Leveling Scissor Jacks

ScottG wrote:
Chris, the co's that make them always include a CYA statement that says they're only for stabilizing and not lifting. That being said, from my 40 yrs experience there's nothing wrong with using them up to their rating and maybe even a little beyond. After all, they are first and foremost "Jacks".
I can tell you that when they are very substantially overloaded, nothing dramatic happens. It simply bends the "jack" screw and thereafter causes the jack to wobble when extending or retracting.
I learned this when I forced mine to lift the whole side of my RV so I could change out a tire in some sand on the side of the road (thank you Carlisle).
Since then I'm sure I've overloaded them many times when leveling my rig and I was close but just needed a few extra turns. When I see the screw start to deflect, I stop (or at least soon after..).

Thanks for sharing your experience/feedback.

If anyone is using any type of jack (scissor included), I would suggest using one that is rated for well over the amount you are lifting. I like to shoot for 2-3 times more weight rating than what I am lifting as then I know the jack itself shouldn't be getting stressed.

-Chris