Jack recommendations? Hubby wants one for Christmas!

[moneypit!]

We have a 23' Four Winns, weight is 5,000 lbs. Trailer wheels need work before next boating season, any suggestions on type of heavy duty jack to purchase?
Thanks & Happy Holidays!!

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: Jack recommendations? Hubby wants one for Christmas!

This is what I use. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...o=1&blockType=G1&prdNo=1&i_cntr=1323538782956

If he doesnt have axle stands he needs those too.

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Jack recommendations? Hubby wants one for Christmas!

We have a 23' Four Winns, weight is 5,000 lbs. Trailer wheels need work before next boating season, any suggestions on type of heavy duty jack to purchase?
Thanks & Happy Holidays!!

Aluminum jacks are nice as are the "quick pump" types that travel further for the first 2-3 pumps. Make sure the jack you're buying is rated for at least 3 tons so it'll handle the weight of the boat. As cheetah said, don't forget the jack stands if he doesn't have those.

Keep in mind that this is a "you get what you pay for" type of purchase. A cheap jack will let you down eventually and when you need it most (ask me how I know). A nice jack could last the rest of your life.

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: Jack recommendations? Hubby wants one for Christmas!

The stands are included for that price (and a crawler board)
Parts are also available seperately. Not had any issues with mine since the day i got it and i used it a lot including jacking up the floor in a rental property. Setting up bunks on at least 6 trailers as well as tyres and regular jacking up type stuff

 

[moneypit!]

Re: Jack recommendations? Hubby wants one for Christmas!

Thanks Cheetah! That package is exactly what I will get him! He wants one of those creeper things too!

Halfmoa~ Ask me why he needs one!! Sparks coming from back trailer wheel on highway = unhappy wife!

Thanks to both of you!

 

[zopperman]

Re: Jack recommendations? Hubby wants one for Christmas!

The sparks are bad. You're probably about to blow out a bearing and lose a wheel... Trust me, I've been there, I wouldn't tow it till you check that out. Post up here when he needs help with the trailer...

Welcome aboard.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Jack recommendations? Hubby wants one for Christmas!

Keep in mind that this is a "you get what you pay for" type of purchase. A cheap jack will let you down eventually and when you need it most (ask me how I know). A nice jack could last the rest of your life.

Not always, there are some diamonds in the rough in the jack department. Pretty much any craftsman jack is overpriced garbage. Don't let the craftsman fanboys tell you otherwise, craftsman makes good hand tools, avoid anything other than that.

My personal favorite are some of the more expensive harbor freight jacks. Surprisingly, some of them are actually made in america, and are relatively cheap for the good build quality.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Jack recommendations? Hubby wants one for Christmas!

That Craftsman jack package looks like a good bang for the buck.

Pretty much any craftsman jack is overpriced garbage.

My personal favorite are some of the more expensive harbor freight jacks.

That ^^^ Craftsman jack looks EXACTLY like my harbor freight jack. (Well, except for the color.) I've had it for 10 years and it works fine. Odd thing, I've seen this jack painted other colors and other companies names slapped on it, Sams Club has it painted blue...

Not sure if I'm disagreeing with you or agreeing with you as I would expect Craftsman to have a better quality tool than Harbor Freight. The HF jack has been pretty darn good though....

 

[pyrotek]

Re: Jack recommendations? Hubby wants one for Christmas!

It just so happens I have been reviewing reviews on various jacks as I just bought a 3-1/2 jack. I was most interested in the Sears and Harbor Freight jacks, however I had some reservations. I found the majority of the reviews on the Sears jacks where they let the load down too quickly and unexpectingly. I was a bit hesistant on the HF jacks only because I felt like the jack needed to be trustworthy when lifting your expensive boat or car.

So I eventually settled on a Torin 3.5 Ton jack. I got it at Advance Auto Parts, but Home Depot sells them online as well with free shipping. My father has a 10 year old Arcan jack bought from Costco. His is very nice, but I didn't see any on Costco's website. So I settled on the Torin jack.

Now that I have it, its ok. I think I'm being way to picky. I still think my father's Arcan Costco jack is more controllable letting the load down. His bar is also a little longer and stores more upright which is a bit nicer. It also is a lower profile which is better. Anyways, that's nitpicking and I'm generally happy with the Torin. Made in Canada and not a rip off from the Craftman's assembly line.

 

[mrdancer]

Re: Jack recommendations? Hubby wants one for Christmas!

For a really good jack, you might look for the Lincoln/Walker brand. However, as long as you use jack stands, most any decent jack rated for your work should do the job. There's a page on the web called Hyjacks that has some good info.