Jack vs Ramp – Which Lifting Tool Is Right for Your Garage?
Jack vs Ramp – Which Lifting Tool Is Right for Your Garage?
If you're doing any sort of vehicle maintenance — from oil changes to exhaust work — you'll need to get your vehicle off the ground safely. But should you use a jack or a ramp?
At Town Tools, we help DIYers and pros alike find the right lifting gear for the job. Here’s a breakdown of the most common options, their strengths, and what you should use in your own garage setup.
🏋️♂️ Option 1: Trolley Jacks
A trolley jack uses hydraulic power to lift one corner or side of the vehicle quickly and precisely.
✅ Best for:
-
Tyre changes
-
Brake jobs
-
Spot maintenance on one wheel or suspension
-
Low clearance vehicles (with low-profile jacks)
⚠️ Consider:
-
Must always be used with axle stands
-
Not ideal for long-term support
-
Lifts a small portion of the vehicle at a time
🛠 Example: Sealey 2 Tonne Trolley Jack – VS2002
🪜 Option 2: Car Ramps
Ramps are a drive-on solution that lift the front or rear of your vehicle evenly.
✅ Best for:
-
Oil changes
-
Exhaust and undertray access
-
Long-term support
-
Beginners — no lifting mechanism involved
⚠️ Consider:
-
Only suitable for front or rear — not side lifting
-
Need a bit of clear space to drive up safely
-
Harder with very low cars or sports vehicles
🛠 Look for wide, high-grip ramps for stability on driveways.
🧱 Option 3: Bottle Jacks (Bonus Mention)
Bottle jacks offer compact lifting power, especially for 4x4s or vans. They’re portable and powerful, but less stable on uneven ground.
✅ Best for:
-
Heavy vehicles
-
Quick, temporary lifts
-
Emergency kits
⚠️ Not ideal for regular garage work.
Always use stands after lifting.
🔧 So… Which Should You Choose?
| Scenario | Best Tool |
|---|---|
| Changing a wheel | Trolley Jack |
| Routine servicing (oil, filters) | Ramps |
| Quick roadside lift | Bottle Jack |
| Full underbody work | Jack + Axle Stands |
| Long-term parked repairs | Ramps + Wheel Chocks |
✅ Final Word:
No matter what you’re working on, safety is the priority.
A trolley jack gives you speed and control, while ramps offer steady support.
And at Town Tools, we stock both — including axle stands, chocks, and accessories to complete your setup.
Draper Expert Axle Stands, 3 Tonne (Pair) 24173
DraperThese robust pin-type axle stands are supplied as a pair. They have a hardened steel locking pin. The flat circular saddle has an integrated rubber...
View full detailsSealey Trolley Jack 3 Tonne Standard Chassis 3000CXD
SealeySingle-piece hydraulic unit with heavy base design. Integral cog-type release mechanism and long 2-piece handle. Protective jack handle sleeve help...
View full detailsSealey Car Ramp Extensions 400kg Each/800kg per Pair CAR2001
SealeySteel construction car ramp extensions to decrease ascent angle. Ideal for sports cars and vehicles with low ground clearance. Attaches to standard...
View full detailsPremier Low Profile Trolley Jack with Rocket Lift 4 Tonne - Orange
Sealey PremierSingle-piece hydraulic unit with heavy base design and large jacking saddle. Universal joint release mechanism allows safer, more controlled loweri...
View full detailsDraper Vertical Transmission Jack, 600kg 70668
DraperExpert Quality, hydraulic vertical transmission jack with a telescopic ram. The jack is fitted with a twin-piston 'Quick Lift' facility and a safet...
View full detailsSealey AXLe Stands (Pair) 6 Tonne Capacity per Stand Red AS6R
SealeyHeavy-duty axle stands to safely support vehicles for extended periods of time. Large crutches for good load distribution. The heavy gauge steel fr...
View full detailsSealey Trolley Jack 3 Tonne Long Reach Heavy-Duty 1153CX
SealeyLong reach, high capacity, portable garage jack for serious hobby or recovery vehicle use. Tough pump bracket and heavy-duty one-piece hydraulic un...
