Jack stands are an essential tool for any pickup truck owner. They provide the necessary leverage to lift the truck off the ground so that repairs and maintenance can be performed.
But, there is a wide range of jack stands available, and it can be confusing to determine which type is right for your truck. This article will help explain the different types of jacks and discuss how big of a jack you need for your pickup truck.
The most common type of jack stand used on pickup trucks is a scissor jack. This type of jack features two long arms with a short handle in the middle that is used to operate the arms and lift the truck up off the ground.
Scissor jacks are relatively simple to use and are typically fairly affordable, but they do have some limitations when it comes to lifting heavier vehicles. For this reason, they may not be suitable for larger, heavier trucks.
Another popular option for pickup trucks is a bottle jack stand. Bottle jacks feature a large cylinder that is filled with hydraulic fluid and operated by a pump or lever.
These jacks are much stronger than scissor jacks and can easily lift vehicles that weigh several thousand pounds. However, they can be more expensive than scissor jacks and require more maintenance, as they must be periodically refilled with hydraulic fluid.
If you have an especially heavy truck or plan on doing frequent repairs on your vehicle, then you may want to consider investing in a floor jack stand. Floor jacks feature four adjustable legs that support the entire weight of the vehicle when it’s lifted off the ground. These jacks are incredibly strong and provide great stability when lifting heavier vehicles, but they also come at a higher cost.
Conclusion:
When it comes to determining how big of a jack you need for your pickup truck, it really depends on what type of repair work you plan on doing and how heavy your vehicle is. If you plan on doing minor repairs or simply need to change tires occasionally, then a scissor jack should suffice. But if you’re working on heavier vehicles or frequently performing repairs, then investing in either a bottle or floor jack may be worth considering.
