floor jack to keep in the car

B

BrentB

New member
I am planning to purchase a compact floor jack to keep in a vehicle. I have a heavy 3 ton unit and lookingat buying a lighter one. It is a good time to buy b/c many are on sale now. What are you using?
 
Brent, i am just using a bottle jack, but I have seen nice, lightweight floor jacks that don't take up much room. I wouldn't mind having one myself, so all of you folks with good sources, please let Brent know where to get a good lightweight jack.

Steve
 
Another option is a sissor jack. When trailering cross country, we carry both a hydaulic floor jack (4 ton) and a bottle jack. But for something which is light, cheap and can get low enough to get under the axle, a 2 ton sisscor jack will do the job.
 
I guess I am lucky because the jack that came with my truck works just fine on my boat. I carry a small tool box under the back seat which takes care of everything I need to change tires on the boat or truck. KISS.
 
Here's a thought:

If you have specific tools and other items that pertain only to towing your trailer and don't have a convenient place in your tow vehicle for them (especially a problem with some of the more compact vehicles we often use these days), why not set up a dedicated tool box on your boat trailer for them?

There's usually a space below and behind the bow strut that is open and unused that could be fitted with a box for carrying that special jack, wrench, safety jack stands, wooden blocks, a grease gun, extra bearings, light bulbs, extra ropes, bungees, etc. Mount the box athwartships (side to side) so it won't block your walking outward on the trailer tongue during launching and retrieval, etc.

Such a box would have to be waterproofed, locked, and probably constructed of metal for security, etc.

It could be bolted to the trailer frame with U-bolts down through the bottom of the box, then sealed with silicone or something else suitable.

Get an aluminum diamond plate box, or simply paint a plain metal one to match the color trailer or the boat. (Two- tone top and bottom to match your C-Dory color scheme?)

I could see it being a liability for those who have to leave their trailers in unsecured lots for extended periods when going on long cruises, but if it were designed instead with the U-bolt threads facing upward and terminated in the box with rubber washers for sealing, it could be removed quickly and hidden in the now relatively empty tow vehicle under a nondescript cover, such as an old blanket or blue plastic tarp.

(I once built a trailer for carrying two small El Toro sailboats and used a surplus heavy metal Army footlocker for a storage box. With a Abus stainless steel lock and hasp, it was pretty secure without at least a three foot crowbar.)

Just another fun project to consider, if you can figure out how to make it work for you!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I use a rubbermaid roughneck box (Kmart bluelight special $10) to store the tool box, jumper cables, tow straps, flashlight, bottle jack, etc. Sometimes a bottle jack is too tall and a scissor jack can be difficult to use if the distance between the jack and operator is long. Thanks and I love that Army surplus stuff
 
I keep a scissors jack in my car when I'm pulling my cd22 on its trailer, but I've never had to use it. So this fall, I gave it a try, and discovered it didn't work without some 2x4 and 4x4 chunks of wood to stand it on. Now I keep a bag of assorted small lengths of wood in the car, along with the jack.
 
Brent":xcp4m2e6 said:
Thanks. Sears has one for $30 including a storage box.
see
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... +Equipment

may need to cut and past link into your web browser

I was concerned about the quality and lifting capacity.
Click to expand...

I basically use/carry the same jack in my custom '65 VW. It's small, compact and suitable for limited use. More than sufficient to change a trailer tire I would think, but the lift height is very limited. It's made in China too, but then what isn't nowadays.
 
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