Choosing a 12 Ton Jack Stand
Jack stands are simple pieces of equipment used to hold a vehicle up as you go about routine maintenance. Their importance is grossly under estimated. According to a NEISS (National Electronic Injury Surveillance System) report, about 4,822 people are rushed to emergency rooms as a result of jack failure accidents every year.
That is by no means a small number considering these incidents could be prevented by using a stable, reliable Jack stand.
In the old days, people used wooden blocks, bricks or stones to lift vehicles. These provided just enough lift to allow one to slide underneath the vehicle. Needless to say, these methods should be left in the past.
Jack stands are rated according to the weight they can support. The larger the capacity, the fewer the options in the market. Here are some jack stands to consider for a 12 ton vehicle and some higher capacity stands which should also be considered.
Listed Are The Most Popular Jack Stands
Torin T41202 Big Red Jack Stand
Anyone who has had some experience with these kinds of products will not be surprised to see Torin jack stands feature at the top of our list. This is one of the most popular brands for jacks and jack stands.
It is even known to be the preferred brand for race car crews who demand exceptionally good quality, easy to use products. Where manufacture of jacks and jack stands is concerned, Torin are in familiar ground.
This time round it stands out first because of its unquestionable strength. While most jack stands available in the market are designed to handle no more than 6 tons, this one has a weight capacity of 12 tons.
Whether you have a heavier than average vehicle of have and average vehicle loaded up with stuff you really cannot afford to off-load, this jack stand is for you.
Although it is not among the tallest stands in the market, it provides a minimum lift of 18-5/16 inches (46.5 cm) and a maximum of 28-1/8 inches (71.5 cm.) It has a large saddle surface area and the base is about 12 ¼ inches by 11 inches.
This makes it a big and most stable support for your vehicle. It is made of steel with a welded frame design and has a forged iron ratchet bar which makes it strong and durable. This particular brand comes as a set of two jack stands.
This product meets ASME safety standards and comes with a 1 year manufacturer warranty.
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Key Features
- Set of 2 jack stands
- Weight Capacity: 12 tons (24,000 pounds)
- Item weight: 60.5 pounds
- Base: approx. 12 ¼ inches x 11 inches
- Lifting range: 18-5/16 inches (minimum) and 28-1/8 inches (maximum)
- Made of steel with welded frame
Pros
- Large saddle surface area
- Double locking pawl
- Strong and durable
- Meets ASME Safety Standards
- 1 year manufacturer warranty
OTC Jack Stands
The manufacturer of these stands, OTC Tools is a Minnesota based company known for producing reliable and durable products.
A crucially important detail we must mention about this stand is that it comes as a single stand when you buy it (unlike others which come in pairs) but they are designed to be used in pairs. It has a circular base made from spun steel which provides strong, stable support.
This professional grade stand can be used on asphalt or sand surfaces. It doesn’t sink or dig in. One downside is that this stand has a low support height range from 19 inches to 29 ½ inches.
If warranties are important to you, you will be glad to note that this stand is covered by the OTC lifetime marathon warranty.
Where cost is concerned, this product is prohibitively expensive for most users and this is why many opt for different brands.
These Jack stands come with a LIFETIME WARRANTY. Yes they may cost more. But that warranty covers any type of failure for these OTC Jacks.
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- OTC’s Heavy-Duty, 12-Ton (24,000 lb.) capacity low profile jack stand has the strength and stability needed for big jobs
- OTC Jack comes with a rugged formed and welded steel construction incorporates a large spun steel foot that won’t dig or sink into asphalt, sand, or other soft surfaces
- Round tube center post features 9 height adjustment settings; high strength steel locking pin is attached to the stand with a chain so it can’t go missing
- 19 inch to 29-1/2 inch height range
- OTC recommends using in pairs; sold individually; backed by OTC Lifetime Marathon Warranty
Key Features
- Weight: 3 pounds
- Weight capacity: 12 tons
- One piece but designed for use in pairs
- Low height range
- Made in the USA
- LIFETIME WARRANTY
XtremepowerUS 61211 12 Ton Jack Stand
These jack stands now seem to be avialable on the Exterempower website only. Sadly there are NO ratings on them so we cannot say if they are any good at this current time. Ratings from real customers are how we look at products as well as when we test out the product ourselves. If customers have had good and bad reviews it allows us to look through these and see what the issues and strong points are. Due to there being no ratings we wll not list this product until they have been well tested by genuine owners. You can still view the product above.
These jack stands come and are used in sets of 2, each weighing about 18 pounds. This makes it a fairly light and compact stand which can be conveniently tucked into in the trunk along with other roadside equipment.
