Stop using standard jack stands on gravel driveways

I saw a guy at my buddy's place last weekend using those standard flat-base jack stands on loose gravel. The whole stand shifted sideways about 2 inches while his truck was lifted. Get yourself a set of the wide-base ones with the big feet, they're like $40 extra and actually grab the ground. Has anyone else seen close calls from people skipping this?

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2 Comments

the_jesse2mo ago

DUDE that's a solid point. But the REAL issue nobody talks about is the gravel itself. Even with wide base stands, if the gravel isn't compacted and settled, the whole pad can sink or tilt unpredictably. I've seen guys put a sheet of plywood under the stands and call it good, but the wood can rot or split under the weight. You really need to dig down to solid ground or pour a small concrete pad if you're working there a lot. Otherwise you're just betting the dirt holds.

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sandraf842mo ago

Wait, are you telling me gravel isn't enough? Because I've been doing the plywood trick for years and never had a problem. But honestly, hearing you say the wood can rot or split makes total sense now that I think about it. I never considered the gravel shifting underneath even with a wide base. That's a really good point about digging down to solid ground or pouring concrete. Kinda makes me realize I've been lucky more than smart.

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