Hilux 4x4 Forum

Any body used these ? I know all the advantages and disadvantages , but has anyone
actually used them and what is their view. I drive the srx 4x4 raised body and
I'm not sure if the vehicle can be raised enough with a baloon jack. I know we can use hi-lift
jacks etc , but then you have to lug these things around and also have the lifting points fitted.My vehicle is the single cab and I do not have, or wish to have a trailer. I use the back of the vehicle for all my stuff, and prefer not to carry too much extra equipment.
My wife and I sleep in a tent , and if the weather is really bad, jump in the back of the bakkie.
One chap I spoke to said the baloons were hopeless in the wet. I do'nt need advice on all the other items available for recovery , just need thoughts on the baloons.
Thanks to any one who can give 1st hand experience

Richie Tableview

They seem to work well, but they are way to expensive for me to even consider buying one. I will maa stick to my trusted old Highlift.

I agree Bennie

Ontop of which you never know what is lurking around to damage the balloon jack imagine trying to use it on a rocky trail to chane a wheel damaged by sharp rocks :evil: :roll:

Baloon Jacks also known as Air Jacks are useful in some conditions, however there are always pros and cons to consider in every aspect when out 4x4ing, if you only have an air jack (bag) you must buy The Takla model, the reason why I say this is because, if you get a hole in your exhaust pipe while out 4x4ing, you can also pump up the jqack with an air pump, one of the little HP electric pumps, then there is also a safety valve and another valve to de-flate the bag.

It also has protection pads top and bottom, however you must still be careful where you place the bag to lift your vehicle up.
Then depending on the type of outlet exhaust pipe your vehicle has, you will mave to either make up an adapter if it is oval or if it is round make sure that the rubber bung fits correctly.

Then as already mentioned, you have to make sure that your exhaust system is sound, it does not have any leaks.

If the time comes and you have to lift your vehicle on a rocky hillside, rather just move the vehicle with the flat wheel to a more level area, however you can also repair the flat wheel, depending on the hole or damage, get yourself a tyre repair kit and extra plugs and some glue.

And either a CO 2 bottle or high pressure electric air pump, and most punctures can be repaired while the wheel is still on the axle.

Happy 4x4ing
cheers

So what other good makes do you get an can you reccomend

Personally I would'nt even consider them . The pro's of balloons vs high lift weigh greatly in favour of the high lift. M2CW

I have used both but must say i recommend the air bag. Try and inflate your vehicle when stuck in thick mud or loose sand. The hi-lift jack sinks into the mud slides and damages your vehicle. I you are on you own and stuck belly up you an push your vehicle over the top using the air bag. You can put an air bag under the axles or engine to jack the vehicle up. Cheap air bags are not the way to go

Clarence wrote: I you are on you own and stuck belly up

Naughty Naughty :!: :!:

Right there is the first mistake a veteran like you should know better then advising people to go wheeling alone...

Yip you got me there, but when you are on your own thats when you have to make a plan and test your equipment. Must say i have been mad before by doing the skeleton coast on my own but then in my toyota and not in my landy so one can take a chance. I even had to recover a 4 ton truck at mile 108

When I bought my Air jack it was about the same price as a High lift with lifting points.

Strangely enough I have never had to use it. I guess the SFA with BFG M/T's help a bit.
After 4 years of owning the Lux I've never used the spare????

On our recent Moremi trip I got stuck. Seriously stuck. Both diffs on the muddy bottom and wheels turning freely.

After 4 hours using 2 highlifts I got out, but it would have been much much easier with a balloon jack... just my 2c....

I love them.

I could not use the highlift jack and the Airjack work perfectly.
In sand and mud it is a must. Used it twice.

About the same price as a highlift jack.

About the same price as a highlift jack.

Nico, toe ek laas 'n prys gekry het was hulle so R2k....? Waarvoor kan jy hulle kry?

Highlift nou so R700 - R950!

Nico, ek wil ook weet asb. Ek ry gereeld sand, baie windgat omdat ek nog nooit vasgesit het nie, maar die dag gaan kom, ek weet. En dit smaak my daai ding maak net baie sense in sand en modder...

Hennie, het Dec moebies in die sand vasgesit in Nam. Serra Cafema. Max Trax uitgepluk en walla, tot my eie verbasing.....bo op die sand. 1st time. Wow!!!! imo money well spent. Sou nie 'n Baloon onder my van kon kry nie, no way's

Ek glo airjacks het hul plek, het laasjaar op die Defender Trophy gesien hoe 'n ou die airjack te naby aan die wiel sit voor hy dit op pomp - toe kon hy nie die wiel weer terugkry nie!

Defender Trophy 2010 - Swaziland - Nog net 11 dae voor ons begin!!

IMHO a great addition to a Hi-Lift Jack but NOT a replacement for

Mark, gaan ons 'n paar fouties kry van daai vassit-oefening???

N dubbel e! Ek was so vinnag uit.....daar was nie kaans om die camera uit te haal nie

Ek sal maar net vir jou 'n paar getuies hof toe kan stuur as jy wil

Last week I had the opportunity to use both my air jack and puncture repair kit in the Richtersveld.
The 3Y that was with me got a flat on the way to Kokerboomkloof and didn't have a lever/handle for its bottle jack.

Both products worked great!