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Need A Better Jack.

L

languy01

Full Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2002
Messages
96
Location
Garland, Texas
Has anyone found or can recommend a better jack to use to change a tire on an Avalanche? The one supplied works ok but to cumbersome. I would like to get a small scissor type jack.



 
I did a quick search and I can't find a scissor type that I'd trust under the 3 ton monster. I'd recommend a lever operated bottle jack rated for a min. 3 tons. It'd be much easier to operate than the spin-up one that came with the AV.



Always use a jack with a weight rating that is appropriate for the vehicle in question. Use caution when lifting a vehicle, use jackstands when available. Radar in use. Shoplifters will be... you get it...
 
If you ask me the one Chevy supplies is down right dangerious!!!

It has a raised cross in the middle of the bottom plate which makes if VERY unstable on a hard surface. Also the one time I used it in my garage, by the time I had the tire off the ground the jack was bowed like the arch of a good archers bow.

Shame on Chevy to supply such a dangerous stupid little piece of $#%# jack with such a big heavy truck.
It also take for ever to get the darn thing cranked up.

For the garage I now use a jack made for the high clearance of SUV's. In one pump it raises all the way to the chassis and then valving kicks in and it raises it about 1/4 inch with each pump. It's rock solid and very trust worthy.

Haven't tried yet but I bet it would even fit into the side tool compartments. ?:mad:

ShapeShifter fixed spelling as per following post ;)
 
Boy I need to proof read a bit more before submitting, (talk about typo's). Meant to say "Shame on Chevy". :rolleyes:
 
I guess I have a counter opinion. I just had to use mine in the dark and cold on a busy highway, without having practiced at home first like some have suggested. Although there are more parts than I am used to, and I had to consult the manual, I found the jack itself to be perfectly adequate and safe for emergencies. '03's aren't different, are they?
 
I keep a small floor jack (3000 lb.) in the bed. I used to carry it only when I was pulling my travel trailer, but now I leave it in there all the time.

Thankfully, I have never had to use it on my Av, but I have loaned it to a co-worker who had a flat. Came in real handy and made the job go real quick. :)
 
CarnesE4 said:
Ha my jack doesnt even lift my AV high enough to change a flat.
Click to expand...

Where did you jack the truck at?

If you jack it at points shown in pictures on the instruction sheet it lifts it high enough with some room to spare.....of course with stock tires and wheels...
 
I saw that lil bitty jack and said nuh huh....LOL went out got a 3 ton floor jack strapped it to the bed tie downs and now I feel safer jacking, and the bonus is everyone knows i have it at work and they alays ask to borrow it it change flats because really NO manufactor provides a good jack to raise thier cars.
 
I used the jack per manual directions and it still didnt raise it up high enough. I did what most other people on here did and that was bought a bigger jack
 
interesting... I wonder if I will end up with trouble when I go to 33's....

I have had a few flats, but never used the spare yet.... tire plugs and a compressor with me at all times.....
 
whenever i go out of town i usually carry a floor jack with me. here in town i do not. knowing that the AV can give a Lincoln floor jack rated at 21/2 tons some trouble i can believe that the one supplied would work hard as well.
since the 21/2 ton floor jack experience i have since bought a 31/2 ton jack for those heavy AV jobs.
 
I can only speak to the rear tire change, but if you put the stock jack under the jack pad that is under the rear axle, I can see no reason why the jack won't lift the truck high enough to change a stock tire. Mine had PLENTY of raise to it to do this. All I can think of is either a) you put it in the wrong place or b) you have the wrong jack ???

And what's all this about giving the jack a workout? mine went up without any problem. Turned real easy, didn't heat up, or anything else. With a near 50/50 weight distribution, regardless of whether you are changing a tire at front or rear, what is the max actually being lifted? Somewhere between 1/4 to 1/3 of the truck's weight maybe? What's the big deal?

I'm certainly not trying to be argumentative here, and I'd love to have a big heavy duty floor jack for emergencies. But for the slim chance I'm going to have a flat, I'm not going to carry one around in the truck all of the time. Just my opinion :)
 
I got this jack in the bed

00950143000-dlv.jpg
 
I think I got the wrong jack cause I made sure I checked the manual to see if the jack was in the right place. As for "giving the jack a workout" it had no problems picking it up. It was just too short.
 
That's exactly the same type of jack I purchased--I used road side assistance once and the guy showed up with a floor jack to change my tire.
 
I went with a piston type jack rated for 8 tons. I got it at Kmart for $19.99 and it fits perfectly in the saddle compartment

Manny
 
MR.SMITH said:
If you paid for road side assistance why not use it. Will they not change a flat for you?
Click to expand...
Sure they will, but be prepared to wait around at least an hour, probably three and even up to eleven hours...
It's your choice.....
 
RichUF said:
I can only speak to the rear tire change, but if you put the stock jack under the jack pad that is under the rear axle, I can see no reason why the jack won't lift the truck high enough to change a stock tire. Mine had PLENTY of raise to it to do this. All I can think of is either a) you put it in the wrong place or b) you have the wrong jack ???

And what's all this about giving the jack a workout? mine went up without any problem. Turned real easy, didn't heat up, or anything else. With a near 50/50 weight distribution, regardless of whether you are changing a tire at front or rear, what is the max actually being lifted? Somewhere between 1/4 to 1/3 of the truck's weight maybe? What's the big deal?

I'm certainly not trying to be argumentative here, and I'd love to have a big heavy duty floor jack for emergencies. But for the slim chance I'm going to have a flat, I'm not going to carry one around in the truck all of the time. Just my opinion :)
Click to expand...

Well said Rich!....

I used stock jack to lift truck once to put on stands to rotate tires and had no problems.....

Heck used it yesterday to jack a trailer.....hehehehe
 
Have a 3 ton sears floor jack in the garage, have been waiting for a sale on small floor jacks that will fit under the rear seat as other members have done
:0: :0: :0: :0: :0:
 
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