Jack Stands vs Cribbing: Which One Should You Buy?

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Below: how the methods differ, the safety rules for working under a vehicle, and the stands themselves.

Jack stands vs cribbing: how the methods differ

A jack stand is a rated support with a column that locks at a set height, a saddle that centers the frame or axle, and a base that spreads the load. The BIG RED and Sunex 1410 stands in this guide use a pin-type column: a pin through the column holds the height, and the BIG RED pair adds a lock on the pin. The Sunex 1003AJ listing states 6 locking positions without stating a pin type. Cribbing has none of that locking hardware: it is wood blocking stacked to a height, with no lock and no stated rating in this guide.

That difference decides the job. Stands suit inspection, maintenance and repair work under a lifted vehicle, where the stands must sit at the lift points and stay put. Cribbing suits support that never needs to change height, such as a vehicle sitting at one height while it waits. When the job needs support at a different height, stands are the practical choice; when the height is fixed and the vehicle is not being worked under, cribbing does the job.

Safety rules for working under a vehicle

Never get under a vehicle on a jack alone. Use rated stands on solid, level ground, set them at the lift points in the vehicle owner’s manual, and use a matched pair so the support stays balanced. Check that each stand is locked at its height before working under the vehicle.

The same care applies to cribbing: it must sit on solid, level ground, stay stable under the load, and never be asked to hold more than it can. No cribbing product is featured in this guide, so no rating is stated for cribbing here; the stands below carry the stated ratings.

The gear: jack stands in this guide, ranked by capacity

The stands below are ranked by stated capacity, highest first. All three are jack stands; no cribbing product is featured here, so cribbing appears in the comparison above, not in the gear list.

BIG RED 12-Ton Pin Type

The BIG RED pair is the highest-capacity stand here, rated at 12 ton (26,400 lb) for the pair, with a pin-type column and a lock, and a lifting range of 12-5/8 inches to 18-1/8 inches. The listing states heavy gauge steel construction, a large chassis design for stability, and a handle on the side for carrying, and the pair weighs 42.7 lbs. It fits cars, sedans, trucks, SUVs, ATVs and UTVs, and includes a 1-year warranty.

The spec table disagrees with the title and bullets in places: it lists capacity as 3 ton, weight as 44 pounds, minimum height as 11.81 inches, and warranty as a 30-day return. This guide trusts the title and bullets: 12 ton, 42.7 lbs, 12-5/8 inches minimum height, and a 1-year warranty. Pick this pair for the heaviest vehicles here and the widest vehicle fit; skip it if you need the tallest lift, since its top height is 18-1/8 inches.

Sunex 10-Ton High Height

The Sunex 1410 pair is rated at 10 ton (20,000 lb) across the pair, with a pin-type column, 10 height intervals in 2 inch increments, and a high height range of 28.1 inches to 46.5 inches. The listing states a 15.7 inch square base for stable positioning under load, a 3.1 inch by 5.1 inch saddle that helps center frame or axle contact, and a 1 year warranty. The pair weighs 105 pounds and fits trailers and trucks.

The spec table lists a minimum height of 12.84 inches, which conflicts with the bullet range starting at 28.1 inches; this guide trusts the bullets. Pick this pair when the job needs height, since its stated range runs to 46.5 inches; skip it if the vehicle sits low, since its range starts at 28.1 inches.

Sunex 3-Ton Aluminum

The Sunex 1003AJ is a 3 ton aluminum stand with 6 locking positions and a heavy-duty flanged base, listed as under 10 pounds and 9.8 pounds in the spec table. The listing states a minimum height of 10.6 inches and dimensions of 6.3 inches by 7.6 inches by 12.9 inches, and counts 2 items. It fits trucks.

No maximum height is stated for this stand, and no warranty term is stated: the spec table says to call the manufacturer. Pick this stand for light, portable use, since aluminum keeps it under 10 pounds; skip it if the vehicle needs more than a 3 ton rating or a stated warranty.

When cribbing makes sense, and when it does not

Cribbing makes sense when the support height is fixed and the vehicle is not being worked under: blocking stacked once and left alone. It does not make sense when the job needs height changes, repositioning, or work under the vehicle, where a rated, locking stand is the right call. Both methods need solid, level ground; neither is a fix for an uneven floor.

FAQ: garage tools

Can I work under a car supported only by a jack?

No. Never get under a vehicle on a jack alone. Lift the vehicle with the jack, set rated stands at the lift points in the owner’s manual on solid, level ground, and confirm each stand is locked before working under it.

Are jack stands or cribbing better for long-term storage?

For a vehicle sitting at one height, cribbing gives steady, fixed-height support with nothing to adjust. For any service work under the vehicle, rated jack stands are the right call, since they lock at a set height and carry a stated rating.

What size jack stand do I need?

Match the rated capacity and the height range to the vehicle and the job, and check the owner’s manual for the lift points. Across the stands in this guide, capacities run from 3 ton to 12 ton, and stated heights run from a 10.6 inch minimum on the smallest stand to a 46.5 inch maximum on the tallest stand. Check both ends of the range: a stand that starts too high cannot fit under a low vehicle, and a stand that tops out too low cannot reach the working height.

Can I use jack stands on uneven ground?

No. Rated stands belong on solid, level ground, so the base sits flat and the load stays centered. On soft or sloped ground, move the job to a level surface before lifting.

Do jack stands come in pairs?

The BIG RED and Sunex 1410 listings in this guide are pairs, and the Sunex 1003AJ listing counts 2 items. Use a matched pair for balanced support, and set both stands at the same height.

Related: best jack stands for lifted trucks, best floor jack for cars, and the jacks and stands hub.