Hi-Lift and Jack-All Jacks

By Dean Bradley

Flat tires and getting stuck are two fairly common side effects of off-highway driving. One indispensable tool that can help you fix punctured tires as well as get your truck unstuck is a Hi-Lift or Jack-All jack. This tool has the ability to raise your vehicle in mud, sand, snow and on side-hills. When vehicle recovery is necessary, these jacks may also be used as a very effective come-a-long, or as a means to raise the vehicle off of an obstacle.

Some important points of safety need to be kept in mind when using a vehicle jack:

• Never work under a vehicle without a secondary support device, such as a wood block or even a spare tire under an axle.
• Always stay up-hill of the vehicle and of the jack in case the vehicle shifts sideways without warning.
• Avoid placing your hands on the top of the jack to steady it. Instead, keep your hands on the handle. If the jack won't stay stable on its own, find another jacking location. Your strength is no match for a vehicle's weight, and you could pinch your hands between the jack and the vehicle.
• Always maintain pressure on the handle, especially when lowering the vehicle. If you don't, the handle could pop upwards with great force and cause damage to anything in its way, especially you.
• A wooden base can be useful to prevent your jack from sinking into soft terrain. Make sure the base is large enough and can handle the weight of your vehicle.
• If you're on a hill and can't back down to a flat location to change a tire or lift your vehicle, fasten the uphill end of the vehicle to a immovable object and make it snug, this way the vehicle can't roll backwards off the jack.

If you have never used a Jack-All/Hi-Lift, take some time in your driveway to become familiar with its use before you need it the backcountry. Choosing a permanent, accessible mounting point on your vehicle is also very important. This type of jack is heavy and could become a dangerous flying object if not properly secured. If you travel in deep mud or snow you will want to keep the jack dry and easy to reach. Strong lift points on your vehicle are necessary as well. The jaw on these jacks could damage a plastic-covered bumper or push in body panels if used on the side of a newer style sport utility vehicle.

When used as a come-a-long, you will need two lengths of cable or chain as well as a frame-mounted tow hook. One chain/cable will be attached from the stuck vehicle to the jaw on the jack, and the other will attach from the end of the jack to an immovable object. If attaching to a tree, be sure to use a tree saver strap, as cable and chain can cause irreparable damage to a tree's bark. Tug straps should be avoided as they have too much elasticity and will stretch to the point where you won't get any pulling distance from your jack.

These jacks are rated to 8000 lbs, are available in lengths up to 5 feet and when used in conjunction with a snatch block can be a very effective winch (though slow). When pulling downhill, one person should stay in the vehicle to apply the brakes and keep the vehicle from rolling uncontrollably downhill. If you're doing this alone, run your tug strap uphill to a tree or other solid object to stop it from sliding down too far. If you are on an unstable side-hill where there is a chance of your vehicle sliding sideways, you can also use a tug strap to secure it while you jack it up.

These Jacks are also known as the "poor man's winch" and can be purchased for about $80.00-$100.00 in most automotive stores (I have also seen them from time to time in Costco for $50.00!). They should be considered a "must have" for the serious off-highway adventurer.