Jack Stand Safety Question

[MyFirstRunner]

Hi, quick question...I can't seem to find anything on the internet to answer this question: Is it safe to have a truck up on 2 jack stands with a 3rd wheel up with a jack?

I was wanting to rotate my tires by putting the front end up on 2 jack stands then using the jack to do 1 back tire then the other.

Good idea or no?

Thanks!

 

[wnelax04sr5]

why not just do one side at a time?

 

[9494runner]

Personally.... no but hey I've been know to get alittle "creative" but you'll just be more happy going to harbor freight and ordering a set of 3 tons for 20 like I did, they were on sale. Or borrow an extra set. I would not use a jack to hold weight, only for lifting on to blocks or stands. Dad has a friend a work who was helping his buddy with his car, jack slid out and widowed the wife of the his buddy. My .02

 

[GhostRing]

just get/borrow another set and get the whole vehicle off the ground.

 

[Jeremy556]

Or you could put the rear jack under the diff and do all 4 at once. I would recommend a good jack and 6 ton jack stands. Just don't get between the vehicle and the ground.

 

[Asaspades93]

I didn't have enough jack stands when I rotated mine so I used the spare as a place holder, probably took about 3 times as long though

 

[MyFirstRunner]

Thanks for the responses. I guess I'm confused about the idea of the jack holding weight since it would basically be doing the same thing as if you were changing a flat, only with the front up on jack stands. So, I'd have the front 2 up, take the front 2 tires off, then jack the left rear, swap the tire, jack the right rear, swap the tire, put on the front two then done. The jack would only be holding weight for 2 mins, maybe.

I was more concerned with the stability of the front 2 jack stands if one of the rear wheels was also lifted. This may be a moot point as I do like the idea of getting a second set of stands.

One final question, can I lift the entire front end or rear end with the factory bottle jack or would I need to get a trolley jack with more capacity. Trying to do this all on a budget, but safely!

 

[MyFirstRunner]

Thanks for the responses. I guess I'm confused about the idea of the jack holding weight since it would basically be doing the same thing as if you were changing a flat, only with the front up on jack stands. So, I'd have the front 2 up, take the front 2 tires off, then jack the left rear, swap the tire, jack the right rear, swap the tire, put on the front two then done. The jack would only be holding weight for 2 mins, maybe.

I was more concerned with the stability of the front 2 jack stands if one of the rear wheels was also lifted. This may be a moot point as I do like the idea of getting a second set of stands.

One final question, can I lift the entire front end or rear end with the factory bottle jack or would I need to get a trolley jack with more capacity. Trying to do this all on a budget, but safely!

 

[philsey]

[MENTION=119229]MyFirstRunner[/MENTION] Dude, I'm getting a bad feeling for you.

Get 4 good jackstands and a good floor jack, period. "Right tool for the job", remember?

 

[KidVermicious]

Thanks for the responses. I guess I'm confused about the idea of the jack holding weight since it would basically be doing the same thing as if you were changing a flat, only with the front up on jack stands.

The front on stands is not nearly as stable as the front on tires. If it was an emergency, I'd do it (with special attention to the advice from Jeremy, don't get between the vehicle and the path it'll take towards the ground!), but rotating tires isn't an emergency. If you have to have three or more wheels off the ground to rotate your tires, get three or more jackstands. And get a real jack, for heck's sake. Buy once cry once, a wise man I know likes to say.

Where'd you buy your tires, btw? Most tire places offer free balancing and rotation with a set of tires. I haven't rotated a set of tires myself in years.

 

[BettysNephew]

This sounds like a MAJOR disaster about to happen.

Try this, much safer: Jack up the front and put a stand under the frame on one side. Lower the jack and move it to the rear on the same side. Raise the rear and put a jack stand under the rear part of the frame, again on the same side. Lower the jack so frame is on two stands on the same side. Both tires on one side are now off the ground and the vehicle is supported on stands not the jack. Rotate tires on that side. Lower in reverse order and repeat on other side. Doing it this way you will not find your vehicle laying on the floor with no wheels on hubs or teetering on a jack which might drop and pin you underneath. Trying to have three wheels off the ground could be deadly.

 

[MyFirstRunner]

Thanks for the feedback, that has helped me a lot. I'll just use the spare and do it the long way. No money for another set of stands and jack right now. I was hesitant to do it the way I was explaining, just needed some clear direction on why it is a bad idea.

I just bought the truck in August and the tires were new on the truck. Carfax showed the previous owner bought them at Tire Discounters but I assume they don't transfer the 'Out the Door with More' stuff to new owners.