Despite its size and weight, it has a load capacity of 12 tons, making it useful for both medium sized and large vehicles. It is made from steel which assures you that is a strong and durable product.
The ratchet bar is made from forged iron and is self-locking. This means you don’t need a key to lock the stand when the handle is up. As long as the handle is up, height can be adjusted as required. When the handle is down, the ratchet locks automatically.
Height can be adjusted from 19 inches which is the minimum height, to a maximum height of slightly under 30 inches.
Another outstanding feature is a large, U-shaped saddle. This provides surface area for the load to rest on and ensures stability.
Key Features
- Comes in pairs
- Weight capacity: 12 tons
- Weight: 18 pounds
- Made of steel
- Forged iron ratchet bar
Pros
- Self-locking ratchet bar
- U-shaped saddle
- Compact and light
Cons
- No product reviews
22 Ton Jack Stands
What if your vehicle weighs just a little bit more than 12 tons? Are these still safe? Considering the dire consequences of a failed jack stand, you would not be blamed for thinking about a stronger jack stand for your 12 ton (or 12 point something ton) vehicle. You are always better safe than sorry.
Here are a few top 22 ton jack stands which you may want to consider for a 12 ton vehicle. This will give you that invaluable peace of mind every time you slide your body under the vehicle. With these you are absolutely certain that they will not fail because you will be using them well below their capacity.
Another reason why it makes sense to invest in a stronger jack stand is in case you upgrade to a heavier vehicle later. These stands are made of strong, hardy metal so they can last many years. If or when you upgrade, you won’t have to buy another jack stand.
22 Ton Jack Stands
OTC 22 ton Jack Stands
The first thing you notice when you first look at these stands is a flat base which is as such to keep it from sinking into the ground when it is fully laden with the weight of your vehicle. This kind of base also provides a stronger, more reliable support. It is appropriate for use on a variety of surfaces including asphalt, sand and concrete. These stands come in pairs.
With a load capacity of 22 tons, this stand will comfortably support some of the heaviest vehicles on our roads including buses and recreational vehicles.
The minimum height for this stand is 12 inches and the maximum height is 20 inches. To adjust height, there are 3 pinholes with 3 inch increments.
You can breathe easy trusting that this stand will support the weight quoted because it meets all ASME/PALD standards. If you are interested in a warranty, you can request one from the company’s customer service when you buy the product.
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Key Features
- Comes in pairs
- Load capacity – 22 tons
- Minimum height: 12 inches, maximum: 20 inches
- Three pinholes for height adjustment
- Meets ASME/PALD standards
- Spun steel flat base
Sunex 1522 22 Ton Jack Stand
This is a wholly steel jack stand which is sold in sets of 2 pieces. It is designed for trucks and large vehicles which require heavy-duty stands. It has a load capacity of 22 tons making it capable of handling just about any vehicle or truck.
A square base and thick metal walls further add to its stability. The locking mechanism used is a steel peg which not only assures you that it will remain in any position you lock it in, but also makes adjusting height quick and easy.
A large saddle provides sufficient surface area for a load of this weight to rest without compromising stability. The saddle is V-shaped which helps to cradle axles and other components under trucks.
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Key Features
- Comes in pairs
- Load capacity – 22 tons
- Wholly steel
- Steel peg lock
- Quick and easy height adjustment
- V-shaped saddle
- Square base
Factors to Consider When Buying a 12 Ton Jack Stand
Construction Material
Chances are that any jack stand you come across is made from either steel or aluminum. These are the two types of metal used for these products.
Steel: This is the most popular material for jack stands simply because a jack stand’s performance is based on strength and steel is a strong metal. When you lift your vehicle with a steel jack stand, you are sure it will stay up.
One drawback associated with steel jack stands is weight. They are quite heavy and if you use jack stands often, this can slow you down a notch.
Aluminum Jack Stands
Yes, there are a good number of aluminum jack stands in the market but the truth is that they are not nearly as strong as steel ones. They should be preserved for light vehicles only. This then limits aluminum jack stands to a fairly small segment of the market.
That said, there are some benefits to be enjoyed if you choose an aluminum jack stand. The first of these being weight. The other factor which makes aluminum an attractive option is the fact that this metal is naturally rust and corrosion resistant so these are not issues you will ever have to deal with. Steel is highly prone to rust and has to be chemically treated and coated to manage rust.
Weight Capacity
Every jack stand has a rating which indicates how much weight it can support. It goes without saying that you should always check the weight capacity or rating of a jack stand before purchasing. You should never subject as stand to a load heavier than what it is designed to handle.
How are these ratings arrived at? Here is a how. ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) sets Safety Standards for Portable Automotive Lifting Devices.
