Changing tire on the trail

Hey guys was hoping someone could educate me.

if you’re on the trail and get a flat do you use the OEM bottle jack or should I invest in something else.

thank you.

 

I have this hi-lift jack base. Not only it fits my hi-lift jack , also works on factory jack.

https://amzn.to/4hQObaf

Edit-
The factory jack seems decent if you jack at correct jack points.

 

So many variables. Terrain, ground condition, vehicle modifications. Overall the first concern should be safety. Common sense and the stock bottle jack can go a long way. I personally added to my availability of jack points by adding sliders and skids. A hi-lift can be used on either side. Maybe in combo with the bottle jack. Every situation will be different.

 

I have sliders. I can use that as a jack point? Thank you for educating me.

 

It think it depends on the slider. I have RCIs that also double as steps with a kick out at the rear. I called RCI to confirm if they were safe to jack from the steps, and they said yes. When I say "steps", I'm referring to a running board type feature. I'm sure on a slider that doesn't have steps you could use it as a jack point. I mean they're designed to take hits. But if you have steps, I would call the manufacturer and ask specifically if they can be used.

 

I don’t really want to deal with much mud or serious trails so my current plan is to drive to a level spot and break out the factory jack.

If anything, I was thinking tossing in some plywood and a chock for softer or slightly inclined surfaces respectively.

Edit: Fixed a word

 

I 100% agree. I always throw in some chunks of wood to be able to gain height and a level jacking point if needed. I prefer the stock bottle jack over a hi-lift. I've had a hi-lift fail. Thank God it was before I had the wheel off. Never had a mechanical bottle jack fail.

 

Great point. Thank you. I have some scrap 2x6

 

I don’t have any of their products but here’s an option: https://safejacks.com/collections/universal-base-plates

 

Safejacks work well, I use wood for a base. I keep it stock bottle jack too because two really are better than one. No hate for the hi-lift but mind your manners around it.

 

I’m the OP. I carry the OEM and a scissor jack. The wife and I enjoy off roading. We did Moab this year. When I think back at some of the trails we were on, I honestly don’t know how I would have done it. I’ve often thought that I’m willing to destroy a wheel to get to level ground and get the spare on. I am mechanically inclined and bring everything we would need to survive. I just have only like 2 years of off roading experience. I so appreciate everyone who has chimed in to help me.

 

I have a Hi Lift but it’s the tool of last resort.

 

What would be your lift point? Sorry if that’s a dumb question. Just trying to learn. The wife and I’ve been in situations were we haven’t seen anyone else. We do carry an emergency satellite beacon but obviously if only use that if all else fails. I also carry traction boards, tow straps and have installed anchor points in the front and rear. Are those hi lifts as dangerous as people have stated?

 

Thank you for sharing this.

 

I have suitable sliders. There are adapters for the tow hitch, but of course with them you’re limited to lifting the rear tires.

There are no dumb questions about this topic, and to be honest there aren’t really any good answers. That’s because every situation is different and all the solutions carry risks and disadvantages. The Hi-Lift is the least idiot-proof and can be dangerous even when used properly, but when paired with suitable sliders it can be the quickest and most convenient way to lift a bad tire off the ground.

The stock bottle jack is pretty darned good. I worry about using it on uneven ground on the rear axle. Perhaps with an adapter:

 

Thank you. I’m going to practice in the garage. The wheel chokes is a great idea as well. Ive been looking at the harbor freight off road suv jacks but when we travel we do so in 3 month trips. We bring a lot so space is limited for a floor jack. Getting a good base for the bottle jacks is critical. The recovery boards I have has a slot to put bottle jacks in. I’ll also bring some scrap 2x6 I have.

 

Exhaust jack for uneven areas. Bottle jack for back up with extension and for level areas.

 

That exhaust jack is brilliant. Thank you for that

 

Totally forgot about these. I'm probably going to get one now!

 

Get a 8" piece of a 2x6(lumber) perfect for a jack base. Just when ever changing a tire on the trail. USE caution and common sense

 

I would invest on something a bit more suitable for off-roading conditions. I bought a version of the safejack. They have several choices there and were very friendly when I reached out.

 

There is also this pricey one:
https://trail4runner.com/2024/09/09/go-rhino-el-gato-hydraulic-jack/

 

I carry a harbor freight 1.5 ton aluminum jack, when going deep off road. It's small, yet fine for lifting one corner. There are better jacks, I prefer it's light weight. I have used it off road when it was really needed, on a friend's truck.

I'd also suggest keeping some cut down pieces of 2x4 or 4x4, can help when lifting the front.

Rear end is super simple to jack up, can do that with the bottle jack. Just need to lift on the rear axle tube near the tire that needs changing. Front end is more challenging.

 

Good points all around! Especially the point of safety and using some sense. @morfdq, Watch some videos on youtube to get idea of how people get into trouble taking wheels off on the trail, and those that do it well. Combine that with practicing at your leisure on flat ground to see how the tools work, and you can develop some common sense around some of the variables. Also, sometimes we are our own worst enemies, and unnecessary hurry makes us totally overlook the obvious. Like using a tire repair/plug kit.

If the wheel absolutely has to
come off, then just about about anywhere you’ll be able to find a bit of flat ground close by. Trading safety to save a tire/wheel makes no sense. If you’re able to do it safely, it’s best to keep the tire on and drive to a good spot. Or air it back up if it will hold pressure for a few minutes.

Even if you’re in a really bad spot you can probably find a way to at least position the vehicle as safely as possible before using a jack.

Personally, with some thick boards and the factory screw/bottle jack, you’ll probably be able to cover every situation. I know for a fact I probably shouldn’t be trusted with a farm jack to lift a vehicle off road, so I don’t even bother with the idea. The exhaust jacks are really interesting, but they probably take up space, so there’s a tradeoff.

I’m not quite sure about the Safety Jack kits and accessories. My thought is that it’s safer to use blocks/cribbing under the stock screw jack, than using extensions. Same goes for the wide cradles for the head of the jack. The cradles cannot make up for improper placement of the jack. If it’s going to tip, a wide cradle will hide that fact for a split second longer, but the jack is always going to topple without being centered to bear all the weight straight down. If the placement of the base and the top of the jack head is correct, it wont topple, even though it only has the little divot on the top of the OE jack.

The only thing that makes me a little iffy is the thought of a scissor jack. Never seen a three ton scissor jack, but even if that’s what you have, those can just fold up if they have any off center misalignment when jacking. The OE jack will probably just fall over (along with the car). Chances are that OE jack will still be usable after you change your shorts and try to get the vehicle lifted off the ground again

 

I used something like this in my Jeeping days. It doesn't weigh much, or take up a lot of room and makes a better jack base than the ground:

 

My DIY adapters fit the factory jack and bottle jacks with similar dimensions, and they fit inside the factory jack compartment. I made one adapter for front lower arm and a second for rear axle or similar sized frame part. Prevents jack slipping off. Plus I carry various pieces of wood.

 

Genius.

 

Amen brother. I try to always be safe that’s why I’m asking. I had a car fall off a bottle jack before. Thankfully I didn’t have the wheel off. I will ditch the scissor jack- it’s only a 2 ton. I found a 12 ton bottle jack in the garage. Thanks for your input, I’m glad you and others are willing to educate me

 

Brilliant. Job well done there.

 

I'd use my portable air pump to temporarily reinflate it & drive to a flat safe area to change it. Even better if I can make it to a tire store to have it fixed.