Exhaust Jack vs. High Lift Jack

[ldsparrow]

Starting to fit out the car ready for our trip and was hoping for some advice / opinions on taking an exhaust jack vs. high lift jack.  Was swinging towards the exhaust jack as it sounds like it is a more stable option from reading in forums etc, but would like to hear from people who have actually used them what their opinions are.

Cheers.

[D4D]

Don't take either, get a good hydraulic bottle jack.

[Lex]

There is only one jack you should take on a camping trip and that is the one that goes with coke.

[Fivid]

I have an exhaust Jack.  Never used it in anger.  When I first purchased it I tried it out and found the angle of the cutoff on the exhaust was exactly the same as the cone designed to fit over the exhaust so that when pushed onto the exhaust it sealed and stalled the car.  If you go down that path just check it out before you do need to use it...

 
Dave

[beagle47]

If I had the jacking points for a high lift I'd maybe have one - but I don't on either the tug or the CT.  The CT is a long way off the ground so I carry an exhaust jack and  it works very well.  I inflate it with an air compressor rather than the exhaust.  I wouldn't leave home without an hydraulic jack just in case though  .

[TroyE]

never used an exhaust jack, but have a high lift, and have used it in anger a couple of times, you do need the give it the respect that it demands(yes they can be unstable) but they are very reliable if looked after, and can be used as a hand winch if needed.

troy

[gonfishen]

Hi lift jacks are more versatile, they can be used as a winch to pull, as a bead breaker to fix a tyre, or as a jack

[alnjan]

Have both used neither





must try harder to get stuck

[austastar]

Hi,
  some where I've seen a video of an exhaust jack unexpectedly bursting and dropping the vehicle.
If I was to get one, I think I would always be worried about that happening and have the appropriate backup in place.
Used with care, both have their strong points.
cheers

[Beachman]

I have a Exhaust jack and gives piece of mind if travelling alone. Only used it for fun and very easy to lift half you 4WD off the ground.

When I got mine was told they now have 2 chambers, so if the outside chamber does get a hole then the don’t deflate instantly.

[Bird]

Don't take either, get a good hydraulic bottle jack.

I'd agree with that..
FWIW, never seen a hi-lift used in the bush, and only used twice ever, and that was to fit lift kits to mates GQ's. horrible things hi-lifts.

[pinko]

If you buy a genuine 'High Lift' also get the accessory High Lift webbing sling with hooks that will fit any wheel, alloy or steel.
You do not need jacking points with this accessory. It will lift individual wheels.
When you jack high enough to fit an inflated tyre you will need your standard jack wound out to the maximum by hand and depending on the surface a wood block to stand it on. Fit the spare tyre on then high lift off the standard jack then lower the high lift.
I have been caught twice now with not being able to either get the standard jack under or not being able to get enough height to fit an inflated spare wheel in rough country.
The sling accessory is safe and only jacks the wheel you are working on and not the chassis.

[ldsparrow]

Thanks for your responses, will check out a hydraulic bottle jack.

[2 Brutal]

Better than a bottle jack, is a good small trolley jack, you'll get a 2T jack for under $100, piece of ply cut a bit bigger than the jack base, bigger surface area for stability than a bottle jack.
Hi lifts can be dangerous, unless you have correct jacking points it is a waste of time, the wheel attachment is fine, but not always suitable, have used 1 of them and it wanted to squash the snorkel as it leant the jack in when it took up the load. If you had side rails it might work otherwise you'll get a nice dent or scratch.
Exhaust jacks do work as long as you don't have any sharp objects under your vehicle or under the jack.
Don't ever get under a car or even put a limb under a vehicle supported only by a hi lift or exhaust jack.
A long handled shovel is another good but of gear.

[Yoda42]

Hi All
The first thing you need to remember is that the 3 jacks in this thread they are designed for different uses
the standard hydraulic bottle jack is ONLY designed to be used on a solid, stable, level surface( concrete, bitumen or very hard packed dirt), so if you don't go off road this is all you will need, a bottle jack can be very unsafe when used on sloping or soft ground!.

The exhaust jack is designed to be used in off road situations where the surface is SOFT, sand, mud and snow, BUT they are very prone to puncture from sharp objects( yes they have been improved in recent years), but you need to be very careful with rocks, sticks, sharp points on your vehicle( welds etc), and be very careful of the exhaust pipe it will melt through an exhaust jack in seconds.

Hi-lift jack is designed for off road, can be used in all off road situations, you need good solid lift points or one of the many accessories now available, yes they can be unsafe if used with out care, but if you learn how to use them correctly, they are one of the most versatile 4x4 accessories available.
as some have already said they ca also be used as a hand winch

For me going off road with out a Hi lift jack is asking for trouble, like all things if you service and maintain them they will give you years of service and will get you out of those sticky spots when all else has failed

my 2 cents worth 

Cheers yoda

[Hairs]

give it the respect that it demands(yes they can be unstable) but they are very reliable if looked after, and can be used as a hand winch if needed.

Agree, If you're not silly about it, they are great piece of kit.
If you go gun ho, it's gonna Bite ya.
A little heavy at times and are a pain to find some where to mount them if you don't have a spare wheel carrier or a roof basket/rack. I've used mine to lift a house up a tad higher to replace old piers, to lift the cnr of a shed, pop a bead on a tyre. Just gotta get all the gear to winch with it.
 

[speewa158]

The best as said is take both , That will almost asure that they will still be where you put them as you wont need either  , but if there not there . Bingo you need them 

[darren]

I have carried a highlift around for years on trips and never really used it . For 99% of people i wouldn't bother. I also have a telescopic 10t bottle jack. I gives you the extra stroke that you need with big tyres. That's all you need. Just on winching with a high lift, you only have 1m stroke, by the time you get everything tight and take up the slack you may be lucky to shift your car 100mm, Then you have to stop it rolling back and losing that to re jig. I wouldn't rely on it for this.

[speewa158]

Darren If I have to resort to Hi lift winching then everyother thing has turned to Sh1t , even 100mm is further out of the bog 

[pinko]

Great for pulling star pickets and fence posts out.

[darren]

Great for pulling star pickets and fence posts out.

I'm with you there. That has been the biggest use of mine.. I have a bobcat now so hopefully never again.

Can also be used when someone accidentally puts a gate across a trail you want to use...

[Crisp Image]

I came across a bloke and his partner up near Licola who had winched his Hilux about 100m up a hill so he could roll start it using a hilift jack. We came along just as he made it to the top and gave him a jump start. A huge effort but the Hilux may not have started as it has an electrical shutoff and there may not have been enough power to operate that. When I told him that he was glad we happened to come along.
As such a Hilift is a very versatile tool but as all tools they have their inherent dangers. Learn to use it properly and respect it.
Regards
Crisp Image

[Bird]

Darren If I have to resort to Hi lift winching then everyother thing has turned to Sh1t

x billions

[Cruiser 105Tvan]

Just sayin', the Hi-lift is very handy for lifting an A frame of camper trailer when the jockey wheel collapses.
The lifting speed of the Hi-lift is quicker than your bottle jack too. 
As said before, maintain the Jack and treat it with the respect it deserves, OR IT'LL BITE YA!

[doc evil]

Don't take either, get a good hydraulic bottle jack.

sigh........facebook comment that......

1 jack and the vehicle falls off.......whatcha gonna do then?? Flag someone down who is racing about ticking their bucket lists off...........

carry 2 jacks especially if remote!!!!!!!!!


Have had both exhaust and high lift. Only carry the exhaust and bottle jacks. I have 2 pieces of conveyor rubber to protect the bag.