For many people, cars are their sanctuary. Driving alone can be a way to disconnect from everyone else and just listen to podcasts or have an out-of-tune sing along to the radio. But many people are woefully underprepared for what to do if their sanctuary breaks down by the side of the road. You don’t need to know how to repair your transmission to be prepared. You just need to know how to handle the most common kinds of roadside incidents. If you have to change a tire, for example, then you need the right equipment to lift your car off the ground.
The first thing you’ll need to do is to make sure you’re parked on level ground, and avoid parking on dirt or grass. Use wheel chocks to keep your tires from moving while you’re doing work. Then, use a floor jack to lift your car off the ground. Arguably the most important part is the jack stand. Jack stands are used to hold the car up while you work on it. If you’re under the car, you want to make sure you have a jack stand that’s not going to give out on you. Technically, you can replace your tires without car jacks in a pinch. But if you could do something in a more safe way, why wouldn’t you? If you’re doing any work that requires going under your car at all, you absolutely need jack stands.
Here are some of our favorite jack stands available right now. The options featured below are sold in pairs.
1. Torin Big Red Steel Jack Stands, 6 Ton Capacity
Torin pretty much just manufactures car jacks and jack stands, but they do it dependably enough to not need to do anything else. The jack stands come in a set of 2, and they have a weight capacity of 6 tons. For extra safety and security they have a double-locking mechanism. The units have a large base and saddle for secure contact with the ground and with the car.
Pros: 6-ton capacity. Jacks feature a double-locking mechanism for extra security.
Cons: Pin-lock can be challenging to use.
2. Pro-LifT Double Pin Jack Stands
Like the Torin option, this jack stand uses a double-locking mechanism to hold the jack stand in place while you’re working. It’s an affordable option with a maximum capacity of 6 tons (designed to be used as a pair, so each jack stand has a 3 ton capacity). The quick adjustment mechanism makes it easy to get the stand to the desired height.
Pros: Affordable option with a 6-ton capacity and double locking mechanism. Sold in a set of 2.
Cons: Slightly confusing labeling suggests each jack holds 6 tons, but the total capacity of both jacks, when used together, is 6 tons.
3. Torin Big Red Steel Jack Stands: 2 Ton Capacity
The other Torin option has a 6-ton capacity, but if you don’t need to be able to lift anything that heavy, the 2 ton option is also a good buy. It features the same double-locking mechanism, and it can lift a car a minimum height of 11-inches and a maximum of 16.75-inches.
Pros: Affordable option for small to mid-size cars. Double-locking mechanism for extra safety.
Cons: Locking mechanism can be a little challenging to use.