Choosing an inappropriate trolley jack is likely to drain your resources, be it time, safety, or money. Many people purchase the cheapest jacks only to find that they either cannot support their car’s weight or break during critical moments. Having a proper jack is essential, whether operating from a garage or simply changing tyres in one’s driveway.
Identify Your Jack Types First
People often don’t realise just how many variations of jacks there are. For the majority of cars, there is no better option than Hydraulic trolley jacks. They lift gently, manage the vast majority of vehicles without issues, and are effortless to operate, truly ideal for the everyday garage.
High-lift jacks are designed for trucks and SUVs; they lift very high but also occupy a significant amount of space. On the other hand, low-profile jacks are tailored for sports cars and lowered vehicles that have very minimal ground clearance.
Here’s where people often mess up: choosing jacks solely by the lowest price. The jack needed for a sedan is entirely different from the one for a pickup. The jack should always be chosen to match the vehicle’s lift points, ground clearance, and lifting specifications.
Weight Rating is Not Just a Number
Your vehicle weighs more than you think. That compact car? Probably 3,000 pounds, while a midsize SUV could weigh 5,000 pounds or more.
The guideline is to obtain a jack rated for 25-30% more than the vehicle’s actual weight. A car that weighs 3,000 pounds should have a jack rated to handle at least 4,000 pounds.
Quick checks that’ll save you trouble:
- Look for your vehicle’s weight in the owner’s manual,
- Always overestimate, don’t underestimate,
- Keep in mind, overloading jacks is the primary cause of their failure.
Air hydraulic jacks can handle heavier loads but need an air compressor. Great for shops, maybe overkill for weekend work.
Safety Features You Actually Need
Overload protection valves are great, but only when they truly prevent the jack from lifting beyond a preset height. Stable, wide bases are meant to eliminate the risk of tipping over, while smooth lowering controls gently bring down the car.
This is also where tyre tools & accessories come into play. Having the right support tools alongside your jack—like wheel chocks, valve tools, and proper jack stands—ensures both lifting and maintenance tasks are safe and efficient.
But here’s the most important point: a jack is never reliable on its own. It must always have the safety of jack stands as a secondary backup. Whether you are changing a tyre or carrying out a major repair, the jack can always fail, and if it does, the last place you want to be is under the car.
Even with a good bottle jack, proper support is mandatory. Sure, they are strong and compact, but they are not designed to hold a car for an extended period.
Think About Where You’ll Use It
For a busy workshop, a sturdy lifting jack with wheels and the right size is needed, as it must endure daily use. Although bulkier, it is more reliable and will keep working for the next customer.
Home users might prefer something lighter and more compact. Something that fits in the trunk or garage corner. It should be noted, however, that a smaller size tends to have a smaller lifting capacity.
A Safety Checklist That Might Save Your Life
• Ensure that work is done on a solid and level surface
• Block the wheels that will remain in contact with the ground
• Avoid getting under a car that is supported only by a jack
• Inspect the jack for bends, cracks, leaks, or other damage
That third point deserves every ounce of focus. Jacks have one job: lifting. Jack stands have one job: supporting. Don’t confuse those two jobs.
Get It Right the First Time
The ideal trolley jack fits the task you have at hand. Ensure you are familiar with your vehicle’s weight, have the correct clearance type, and prioritise safety features.
Quality tyre tools & accessories carry out the work safely. For lifting equipment that you can depend on, Rema Tip Top offers workshop solutions used by specialists across the globe. Their focus on safety allows both technicians and vehicle owners to work with peace of mind.
