Hi-Lift As Winch

willfxp · April 6, 2005

Anyone use a Hi-Lift jack as a winch? I was thinking about buying a winch, but then realized how much cheaper a Hi-Lift jack is. I have never been stuck in my truck ( '01 1500 Z71, knock on wood ), but you never know. Just wondering how easy one of these things are to get you out of some trouble. I don't do anything crazy.

Thanks!

-w

highup1500hd · April 6, 2005

I have one behind my back seat. I mainly have it in case of a flat with my truck being lifted, but I have used it to get out of a few messes. It is not a winch by far, but can get you out of some situations (being high centered for one). It will not do you much good if you get burried in the mud unless you have lots of chain and something to tie it around (like a big tree). It can get you out of some spots, but I would not consider it a fill in for a winch.... just my 2 cents worth.

facn8me · April 6, 2005

Lot's and lot's of elbow grease. Lot's and lot's. But the highlift is simple has many uses unbreakable(within reason) and the only power it uses is you. Plus cheap.

MMM · April 6, 2005

Yes, it will work. A couple of years ago, I was back in the middle of the woods, while it was raining, going to my hunting camp with my dad and younger brother. Saying that the road was starting to get very bad, because of mudholes, would be putting it very lightly. I told my dad that I was probably going to get stuck, but he wanted to keep going anyway, because he needed to get some heavy equiptment out of the woods. Also I was pulling a utility trailer, and low and behold, I did get stuck. We were miles back in the woods with no other means of transportation to get out. To make matters worse, I had just had surgury, and was in no condition to walk back. I could not get my truck out and had no winch. We had a high-lift jack, and I always keep a lot of chain in my toolbox. My dad and brother used the jack and chains to get my truck out. This took a long time, because they had to keep doing it because of the long stretch of bad road. This would not be something you would want to do if you plan on getting stuck a lot. So like I say, yes it will work, but I would only advise counting on this in an emergency situation. MMM

willfxp · April 7, 2005

Yeah, well I don't anticipate getting stuck very often... Not looking to get myself into that deep of a hole.

How about http://www.lkgoodwin.com/more_info/model_r...ver_hoist.shtml ?

Hi-lift seems the way to go though. Thanks!

-w

rascal · April 7, 2005

reminds me of a set of un-imtemdating rut down at one of camping area on the lake shore, that once I started through must of been made by something with a set of 44's on it. Hi lift a couple chains and a tow strap, got me out.