Which jack stands should I buy?

[tone33]

After reading a few posts on this here I've settled on getting no less than 12 ton, but I'm not yet sure as to which brand to get. I've more or less narrowed it down to 2 brands so far - OTC and Torin, but the OTCs are twice (yes twice) the price of the Torins. Am I really getting a much better/stronger stand with the OTCs? Any other brands I should consider?

Torins at Amazon $65:
Amazon.com: Torin T41202 12 Ton Jack Stand: Everything Else

Torins (double locking) at Amazon $80
Amazon.com: Torin Double-Locking Jack Stands - 12-Ton Capacity, Model# T12002A: Everything Else

OTC $140 at Sears:
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more



Reference posts:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/tools-fabrication/468839-torin-jack-stands.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/338374-12-ton-jack-stands-arrived.html

 

[Frankencruiser]

I'm partial to the double lock style. I don't know if OTC is better than the others. I know the Torins ones are rated per stand.

 

[tone33]

I'm partial to the double lock style. I don't know if OTC is better than the others. I know the Torins ones are rated per stand.

I'm aware that most stands are rated as a pair - but I can't seem to find where the Torins are rated per stand. Do you have any reference/source for this rating?

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Um... I use Harbor Fright 6-ton stands. They all are going to hold the rig up.

 

[86tuning]

my 6t jackstands work just fine. I've used 3T jackstands as well, but always as a pair under the axle housing.

12T would be too heavy to slide around, how high do you want to go anyways?

 

[tone33]

my 6t jackstands work just fine. I've used 3T jackstands as well, but always as a pair under the axle housing.

12T would be too heavy to slide around, how high do you want to go anyways?

Not sure how high yet - currently rig is stock w/33" tires, but will lift it some later (2.5" or 4"), 3T or 6T should be ok on height, but after reading a few threads about lower weight stands failing I don't want to be the guy stuck under his truck to never come out.

One post discussed how when stands are not both supporting the weight equally (only have one side jacked up so the other stand is 1/4-1/2" below frame/axle), if the stand supporting the weight were to fail the downforce of the falling truck on the other stand would likely cause it to fail as well. Regardless it's a few extra dollars for 12T so I don't mind spending money for the just in case factor. Just trying to determine whether I should get a set of $100 or $150 stands - if there's any difference between the two (or any others out there).

 

[madinal]

I can't answer your question directly about which of the two you have but I would like to add a few comments. Instead of choosing from solutions, you need to better define your requirements and then see what meets those requirements. What capacity (plus what margin) and what height do you need?

One more thing, I carry a jack stand to slide under the axle when I use the Hi-Lift. I wouldn't take the wheel off with just the jack support. Also, I have some diamond plate I use as floor boards and I use them to support the jack stand so they don't dig into dirt or asphalt.

 

[Kernal]

tone33: I have two sets of the Torin 12 ton jack stands, they are rated per pair, not per stand. I feel very safe when both sets are in place and I'm crawling underneath my rig. Only stands I'm aware of that are rated per stand are the US Jack Garage Stands, might be others. I got a good deal at Home Depot on my Torin's, they don't usually stock them in stores but can order them if they can find them in their system.

http://www.usjack.com/catalog/Page 10.pdf

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/338374-12-ton-jack-stands-arrived.html

 

[77TPIFJ]

https://forum.ih8mud.com/tools-fabrication/468839-torin-jack-stands.html

 

[tone33]

tone33: I have two sets of the Torin 12 ton jack stands, they are rated per pair, not per stand. I feel very safe when both sets are in place and I'm crawling underneath my rig. Only stands I'm aware of that are rated per stand are the US Jack Garage Stands, might be others. I got a good deal at Home Depot on my Torin's, they don't usually stock them in stores but can order them if they can find them in their system.

http://www.usjack.com/catalog/Page 10.pdf

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/338374-12-ton-jack-stands-arrived.html

Thanks.. looks like I can get a set of 12T (6 each) us jack stands for ~$110 which is an acceptable price. Asked at my local home depot about the Torins but I got a "order it online" response so no help there on shipping. Torins are about the same price as us jack. Anyone have experience with or know anything about the US Jack company?

Update:
I found a local distributor that can get me a pair of USJack 12T stands for $74 out the door! So I went ahead and had him order me some.. will go pick them up next week.

