I need to get a pair of 6 ton jack stands to be able to support a truck - my 3 tons aren’t tall enough. Are the current HF ones trustworthy?
HF jack stands - trustworthy?
- Thread starter nthach
- Start date
The answer is maybe. HF does sell lower quality products and part of that lack of quality includes the low end metals. To that end, there are a few tests you can review on youtube, and elsewhere. I use the low quality jack stands all the time, never load them heavily and always with a secondary safety setup like additional jack stands, and/or the jack and/or even wide wheels wedged underneath.
At an apartment complex years ago, I watched a truck lower on to my neighbor underneath due to crummy jack stands. I Helped him out by jacking it up again and all was well. The ambulance did come, but he was more frightened than hurt. Yes, they were Chinese stands, and yes the metal just smooshed (for lack of a better term)
This should clearly illustrate the differences in metal quality:
Skip to 3:25 to see the carnage.
At an apartment complex years ago, I watched a truck lower on to my neighbor underneath due to crummy jack stands. I Helped him out by jacking it up again and all was well. The ambulance did come, but he was more frightened than hurt. Yes, they were Chinese stands, and yes the metal just smooshed (for lack of a better term)
This should clearly illustrate the differences in metal quality:
Skip to 3:25 to see the carnage.
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I'd trust them as much as any comparable ones. They just stick a label on the same steel and same design.
The "pin in hole" design is regarded somewhat better than the ratchety-tooth design. The problem with the recalled HF stands was that the thing cutting out the gear teeth for the ratchet wore out and would "cam over" instead of locking more firmly when weight was applied. Use your eyes and common sense evaluating what you're considering buying.
The "pin in hole" design is regarded somewhat better than the ratchety-tooth design. The problem with the recalled HF stands was that the thing cutting out the gear teeth for the ratchet wore out and would "cam over" instead of locking more firmly when weight was applied. Use your eyes and common sense evaluating what you're considering buying.
I’d trust the units from HF over anything found at the other big box stores or Amazon. I figure that HF has been scrutinized heavily over the years and when a defective unit was discovered, they addressed it promptly.
Also, it looks like their newer designs all have an extra safety pin.
Also, it looks like their newer designs all have an extra safety pin.
I use Esco jack stands as well as HF. Double up when ever you can. I leave the trolley jack in place as well.
Vehicles are heavy....
Vehicles are heavy....
I remember helping a friend do a C6 trans in a mid 70’s Mercury Colony Park wagon. One front jackstand started making bad noises, he shot out from under the car as it folded up. So bad stands not a new thing.
I have the 3 ton version of these stands and love the fact that these have 2 locking pawls. plus they are made in the USA as well.
https://www.amazon.com/US-JACK-D-41610-Garage-Stands/dp/B00P248NYO
A good alternate from Shin Fu / Hein Werner is their 6 ton stands as well
https://www.amazon.com/Hein-Werner-HW93506-Yellow-Stands-Capacity/dp/B0011O2RYQ
https://www.amazon.com/US-JACK-D-41610-Garage-Stands/dp/B00P248NYO
A good alternate from Shin Fu / Hein Werner is their 6 ton stands as well
https://www.amazon.com/Hein-Werner-HW93506-Yellow-Stands-Capacity/dp/B0011O2RYQ
Those are the two brands that I like. I have had the 6 ton US Jack ones for about 15 years now.
Visual height comparison in pic compared to a 4 ton Craftsman and a 2 ton MVP:
I have used HF jackstands for years, heaviest of which is for my RV, 15K.
I would alway, no matter the maker, use a stand that is way over rated for your weight. Changing a tire on the side of the road is one thing, but crawling under and wrenching is another.
Currently, my YJ is held up by 4 HF stands.
of note, 12 ton for the height, and for my rv
the orange ones have been used for my work truck 11k actual weight for years.
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I would alway, no matter the maker, use a stand that is way over rated for your weight. Changing a tire on the side of the road is one thing, but crawling under and wrenching is another.
Currently, my YJ is held up by 4 HF stands.
of note, 12 ton for the height, and for my rv
the orange ones have been used for my work truck 11k actual weight for years.
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AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
They are fine. My friend just got the Daytona 3 ton jack stands and jack and the stands are very well built and sturdy. Much more sturdy than my Sears Craftsman China ones. I’m not sure about the Pittsburgh ones as I have no experience with those but the Daytona are fine.
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https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NLE7915160
I have these 7 ton NAPA ones, they're nice.
On sale ATM for $120.00.
I have these 7 ton NAPA ones, they're nice.
On sale ATM for $120.00.
The Daytona ones I bought seem good with the extra locking pin, the welds are well done and the metal is thicker than lot of them.
https://www.harborfreight.com/6-ton...yODciLCJza3UiOiI1ODM0MiIsImlzIjoiNTkuOTkifQ==
https://www.harborfreight.com/6-ton...yODciLCJza3UiOiI1ODM0MiIsImlzIjoiNTkuOTkifQ==
I feel like one of the better purchases I have made are my Esco stands. They seem way more stable. The pin lock gives me a lot more confidence. Note the 3 ton rating is per stand - unlike some which are rated per set.
These are the Esco knock offs that I use.
https://www.harborfreight.com/autom...ton-jack-stands-with-circular-pads-58789.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/autom...ton-jack-stands-with-circular-pads-58789.html
I guess the flat pads are for a non marring surface? I dont like that. Does not seem safe if you really have to wrench on something.
If you really want trustworthy stands, buy the ones that are compliant with ASME PASE-2019 standards
https://www.vehicleservicepros.com/...19-standards-what-do-technicians-need-to-know
https://blog.ansi.org/2019/11/asme-pase-2019-portable-automotive-equipment/
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I have some 6T ones from autozone. They seen well built. I think I paid about $80 for them a few years ago.
The Harbor Freight stands are fine as long as you don't exceed their rating. But I throw a wheel under the side of the car for extra protection. It's kinda like two bagging it...
