The Best Floor Jacks for Your Car
If you've ever been stuck on the side of the freeway with a flat tire in the middle of the night, you know just how awful it is to be stranded without a floor jack. Though most new cars come equipped with a floor jack and a spare tire for emergencies, resale cars - especially those sold on the private market - are often missing this crucial equipment. Finding the right car jack for you is important: smaller ones won't work on large truck models, while larger designs can be cumbersome, unwieldy, or simply not fit in your trunk. Without one, your next flat tire means a long wait by the side of the road and a hefty tow bill. But worry not. We're here to save you time, money, and roadside agony with a selection of the best floor jacks for your car.
Pro-LifT Trolley Jack
The Jack For All Trades
Simplicity, durability, and reliability define the Pro-LifT Trolley Jack, making it the perfect floor jack for your average small or midsize car. Its large casters, built from premium steel and designed to rotate 360 degrees, make the jack easy to maneuver and place under your car. In fact, the entire frame of the unit is made of steel, so you know it’s going to last. We especially like the low profile of the base and the rounded surface area of the lifting cup, which makes using the Pro-LifT easy and intuitive. The blow-molded carrying case means you won’t take up valuable storage space in your trunk.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use lift handle
- Highly maneuverable
- Slim body makes garage storage simple
Cons:
- Too small for some late model sedans
- No room in the case for carrying handle
Pro-Lift Low Profile Floor Lift
Even Low Riders Get A Lift
Pro-Lift is an industry leader for a reason. The Pro-Lift Low Profile Floor Lift has a minimum lift of 3.5 inches, making it perfect for small cars with low clearance as well as custom cars that have been lowered (classic Impala owners rejoice). There are also two safety features on the Pro-Lift that separate it from the competition: a safety valve designed to protect the unit from overload and a unique bypass mechanism that keeps you from over-pumping the hydraulics. Backed by a 90-day warranty, the Pro-Lift Low Profile Floor Jack is also guaranteed to work as promised right out of the box.
Pros:
- Rust-resistant design
- Solid-steel frame
- 2-ton capacity
Cons:
- Does not include a case
- Hydraulic fluid can leak during shipment
Big Red Torin Hydraulic Trolley Floor Jack
Lift Up The Big Rigs
The average late-model mid-sized sedan or SUV now weighs about 4,800 pounds, rendering the standard 1.5-ton floor jack too small to lift these larger vehicles. Enter the Big Red Torin Floor Jack, with its hefty, 6,000-pound capacity. This workhorse trolley jack is perfect for today’s big trucks and sports utility vehicles or minivans with a third-row option. The Big Red features a maximum height of nearly 21 inches, yet its single-piston quick-lift pump makes it easy to reach optimal lift without strain. It also includes an extra-long saddle neck to save you time when lifting tall vehicles. A built-in carrying handle makes the Big Red both easy to store and easy to take with you.
Pros:
- Includes a 1-year manufacturer warranty
- 2 rear swivel wheels rotate 360 degrees
- Constructed from heavy-duty steel
Cons:
- Not easy to store in a car
- Rear caster wheels are small
Big Red Scissor Lift
Less Junk In Your Trunk
Let’s face it: for the average car owner who drives his small car moderately and takes it to the shop for regular servicing, flat tires are few and far between. For these people, there’s the Big Red Scissor lift, a collapsable and compact scissor lift jack that works great on all small cars. Scissor lifts have no hydraulic parts, which means they’re smaller, simpler, less prone to fluid leaks and breakdowns, and fit into the smallest trunks with plenty of room to spare. But don’t be fooled by its size: the Big Red Scissor Lift is constructed from drop-forged steel, features a broad metal base for added stability, and has a lifting range of over 15 inches. Combine this with a 3,000-pound lifting capacity and you’ve got a great solution for the average car owner.
Pros:
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
- Meets all PASE/ASME/ANSI safety standards
- Can be used as an extra utility jack
Cons:
- Takes some muscle power to use
- No carrying case
Standtall Electric Car Floor Jack
Don't Jack Up Your Arm
We’re not saying it’s good to be lazy, but the less we have to get sweaty and greasy, the better. Standtall offers a hands-off solution with their Electric Floor Jack, and we’re here for it. Simply plug the jack into any 12-volt outlet – or use the included gator clips to hook it up to your car battery – and the Standtall does the rest, extending to a maximum height of 17 inches in a mere two minutes. There’s even a power line that hooks up to your car’s cigarette lighter if you don’t want to touch the battery. And if you’ve got the double dilemma of a flat tire and a dead battery, a hand-crank is included as well. Perfect for senior citizens or differently-abled drivers.
Pros:
- Features an electric lug nut remover
- Includes a tire inflator pump
- 1.5-Ton capacity
Cons:
- The lighter adapter can blow car fuses
- Short control cable
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know where to place a floor jack so that my car doesn’t slip off it and fall while I’m changing my tire?
The best thing you can do is refer to your owner’s manual, as it should have detailed information about where to place your floor jack when you need to repair a flat tire or change your oil. Each car is a little different, so it’s critical to check the manual and make sure your jack is properly placed.
How do I know if a floor jack is the right size for my car?
All car jacks are rated for a certain pound capacity, such as 1.5 tons or 3,000 pounds. This load capacity will be listed in the users manual of your floor jack (or even on the carrying case, if one is included). If the weight of your car is equal to or less than the capacity of the floor jack, then it’s the right size.
What’s the difference between a floor jack, a car jack, and a trolley jack?
The short answer is that the terms are basically interchangeable. This is especially true for “floor jack” and “car jack,” as both are simply jacks you place on the ground to help raise your car. Technically, however, a trolley jack is a specific style of car jack that has wheels attached for easy maneuverability. It’s important not to confuse these products with “jack stands”. A jack stand does not lift a car – it’s simply a stand you place under the car’s axle after it has been jacked up.
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