Replacing my jack what about electric??

[elisa7joy]

Okay I KNOW the topic of jacks is discussed to death...

But I want to explain my deal and why most discussions haven't addressed my particular concern. I'm a small person under 120 so weight of the jack matters some, also I want it to stay in my minivan...

*edit* I'm full time in a minivan with a "home base" of stuff in a storage unit. I'm not always close by so travel friendly does become an issue

I had a 2.5 ton hydraulic torin for the past 2-3 years as I've just started to learn mechanical work for my own needs. It was okay, but it lost lifting power and I didn't use it that often. Anyhow, it was stolen and I need to replace.

Looking for 3 ton preferably this time... But don't see much in the "lightweight travel friendly" category. I saw lots of electrical scissor jacks and they cost $20-$30 less than the hydraulic trollies. So is there a reason I should choose one over the other. I mean in my mind the electric scissor isn't gonna lose lifting capacity and would require less servicing. However it is smaller in size which makes me question sturdiness.

Anyhow I would really like input. Please remember I'm barely starting out with repairs(2-3 years) be easy on me

 

[cvairwerks]

I'd look at one of the 1.5 ton aluminum race jacks if you are going to keep in the vehicle. Something like this one, as it's only 31 pounds. A 3 ton capacity one is going to be close to 60 pounds.

Pardon Our Interruption

 

[whateg01]

A 3t floor jack isn't going to be light. Period. Scissor jacks are notoriously unstable. The foot is small and they are generally just stamped sheet metal. I don't even like them on the side of the road in an emergency but they will do the job if set up properly. Do you expect to use the jack often? Or only on rare occasions? I keep a small trolley jack in the vehicles and a "real" floor jack in the garage.

 

[micromind]

A small bottle jack would be safer than a scissors type. Most are pretty light but you'll need to make sure it'll fit under the car with a flat tire. A lot of them won't where a scissors one will.

An electric scissors jack might be a bit tougher than an average run-of-the-mill one.

If you go electric, make sure the cord is long enough and it can raise the car without blowing a fuse.

 

[JeepYJ]

Maybe a AAA card would be better? How many times are you going to use the jack away from home? Most people- never. That’s why a fair percentage of new cars don’t come with a spare or a jack.

 

[Wrench97]

Scissor jacks are inherently unstable, what are you jacking up that weighs 6000 lbs?

 

[elisa7joy]

A 3t floor jack isn't going to be light. Period. Scissor jacks are notoriously unstable. The foot is small and they are generally just stamped sheet metal. I don't even like them on the side of the road in an emergency but they will do the job if set up properly. Do you expect to use the jack often? Or only on rare occasions? I keep a small trolley jack in the vehicles and a "real" floor jack in the garage.

I end up using it at least once a month. I have an older vehicle and if I'm lucky and nothing is wrong I change the oil

 

[elisa7joy]

Scissor jacks are inherently unstable, what are you jacking up that weighs 6000 lbs?

Not 6000 so much as 5 some it's an old minivan. I'm full time in my old *** minivan with some belongings and big tools/appliances in a storage unit. It's not always convenient to go to the storage place anytime I need to fix something

 

[elisa7joy]

My home

Maybe a AAA card would be better? How many times are you going to use the jack away from home? Most people- never. That’s why a fair percentage of new cars don’t come with a spare or a jack.

My home has wheels. So a better question is how often will I use it away from my storage unit. The answer is actually quite often. I've had a radiator fan, an alternator, and a radiator needing work whilst on the go. I DO have roadside assistance too. As I said I'm just learning I'm not trying to fix anything too complex, at least not before getting a mechanics opinion first.

 

[elisa7joy]

I'd look at one of the 1.5 ton aluminum race jacks if you are going to keep in the vehicle. Something like this one, as it's only 31 pounds. A 3 ton capacity one is going to be close to 60 pounds.

Pardon Our Interruption

The last one I carried in my minivan was a 2.5 ton. Given how effective that was/wasn't I wouldn't dip below. They have like two different smaller 3 ton jacks on Amazon a Torin and a liftmaster they both have extensions for higher lift, but the liftmaster extension screws up which makes me think it might be safer.

 

[elisa7joy]

A small bottle jack would be safer than a scissors type. Most are pretty light but you'll need to make sure it'll fit under the car with a flat tire. A lot of them won't where a scissors one will.

An electric scissors jack might be a bit tougher than an average run-of-the-mill one.

If you go electric, make sure the cord is long enough and it can raise the car without blowing a fuse.

The more I'm reading on electric the more I think it's a bad choice... The 2.5 ton trolley jack I had from black jack(torin) was okay but not great. Still I'm often away from "home base" my storage unit so having sufficient tools and lift in my 15 year old minivan have proven a must.