Recommended Jack to carry in the van

someone on here once told me that an altered Ford Sierra jack would work. i purchased one from ebay altered it to suit, and its been in the van ever since (i did test it on all 4 wheels)

ok to swap a wheel, more serious work i use a trolly jack

 

I have yet to lift the van with it as the van is on my drive and my drive is at an incline so I don't use any sort of jack on it. I did try the jack out lifting the teardrop trailer and it went straight up without an issue. I will trust the jack as it was designed to be used on a larger vehicle than the T2 and a lot more than I would trust the original jack that came with the camper. The benefit of the bottle jack is that I will now be able to fully raise the rear of the van to remove a wheel with the jack under the axle tube where as I soon found out the trolley jack wouldn't as it does not have enough lift.

 

@Jules65 Thanks for the kg's

 

i have exactly this jack and it’s fine. I’ll add that I’d never get under a jacked van without at least two other forms of props in addition, be it an axle stand or a spare wheel and a lump of four by four. There is also the added notation that this jack will go much higher so it’s possible that you’ll need to be ten times more careful because of the added height to such a minuscule and standard jacking base
Or,,, go more carefully because it’s gonna jack higher off of a four by three base that wouldn’t take too much tipping at height


Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,, just go steady

 

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The Australian John Cadogan on AutoExpert.com on Youtube did a piece on these the other day .. Basically pointed out how to tell a good axle stand from a bad one - basically one of the checks is to drill the non-load bearing bottom of the ratcheting prop part.


If it drills like cast iron and flakes, its cast iron - discard the axle stand.

He also pointed out that in Australia there is an official safety standard for axle stands. I have been looking around in the UK on official-ish website and the HSE dont even say use approved stands, just suitable ones.

 

The Australian John Cadogan on AutoExpert.com on Youtube did a piece on these the other day .. Basically pointed out how to tell a good axle stand from a bad one - basically one of the checks is to drill the non-load bearing bottom of the ratcheting prop part.


If it drills like cast iron and flakes, its cast iron - discard the axle stand.

He also pointed out that in Australia there is an official safety standard for axle stands. I have been looking around in the UK on official-ish website and the HSE dont even say use approved stands, just suitable ones.[/QUOTE]


I would avoid those Chinese ratchet jobs like the plague. Didn't @matty have one that snapped?

 

I did but it’s been fine since i fixed it

 

@Jules65
I've just brought the same type as yours off flea bay and notice that the base isn't flat and has a bevel. Is your flat?
Is this faulty or intentional. Other bottle jacks I've used have a flat base. Bevelled base let's it tilt approx 10 degrees.

 

Looking on YouTube last night, lots of videos of electric Jack's appeared ( must be my age).
Has anyone any experience of one?

 

The Weber Hydraulik branded jack's are designed with a bevelled base.

 

After this thread made me think about what I would carry in the van, I bought a genuine 1970s T2 jack and a VW wheel brace (with double ended screwdriver in the handle) from the bay of fleas. I also got one of those wire pullers for the hub caps.

I needed to get the van in the air and a wheel off to sort out my clutch cable, so I decided to test my new gear, instead of just getting the trolley jack out. I was defeated by an odd wheel nut (top in the photo) which sent me into the garage for a socket, but much better to find out at home than at the roadside somewhere. I ordered a replacement wheel nut, which came in a stupidly big box, full of plastic inflatable packing. Pre restoration the jacking points were made of filler and Brillo pad, so it was good to prove that they are back in working order.

 

I would avoid getting under the van if that one-legged Bilstein is all that's supporting it (I'm sure you don't). The Brazilian scissor jack is much better.

 

I always carry @Jack Tatty in the van to hoik it up if I have a flat.

He grumbles and complains, but normally manages it. Does go a bit red in the face, tho'

 

StewartKombi wasn't it?

 

So somebody took a picture..

 

Good to know. I bought a new brazilian jack last year based on the advice on this thread - not cheap but prob cheaper than having a disaster and dropping the bus - not got around to testing it but its in the bus along with the original bilstein one-legged jack - i'm hoping to not need one when i'm out and about (use my trusty halfords trolly jack in the garage) but i'm hoping between the two of those one should be able to do the job.

 

And do I get any thanks for it? Do I heck as like…. Not so much as a slice of eggy flan for my troubles