What is the least capacity on the floor jack you use for your F-150?

I have a 3 ton floor jack that I use for all of my cars, from a small 2 seaters to the mini-van. Today, the first time I tried to jack up my "new" 2006 F-150, which is my first F-150, and I couldn't. The jack denied to move just before the tire about to leave the ground. I went and add a big piece of wood on it, still doesn't work. I thought something is wrong with my floor jack, so I took it to jack up my van, it went right up easily. Went back to the truck, used all my weight to push it down, it just won't move. Asking 2 friends who have big trucks and they all have 4 ton floor jacks. Is it really my floor jack is too small?

Thanks everyone

 

Must be something wrong with your jack as a 3 ton (6,000#) capacity should be able
to raise the entire truck, my 2000 F150 extended cab 4x4 weighs in at 5100#.

I have 2, 1.5 ton jacks, and they have no problem lifting up a corner and use both to
raise the entire front.

 

I use a 3 ton jack with no problem also. Maybe your jack is low on oil or air in the system.

 

I have a 3.5 ton and it will lift the whole side of my truck but, so did my old 3 ton. Check the hydraulic fluid level in your jack. Could be low.

 

I have the Harbor Freight long reach 3 ton jack and it can lift the entire front end up on my 2018 f150 4wd high enough to put jack stands under each side.

 

I use a 3 ton rapid lift HF jack most often, but even my 1.5 ton aluminum race type jacks lift corners.

 

Yeah there's something wrong with your jack. A 3 ton should be sufficient.

 

thanks everyone for responding. I will check oil ... but I would think (this is just talk) if oil is low or air in the hydraulic, then I still would be able to push it while it is not raising. What I experience is that I can't be able to push it. It's hard as rock, even I put my whole body weight on it.

 

Well most of us I imagine have a floor jack with the 5 foot long handle that offers a lot of leverage.
If you are using one of those little trolley jacks it might be rated to lift 3 tons, but you have the little 18" long handle you don't have much mechanical advantage.
If you don't know the difference look up floor jack vs trolley jack. Maybe you need a cheater bar, or time to upgrade.

 

I understand what you meant. Mine looks like this. I can be able to jack up the mini-van easily.