I got the trolley jack but when I lifted my 2008 Honda Accord 170k the other day, it made a pop noise when lifting and now I'd rather return it in fear of it failing. My local Harbor Freight has the Pittsburgh 3-ton low profile jack for $99 if you're in the club and 2-ton low profile for $119 (no coupons or discount). I'm starting to do a little DIY here and there and live in an apartment so I'm trying to think and gather opinions, is it better to have lift capacity for coverage or weight/portability (roughly 30lb difference between 3 ton and 2 ton)?
I've used a Harbor Freight 2-ton low profile, high-lift (24") jack for years with no problems. Unless the front of your car weighs more than two tons it should be no problem.
Maybe I'll get a 2-ton jack then if it's gonna be lighter and what I need versus coverage (probably won't get a car that weighs beyond 2-tons). Thanks for this!
Don't forget you're not lifting the entire car. Heaviest would be the front for most (except rear engine) and unless you have a heavy truck or SUV there's no way you'll be even near the two-ton capacity of the jack. Certainly not with a Honda Accord!
Oh, and I'm sure you know not to EVER get under a car held up only by a jack. Always use good-quality stands before getting underneath.
Gotcha. I got some 3-ton TCE jack stands that were on sale. They performed well on Project Farm's video. I am just fearful a 2-ton is not as durable as a 3-ton jack but I will trust it'll be ok!
Wait so a 1.5 ton jack would be ok?
I have one of those small HF aluminum 1.5 ton jacks. It's very lightweight and handy. I use it to jack up my riding lawn mower, or on the car when just jacking one wheel up. However it has limited lift and is a bit too skimpy for raising the whole front or rear of a car.
HF jacks are fine. If you want a light weight one buy the more expensive aluminum model. Never get under a car supported by only one of these type jacks. Use it to raise the car then slip a ASME/PASE approved jack-stand under the car to support it.
Gotcha. I'm hoping that because it's part aluminum it won't break on me anytime soon since it isn't as durable as the all steel model? That's always a fear, right? 😅
If it has a rating of lets say 3 tons then it should be as durable as it's equivalent in a 3 ton steel jack. The problem lies in relying on a hydraulic jack on wheels to support the car while you are working on it. The jack can slip from under the car with even minor rocking. It's not designed to stabilize the car only lift it up. Jack stands are made to stabilize. The rule that I go by is the car wants to kill you.
2 ton
