Hi-Lift Jack Usage Question

I was just wanting to get any opinions on the use of a hi-lift jack for either lifted truck repairs or off road trail use.

 

I absolutely hate them, and I carried one for years and used it tons of times from changing tires to using it as a winch to recover rolled vehicles (aka myself). I do not carry one anymore, there are smaller, safer, and better ways to do everything a hilift can. A scissor jack and a come along weigh less, take up less space, and are better imo. For high suspension travel vehicles, a hilift wont even get a tire off the ground so it's almost totally useless then. They're unstable, not particularly great at anything, weigh a ton, and are hard to package. 10/10 would not recommend.

 

I'd agree that they aren't the most stable option, but having one when you need is better than not. I still carry one. I recently fab'd my own bolt on rock sliders, and made an attachment for the tongue of the lift. It cups my outer tube on my sliders, so I can lift one side of the truck completely up. Again, I'd use in a pinch if I have to. I've also used it as an additional support when working under my truck in my garage, but that's with four jack stands and a floor jack already under it. I just prefer to use everything I have, assuming it'll fit, when i'm under a vehicle.

 

I use one here and there but seem to use it more for odd things like jacking up a log to get my pinched chain saw out from not cutting properly. I got it when offroading w a club in my old lifted xterra. Without sliders as a jack point it wouldnt have worked as well to lift at the frame. I still take it with me especially when using a trailer.

 

There amazing when your in an awkward situation and nothing else will work. Other than that I use mine for home and farm work far more the vehicle use.

 

I would rather have one than not. There are a lot of accessories for them. You can lift by the wheel, sliders, bumper, whatever. Even use them as a come a long. Even a poor man's jaws of life...but they are dangerous if used recklessly.

 

Thank you to everyone for the insight

 

I've heard nothing but great things about his one and it's off road ready!

https://www.proeagle.com/collections/all-jacks/products/3-ton-big-wheel-jack-kratos

 

I keep a floor jack with a skid plate on the bottom for tire changes. I use the hi lift for everything else, winching, clamping, pulling and tire bead breaking.

My tire change jack is similar to this one;

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Perform...MIqtahwc3z6wIVhobACh3zZgDWEAYYAiABEgI7UPD_BwE