Realistically...how often do you use your hi-lift?

[Bravo1782]

I've been reading through a few different forums, and I've been reading a couple threads on the subject of Hi-Lifts. Some people suggest that they love their hi-lift, and use it pretty regularly, other say it's more of a piece of "trail-bling" and they rarely use it, suggesting it's something mall-crawlers mount on their hoods to show off their rig.

Personally, I've got a 48" hi lift in my Jeep trail rig and at 60" X-Treme in my adventure truck. I haven't really used either all that much.

So, how often do you use your hi-lift? Is it an invaluable accessory, or more for show? What do you think?

 

[Hilldweller]

I've never had one and never needed one.
A winch has saved me several times though.

 

[AFSOC]

I've had my Hi-Lift for just over 30 years. I don't use it that much but about half the time I do, there isn't anything I could or would rather use. I really like them and have found several uses on job sites. To answer the question I would say it's closer to invaluable accessory than it is showpiece.

 

[goodtimes]

I used mine a few times when I had a TJ simply because it was convenient.

A traditional jack would have worked in pretty much any situation that I used it.

I sold it when I sold the Jeep, & haven't really desired to have or use one on the truck.

 

[Flyinbronco]

For me a hi-Lift jack is like a spare tire. When you need it you need it.

 

[1911]

Depends on where you travel, I guess. They're very handy in rocky terrain, for getting off high center. That's mostly what I've used mine for, but I don't use it every time I'm out wheeling by any means. It's just another tool in the kit.

 

[bfdiesel]

I have used a hi lift many times. From getting out of ruts, using it as a winch, breaking beads on tires. Invaluable when you need it. I also use it to pull fence posts and other non ohv uses.

 

[v_man]

The necessity of a hi lift is directly correlated to how your truck is set up . With say a lift , large tires , perhaps different axles , there's no way a typical scissor lift or bottle jack is going to get you enough clearance to change out a tire .

I put the high lift in the same category as a car insurance and a winch ...although I too use the winch more frequently ...

 

[Amphibeast]

I also carry a nice first aid kit I paid a few $$$ for……. I hope I never use it! ….now if I could get the high lift to fit under my seat and loose the 30lbs…….(-:

 

[njtacoma]

I use mine more often around the house for landscaping etc.
When I went exploring more often I bolted it under the seat out of the way. Quicker to use the winch.

 

[Scoutn79]

I don't use it as a jack but it sure has uses breaking beads, lifting out "T"posts lifting moving heavy objects in my construction business etc. I have used it as a winch before I had a winch or a com-a-long. They are handy but dangerous if you don't pay attention.
So I would say I use mine several times a year...but it does stay mounted in the Scout as apposed to sitting in the shop.

Darrell

 

[gwittman]

I have never needed one in the more than 35 years of off-roading. I didn't carry one until about 5 years ago and got it then only because it was a requirement for the group I was going with. I can see where it could be useful and continue to carry it. I doubt and hope I will never need it. I used to carry a com-a-long but never used it off-road and now use it for other things.

 

[robert]

I've used mine a handful of times off-road, usually when high centered or needing to shove something under the tires. I use it at the house sometimes too. Could I live without it? Yeah, probably since I have a winch and a shovel but it's not a bad thing to carry if you have the room for it although mine stays in the shed most of the time.

 

[JHa6av8r]

For me a hi-Lift jack is like a spare tire. When you need it you need it.

x2

 

[craig333]

Haven't needed it on the truck yet. Used it plenty on the Jeep but its the only jack I have for the Jeep.