Underhoist Stands

[Handyandy23]

I'm looking to pick up a set of underhoist stands, the kind you would use at the front and / or back of a longer vehicle on a 2 post lift to help stabilize it if you're wrenching hard.

I'm seeing two styles - one that's more like a tripod, and one that is a single post. I prefer the single post due to less room is takes up when stored. They are rated for 1,500 lbs, which seems like plenty for a stabilizer. But then the ads for them specifically state "not for use under vehicle itself, only to hold up parts like exhaust". If it's rated for 1,500 lbs why does it matter what it's holding up?

I'm not meaning for these to bear weight over overload my hoist, just to stabilize under the ends of my truck so it doesn't feel so 'tippy'.

Any thoughts or experiences? Pics below for reference.

Tripod style:

Single post:

 

[Lucid Moments]

I know exactly what you are talking about, and have used the single post type to stabilize my truck on the lift exactly like you plan to. I plan on continuing too. I never noticed the qualifying statement you mention though.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I far prefer the single post type as well but do like a heavier base plate on them. Besides helping stabilize a bouncy lift they are quite useful for a lot of things like holding up exhaust pipes, drive lines and other components. I made a pair for my lift. Ed.

 

[bobabuee]

harbor freight tri pod type well made i have 2 for use on my 4 post lift awesome as i dont have bridge jack yet.

i paid 79.00 couple yrs ago with 20% coupon no problems, bolt together and go if you dont like bolt thing bolt and weld.

 

[sberry]

I don't have them but for prop work under I use ****** jack with extensions.

 

[got2boostit2]

I use both styles, single post is easier to move around.

 

[Handyandy23]

harbor freight tri pod type well made i have 2 for use on my 4 post lift awesome as i dont have bridge jack yet.

i paid 79.00 couple yrs ago with 20% coupon no problems, bolt together and go if you dont like bolt thing bolt and weld.

Princess Auto (Canadian HF type store) has their tripod style on sale right now, which is what has me looking:

https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/big-red-2-ton-tripod-stand/A-p8662918e

It looks plenty well-made, but seeing them in person they are quite large and take up a lot of room. Storage space is at a premium and last thing I need is something taking up a bigger footprint.

They also look like they'd be clumsy to work around if using them to hold up exhaust pipes or other parts under a vehicle. You could only stand so close to what you're working on due to the width of the base.

 

[Handyandy23]

I know exactly what you are talking about, and have used the single post type to stabilize my truck on the lift exactly like you plan to. I plan on continuing too. I never noticed the qualifying statement you mention though.

I far prefer the single post type as well but do like a heavier base plate on them. Besides helping stabilize a bouncy lift they are quite useful for a lot of things like holding up exhaust pipes, drive lines and other components. I made a pair for my lift. Ed.

OK thanks, good to know others are using the single post style the way I envisioned. For clarity here is what Sunex (and others I've seen similarly) say about the single posters:

Designed to support vehicle components only^Ideal for exhaust system installations

https://www.amazon.ca/Sunex-6809-4-Ton-Underhoist-Stand/dp/B00AHIWN78/ref=pd_sbs_263_1/136-2004543-6306927?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00AHIWN78&pd_rd_r=29b5105a-8205-11e9-a800-798d64934000&pd_rd_w=P2eGF&pd_rd_wg=S1dBT&pf_rd_p=5dcda75b-8643-4da3-9bb1-5c0233790500&pf_rd_r=Y7ECVW41P9PCTPZP8C7K&psc=1&refRID=Y7ECVW41P9PCTPZP8C7K

I'm guessing it must have more to do with the width of the base and how 'tippy' they are than the weight rating. My 2 post lift is rated at 9,000 lbs and my truck weighs around 5,000 lbs. The single post supports are rated at 1,500 lbs, and I'm not even really using them to carry any load - just to support the load staying stable on the lift pads.

The tripod style ones are rated at 4,000 lbs which is nice but kind of overkill - the whole truck could be supported by two of them (if it would balance), which isn't what I'm trying to do.

