As a car owner, you may be thinking about what you need to keep with you in case of emergencies. Now there is the usual breakdown equipment you should have loaded in the trunk.
Things like a breakdown triangle, spare oil, jump leads, water, and warm clothing can all come in handy when you are facing a car malfunction while traveling. It is always better to be prepared than not!
Cars should also have a spare tire in the case of a puncture or blowout. But how many of us do know how to change a tire? What things do you need to safely change a tire on a busy highway?
We will look at a bottle jack vs floor jack and how they differ. The main differences between them are that a bottle jack can potentially lift more weight than a floor jack but is also considered far more unstable. Bottle jacks are lightweight, affordable, and easy to store due to their small size.
Essentially any DIY mechanic will know that a decent jack will be required if you need to lift your car. Maybe you need to change a tire or are just in need of a lift to work on the underneath of your car. Important: if you are working on the underneath of your car then you will require additional support in the form of jack stands.
Either way, you are trusting this piece of equipment to withhold the weight of your car so it is important that you get one that will suit your lifestyle and requirements.
There are two main jacks that are most commonly bought. One is the bottle jack and the other is the floor jack. There has been an ongoing debate about which one is the best so we are going to pick the differences and allow you to gain a better picture of which one would be better suited for you.
A floor jack is a hydraulic cylinder that lays horizontal to the base of your car. They can look small but don’t fear this piece of equipment is pretty robust. When you push and pull the lever it raises the cylinder so that it meets the car and lifts the weight with ease.
Most floor jacks have casters to make it easier to roll into position and this is usually something that is handy if working from a garage. These jacks can be bulky so storing them may be an issue if you are restricted on space.
Durability – Car garages usually use these as they can last a lifetime if serviced and maintained appropriately. Costing a little more than the bottle jack these are constructed to last which is what we want surely?
Use with ease – The handle is long on a floor jack making them easy and fast to lift vehicles.
Stable – A floor jack has a good surface area meaning that the base is wide enough to have a stable lift on your car. You need a stable jack to prevent your car from falling off and causing damage.
Mobile – The floor jack can be heavy so to make them more mobile they are fitted with castors so you can move them with ease.
Great Fit – There is nothing worse than having a jack and realizing that it doesn’t fit because your car is lower than expected to the ground. Floor jacks are a brilliant choice for this because they sit horizontally to the ground meaning that they are small enough to fit under a low vehicle.
Size – The floor jack can take up a lot of space. The user also needs to make sure that they have enough working room to maneuver the handle. Something you may not be able to guarantee if on the highway changing a tire.
They could be too big for you to store in the trunk which is why they are usually stationed in a garage rather than in a car.
Smaller Hoist – The floor jack’s design is great to enable use under low vehicles but this impacts on how high it can lift. The user should also look at the weight restrictions as these jacks usually lift less than the bottle jack.
Whilst having a similar job, a bottle jack looks quite different from a floor jack. Mounted vertically underneath a vehicle a bottle jack allows the user to lift heavier loads. The vertical design does make the bottle jack not as stable as the floor jack but it is more convenient when it comes to storage.
Using a bottle jack couldn’t be easier. Once the jack is in position under your car you need to turn the piston in an anticlockwise manner to the desired height then using the valve the bottle jack will have a pumping action enabling you to lift your vehicle safely without breaking a sweat!
Lightweight – The bottle jack is cleverly designed to be light in weight. This makes them easy for one person to carry and use.
Affordable – We all love the thought of getting more for our dollar. Buying a bottle jack is considerably cheaper than buying a floor jack. With both jacks equipped to carry out the same job surely choosing the cheaper option would be preferred.
Efficient – Not only is the bottle jack cost-effective but they are extremely efficient for the job. They can lift from 2 tonnes to 50 tonnes easily but remember you only need to buy one for the load you intend on lifting.
Size – As mentioned the bottle jack is practical when it comes to its size. Compact enough to live in the trunk for those emergency uses or stored neatly in your garage.
Reliable – The bottle jack is known for its reliability. Not only is it easy to use but the hydraulic fluid is long-lasting making it 100% worth the cash.
Unstable – The design is great for lifting and storing but due to its narrow frame the bottle jack does carry a reputation for being unstable. It is all about the laws of physics really. Something that is small lifting a heavy load is not going to have as much stability as a bigger floor jack.
Lift height – The bottle jack stands up vertically so it is no surprise that they would have a minimum lift height. This height is higher than a floor jack so a bottle jack is better suited to a truck or a car with more floor clearance.
Bottle jacks are usually the best option if you don’t plan on using them often. They are easy to store and lighter to lift rather than the floor jack. Floor jacks are better suited for professional use.
Bottle jacks need higher ground clearance to be in the correct position to lift the weight. Trucks are usually higher off the ground meaning that bottle jacks are ideal.
It is important to understand that a floor jack should only be used to lift a car. If you’re required to work under a car for a long period then you will need jack stands to ensure better stability and support.
You must choose the correct bottle jack for the weight you require lifting. The most common bottle jack can lift 2 tons, this can lift most cars and smaller SUVs. If you have a truck or a bigger SUV then you may require a 3-ton jack.
So, there we have it! We have looked at the advantages and disadvantages of the floor jack and bottle jack. Where they are both praised in their own ways, they also have their downfalls, making it very clear for you which one would be better suited for your use, whether it is for personal or business.
There are many manufacturers that make both models of jack but whether you decide on the best make out there or try out a cheaper version overall each jack has the same job to do so make sure you shop around and check out reviews.
Hopefully, you have a better understanding of the difference between both the floor and the bottle jack and know which one you need to look out for!
For more similar articles, you may also check these out:
Do All Cars Come With A Jack?
How To Change a Tire Without a Jack
Screw in Tire: Here Is What You Should Do
Want more information on double ram bottle jack? Click the link below to contact us.