They state that a jack stand must hold 200% of half of what the stand is rated. A jack stand rated as a 12 ton stand for instance, must be able to support 200% of half of 12 tons. This is worked out as 200% of 6 tons which is 12 tons. ASME standards have been in place since2012.
Lock Mechanism
When you buy a jack stand it will have one of 3 common lock mechanisms. These are pin, ratchet or screw mechanism. The lock system affects the overall quality as well as the ease of use.
Pin Lock Jack Stand: With the pin lock jack stand you adjust the jack stand by hand or using a lever. Once it is in the desired position, you use a pin (typically made of steel or iron) and slip it between a slot in the base and the bar.
In all fairness, we must mention that this is not one of the easiest lock systems to use. Neither is it a quick method. It is however credited as an incredibly safe method because it assures you of complete stability.
Screw Lock Jack Stand: With the screw lock jack stand a threaded holding bar is unscrewed from the base of the jack stand in order to extend it. Users find this a lot less convenient than the other two methods. This is probably why it is the least common lock mechanism of the three.
In terms of stability, this one is rated highly.
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Ratchet Lock Jack Stands: This is the most convenient of the 3 lock mechanisms mentioned. On the other hand, the ratchet lock jack stand is the mechanism with the highest chances of failure.
For this reason, many manufacturers have gone out of their way to refine this system in order to reduce chances of failure. This explains why it is the most widely used lock mechanism in both professional and regular jack stands today.
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Saddle
The saddle is the part of the jack stand which comes into contact with the metal under the vehicle. A large saddle provides increased surface area which in turn provides better stability.
In addition to that, a saddle with extra cushioning such as rubber padding helps protect it from wear and tear. If you are a frequent user of jack stands, this extra padding is something to look out for.
Height
The jack stand has to fit underneath the vehicle before you start to lift it. If you have a low vehicle like a sports car, a tall jack stand will not fit underneath it. If you have an SUV or pickup truck which is taller than a regular family-size car, you will need a tall jack stand. It must be tall enough to reach the jacking point.
Base
This is the point at which most pressure of the load is applied. A wide base helps to increase stability because it distributes the weight evenly. A wide base also reduces the chances of the jack stand sinking into the ground if you are working on an unstable surface.
FAQs for Jack Stands
What is the difference between and jack and a jack stand?
The purpose of a jack is to lift the vehicle to the desired height when working on it or changing a tire. A jack is not designed to hold the vehicle up. This is where a jack stand comes in. Its role is to hold the weight of the vehicle as long as necessary.
When it is time to remove the jack stand, you use the jack to lift the vehicle slightly to be able to remove the stand. Some manufacturers make a single tool which serves as both jack and jack stand.
Is the weight capacity rating for the pair or individual stands?
Different manufacturers quote their ratings differently. Some, like most in the US quote rates in terms of individual stands. Other manufacturers give ratings based on pairs. Check information in the package when you buy the stand(s) to find out how the brand you have is rated.
Where should I place jack stands under the vehicle?
It is crucial to note that you cannot place a jack or jack stand just anywhere under the vehicle. They must be placed at jack points. These are dedicated non-slip spots on the vehicle put there by the manufacturer for jacks and jack stands.
Jack points are typically found near the wheels although exact locations vary from one vehicle to another. Consult the owner’s manual to find out exactly where the jack spots are in your vehicle.
What size of jack stand do I really need?
Yes it is a god idea to take extra precaution. It does make sense to buy a jack stand which can handle more weight than what your car weighs. If your car weighs 4.5 tons, it is in order to buy a 6 ton stand.
Is there an alternative to jack stands?
Some people prefer to use mini ramps. They are preferred because they offer more surface area and don’t cost much more than jack stands. Some say there are reduced chances of error when a mini ramp is used. The key demerit of mini ramps is that if there is insufficient traction, the vehicle slides backwards.
Conclusion
The importance of using a strong, stable jack stand when working on a vehicle cannot be over emphasized. You only need to read about the numerous accidents and some fatalities linked to jack stand failures to realize how crucial these tools are.
While it is important to use a jack stand, you cannot use just any stand you come across. You have to use one designed to handle the weight of your vehicle. Our analysis of 12 ton jack stands in the market revealed that the Torin Jack Stand is the best choice for owners of vehicles weighing 12 tons or less.
These stands are made of steel which makes them strong and durable. The saddle on this brand is large for increased stability and the product is ASME certified. A 1 year warranty is available.
Jack stands specifically designed for 12 ton vehicles can be difficult to find. You could opt for 22 ton stands instead. This gives you 100% certainty of stability and peace of mind.