Yesterday I managed to drop my loaded utility trailer coupler on to the ground. It wasn't an issue since I was at home and simply rolled by floor jack out of the garage. What is I wasn't at home. I have a scissors jack in the back of my F-350 and bottle jacks kicking around. Each have their pluses and minuses.

What's the best single all purpose jack (not counting an air bag) or should I have both in my truck?

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Dennis
SWCA #2409, SWHF #353

I have used a 36" Hi-Lift jack to jack up a 69 F100, a 86 Silverado and an 81 Bronco. I also have used it to jack up the side of a 4x8 utility trailer. And lastly, but certainly not leastly, I jacked up the back of my house, when it started to settle and I needed to add a piece of lumber on top of the foundation block.

I did find, however, that when I attempted to jack up my daughter's Mazda mini van, that "current style" rounded fenders and bumpers would not let me get a purchase.

I wrote Hi-Lift, and they said they make a thingy that hooks on the lift platform, that would allow you to jack a "round-bodied" vehicle, by grabbing the lug nuts.

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I always take precautions

I would have both the hydraulic bottle and the scissor jack in my truck. Each has definite pluses and minuses. The scissor jack can be collapsed to an inch or two of height and good for getting under something which is sitting on the ground. Once the item is raised off the ground the bottle jack can be used to raise it a considerable height, much more that can be obtained with a scissor jack. I'd also keep a ground support for each jack just in case the ground is soft. A foot square, 2" thick board should be kept with the jacks too.

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Bill