 

[aha2988]

I think there's a bigger issue at hand if your having to get underneath the truck while your rotating tires.

Seriously though I get the safety aspect everyone's singing about but really guys. The front would be secure on jack stands, presumably the OP is on level ground.. I hope... I doubt it would be that much of an issue to just have the rear elevated enough to get the tires off..

simple process if you only have two jack stands.. jack up the front or rear secure that end of the vehicle on stands. take that end of the vehicles tires off. move to the other end of the vehicle. Brake loose the lug nuts, Jack that end of the vehicle up. When you take a tire off, put one of the rotated tires back on, move to the other side. Complete that end of the vehicle. Put that end of the vehicle back on the ground.. move back to the other end of the vehicle, put the remaining tires back on in the appropriate position..

Don't get under the vehicle if you feel the vehicle is not stable in anyway..


You can have ten jack stands.. its still dangerous to get under a vehicle.. Take risks, get it done, move on, live life..

Oh by the way someone may hit you if you drive your vehicle on public roads.. best to keep it in the driveway if you want to avoid a wreck.

 

[MyFirstRunner]

Correct, I'm just rotating tires, I would not be getting under the car.

Can a bottle jack accommodate that process?

 

[m85476585]

The front might be secure, depending on the jack stands. I bought a set of 6 ton stands, and they are only just barely wide enough to hold the frame. Smaller jack stands with a narrower plate on top would just sit under the frame, so there's a chance the truck could slide off.

If you use a floor jack, keep in mind that the wheels could let it move while the truck is jacked up. That's good since it keeps the truck from falling off the jack, but bad because if one end is on stands the truck could try to rotate or slide, which could push if off the stands.

If you use the jack that comes with it, it's probably not the most secure since it's meant for emergency tire changes. But at least it's better than a scissor jack.

 

[aha2988]

Correct, I'm just rotating tires, I would not be getting under the car.

Can a bottle jack accommodate that process?

yeah. Just be careful and use a good sense of judgement with what your doing. I always give the vehicle a good shake test once it's in the air before moving on to the task at hand.

If the truck is going to fall off the front jack stands its going to make the notion to do so while your jacking up the rear. you'll know if you need to stop, adjust stands, or adjust jacking position etc.

Another thing you can do when jacking up a vehicle without the right amount of stands is placing things between the lowest points of the vehicle and the ground, such as laying spare tires underneath the frame rail when the tires are off.. Your then at least shortening the distance that the vehicle has a potential to fall. Stumps, logs, wooden blocks.

you got this man, prevail and conquer

 

[Whiplash Willy]

What is the safest way to get it up on 4 ? In the past, I would jack up the front, then lower it down on 2 jack stands. I would then jack up the rear, then put it down on 2 jack stands. It has worked for me, but it makes me nervous when the Front is on jack stands, and I am jacking up the rear, with the weight pivioting on the front jack stands.

 

[aha2988]

What is the safest way to get it up on 4 ? In the past, I would jack up the front, then lower it down on 2 jack stands. I would then jack up the rear, then put it down on 2 jack stands. It has worked for me, but it makes me nervous when the Front is on jack stands, and I am jacking up the rear, with the weight pivioting on the front jack stands.

A 4 post lift..

considering most don't have access the method you mention works well, another option is doing driver side then passenger side, or passenger then driver.. But then your jacking up the frame letting the rear axle hang so you'd have to lift the body higher than you'd really need to, in order to just change tires.

I typically jack up the rear first put the stands under the axle, then jack the front up as the axle pivots on the stands easier than the frame.

 

[TechWrench]

When just changing wheels/tires or rotating them, I often use two jackstands at one axle and floor jack at other end. IMHO, not a problem, as long as you are careful, don't get underneath the vehicle, and are aware that the floor jack can shift the balance point on the two jackstands when raising the other end. If you have never used a floor jack before, be aware that when the jack is raised, the saddle (part of jack that contacts underside of vehicle) will not rise in a straight vertical line. Because the lift arm of a floor jack pivots at the handle/pump end of the jack, the saddle will move toward the rear (handle end) of the jack as it rises. The higher you raise the jack, the further the saddle moves laterally. This can cause the jack stands to tilt toward the jack end and become unstable. If you are on a flat surface, and the wheels (if it has them) roll freely, then usually the jack will roll into the lift and not move the vehicle. But, if the surface is uneven, or the jack wheels don't roll freely, then you may have a problem.

 

[Martinjmpr]

For $20 just get a second set of jackstands.