 

[pbon]

I have the single post one and have used it under 2 and 4 post lifts. It will help balance a car on a 2 post but if the car is at risk of falling, the single post will fall with it. The tripod one would probably keep the car on the lift. Maybe you want one of each, though you will find yourself using the single post more due to convenience. I was thinking about adding a tripod one before I changed to a 4 post with bridge jacks.

 

[finn]

I have one of each, an OTC tripod and an Astro single post.

The tripod is far sturdier and confidence inspiring, while the Astro is more compact and easier to move around, but clearly not an stable.

I usually stick the tripod under the trailer hitch of a pickup on the lift, and the single post under the front crossmember or differential. If I was working on the rear, I would switch that around.

If I could only have one, it would be the tripod.

 

[aka Larry]

I have two of the HF tripod style and they are very sturdy. They definitely help stabilize the load on longer vehicles like trucks and SUVs.

 

[Handyandy23]

I ended up caving and getting two of the tripod style ones on sale at Princess Auto. Got two of them for $180 CAD vs $145 CAD for only one of the single post style on Amazon. Hard to ignore people who have used them saying they are much more sturdy, along with being almost half the price.

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

 

[dangdude]

I would like to get a couple of the pole type but haven't had a chance to play with one yet.
Questions:
Is the footpedal design on some useful or just a trip hazard?
I see pictures with a notch in the all-thread--can these be quickly adjusted? Is that groove typical /standard or an option on some?
Do I need two hands to hold the pad and keep the all-thread from turning when I turn the handle?
I can currently only lift cars ~5' because of a 9.5' ceiling, so I will likely cut the pole down to a minimum height of 40" or so.

 

[crf_kdx]

Say, I have a tripod type stand that’s low profile I purchased from Greg Smith for use with my scissor lift. I’d like a second stand and the convenience of a single post since I already have the tripod is appealing. The rub is that they are too tall for under my scissor lift. From looking at pictures of the bases online it appears one *might* be able to shorten the stand. Do the single posts thread into the base or just rest in the base being held by a pinch bolt or the like??

 

[gnpenning]

I would like to get a couple of the pole type but haven't had a chance to play with one yet.
Questions:
Is the footpedal design on some useful or just a trip hazard?
I see pictures with a notch in the all-thread--can these be quickly adjusted? Is that groove typical /standard or an option on some?
Do I need two hands to hold the pad and keep the all-thread from turning when I turn the handle?
I can currently only lift cars ~5' because of a 9.5' ceiling, so I will likely cut the pole down to a minimum height of 40" or so.

The step pad should flip up out of the way.

The ones I've used without a load it takes 2 hands. Pull it up and spin the adjuster. Once you have a load and the ears catch on something stable you can turn with one hand. A small adjustment, step on the lift pedal, great for transmission and transfer case installation.

 

[pbon]

The foot pedal is of limited use. It is not to raise the jack. You still spin it up and down by hand. The foot pedal will give you an extra couple of inches if you don’t have a hand free to raise the lift, like maybe if you are trying to line up an exhaust. I have one if each post type — pedal and no pedal. I don’t need the tripod and they take up more space and are harder to work around.

 

[setfocus]

We have the tripod type at work, use them to hold a motor up while a mount is disconnected or dropping a cradle down and to load suspensions to check ball joints and when needed for a repair, to get things to line up. Sometimes I get them teetering on 1-2 legs when bringing up a control arm, as the control arm becomes level the end also moves outward a bit... you know with geometry and such. Single pod wouldn't hold up well to being teetered like that, base would bend or break

I'd get the tripod

 

[dscheidt]

But then the ads for them specifically state "not for use under vehicle itself, only to hold up parts like exhaust". If it's rated for 1,500 lbs why does it matter what it's holding up?

Direction of force. If you use the stand to hold parts, the force is straight down, along the single post, or very nearly so. If you use the post to hold the vehicle, it's likely that more of the force is going to be directed perpendicular to the post. That can cause it to tip or buckle, the single post doesn't have much resistance to bending. Tripod style stands are much stiffer in that direction.