Hi-lift jacks and winching

I am looking into getting a hi-lift extreme 48" jack in the near future. I have been doing some looking around and watching some videos on them. I don't do a whole lot of wheeling at the moment with my truck but it is becoming something I like to do more and more often. My question is about the winching capability of the hi-lifts. I know you can winch with them and that they are rated to 7000 lbs. will that be enough to get me out of trouble? I eventually plan on buying/building a set of bumpers for my truck but I don't plan on buying a winch. I don't have the money and don't really want the extra weight.

Just looking for some input from anyone who has used their hi-lift for pulling and winching.

Cheers,
Adam

 

It can help, but it takes a lot longer than a winch or a buddy.

 

Winching with a hi-lift takes forever. It really is a PITA but it works. If you get a 60" then you don't have to reset the jack as much.

 

X2 had todo when my buddy got stuck in mud

 

If it is all you have, you can get a truck off high center but as far as any distance, you may want to have your buddy hit you with it for thinking that you had a mud bogger. That may be the best reminder that a winch is very valuable.

 

I'm only two wheel drive so when it comes to mud my wheels just spin. I try to use the hi lift winch method as a last resort

 

Most of the time I will be with someone else anyways and can just use my tow strap. But for the occasional time I try something I should not while I'm by myself I need to know it could get me out of a bind. I usually don't attempt anything I don't think the truck can handle. At least when I'm by myself

 

http://www.maxtrax.com.au/

 

this^^^^^
i tried winching myself out of a situation and ended up getting help from another truck....
when i got home i ordered a winch.....
that being said for a mild stuck it will work...with time and effort.....
i recomend getting a lever for it as well.....
good luck

 

These look like a good idea. But there's no way I would pay 300 bucks for two pieces of plastic. Gives me an idea for something I could make up at work... Hmm.

 

Just remember to follow the instructions and use the right equipment. It can be fairly dangerous to winch with a highlift jack.
Good luck

 

another option...
http://www.google.com/#q=come+along...c23981d4a0f080&bpcl=40096503&biw=1280&bih=685

 

I do have a good 2 1/2 ton set of come alongs. If I pair that with a snatch block I could have enough pulling power to get it out. And without having to reset it as much as with the hi-lift... Hmm.

 

I plan on using my high lift for winching, but only as a last resort. If I was off road all the time in real questionable places I would just get a winch.

 

Those MaxTrax devices are a reminder that you can often find stuff to put under the tires to build trail in order to get out of trouble. Rocks and tree branches work really well. So does airing down.

Some people say that carpet works too. Never tried that.

Sand ladders are what the MaxTrax are based on. If you really want those, they're a lot cheaper. Plus, you can make "bridges" with them. Be careful cause you can spit them out the back

I have a winch. I'm not saying don't carry one but I've pulled more tree stumps or pulled other people than I've used it to rescue myself.

 

Good point. In this region the best recovery device might just be the chainsaw haha. I usually don't put myself into situations I can't get out of with 4x4 and rear diff lock but occasionally you miss-judge how deep that muck is...

 

Exactly.

 

Definitely about equal for pulling myself out vs pulling other out. The only time Ive ever need the hilift was when I was installing my lift kit and need a second jack. haha (yes I also used jack stands)

 

Oh, I've lifted the truck to put stuff under the wheels (high centered in Death Valley). And I've lifter others to repair tires. Eventually, I will need it for myself. Definitely better to have stuff and not need it than not have it.

 

get the 60"