Who REALLY uses a Hi-Lift?

[Greg_B]

I was at tractor supply today and noticed they sell the hi lift and a Reese version which is much cheaper but look identical... it was $40.00 I believe... I had it in my hand headed for the check out and thought... do I really need this thing or do I want it because everybody else is driving around with them...

I put it back...

After doing a little googling and searching on this site I see there is a mixed opinion on them. I thought it would be good for "winching" when you dont have a winch or lifting the rig to change a tire since my bottle jack will not reach my axle...

THoughts?

Greg

 

[GrillMaster]

I have used mine to change tires and also to straighten out a winshield/roof on a rolled blazer. Would be good for winching too but I havent got stuck yet (knock on wood). I like to have a bottle jack when I go wheeling as well. Think if you mount it right and out of the way, it will come in handy someday for sure.

 

[bigbri69]

i never owned one and dont think i ever will.my brother has one and i cant remember it ever being used.let your buddys bolt it to there trucks and if you ever need it just ask them.just mop

 

[blubuckaroo]

They sure look cool on a roof rack or bumper. I saw where a guy welded one on his rear bumper so it wouldn't be stolen. Most of the time it's purely bling.%)

 

[orangecrush4u]

They sure look cool on a roof rack or bumper. I saw where a guy welded one on his rear bumper so it wouldn't be stolen. Most of the time it's purely bling.%)

Yea I remember when they first came out I wanted one, well last year I bought one and have not used it yet. I hope never have to but I bought it just in case.;D

 

[musejasong]

Ive only ever used them around the garage.

 

[Justafordguy]

I used to use mine back in the day when I didn't have a winch. It has saved me a few times.

 

[bronko69er]

You guys must not go wheeling much. Mine gets use almost every time.

 

[KyleQ]

We use them all of the time to help with tires. I've used them to pull beads off wheels to clean then, lift vehicles to re-seat beads on trails. I used one to push the roof up and fix body damage on the trail. They are useful for lifting a vehicle and pushing it over to clear a rock or log.

I can't imaging not having one on the trail, not an event goes by where we don't need or use one.

 

[knack]

I've used mine a number of times. Last time was with the front of the truck sunk deep into a mudhole on a logging road with one front wheel snagged under a big tree root. If I couldn't have lifted the front end I'd never have been able to winch out of the hole without leaving the front axle behind. There have been other times I've used it to push or pull the truck sideways while winching to keep from doing body damage. It's a great tool. Heavy, for sure, but worth carrying in my opinion.

 

[Heus33]

I bought one b/c I thought it was cool. I don't wheel and would be embarrased to have it on my "mall crawler". Its been in the corner of my garage ever since.

 

[musejasong]

You guys must not go wheeling much. Mine gets use almost every time.

No, I am just good at wheeling .

Nah, have just been lucky. Never been in a situation where another truck couldn't bail me out. Must not be that hardcore.

 

[bmc69]

I've worn two completely out over the years (OK..thirty years). If you do not have a truck that is lifted a lot and you do not run black and red trails 6 times every year..I could see where you would seldom use one. And they are incredibly dangerous; even more so to the amateur user and even to a pro who has neglected to keep the mechanism well lubed and tested (ask me how I kow that). Frankly I'm amazed they (Hi-JacK) are still in business, given the litigous nature of today's world.

But I've been in far too many situations where if not for two or three high-lifts under a single busted rig..it would still be where it was to this day.;D

 

[deltarat]

I use mine all the time. They have numerous uses as stated. I have one in every truck and the shop.

 

[bmc69]

I use mine all the time. They have numerous uses as stated. I have one in every truck and the shop.

One of the best I've seen was using the jack frame, with everything else stripped off, as a tie rod. And many is the tie rod I've straightened by supporting it between tow truck bumpers and pressing the bends out of it with a hi-lift. I could probably think of a ton of ways that versatile jack has saves somebody's butt on the trail.

 

[HGM]

Having grown up in the glades, doing stupid, on many occasions.. I could not immagine not having one. It always goes to the woods with me.. I'd have to give a little thought to a chinese knock off though.. These things are dangerous enough w/o having to worry about bending and breaking..

 

[KyleQ]

My brother lifted his blazer with it in the middle, removed the rear axle, installed the junkyard axle, and set it down... all by himself, with a flashlight, in camp after breaking it on the first day :O

 

[sprdv1]

I bought one b/c I thought it was cool. I don't wheel and would be embarrased to have it on my "mall crawler". Its been in the corner of my garage ever since.

Damn mall crawlers... lol ;D

 

[sriha]

I put one on my Chirstmas list. Haven't needed one yet but I was able to get out of most situations and have others that could help me too.

 

[slackccs]

You have 35's?

You need a high lift jack.

'nuff said.