View full detailsSealey Rubber Wheel Chocks Pair WC02
SealeyTwo rubber wheel chocks. Prevents vehicle movement when being jacked on a level surface or parked on an incline not exceeding 12. Suitable for vehi...
View full detailsDraper Trolley Jack, 3 Tonne, Orange 28494
DraperThese low-profile trolley jacks are capable of lifting from 75-505mm and they have a capacity of 3 Tonne. They have a twin-piston quick lift facili...
View full detailsSealey Cross Beam Adaptor 3tonne 4x4 X137
SealeyQuickly and safely overcomes the awkward job of lifting 4x4 vehicles with offset differentials. Simply remove the existing trolley jack saddle, rep...
View full detailsSealey Trolley Jack Bag 600mm AP600JB
SealeyPrimarily designed for the tidy and convenient storage of trolley jacks. Tough polyester construction with rigid base. Five hook-and-loop pads on t...
View full detailsSealey Premier Bottle Jack 50 Tonne PBJ50
SealeyFitted with safety overload valve and manufactured in the EU. All steel, one-piece base, reservoir and pump cylinder design gives added strength. F...
View full detailsLaser Engineered Acetyl Jack Pad for Tesla Model 3 & Y - 1pc 8460
LaserA lifting jack pad designed to help prevent any damage to the bodywork or battery case on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y when lifting the vehicle us...
View full detailsSealey Land Rover Defender Farm Jack Adapter FJLR
SealeyAdapter suitable for all farm jacks so the jack can be used on Land Rover Defenders with jacking point tubes.Adapter suitable for all farm jacks. F...
View full detailsSealey Premier Bottle Jack 12 Tonne PBJ12
SealeyFitted with safety overload valve and manufactured in the EU. All steel, one-piece base, reservoir and pump cylinder design gives added strength. F...
View full detailsSealey Premier Telescopic Bottle Jack 20 Tonne PTBJ20
SealeyTelescopic hydraulic ram allows a reduced closed height without compromising maximum lift height. Made in the EU and fitted with safety overload va...
View full detailsSealey Premier Bottle Jack 20 Tonne PBJ20
SealeyFitted with safety overload valve and manufactured in the EU. All steel, one-piece base, reservoir and pump cylinder design gives added strength. F...
View full detailsSealey Premier Bottle Jack 8 Tonne PBJ8
SealeyFitted with safety overload valve and manufactured in the EU. All steel, one-piece base, reservoir and pump cylinder design gives added strength. F...
View full detailsSealey Premier Telescopic Bottle Jack 2 Tonne PTBJ2
SealeyTelescopic hydraulic ram allows a reduced closed height without compromising maximum lift height. Made in the EU and fitted with safety overload va...
View full detailsLaser High Lift Farm Jack 1200mm - 2500kg Capacity 7665
LaserFor use in most agricultural and off road areas including jacking up tractors, trailers, lifting and lowering many other objects including assistin...
View full detailsSealey Trolley Jack 2.5 Tonne Aluminium/Steel Rocket Lift RJAS2500
SealeyMade primarily for the motor racing enthusiast, this jack weighs in at just over 25kg. Mix of steel and aluminium not only makes this jack lightwei...
View full detailsSealey Premier Telescopic Bottle Jack 5 Tonne PTBJ5
SealeyTelescopic hydraulic ram allows a reduced closed height without compromising maximum lift height. Made in the EU and fitted with safety overload va...
View full detailsSealey Low Profile Short Chassis Trolley Jack 2 Tonne - Green 1020LEHV
SealeyHeavy-duty chassis with strengthening flanges along the top edge for extra torsional rigidity under load. Profiled lifting arm allows low clearance...
View full detailsLaser Farm Jack - Handle Lock 7667
LaserTo be used with Farm Jack - Part No 7665.Handle lock for Farm Jack - Part No 7665.
Sealey Low Profile Short Chassis Trolley Jack 2 Tonne - Blue 1020LEB
SealeyHeavy-duty chassis with strengthening flanges along the top edge for extra torsional rigidity under load. Profiled lifting arm allows low clearance...
View full details