TROLLEY JACK BUYERS GUIDE
Your Essential Guide to an Essential Piece of Garage Kit
From F1 pit crews to your neighbour John who spends more time with his MX5 than his wife, Trolley Jacks are an essential piece of kit for any mechanic and their garage whether they're starting out, or a seasoned pro. It’s the kind of tool you really don’t want to compromise on; using a low quality / unreliable jack could lead to damaging your car with the ground or, god forbid, you with your car. Luckily, at SGS we have a huge range of top quality Trolley Jacks, and this guide will take you through all the details to help you find the right one for you.
Weighing In.
The top priority for picking a trolley jack is ensuring it can actually lift your vehicle. SGS trolley jacks are rated in metric Tonnes, that meaning a 2 Tonne trolley jack can lift a maximum of 2 Tonnes in weight. For safety, your trolley jack should be rated to 20-30% higher maximum weight than what your vehicle actually weighs. You should always check the weight of your vehicle (either from the manufacturer online or in the owners manual), but see our rough guide table below:
| Max Weight: | Suitable For: |
|---|---|
| 1.5 Tonne (1,500kg) | Only for smaller cars (Roadsters / Micros ETC) |
| 2 Tonne (2,000kg) | Most mid size consumer cars (Hatchbacks / Saloons ETC) |
| 3 Tonne (3,000kg) | Most larger cars(SUVs / 4x4s ETC) |
| More than 3 Tonnes | Large vans, Lorries, Construction Vehicles ETC |
Our Range
At SGS, we stock virtually any weight class of trolley jack you could need. Check out examples from 1.5 all the way up to 22 tonne jacks.
Height Requirements.
Another critical spec for trolley jacks is lift height. Different vehicles are higher or lower to the ground, and have jacking points at different heights off the ground. Additionally, you will want to be able to lift your vehicle high enough in the air to slot in a couple of axle stands as, for safety, we always recommend using axle stands when lifting your vehicle. This means the min / max height you need in a trolley jack can be directly worked out, to do so:
- Find out from the manufacturer (or measure) the lowest-to-the-ground point of your vehicle, the minimum jack height will need to be smaller than this
- Find out from the manufacturer the height from-the-ground of the jacking points on your vehicle and add this to the minimum height of your axle stands, the maximum jack height will need to be higher than the total
- You can do the second step backwards if you don't already have axle stands and are planning to buy some; take the height of your jacking point away from the maximum jack height of the trolley jack you have or are purchasing, your minimum axle stand height will need to be lower than the total
Our Smallest & Tallest
Our 3 Tonne LP Trolley Jack extends up to 500mm, and its low profile design means it can fit under jacking points as low as 80mm off the ground.
Our 1.5 Tonne Professional Trolley Jack on the other hand, is the tallest of our range. With a massive maximum lift height of 855mm, it can lift even the highest vehicle jacking points.
Materials Matter.
As with everything in life, a good quality trolley jack is made of good quality materials. At SGS, most of our trolley jacks are constructed with high quality solid steel, durable nylon wheels and reliable dual pump lift mechanisms.
There are a few, however, that are built a little differently. Made with weight reduction, speed and mobility in mind, our aluminium and mixed aluminium / steel ranges are designed for track days, but our no-compromises approach means they’re just as robust, and work well as a low weight option in the home garage.
Professional Standards.
Although all of our trolley jacks are built with reliability in mind, only some are designed for the heavy punishment they’d see in a professional mechanics garage. When your livelihood depends on the equipment under the chassis, there is no room for compromise. Our Pro range takes our proven lifting technology and reinforces it for the professional mechanic.
Benefits include:
- Mechanic-Focused Design: Featuring rapid-lift technology for faster turnarounds.
- Ultra-Robust Construction: Built with heavy-gauge steel to survive the harshest workshop environments.
- Extended Commercial Warranty: We don't just say it's tough; we back it up. Enjoy the confidence of an extended commercial-grade warranty designed specifically for professional use.
Optional Extras.
At SGS, we don’t just sell trolley jacks on their own, we also offer bundles with other garage kit at a discounted price.Why pay more for the essentials you’re going to need anyway? We’ve taken the guesswork out of upgrading your gear by bundling our top class trolley jacks with other must have accessories. From all-in-one lifting kits featuring our solid, dependable axle stands, to sets with car creepers, air compressors, and more. Our bundles offer a ‘one click’ solution to outfitting your garage.
Our Budget Friendly Bundles
Pick up one of our bundles, save some money and have your essentials covered today.
The Final Verdict
Buying a trolley jack isn't just about lifting a car; it’s about ensuring the car doesn't end up where it shouldn't (like on top of you).
The Best Move: If you’re the average homeowner with a mid-sized sedan or hatchback, a 2-tonne steel trolley jack is your "Goldilocks" choice—reliable and cost-effective. However, if you’re rocking a lowered car or frequently head to the track, spend the extra bit for an aluminium low-profile model.
Pro Safety Tip: Never buy a jack in isolation. If you don't already own a pair of axle stands, grab a bundle. A trolley jack is a lifting device, not a holding device—don't trust your life to a hydraulic seal.