pressure of 1500 pounds.
This pressure is transferred to a 12-inch diameter base. These wide bases allow a greater distribution of the weight. Hence, your risk of any deformation decreases further.
You will also have a countered saddle. There is no high friction material on the saddle. So, you will have to buy it separately. However, the convex saddle makes it easy to hold and push curved surfaces.
The most exciting feature about hoist stands is that these can adjust the height of your vehicle, much like a jack itself. You can do that by spinning the handle. This height adjusting spin handle is mounted on a bearing that makes it easy to rotate it under pressure.
But the best part is the self-locking ACME threaded screw of the spin handle. These are very good for doing big projects such as changing the exhaust system or shock absorber.
Pros
- Height adjustment
- Ideal for big projects
- Bearing mounted spin handle
- Supports vehicle components
Cons
- Vague direction on pump bleeding
- Low capacity
5. CARTMAN 3 Ton Jack Stands (Sold in Pairs)
This is our last jack on the list. However, this is not lesser in quality than the other four from any perspective. The Cartman is another pyramid style stand that has a very compact design.
There are four variants of this stand. You can get two, three, or six-ton stands. Also, there are two 3 ton stands, one of which has a safety pin. Cartman should have included the pin in all of the pairs.
You will have a height range of from 278mm to 415mm, which is about 11 inches to 16 inches. This is undoubtedly a good height and will be able to deal with most of the vehicles. Cars, SUVs, small trucks, jeeps will never be a problem for this jack. You can also use it for unconventional jobs.
Like all the other jacks on this list, it has a ratchet teeth design. The pole is well built, giving you very good support. When the pole locks into place, you will have a sturdy hold. There will not be any wobbling. The height adjustment is also quick. Furthermore, it won’t unlock if your weight is still sitting on the stand.
Manufacturers tried to minimize the welding spaces. The welds might seem a little bulky, but that is nothing to worry about. Still, if you notice any cracks or stress marks, you should return the product. And, Cartman will gladly take it and give you a better offer.
Again, the marketed 3-ton capacity is for a pair of this stands. Don’t make a mistake to assume that they are for individual stands. Lastly, this product is up to ANSI standards. So, now you have even less to worry about.
Pros
- Quick height adjustment
- Ductile ratchet bar
- Heavy-duty
- Meets ANSI requirements
Cons
- No dual lock
- Bad packaging
Safety Precautions While Using
When you get under the vehicle, the stand is the only thing keeping your car from falling on your ribs. Thus you have to be extra careful about it. Here are some precautions that you need to take before using the stand.
Level ground
Make sure that you are on a level surface. If that is not the case, your vehicle can topple over. It might also break the structural integrity of the stand.
Firm floor
You should not be on a soft floor like gravel or sand. And needless to say, you don’t want your stands to sink while you are working underneath the car. Do it in your garage or on the driveway.
Brake
The car should be parked, and the parking brake should also be engaged.
Shack Your Vehicle
To make sure you have a firm hold on your vehicle, give it a little shake. It should not be moving even an inch.
Floor Padding
Your jack stand will be concentrating all the weight into the floor through its legs. That is a lot of weight concentrated in a small area. Breaking the floor is not uncommon in this case.
So, you need some kind of padding underneath the stand. You could get a piece of wood or metal for extra protection.
Key Considerations While Buying Car Jack Stands
A jack stand is a relatively simple product. But its significance grows when you take in the fact that it is protecting you from getting crushed by your car.
For the sake of your well-being, you need to know which stand is best for you. And here is how you are gonna find out about them.
Welding Location
This is the first thing you want to check after you get a jack stand. If there are any gaps or weak spots in the seam, don’t use it. Instead, return them because you don’t want to be under a car while your stand is breaking apart.
Double Locking
In your regular jack stand, you will always have the ratchet locking mechanism. But some manufacturers go further and add a second line of defense by adding a metal pin lock. It will generally be a steel pin that goes through the pole for more secure protection. This is always helpful. So, try to get one if you can.
Wide legs
Wide and reinforced legs are significant. Broad legs will spread out the pressure, which protects your floor and gives less stress on each leg. Some extra metal reinforcement in the legs makes it sturdier. Furthermore, wide legs also make the stand stable on different surfaces.
Height
Make sure that you are getting the stand, which will provide you with the desired height. Generally, you will have a maximum height of 15 inches or more. You also have to care for the minimum height so that you don’t get into trouble getting the stand under the vehicle. The minimum height should be below 11 inches.
Teeth Quality
Those steel teeth are the only things between you and your 3-ton car. After getting the product, look closely if there is any manufacturing defect like porosity or rust. Any cracks or signs of stress, send the product back where it came from.
Sturdiness
A wobbly stand has no place in your garage. It creates diffidence in the tool. A shaking stand puts more pressure on the body, which can also lead to deformation. Make sure that all of the legs are level. The top of the saddle should also have a level surface.
When working, after you have your saddle in place, give your car a little shake. It shouldn’t be moving a bit. If it does, consider returning the tool.
Capacity
Choosing the capacity might seem very obvious as you will choose the one that suits your vehicle. However, you need to be careful about some misleading statements from marketers about the weight capacity.
Sometimes, you will find a pair of stands that are marketed to be able to carry a certain amount of weight. You need to find out if that particular amount of weight is for each of the stands or both the stands combined.
If your marketer is saying two tons for a pair and you buy two pairs to hold eight tons, it might not end very well. So, be very careful about that.
Feel behind the Sticker
Sometimes there might be cracks or other deformities behind the stickers of the stand. After you get your stand, you need to touch the sticker to feel for some deformity. If you can trace anything, investigate further and return the product immediately.
Saddle
The saddle should be tough and made of materials that generate high friction, such as rubber. It should have a proper thickness to it. These measures will make sure that you have a sturdy product.
Also, the contact area should have a concave shape. This will allow the jack to hold the vehicle from any curved surfaces.
Warranty
There should be a year of warranty on the product. But that doesn’t mean it has to last for only a year. A good stand will typically last for over ten years, even if used frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few questions you might have in your mind because once we had the same too.
Q: Are fixed height jacks any better than adjustable height jacks?
Ans: No moving parts mean fewer chances of failure. A stand with no moving parts just needs to be strong and sturdy. We can have more trust in them than the adjustable ones.
Q: Do I need to use the safety pin?
Q: If you have one of those, you should use it. It is highly unlikely that it will ever be needed. But you should still not stop using it.
Q: Where should I place my jack stand?
Ans: There are portions of the main structure of a car that extends down to the wheels. Those places are dedicated to jack stands.
Q: Can I use three jack stands and a jack to lift all the four wheels off the ground?
Ans: No, jacks should not be trusted to do a stand’s job. You need to get four jack stands to do that.
Q: Does the minimum stand height count?
Ans: If you have a low profile car like the Corvette, then you need to care about this factor.
Conclusion
My last advice would be to take your jack stands very seriously. If you are not feeling comfortable, don’t go under the vehicle. Like most of the products, you can find the best car jack stands by giving it 30-minute research. And, everything you need is right here on this page.
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