I really like the Project Farm YouTube channel for finding "bang for your
buck" tools. I'm no stranger to Harbor Freight... but sometimes you can
afford the jankiness and sometimes you can't.  Overall their jacks (both
Pittsburgh and Daytona) compare favorably.

https://youtu.be/g5_64r2PR7A?si=Ln-qvWwartSh_J7k

On Fri, Apr 19, 2024, 9:15 AM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Did you take the extended warranty they offer when you purchased? Your
> symptom sounds like the pump check valve failed. Reach out to them with
> model/serial number. Parts may be available.
>
> For the most part, unless you go into the real expensive industrial stuff
> most all of these jacks are Asian made. Differences amongst brands are
> slight for any given price range. As they are hydraulic there are reasons,
> they cannot be fully trusted and jack stands should be used. For that
> "bridge" to use with another jack the saddle mount is key. The design and
> thread needs to match.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Eric
> Caron
> Sent: Friday, April 19, 2024 10:03 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Floor jack Vanagon recommendations
>
> Hi folks,
>
>         My Harbor freight jack is failing so I need a new floor jack.
>
> Has anyone purchased one from Amazon that has held up well?  The prices
> there seem half of my local auto stores, and delivery of a heavy item like
> that is appreciated.
>
> But, safety is very important so I’d like to know if anyone has had good
> luck with a particular jack from amazon.
>
> I really like the Harbor Freight jack but it is dropping down
> unexpectedly.  Adding fluid resulted in an unusable jack where pulling he
> handle down raises the jack and pulling handle up results in the jack going
> down.  Very strange.
>
> So, I hope to find a appropriate sized jack that hopefully fits the
> spreader I use on the old jack.
> I feel like I’ll skip Harbor Freight for a replacement.
>
> Recommendations for a safe and Vanagon weight appropriate floor jack
> greatly appreciated.
>
> Eric Caron
>