lwbfl wrote:
JRscooby wrote:
lwbfl wrote:
JRscooby wrote:
IMHO, the main issue with carrying a floor jack is most times you need it other than home you are missing a very important part to make it work safely; a floor.
It's all I've carried for 30+ years. A 2x6 goes along with it. Until two years ago I never had anything but dirt and grass to work in so I'm well equipped for that LOL!
Yes you can haul the floor too. But it takes more thought about where to put the board than bottle jack. More danger of falling, but less likely to be under when falls
Doesn't everyone carry tools in their truck? I have multiple boards in the toolbox. I've used this jack with everything from a F250 with a 16" lift to Airstreams, Pop-Ups, utility trailers, etc. Never had a problem so far. You just have to use common sense (a super power these days) and be smarter than what you're working with.
Yes on the carry tools. Have blocks to level the trailer. My point is if you have a jack that lifts in a straight line, Scissor, screw or bottle, you only need a base as big as the tire footprint, unless you are cutting ruts with tire. And the base must only be thick enough for the jack to lift tire off the ground.
OTOH, the floor jack lifts in a arc. On a hard surface, concrete floor or other hard, fairly smooth surface, this is not a issue, if even noticed. As the jack lifts, the base rolls, moving under the load. In fact, the higher it lifts the more the weight evens out on wheels. Can you use a board under the jack? Sure, but the board must be long enough, wide enough and positioned so the moving jack stays on the board as it moves. And the board must be hard enough the wheels roll with the load on them. If the fiction preventing carriage from moving is more than friction between lift plate and lift point the jack will slip. And while that is unlikely to injury you because not under when working jack it can cause damage.
My system is pull the flat up on my leveling ramps so the axle is as high as when tire is inflated, the heavy lifting is done. Then position jack and block so have some reserve down stroke, and lift until I can pull ramp out. Yes, I'm under when jacking, but if it drops can't fall below where it started. And I'm in position to see any pressure that might make it slide. Ramp out, tire changed nuts snugged, let the jack down.
Somebody mentioned "common sense" Think part of that idea is deciding which tool to carry for the job.
