HI LIFT jacks

I'm just curious why not inside the bed? I'd be afraid of some spring or pin getting lost. Parts always seem To mysteriously disappear. Any reason you couldn't mount it to the front??? Like to an avid light bar?

 

It is in the bed and will stay there when the pop up camper is not on the truck. When the camper is on... it is too full of seeping people and climbing gear to also sleep a greasy hi-lift.
The front bumper is a common option but i have to mount the bikes, hang glider rack, ham radio antenna and the front tow package (for a receiver mounted winch) to the front bumper.

Just looking for alternatives.

 

Under the rear bumper??? I remember there's a good bit of "space" under my second gens rear maybe also in your first gen??

 

Thanks John,

Yeah, there is a butt load of space. It fits in there with the foot and running gear attached. BUT, as i stated, i fear the day when i need a hi-lift to get to the hi-lift out from from under my bumper. Like in a muddy situation or with one wheel over a ledge or something.

I might fab my own front and rear bumper, in which case i could possibly make it accessible in any situation.

Regardless there IS space there that should be used someday.

 

Shit did t see that. Went and re read your main post. Hrmmmm, gotta think about that one.

 

Why don't you mount it to the back of the camper? That way, it is out of the way, but easy to get to when/if you need it.

You will probably need to reinforce the back wall to handle the weight/vibration.

Do the sides of the camper hang over the sides of the bed? Mount it to the underside of the camper along the bed rail. It shouldn't be too much of a wind drag tucked up tight to the camper.

 

(meaning i might be pushing the legal limit already)
additionally: I have not built the camper nor have i 100% committed to a design because i am still waiting on the fiberglass SIPs and other parts that will dictate framing. I could design it to take the weight, i could compromise the doors and windows to have space for jerry cans and a hilift and a tire, i could. I would rather keep the back free of such items.

What about the sliders? it would be really convenient there? What problems do you foresee?

 

I think you're missing some very good real estate. All this talk about bumpers and sliders but why not the campers roof?

 

I think it was listed in his big long post as one of the areas he already had "taken up" It's a big list of no go places.

 

I thought i had but not explicitly, i never spoke of my roof which is rather busy especially when shuttling hang gliders up a mountain. this is typical:
Roof is sometimes and option and hi-lifts are easy to mount to a roof rack, i agree. I appreciate the suggestions and time everyone is contributing.

I do not want it on the camper or in the bed or on the roof. I don't want to take stuff off and put stuff on every time i take a camper off or put a glider on the roof...etc. It is too long for behind the seat.

lets just say i mount the bar and handle to the slider. What harm or inconvenience would come of this?

 

You could damage the hilift if the slider actually makes contact with any rocks. It would also probably intefere with opening the door and people getting in and out of the cab.

 

(door clearance i can plan for)

It WILL make contact with rocks... it is a rock slider but only the bottom and outside (lateral sides) ever touch rocks, right? and there is not enough flex to crip it up agains the car body as it holds the weight of the car when jacked.
If the hi-lift's bar was mounted to the top of the proximal rail (square tube in my case) of the slider when would a rock reach over to the top of the slider and damage it? or are you saying the flex? I have owned (or had at work) 3 trucks with sliders and only the bottoms were ever scratched by rocks.

I believe you, just trying to visualize it. seriously, thanks for chiming in. Talking about this helps me plan, thanks.

 

This may work on your pop up:
http://www.exploringoverland.com/ov.../4/22/a-hi-lift-jack-mount-for-the-jatac.html

 

thanks, yeah, i have seen them there.

 

Completely different mounting option, but I went for behind the rear seat. The space is pretty much wasted there already, so I decided to make it more useful. I can always get to it when I need to, it is just a pain (as in not fast). Once it is out, I can just wrap it up and throw it in the bed until I am done with it.

I know it isn't a perfect solution, but it does work for me.


And here are some notes on the build.

 

I went with mounts from Pelfrey and couldn't be happier with my decision!

 

For those mounting to the side of the bed (@Srice57), how does that work? I was looking at mounting L-brackets and was trying to figure out how it would work. I haven't looked very much into it though.

How easy is it to get behind that part of the bed? Do you have to remove anything to get back there? Anything I should be aware of?

 

It was fairly easy to install. For the mount closest to the cab, it went up through the wheel well and for the other, I went through the the storage box. Took me about 45 minutes for start to finish. Feel free to PM me for more pics or questions.

 

Huh? well? i measured and i thought the bar was too long to fit in the cab. i will remeasure. rear seat of my double cab is pretty full of maps,first aid kits, emergency clothes, tow straps, etc. But maybe.

 

Is this a 60" Jack?