How We Research
Every guide on RegalRibbon starts with one question: will this product work for the person who is shopping for it? For our jack and stand guides, that means your vehicle, your garage and the lifting gear you already own.
Here is how we answer it.
1. We start with your vehicle and your garage
A low sports car, a pickup and a family SUV need different jacks and ramps. A jack has to fit under your vehicle and reach high enough.
We check the ton rating, the minimum and maximum lift height and the weight the maker lists. Your vehicle's manual decides lift points and use, so we send you there for those.
2. We compare specs and features
For jacks we look at the ton rating, lift range, steel or aluminum build, single or dual pump, the saddle, the handle and the overload valve. For ramps and creepers we look at lift height, tire width, capacity, material, length and wheels.
Torin Big Red, Arcan, Jack Boss and AV Steel describe their gear in their own words, so we name the brand for every claim. Ratings and standards are the maker's claims, and we label them that way.
3. We look at buyer feedback
We read through what buyers report after using a jack, stand or ramp. We look for patterns, like jacks that leak oil or won't reach full height, stands with sticky ratchets, ramps that crack and creepers with sticky wheels.
One angry review doesn't sink a product. A pattern does.
4. We score each product
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. A product that's great for one reader may score lower in a guide written for another.
Scores spread out on purpose. A 10 is rare.
5. We keep pages up to date
Products change, and some disappear from stores. Many jacks, ramps and stands come in several sizes under one name, so we check each model and we only link new units.
Jacks and jack stands have a recall history. We check each model against the federal recall lists, and we skip unknown brands and any product with a known recall.
We also remind you to check any stands you already own against the recall lists. When we update a guide, the "Updated on" date at the top changes with it.
What our picks are not
Our picks are research, not lab tests. We don't claim to have used every jack, stand or ramp we cover.
Never put any part of your body under a vehicle held only by a jack. Support a raised vehicle on jack stands.
We don't promise that any jack, stand or ramp will hold a vehicle, and we don't give step-by-step lifting instructions. Follow your vehicle's manual for lift points and the maker's manual for the gear.