Jack Stands vs Wheel Chocks: Which One Should You Buy?

GarageToolHQ earns a commission when you buy through links on our product pages, at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.

Jack Stands vs Wheel Chocks: What Each One Does

Stands and chocks answer two different failure modes, and confusing them is how cars end up on top of people.

Jack stands hold the lifted vehicle

A jack lifts, a stand holds. Once the jack raises the vehicle, you set a matched pair of stands under the frame or axle at the maker’s lift points, lower the vehicle onto them, and only then go underneath. The four stands below are all sold as matched pairs, with capacities from 3 ton (6,000 lb) to 12 ton (26,400 lb) across the pair. Buy the capacity for the heaviest vehicle you will lift, and check the height range against your jack’s lift: the stands here span from 11-1/4 inches to 46.5 inches at the top end.

Wheel chocks stop the roll

Chocks wedge against the tires that stay on the ground, front and back of the tire, so the vehicle cannot roll while you work. They do not lift anything and they do not hold anything up; they keep a parked vehicle parked. Use them on level ground, on the axle you are not lifting, every time the wheels come off or the car goes up.

You need both, every time

The safe sequence is: chock the wheels that stay down, jack the end you are working on, set the stands, lower onto the stands, and give the vehicle a firm shove before any part of you goes underneath. Skip the chocks and a manual-transmission car in neutral can roll off the stands. Skip the stands and the jack is the only thing between you and several thousand pounds, which is not a plan.

The gear: four jack stands ranked

Every stand here is sold as a matched pair from a current listing, ordered by our scoring: the highest capacity first.

Sunex 1410 10-ton

The Sunex is the heavy-duty pick. The listing states a 10 ton (20,000 lb) capacity across the pair, a pin-type support column with 10 height intervals in 2 inch increments, and a high-height range of 28.1 to 46.5 inches. The base is a 15.7 inch square footprint and the saddle measures 3.1 by 5.1 inches to center the frame or axle. The pair is listed at 105 pounds, and the listing states a 1 year warranty. For trucks, trailers and tall lifts, this is the stand.

BIG RED 12-ton ATZ120005R

The BIG RED 12-ton is the capacity leader. The listing states a 12 ton (26,400 lb) capacity for the pair, a lifting range of 12-5/8 to 18-1/8 inches, and a pair weight of 42.7 lbs, in welded steel with a pin secured to the stand so it cannot get lost. The listing states a 1-year warranty. Two wrinkles in the spec table: it prints “Capacity: 3 ton” and an 11.81 inch minimum height against the title and bullets; we trust the title and bullets.

BIG RED 3-ton T43202-1

The BIG RED 3-ton is the certified pick for cars and sedans. The listing states a 3 ton (6,000 lb) capacity per pair, an adjustable height from 11-1/4 to 16-3/4 inches, a wide pyramid foot base, and a double locking pawl with a sawtooth ratchet bar. It is the only stand here stated as meeting ASME standards. The pair is listed at 14.7 pounds with a 1 year limited manufacturer warranty. The listing notes it is not suitable for SUVs or trucks, which is honest sizing guidance worth heeding.

ARCAN 6-ton ALJS6

The ARCAN is the shop-workhorse pick. The listing states a 6 ton (12,000 lb) capacity across the pair, a ratcheting column from 15.5 to 24 inches with a counter-weighted pawl that locks against slipping, and a large contoured saddle with locating lugs. Steel construction is stated as suited for repeated professional shop and garage use. The listing states a 1 year warranty, and the pair is listed at 15.06 kg.

How to choose

Buy capacity for the heaviest vehicle

The four stands here run 3, 6, 10 and 12 ton per pair. A small sedan is fine on the 3-ton pair; a full-size truck wants the 10 or 12 ton. When in doubt, go up a size; stands do not complain about being underloaded.

Match the height range to your jack

The stand must reach the height your jack lifts to, with room to spare. The ranges here run from 11-1/4 inches at the low end to 46.5 inches on the tall Sunex. Measure your jack’s maximum lift and buy stands that cover it.

Pin or ratchet

Pin-type stands, like the Sunex and the BIG RED 12-ton, drop a steel pin through the column: simple, visual, certain. Ratcheting stands, like the ARCAN and the BIG RED 3-ton, adjust in small increments and lock with a pawl, with the 3-ton adding a double locking pawl. Both work; the pin is easier to verify at a glance.

Check the ground and the lift points

Stands belong on solid, level ground, concrete ideally, never on soft asphalt or dirt that can let a foot sink. Set them under the lift points in your owner’s manual, not under floor pans or suspension arms that were never meant to carry the car. Chock the wheels that stay down before the jack goes up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use wheel chocks instead of jack stands?

No. Chocks stop rolling; they hold nothing up. If any part of you goes under the vehicle, the lifted end must sit on rated stands. Chocks are the companion to stands, not the replacement.

How many jack stands do I need?

A matched pair at minimum, set under the lifted end with the load shared across the pair. All four stands in this guide are sold as pairs. For a full vehicle off the ground, use a pair at each axle.

What capacity jack stands do I need?

Enough for the heaviest vehicle you will lift, across the pair. The four here state 3 ton (6,000 lb), 6 ton (12,000 lb), 10 ton (20,000 lb) and 12 ton (26,400 lb) per pair. Size up when in doubt.

Where do I place jack stands?

Under the lift points in your owner’s manual, on the frame or axle, with the saddle centered. Never under floor pans, plastic covers or suspension components not meant to bear weight. Set them on solid, level ground.

Are pin-type or ratcheting stands better?

Both are proven. Pin types are simple to verify visually; ratcheting types adjust in finer increments. The BIG RED 3-ton here adds a double locking pawl for extra security, and it is the only one stated as meeting ASME standards.

Related guides

Also see our best jack stands, pin type vs ratchet jack stands and the best wheel chocks under 40. For lifting, see the best floor jack for garage floor. Also browse the jacks and stands hub.