QuickJack or JackPoint + AC Hydraulic?

[bizzton3k]

Hello (first time poster but long lurker),

I need to find a reliable and quick solution for my Tesla Model 3 for swapping winter tires. I will pay more initially for less frustration and longevity of equipment.

I go back and fourth between the Costco QuickJack versus a nice low profile jack (like a AC Hydraulic DK20 with JackPoint Jackstands- can't use standard jack stands). The two options come out to about the same price.

So, if you could do it all over again, which path would you choose (less hassle, but also very reliable)? I like the thought of a QuickJack, but I don't want to mess with it if it's unreliable or if it doesn't save much time. I don't have room for a real lift. I'm also not a big fan of just using a cheap jack with no stand. I want to do things correctly and safely for the next 40+ years.

Thanks!

 

[drtyler]

I have no experience with the QuickJack. I have heard negative things about them in other forums and a lack of support from BendPak. I totally believe the lack of support/help from Bendpak, because I experienced the same thing from them when I owned their mid-rise MD-6XP lift.

However, I do have and use the JackPoint jack stands, and they are good. I use them in conjunction with a Milwaukee Model 20 or Harbor Freight aluminum jack. They are the perfect height for tire rotations and brake jobs, and give enough lift for under car work as well (but I realize that won't be an issue with your Tesla).

Many have said the AC DK13HLQ is one of the best jacks out there, combination of low profile and long reach. I haven't heard much about the DK20, although I'm sure it is of good quality. Just make sure it gets low enough to fit under your Tesla with the JackPoint adapter and that the width fits the JackPoint jack stands.

 

[bizzton3k]

Thank you for your comments drtyler! Your thoughts about the lack of support are one of my main concerns. Ideally you don't need any support, but when you do, it's very beneficial. I would assume I would need some support initially after the thin cardboard boxes arrived damaged like so often seems to happen.

I've also read many good things on the DK13HLQ, but wondered if I should pay extra for the longer length since on Tesla's you jack around the underside perimeter- therefore essentially never requiring much length to get under the vehicle.

The main thing I like about the QuickJack is I only have to jack the car up once versus 4 times. Conversely, if I used JackPoints, I would need 4 ($665 with shipping) of them (but I am just planning on 2 for now). First world problems indeed!

Thanks again!

 

[noid]

I have a ac hydraulics DK20Q.

The difference between it, and most every other jack I have used is night and day. Between ac hydraulics and compac, the danish really have jacks figured out.

The pressure release is very precise, I am able to lower a car a millimeter at a time if needed.

It has held up a car at one point for over 2 months without dropping a bit.

The DK20Q isnt able to get under everything though, probably 90% of cars, but if your particularly low youre much better off with a DK13HLQ; im sure its just as good.

 

[s14kev]

I own both an AC hydraulics DK13HLQ and a Quickjack 5000SLX. I bought the AC to lift aircooled 911's and still found it had big limitations with lowered late model aircooled 993/964's. Late model aircooled 911's are just badly designed for lifting purposes. The Quickjack is awesome. I highly recommend it and I usually use my workhorse USA made OTC jack over the AC now since the OTC is literally bulletproof.

 

[bizzton3k]

I usually use my workhorse USA made OTC jack over the AC now since the OTC is literally bulletproof.

Why is that do you find the OTC more bulletproof than the AC?

I am guessing there is not going to be one consensus. In theory, I think the QuickJack sounds the most ideal. However, it might take just as long to connect, position, and disconnect as a manual jack system. Plus, my main concern is how reliable are they? I don't want to switch out winter tires the night before work and then have my car get stuck and be SOL:

garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=386831&highlight=quickjack+stuck

I won't have time to troubleshoot and wait for parts to reach me if I need to go to work in the morning!

I don't know how many QuickJacks are sold and how many happy vs unhappy customers there are, but I assume more unhappy will post on the internet than happy...so i try to keep that in mind as well.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts!

 

[s14kev]

Why is that do you find the OTC more bulletproof than the AC?

