Lifting and jacking?

[zuren]

What solutions are people using to lift their vans for tire changes, etc.?

I have a service floor jack in the garage, so lifting at home isn't an issue. My Express van came with the factory jack but I've never been impressed with factory offerings on any vehicle I've owned including this one.

I was reading in a couple other threads and there seems to be a divide between using bottle jacks and Hi-Lift jacks, or people carry both for different situations. As far as bottle jacks go, I like the look of the Land Rover with the built-in saddle for the axle:

Land Rover Discovery jack

I think everyone knows that the Hi-Lift comes in various models but noticed that they are rated to 4600 lbs. and tested to 7000 lbs. Lifting a corner of a vehicle would be fine but I'm not certain how that would translate to winching a 5200 lb. van (unloaded). I thought I would get some opinions before looking into it more. I would be looking at the Extreme 48" if its a possibility.

http://www.hi-lift.com/hi-lift-jacks/index.html

Thanks!

 

[Lichen]

Mine's not a van, but I agree on the wimpy factory jack. I carry both. I bought a heavy duty bottle jack and carry a hi-lift attached to my roof rack. If you carry a bottle jack, carry a small container of jack oil with you.

 

[Rallyroo]

I think everyone knows that the Hi-Lift comes in various models but noticed that they are rated to 4600 lbs. and tested to 7000 lbs. Lifting a corner of a vehicle would be fine but I'm not certain how that would translate to winching a 5200 lb. van (unloaded).

Lifting and winching is slightly different. When you're lifting you're carrying all the weight of the vehicle on that corner. When you're winching, you're pulling while the ground is carrying most of the weight of the vehicle.

Think about it this way, you might be able to push a 3000 lb car on a flat concrete ground, but how much of the car can you lift?

 

[Sheep Shagger]

Jack with built in axle stand. Since it has a variable height center like normal axle stands it suits the lifted vans well, no need to carry a block of wood around anymore. 6000lbs and a lift of 11" to 21". $30 @ Tractor supply.

Only problem is, since it locks (just like normal axle stand), while lowering it, you have to keep the catch up, so it takes two hands and for you to be under vehicle.

 

[bat]

That is what I use nice wide base and the jack stand part locks as you jack it up for a good safety feature.

 

[zuren]

Only problem is, since it locks (just like normal axle stand), while lowering it, you have to keep the catch up, so it takes two hands and for you to be under vehicle.

Hmm, I like the design but not the idea of being under a vehicle while being lowered! :Wow1: There is no way to disengage or remove the catch once you take the weight off of the jack stand portion? That kind of nullifies the safety of having a combined jack/jack stand if I'm understanding this correctly.

 

[zuren]

Lifting and winching is slightly different. When you're lifting you're carrying all the weight of the vehicle on that corner. When you're winching, you're pulling while the ground is carrying most of the weight of the vehicle.

Think about it this way, you might be able to push a 3000 lb car on a flat concrete ground, but how much of the car can you lift?

This is true, however, I've always read that when choosing an appropriate electric winch for a vehicle you should pick one that is rated to pull 1.5x the vehicles GVW. My curb weight is 5200 lbs. but GVW is 7200 so I would need a winch rated at 10,800 lbs. Does this calculation apply to Hi-Lifts or just electric winches?

 

[Hill Bill E.]

Just a note on bottle jacks, when the tire is flat, the axle tube is 3-6" lower to the ground.

On some vehicles, this may be as low as 8" off the ground.

If your bottle jack is 10" tall when fully lowered, it may be impossible to get it under the axle. (if you're on concrete, rocks, etc. where you can't dig down)

This leaves you placing the jack in a less thn desirable position.

When measuring, think 'worst case' scenerio, like the tire came completey off the wheel. And size your bottle jack accordingly.

They do make short, 2 stage bottle jacks.


I prefer a Hi-Lift for changing a tire on the trail, but with droopy, coil suspensions, you often need to chain or strap the axle, to prevent it from drooping, and jacking the Hi-Lift to it's max.

 

[Scotty D]

I am looking at getting a hi lift for my chevy express.
Is the stock bumper robust enough to use as a lift point? The front bumper does not look to sturdy. If so , can I jack from anywhere on the bumper?
Thanks guys

 

[zuren]

I am looking at getting a hi lift for my chevy express.
Is the stock bumper robust enough to use as a lift point? The front bumper does not look to sturdy. If so , can I jack from anywhere on the bumper?
Thanks guys

I think most here would agree that the factory bumper is the product of recycled soup cans, and about as thick. I would not attempt to lift by the bumper.

 

[Scotty D]

I think most here would agree that the factory bumper is the product of recycled soup cans, and about as thick. I would not attempt to lift by the bumper.

So no hi lift with stock bumpers?
The only good jack point I have seems to be the receiver

 

[pugslyyy]

So no hi lift with stock bumpers?
The only good jack point I have seems to be the receiver

The receiver is a good jack point. Most stock vehicles don't have good options for using a hi lift - the Hi-Lift Wheel Lift Adapter is your best bet. You can use it for changing tires as well, but you will need to have some wood blocks, etc, to set the axle down on after you get it in the air with the jack.

If you use a Hi-Lift it is pretty important to practice with it before you have to use it in anger... it's very easy to crease body panels when lifting if you aren't careful.

 

[jkam]

I have often thought that one of these exhaust bag jacks would be a handy item to keep on board.

 

[steelhd]

So no hi lift with stock bumpers?
The only good jack point I have seems to be the receiver

Hi-Lift makes an attachment that will work on some bumpers.
https://www.amazon.com/Hi-Lift-Jack-BL-250-Bumper-Lift/dp/B00042JSNY

 

[steelhd]

If you use a Hi-Lift it is pretty important to practice with it before you have to use it in anger... it's very easy to crease body panels when lifting if you aren't careful.

It's also easy to break your jaw or dump the vehicle off the jack.