Offroad trail jack

[SONNY G]

So this weekend is the first time in 25 years of wheel'n that I punctured a tire on the trail.

I share this story so I can learn something and maybe someone else may be able to benefit.

I know hi lift Jack's have been around forever , yesterday was the first time my buddy and I had to use one. I am not here to say anything negative about the hi lift jack as I know a lot of people use them and I'm sure as anything else if you use or (practice) with it you will get comfortable using them but at least for us using for the first time on a trail was not easy. The hi lift jack kept shifting and at one point it woukd not (lower).

We LUCKILY were able to get the spare mounted without anyone getting hurt or damage to MY GURL.

So when we safely returned, I have been researching (offroad trail jacks) and found a couple options. So I thought I would ask on the forum to see what others are using and see if either of these are being used on the trail. If you could post what you are using/have used (both positive and negative) ease of use/safety so I and others can learn something.

Thank you in advance for your time/help,

Sonny

 

[Dusty]

I don't like Hi-Lift jacks. I carry a small, cheap bottle jack from Harbor Freight that costs about $25. Fits inside my onboard tool box and works every time. I carry a couple of small wood blocks for footing or extra dunnage when needed. The ones you posted look interesting, if a bit expensive. If you believe the expense is worth it for something that statistically might never happen again in the remainder of your active wheeling life (once every 25 years), go for it

BTW, most punctures can be fixed with a plug, without removing the tire. I'm guessing either it was a gash that was too big to plug, or you weren't carrying a plug kit. If the latter, be sure to add a plug kit to your load-out.

 

[SONNY G]

The Jack's I posted were just what popped up when I put in offroad trail jack thought I would post them for examples. I also saw a couple scissor style Jack's.

It's one of thos things you hope you never have to use and until you need it you wish you had it.

Definitely like a more budget friendly option.

Thanks for the reply and here is the tire. Now you mention it, Puncture probably wanst the right word...

 

[ntsqd]

Sidewall tear. Not much can be done there. I have, cough, cough, heard of such a thing being "sewn" back together with safety wire, booted on the inside, and then a tube inserted. Would NOT recommend that, I heard that it took a long time and was very marginal at best, but it got u, I mean them off the trail.

I posted pics of my solution in the CB thread, but I didn't mention that I also carry a mechanical bottle jack. Mine happens to be a Toyota jack, but I've read that some years of SuperDuty's also came with such a jack. The best part of a mechanical bottle jack is that they don't care about orientation. I've used mine completely sideways to push a leaf spring back into place. None of the hydraulic bottle jacks that I've ever used could do that.

 

[SONNY G]

here goes the old SNOWBALL.......lol, what is a good (plug kit) to purchase?

 

[ntsqd]

Most in the Overloaded er. lander community will say Safety Seal:

Kits - Safety Seal

safetyseal.com

Their tools and components are good, not a fan of any blow-molded cases. They take up way too much room.

Top tip: If you're going to carry a tube to fix the really bad tears put it in one of those anti-static mylar electronics bags and use a vacuum food sealer to seal the bag. The mirror foil on the bag keeps the UV out and the vacuum keeps the oxygen out.

 

[Soylent]

Most in the Overloaded er. lander community will say Safety Seal:

Kits - Safety Seal

safetyseal.com

Their tools and components are good, not a fan of any blow-molded cases. They take up way too much room.

Top tip: If you're going to carry a tube to fix the really bad tears put it in one of those anti-static mylar electronics bags and use a vacuum food sealer to seal the bag. The mirror foil on the bag keeps the UV out and the vacuum keeps the oxygen out.

Is this a better kit than the ARB? Never seen that one before.

 

[SONNY G]

Look up the Safety seal site and there are (02) different sets in a soft pouch, a (KTB and a KTBX) found a safety seal kit on Amazon, which one of these kits is the one to get?

 

[ntsqd]

The best kit is the one that you have with you. <- Learned that one the hard way.

After that I think it comes down to personal preference. I've not seen the ARB kit, no doubt it's a decent kit. I have several of the Safety Seal kits and at least one kit made up from individual tool purchases.

I have a back-up MV-50 or clone compressor in most of my rigs and I keep the tire plugging stuff in their bag.

An important thing to note, annually or so the plugs need to be looked at. They do age just sitting there. If they're not still sticky they need to be replaced.

 

[SONNY G]

One of the kits says "auto/light truck" does that make a difference?

 

[BadSquatch]

I have the https://www.gluetread.com/ sidewall patch kit. I doubt it would have helped with a cut that large @SONNY G ! I've never had to use it (knock on wood), and I've heard mix results with it, but I carry one just in case anyway.

 

[SONNY G]

Found this, anyone heard or seen this? Before hearing others comments regarding some hydraulic bottle Jack's leaking. This scissor jack has a center part that appears to help lift/support the center of the scissor (think this is a functional support or just for looks?) Also found a video.

 

[OrangecrushBronco]

Regardless of the jack I would always recommend something like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086MJS9CT?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share and/or some solid compact wood blocks. Personally I don't ever like getting under a jacked vehicle unless uts on jack stands but those take up space when wheeling.

 

[BadSquatch]

Regardless of the jack I would always recommend something like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086MJS9CT?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share and/or some solid compact wood blocks. Personally I don't ever like getting under a jacked vehicle unless uts on jack stands but those take up space when wheeling.

Good point! You can also remove a tire and slide that under the vehicle for safety as well.