Jack + axle stands rating

one i would never go under any vh on a fluid jack,always put a axal stand or a spare wheel under the hub or chassis/diff.
2 trolly jacks are best as they dont wobble ,but where could you store one safe as to stop it flying lose in the avent of a crash.
3, bottle jacks which i have a 6 ton one ,easy to store but suffer from wobble or could tip on unstable ground,if you have ever tried geting a car/van up of the ground after a toppled jack ,what a bollocks.
So its down to space and safety ,me i think i will use a bottle and carry my 6 ton axal stands to be sure.
I bought 4 6 t stands for 50 bucks ans bottle jack at auction for 8 bucks ,not bad i think.
 
If getting a bottle jack, make sure it is small enough in height to get under your van when your tyre is flat and goes up high enough to get the wheel changed. I had to get a compact sealy one with a telescopic ram to fit under my vw t5 which wasn't cheap.
 
I have been mechanic over 30 years and garage jacks are checked once a year for insurance purposes. I have never heard of a hydraulic jack fail or have seals replaced yearly. But I have on many occasions seen scissor jacks fail and cause injury or damage. That's why they are known as suicide jacks to those in the trade.
 
Our work trolley jacks are checked each year for insurance purposes but we find mainly they first fail to perform by slowly sinking. I have not, so far. had a jack suddenly drop on me as they are taken out of commission well before this happens!

We have a back room with usually a dozen failing jacks [slowly sinking]and every couple of years we have a guy come around who repairs them. We may get 10% repaired as it is uneconomical to repair those that need all seals due to labour cost involved.
Anyone who wants one to take apart and repair themselves let me know.
 
Thanks for all the comments, to summarise
a) better to buy jack / stands with rating exceeding what you need
b) with bottle jack important to check min and max heights
c) don't rely on jacks when working under vehicle - use axle stands
d) Chock in front of the front wheels and behind the rear wheels on the opposite side to that which is being lifted
e) if jack / stands are not on solid ground put board under them to stop them sinking into ground

One final question. What is the view on folding axle stands? Attractive because they take less space to store. See example below.
2 TONNE PAIR OF ADJUSTABLE FOLDING AXLE STANDS SUPPORT SHORT CHASSIS CAR NEW
2 TONNE PAIR OF ADJUSTABLE FOLDING AXLE STANDS SUPPORT SHORT CHASSIS CAR NEW | eBay
£16.15
 
There is a safer activity, other than going under a vehicle that has no solid load bearing kit under it, and that is locating mines in a mine-field using your foot as the detector, not forgetting to put your fingers in your ear so you don't get deafened by the bang.:help::lol-049::danger::giggle:
 
n brown said:
i'd still rather have an over rated jack- maybe it's a memory of changing a wheel on a 30foot coach with a 1 1/2 ton jack one rainy night,having to pump with both hands on the handle as a fine spray of hydraulic fluid came out of the top seal . also it can have other uses.
but i'd rather have one of these Sealey 3000LQ Trolley Jack 3tonne Long Reach Rocket Lift
Click to expand...

Where could you store such a beast on a normal motorhome ? 6 ton bottle jack small light easy to store away not as expensive. Either
 
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