 

[Kernal]

US Jack sells stands to the military and IIRC Snap On Tools. I lucked out when I ordered my Torin 12 ton double locking jack stands from Home Depot, an assistant manager went out of her way to figure out how to order them using Home Depot's internal ordering system; she ordered them directly from Torin in California and they showed up a week later at my local Home Depot, only $55 a pair a year and a half ago. $110 a pair is too much IMO.

 

[Spook50]

I'm partial to the double lock style. I don't know if OTC is better than the others. I know the Torins ones are rated per stand.

Hmmmmm, I had thought they were all rated per stand. I have a set of 3-ton Craftsman jackstands and I could've sworn the boxes said they were rated per stand.

 

[tone33]

US Jack sells stands to the military and IIRC Snap On Tools. I lucked out when I ordered my Torin 12 ton double locking jack stands from Home Depot, an assistant manager went out of her way to figure out how to order them using Home Depot's internal ordering system; she ordered them directly from Torin in California and they showed up a week later at my local Home Depot, only $55 a pair a year and a half ago. $110 a pair is too much IMO.

looks like prices have gone up (I think $80 without shipping for the ones you have now) - regardless I'd rather spend a little more for piece of mind and the added safety margin than save $40 on some cheapo HF 6T stands. Besides that I'm only paying $74 for mine....just have to drive to Nashville to get them (30 mins).

 

[jynx]

Hey tone, if you are ever over in Murfreesboro you could swing by northern tool, they carry the torin stands and the 12T double locking stands are on sale right now for $63.99 per set. Come to think of it, I may run down and pick up a set tomorrow myself.

Also, with a lifted 80 the weight rating is nice, but the 12T give you the height needed to keep everything up in the air. I personally put the big boys under the frame and then a pair of 6T under the axles if I'm gonna have the wheels off on both sides.

Also, once I get the FF and gears in, we should get together and hit wooley's. I got a buddy in Columbia that I've talked into a run. Maybe this fall after it cools down some, gotta love TN in summertime...

 

[haryv]

I have seen where something as critical as a jack or jack stand broke in two auto repair shops. The third unit sent the mechanic to the hospital.

 

[Tapage]

talking about jack stands .. well I have the usual set of 4 6Ton .. but if you'r going to do some spring pack job and you need to hold the frame .. what is the best option .. ?

huge jack stand or other ?

 

[fieldsken1]

how much more do you need 6000 pounds. Craftsman Professional 3 ton High Lift Jack Stands.

 

[Kernal]

There's a few advantages with the 12 ton stands IMHO. Wider more stable base, higher lift, larger saddle, and they're less likely to fail if the rig drops a few inches. If your floor jack fails and the rig comes down hard on the floor jacks the actual force hitting a floor jack could easily exceed 3000lbs, the rating for one jack stand (most stands are rated per pair).

 

[tone33]

Hey tone, if you are ever over in Murfreesboro you could swing by northern tool, they carry the torin stands and the 12T double locking stands are on sale right now for $63.99 per set. Come to think of it, I may run down and pick up a set tomorrow myself.

Also, with a lifted 80 the weight rating is nice, but the 12T give you the height needed to keep everything up in the air. I personally put the big boys under the frame and then a pair of 6T under the axles if I'm gonna have the wheels off on both sides.

Also, once I get the FF and gears in, we should get together and hit wooley's. I got a buddy in Columbia that I've talked into a run. Maybe this fall after it cools down some, gotta love TN in summertime...

Cool thanks for the heads up on the Torins. I already had mine on order, so went ahead with them. Got one wheel off right now working on an exhaust leak (dang rusty bolts don't like to come off) and I feel quite safe compared to my old 2T stands that I was going to use until I put them under the truck and realized that these little stands I use for my honda civic will in no way hold up a truck this size. These US Jack stands have double locking prawns - really really sturdy. Guy at Johnson & White in nashville (where I got them) has been working with jacks/jack stands etc for years and he is impressed with the quality so figured that counts for a lot.

Yea wooly's sounds like a plan! I've got a few buddies here in Spring Hill that are also interested. PM me when you wanna plan a trip - I'm only about 20 minutes from wooly's. Saturdays are usually best for me, but I can also work out some early afternoons during the week.

 

[Kernal]

tone33: what ton rating stands did you get, for how much??