What Is a Jack Stand?

A jack stand is a metal device that can be adjusted to support the weight of a vehicle that has been lifted up off the ground with a floor jack. It is usually placed under the vehicle as a safety net, preventing the car from falling on the person doing repairs underneath it. It is possible to find jack stands that can be used for a variety of different vehicle types, from small cars and light-duty trucks to full-size SUVs. The most common design is a tripod with a notched center column that can be adjusted to different heights by inserting a pin into holes in the base of the stand. Some higher quality jacks come with an additional safety pin that locks into place to prevent the ratchet from accidentally disengaging under load.

In addition to being able to support more weight than the hydraulics of a floor jack, a good jack stand has a locking mechanism that prevents the support bar from lowering while the vehicle is still on it. This feature is especially important if the vehicle has to be left on the stand for hours or even days at a time. It is worth noting that, while a vehicle can be left on a jack stand after the ratchet handle has been disengaged, this should never be done while the vehicle is in motion or on uneven or unstable ground.

It is important to use a jack stand only on hard and flat surfaces, and to check that the rated capacity of the stand is sufficient for the vehicle being worked on. It is also a good idea to put wheel chocks around the wheels that will remain on the ground to keep them from rolling away while you are working on the car. Before using a jack stand, it is necessary to locate the factory lift points of the vehicle (which are usually marked by a notch or projection in the flange of the rocker panel). Once these have been located it is necessary to jack up the vehicle and put the jack stand underneath it.

While it is true that people have been killed or injured by vehicles that fell off of jacks or blocks, this is very rare and generally involves the vehicle being in an unfinished state at the time. More often than not, the accidents happen because the jack is being misused or the jack has been improperly placed. Jack stands, when used properly, can be very useful tools that help to make a working on a vehicle much safer and more convenient.

The best jack stands are made from sturdy steel for strength and durability. They are also often lightweight, which makes them easy to carry along when moving the jack between locations. They can be found in a range of heights from a few inches to over six feet. They are available in either a set of two or single units. They are also available in various material options including aluminum for a lighter and more economical option or cast iron and heavy steel for a heavier duty product.