What Size Jack Recommended Please?

[Tvoburner]

Hi,
Could somebody please tell me if a 2 ton trolley jack would be sufficient to lift my 1987 t25 high top autohomes conversion safely or should I go for a 3 ton. I have searched the wicki & elsewhere but cannot find an answer.
Many thanks in advance for any replies.

[faggie]

2 ton is ample i bought one of the high reach ones it makes removing the engine a doddle on the smaller ones they are on maximum lift when you hav the van on commercial wheel remps .

[California Dreamin]

The question should be..will the range be sufficient to get a wheel off the ground.
When jacking on a Jacking point the suspension will 'relax' extend until the wheel finally lifts off the floor....some bottle jacks don't have enough 'range' from fully collapsed to fully extended.
The small ones typically have a range of just over 6 inches so you need to carry a block of wood to make sure your jack head is close to the jacking point from rest. Trouble is when you get a flat....you can't get the block under.

Martin

[Ian Hulley]

If it's just to change a wheel then the standard jack (in good condition) is adequate .. preferably used with the chock that came with the tool kit and an axle stand. A good 2T bottle jack would be better but of course heavier.

If it's to carry out major repairs (engine, gearbox, clutch etc) then I use a 5 Tonne Hi-Lift trolley jack with the relevant axle stands AND a block of wood. With that you can get the engine or gearbox out under the back.

Ian

[82JEW75]

If it's a workshop jack, get the biggest you can afford, it's not just a question of weight. Bigger jacks are more stable, more solidly built to resist sideways forces, quicker and easier to use and just generally safer.

If something to keep in the van, then the above comments on lifting height apply, a van jack is always going to be a compromise between suitability and size/weight.

We have bottle jacks in our vans, but I'd never use them for anything other than changing a wheel (in terms of lifting the van, they have other uses) in an emergency with nothing better available.

In the workshop, I'll always use our 'professional' jack, just so much quicker, easier and safer.

[AdrianC]

Could somebody please tell me if a 2 ton trolley jack would be sufficient to lift my 1987 t25 high top autohomes conversion safely or should I go for a 3 ton. I have searched the wicki & elsewhere but cannot find an answer.

One of these vans, loaded to the absolute maximum, is 2.5t. You're not lifting the ENTIRE weight of the van with the jack. You'll be fine with a 2t.

We've got a bog-standard Wickes 2t bottle jack in the underbed for wheelchanging/campsite maintenance - but Steve's right about a nice big trolley jack for the garage at home.