I have an old version of the OTC 1525 when they were still made in the USA. The low profile, long arm AC jack doesn't even compare in regards to stiffness and durability. The fit and finish of the AC is second to none however, you can't compare a low profile long arm jack to one like the OTC which is designed for daily use in a commercial environment.


If you are just changing tires and don't really get you hands dirty, the AC jack is the smartest buy. It would be a pain to haul the quickjack out and set up just to change tires. If you do any real work on a vehicle, the quickjack is much more versatile.

 

[noid]

I have an old version of the OTC 1525 when they were still made in the USA. The low profile, long arm AC jack doesn't even compare in regards to stiffness and durability. The fit and finish of the AC is second to none however, you can't compare a low profile long arm jack to one like the OTC which is designed for daily use in a commercial environment.


If you are just changing tires and don't really get you hands dirty, the AC jack is the smartest buy. It would be a pain to haul the quickjack out and set up just to change tires. If you do any real work on a vehicle, the quickjack is much more versatile.

To be fair, AC in their terms literally states:

"1.4 AC’s products are only designed and made for commercial use and must not without AC's written consent be used in or integrated into objects which are not used commercially."

You're right though, comparing a long reach low profile jack (DK13HLQ) to something more traditionally designed (stumpy) isn't exactly fair.

Ton for Ton it would be more accurate to compare the OTC to something like the DK20/DK20Q or the DK20HLQ.

If you subscribe to rigidity, stump and no replacement for displacement then the DK40Q / DK50HLQ / DK60Q / DK100Q / DK120Q likely suits any need you might have.

 

[bizzton3k]

If you are just changing tires and don't really get you hands dirty, the AC jack is the smartest buy. It would be a pain to haul the quickjack out and set up just to change tires. If you do any real work on a vehicle, the quickjack is much more versatile.

How long does it take you to setup and also take down? Thanks!

 

[Paycheck]

Love the Quickjack. Never had an issue with their customer support. Measure the distance between lift points, you might need the extensions. Mine stays on the floor with the car parked on top.

 

[bizzton3k]

Love the Quickjack. Never had an issue with their customer support. Measure the distance between lift points, you might need the extensions. Mine stays on the floor with the car parked on top.

Thanks! Which one do you have and how old is it? How long to setup and disassemble everytime?

 

[s14kev]

Setup of the actual unit is just seconds. Plug to pump into an outlet and four simple quick connect couplers for the hydraulic lines. What takes time is moving the jacks from where they are stored to under the car. I'm a weakling and find them heavy especially lifting them off my wall rack. If you are a man-gorilla and used to lifting some weight then it should not take long at all.

 

[Paycheck]

Thanks! Which one do you have and how old is it? How long to setup and disassemble everytime?

I have one of the original 5000’s and upgraded the rails to the 7000SLX. Unit stays setup. Just have to pull the rails out from center and line them up on the lift points. I have no need to disassemble them.
If you disconnect the hydraulic lines, just remember to bleed the pressure off first to prevent leaks and make reconnecting easier.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I have an old version of the OTC 1525 when they were still made in the USA. The low profile, long arm AC jack doesn't even compare in regards to stiffness and durability. The fit and finish of the AC is second to none however, you can't compare a low profile long arm jack to one like the OTC which is designed for daily use in a commercial environment.


If you are just changing tires and don't really get you hands dirty, the AC jack is the smartest buy. It would be a pain to haul the quickjack out and set up just to change tires. If you do any real work on a vehicle, the quickjack is much more versatile.

I love out AC jacks. The paint on the handles are good . The paint on the jacks though IMO are thin....and not up to far in ~quality finish~

 

[Steverino]

I have one of the original 5000’s and upgraded the rails to the 7000SLX. Unit stays setup. Just have to pull the rails out from center and line them up on the lift points. I have no need to disassemble them.
If you disconnect the hydraulic lines, just remember to bleed the pressure off first to prevent leaks and make reconnecting easier.

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but this is exactly what I'm looking for. I ended up with a 5000-BL, which has too short a lift-point spread for some of my vehicles and I was thinking I'd have to get something different. How did you upgrade the rails? Was it a simple bolt-on?

Thanks!