It’s impossible to have a well-equipped garage without a way to lift cars off the ground and hold them there while you work below them. You can easily turn any hard and level surface into a temporary workshop as long as you have a good jack. There are so many jack and hoist options on the market that it may be difficult to know which one is appropriate for your needs.
When selecting a jack for your vehicle, you should keep a few things in mind. One of the most important things to consider is the size of the jack.
How to decide on the size of the jack?
Ensure that the jack’s capacity matches the car being handled. A common thumb rule is that a jack rated for three-quarters of your vehicle’s weight or more is generally considered to be a good safety precaution.
In order to get the best results, you’ll need to choose the right automobile lift. The exact dimension of the jack is generally printed on the jack itself, usually on a label that can be seen. As a result, it isn’t difficult to determine the weight capacity.
But keep in mind that you do not have to elevate the whole car with a single jack. Hence, a rating for the whole vehicle weight is not required for the option you choose. Most experts recommend that a jack be rated for at least 34% of the car’s weight being lifted.
For example, a person driving a 6,000-pound SUV is unlikely to purchase a 1-ton jack. This small jack would barely be able to support a third of the weight of their SUV. A 2-ton jack with a 4000-pound rating or a 3-ton jack with a 6000-pound rating would be safer for that car.
Besides size, the right choice of floor jack is also affected by other factors that you should know about before making a final decision.
What other things should you consider?
You need to consider many factors other than size before deciding on the floor jack to buy. Some of them are listed below.
Capacity
How much do you need? Lifting near the engine is risky since a floor jack will likely sustain around 60% of the vehicle’s weight. A jack with built-in safety features will not raise if the fluid capacity is exceeded.
Maximum lift
It’s crucial to know how high a vehicle can be elevated before purchasing a floor jack. For most automobiles, a 20-inch jack lift is sufficient. Unless you want to lift off-roaders with big tires, you’ll need something with more lifting power.
Platform Width
The platform width of the jack is significant, as is the lifting arm width. A similar note may be made about the jack pad’s measurements, including its width and length, and wheelbase. A jack with a broader wheelbase and a longer wheelbase will be more stable for many gearheads. This is vital when the jack is completely lifted.
Material
The material of the floor jack is also important as it will lift vehicles far heavier than itself. The Summit Racing catalog includes aluminum jacks and steel and steel/cast jacks. Aluminum jacks are ideal for taking to the track since they’re lighter and simpler to transport. A heavier jack makes sense for jacks that spend most of their time in your shop since it’s more durable.
Conclusion
It is important to know what to look for when purchasing a car jack for an SUV or other vehicle. However, there are just five essential considerations: size, capacity, lift height, material, and jacks’ platform width. These are the deciding factors. There are so many jack options on the market that it may be difficult to know which one is best for your needs. By considering the above factors, you will hopefully make the right choice.
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