Every RV stabilizer jack gets a score from 0 to 100% built from five factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Jacks are grouped by type: 24 in scissor jacks, 30 in scissor jacks and tripod stabilizers. Price and height travel use reference points set for each group, so a tripod is never scored against a scissor jack’s price.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per jack in the box | 30% |
| Capacity | rated load per jack | 25% |
| Height travel | extended height minus retracted height | 15% |
| Accessories | drill socket, crank, mounting hardware and level; on tripods, fine adjuster, lock and drill adapter | 15% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 15% |
Where the numbers come from
Capacity, heights, contents and warranty come from the maker’s product page or the maker’s own copy on a retail listing. Where a listing gives two different figures for the same thing, the figure is left out rather than guessed. Prices are checked at Amazon, and the lowest price at a store the page links to is used.
The factors
Value is the current price divided by the number of jacks in the box, on a log scale, so halving the price always counts the same. For 24 in scissor jacks, $60 per jack scores zero and $28 full marks; for 30 in scissor jacks, $90 scores zero and $40 full marks; for tripods, which come one to a box, $250 scores zero and $80 full marks.
Capacity is the rated load per jack as the maker states it. Some makers label it a static load; most give one figure with no label. For scissor jacks, 5,000 lb scores zero and 9,500 lb full marks. For tripods, 1,000 lb scores zero and 7,500 lb full marks.
Height travel is the extended height minus the retracted height, so a jack that tucks up tight and reaches far scores best. For 24 in scissor jacks, 18.5 in scores zero and 20.5 in full marks; for 30 in scissor jacks, 24.5 in scores zero and 26.5 in full marks; for tripods, an adjustment range of 10 in scores zero and 22 in full marks.
Accessories is what comes in the box. For scissor jacks: 35% for a drill socket, 25% for a crank handle, 25% for mounting bolts or screws and 15% for a bubble level. For tripods: 40% for a fine height adjuster (a threaded cup, lever or crank), 35% for a lock and 25% for a drill adapter.
Warranty is the maker’s warranty: no warranty scores zero, 5 years full marks, and a limited lifetime warranty also scores full marks.
What isn’t scored
Finish (powder coat or electrophoretic coating), material, weight, the box price and release date are listed but not scored.
Missing data
Capacity is the figure that most separates one jack from another, so a jack whose maker publishes no load rating gets no capacity counted: that factor scores zero and is marked estimated. Warranty works the same way: a maker that doesn’t publish one gets none counted. If the height range isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated. Accessories score neutral only when the listing describes none of the box contents; an accessory the maker doesn’t mention otherwise counts as absent.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.