I had a 6 ton jack stand fail on me today!

ShooterMcGavin

ShooterMcGavin

New member
Yep, scared the heck out of me. I was very lucky in that I was lowering it onto the jack stands with the wheels still on the truck. The jack stand collapsed and the truck fell straight onto the wheel on that side. I was using a small jack, so I had to reach far under the truck to release the jack, and it came down in an instant!

I had the passenger jack stand on the frame in front of the rear wheel. I had the driver jack stand on the opposing side, in front of the rear wheel and pushed right up against the gas tank. I lifted the support piece and let it down, and it seemed to lock in place, but I was pushing it up close to the gas tank. I don't know if that caused it to lose hold of its latch or what. Also, it could have compounded the problem that I was using a friend's jack and the release of the jack was instant; no slow creep down, it just dropped.

Just a reminder for others... If it is an option for you, leave your wheels on the truck while you are lowering it onto the jack stands.

*Edit to add*
I took a look at the jack stand and it is in perfect/new condition. I jacked the truck up to the same height and put the jack stand back in place, pressed up against the gas tank and locked into place. With my hand pressure alone, I put a quick downward pressure on the jack stand. I was able to reproduce the failure more than once! I will keep the jack stands, but I will be very careful with them. I'll find the brand for you guys.
 
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it failed?...

I can't see how this is even possible unless it wasn't "locked" into place when you raised it. If the teeth aren't sheared off, then that was user error.

I'm curious to see the teeth on these stands. maybe they aren't wide enough or is the locking mechanism at a bad angle with the teeth?
 
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Thats scary, I'm always working on my truck alone & where I live is rural, no one would hear my screams...
 
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If you are able to reproduce the failure, I would not use these... I would contact the manufacturer. Even if they dont replace them (i dont know how old they are) they probably still would like to know of an error with their product...
 
Thankfully you weren't injured. I try to remember to be careful when working under a vehicle but sometimes stuff happens.

What brand of jack stand? Got any pics? So, the cast piece just fell into the frame, straight down? I thought they were designed to not fail in that manner? Did you check the welds?
 
I've got the northern tool ones with the extra safety bar that slots through. Thought it was a gimmick but glad I have them now I guess.
 
Dang [MENTION=101985]ShooterMcGavin[/MENTION] you've had a rough go of it the last week or so. Glad you're OK.
 
It's not a one time thing and you are going to keep them? Time to weld them into yard art? Recycle? Return to manufacturer? Time for a safety upgrade.
 
Kinda confused, you were able to reproduce the collapsing of the jackstand and your keeping it? Toss it man, they are like $30 for a set at harbor freight. Not worth the risk working under something and risking a 5k lb rig falling on you.
 
Belt and Suspenders...

I try to always put a tire and blocks of wood to keep the corner I am under up. And for most things under, you can keep the tires on. Lots of ground clearance!

NZDZRT
 
Seriously bro. You know I clicked hoping to see a picture or maybe a video.

Also, are you talking about a Jack or Jack-stand?

What is the brand and model? Just curious so we can avoid it.
 
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This is exactly why I don't trust those latching/ratcheting jack stands. I have a couple, I use them for light utility duty. Rarely to support a vehicle and never if I'm going to be under it at all.
 
Glad to hear you were not pinned under the truck...

I am always paranoid about being under mine while it is lifted. I always put multiple jack stands under as support, along with one or two jacks, along with the tire/wheels if they are off... i have thought about building some nice cribbing using 4x4's as well...

I also don't trust those rhino ramps as stand alone means of lifting... Just does not seem secure enough having a truck sitting on plastic... I always reinforce the frame with jack stands when on the ramps...
 
Is it just failing to fully lock in place? Or is there some problem with the angle of the the teeth that allows it to slip free even when it is locked properly? With mine once it's locked and has any real weight on it there's no way to move that handle, I've tried.

Either way I would never use them again. I've always considered those to be one of the safest ways to support a vehicle, but I also leave my floor jack in place as well. Like I'll jack up the rear axle from the center, lower it onto jack stands at either end, but I don't remove the floor jack. And I do leave the wheels on unless I need to work on the brakes or something, but in that case I'm not laying under the vehicle.
 
I always use 4 Jack stands. 2 to hold it up. 2 more as back up. Then leave for jack and tires always under so if it fails the tire can somewhat catch the vehicle.

Oh and always remove tires after you have truck supported. Then I try to knock her off the stands before I get under.
 
I'd be interested in pictures of these stands and the mechanism.

Don't see how it's possible unless the release handle was stuck in the release position. Perhaps because it was pushed up against something or binding?

In which case it wouldn't necessarily be the stands fault.
 
99Runnr said:
Kinda confused, you were able to reproduce the collapsing of the jackstand and your keeping it? Toss it man, they are like $30 for a set at harbor freight. Not worth the risk working under something and risking a 5k lb rig falling on you.
Click to expand...

For the love of God people, buy many things at harbor freight, but not jack stands.
Invest in literally - the best jack stands money can by, if you can't afford - go for something close.
If one can't shed $150 on a pair of good, sturdy stands - one must be full of it.

Do you understand what's hanging on (or working under) your jack stands, with a 1.5 Ton of metal right above it ?
 
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