Axle stands will always be needed when a vehicle is going to be lifted. This is because they are used as supports to help spread the weight of a vehicle over two points, making it safer.
Bottle jacks, trolley jacks and racing jacks all do the same job of lifting a vehicle onto supports. So when choosing a jack to lift your vehicle you will need to know how much your vehicle weighs. Refer to the vehicle owner’s manual for this information.
Racing jacks are suitable for lifting sports cars or vehicles with a low chassis. This is because racing jacks come with a low clearance level, meaning that when it is fully closed it is very close to the floor enabling it to easily manoeuvre under a low vehicle.
Racing jacks range from 1 tonne (1000 kg) to 2.5 tonne (2500 kg) making this very limited and only suitable for lighter vehicles. With castors and front wheels they are easily transported and positioned under a vehicle.
Trolley jacks range from 0.5 tonne (500 kg) to 10 tonne (10000 kg) so they are limited to what they can lift. A trolley jack can be easily transported by carrying or pushing it because of its castors and wheels. This makes it easier for the user to place under a vehicle and to position correctly.
Bottle jacks range from 1 tonne (1000 kg) to 50 tonne (50000 kg) so if your vehicle does weigh more than the maximum a trolley jack can lift, then the bottle jack is the one you will use. It is very easy to transport and place underneath a vehicle, with an extension screw for reduced effort when pumping.
When choosing which jack to use, find out what type of vehicle you have and its weight in order to make your final decision.