Hi lift / farm jacks. What size do you recommend?

[Winchweight]

Hi guys, we have the standard VW jack in our van, but if we continue with our plans we will need a hi lift.

How high are your jacks and do you use the soft ground base or lifting hooks as well?

What rating are they?

I don't want to get the biggest necessarily and find we're just lugging unnecessary weight around.

[zippyslug31]

Are you going to be doing any sort of recovery work?
If not, I'd advise saving your money and just bring along a hunk of wood to place under the factory jack.

A lot of owners of hi-lifts (me included, mind you) really don't need the thing, is heavy, and is more difficult to use than the factory jack.


Addendum: I should add that I have the hi-lift extreme model and, yes, I think it "looks" good mounted on the rear of my van, but again, it's more of a decoration than a total necessity. Don't forget you'll need to drop extra money for the hi-lift adapter before you can easily use it with your van.

[Winchweight]

Ah ok, I must admit its the look of the thing as much as the function for me too. Where can I get the lift adapter?

[zippyslug31]

I'm in the US, so YMMV, but... here's the one I purchased:
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details. ... parent_id=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Have you considered how/where you would store it? I fabricated a DIY rack for the back... buying one ready-made will cost a bit as well.
After all, if you buy one, you MUST have it mounted outside to show the thing off!

[Winchweight]

Absolutely! It'll be mounted in spare wheel carrier when I can find one.

[zippyslug31]

Sounds like a solid plan. Good idea on mounting it in a location that swings out of the way, rather than weighting the hatch such as what I did. Opening the hatch with extra weight of a jack can be difficult and generally a hassle.

[Peninsulakid]

Watch this space for a new wheel carrier, may be a few months but there is something in development down this way.

[hugomonkey]

Where can I get the lift adapter?

i used these guys, i dont think you will find them cheaper anywhere
http://www.brookwell.co.uk/products/accessories/hi-lift" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
i think the best size to go for is a 48

[Winchweight]

Watch this space for a new wheel carrier, may be a few months but there is something in development down this way.

Stop internetting and get making then!

[lloydy]

There's a ortec carrier on ebay at the moment

[Syncrobaz]

Rich, would this wheel carrier be a heavy duty fold down jobby by any chance ??

[Peninsulakid]

Hi Baz

You are spot on sir.

Going to base it on yours, bonus point is that because its fixed to the tow bar theres no holes drilled in the body work, and you can remove it and keep it if you want to sell the vehicle. Also trying to configure it, so that if you added a light board in the horizontal position then you could travel with it this way, and it could double up as a bike carrier or extra load lugger.

All very much trial at the moment though.

Cheers Rich

[Syncrobaz]

Still don't know the make of mine, definitely not Bluebird, too flimsy.

Possibly of U.S origin designed for landy sized wheels ??

Good luck, if you need more info give me a shout

[zillertalsyncro]

I have the shorter one. I can store it IN the Syncro, and the height is more than enough to lift a lifted 16" Syncro on one side with both tires. You just need to weld an adaptor for the original jack points.

[Winchweight]

Thanks very much guys.