airbag jacks

Submitted: Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 10:51
ThreadID: 48356 Views:5371 Replies:9 FollowUps:6
This Thread has been Archived
Greetings fellow travellers, can anyone please tell me if they would recommend me buying an airbag jack. I own a 1998 Troopy hi-top camper. I would like to do more 'off the beaten track' stuff and have been advised to get an airjack to make my life easier! Is one type better than another and what should I look for?

Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Meri
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: traveller2 - Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 12:08

Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 12:08
Personally I wouldn't especially with the relatively high centre of gravity of a troopy high roof camper. Airbags can be very unstable as can highlifts.
They are also prone to puncturing by sharp objects under the vehicle as well as hot exhausts.
You would be better to get yourself a good thick piece of ply (19mm or more) at least 300mm square as a jack base and a good quality 4.5 tonne hydraulic jack.
The standard Toyota jacks are pretty good but you really need two as lifting aladen troopy with a flat tyre can be difficult in some situations.
I carry two bits of ply and both the standard jack and a 4.5t hydraulic and have needed both to change a tyre on my troopy.
AnswerID: 255643

Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 12:24

Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 12:24
I have one in the kit, but unused to date - it's there as a backup for the occasions when it is difficult to find space to get a conventional jack in under the car - bogged, flat tyre etc. in soft ground / rocks etc. A high lift jack might be a better option for your chariot - no need to jack from the underside when you have meaty chassis / bull / and towbar points.
AnswerID: 255650

Reply By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 12:30

Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 12:30
I have a hi-top Troopy. I have an air bag jack and a hydraulic jack.

Contrary to what some people think these vehicles do not have a high centre of gravity as the top is all fibreglass. There is less weight up there then you would find on most vehicles carrying gear on a.

If you want to change a tyre then you need to lift the suspension and wheel at the same time so you are best to use the hydraulic jack under an axle or spring. If you use the air bag under the chassis you will lift most of the vehicle but the springs and wheels droop down and will be the last items to lift. You will have to have an air bag that has goes very high to lift a wheel off the ground and as some air bags are rather narrow they are not very stable.

Airbags do have there place in very soft ground but on firm ground I would use a hydraulic jack. Repco have them for about $65.
AnswerID: 255651

Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 12:31

Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 12:31
Ooops, that should read..."carrying gear on a roofrack"
0
FollowupID: 516769

Reply By: Hairy - Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 12:51

Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 12:51
Gday
Like any tool they can be dandgerous if not used properly, just use common sense and they are fine. the only time I would use one instead of a hi-lift is in sand or mud, so it depends on what sort of driving your doing weather you need one or not.
One word of warning though, Ive seen one blow up! Not only scare the crappers out of you but they come down in an awful hurry!!!!( no common, but possible)

Cheers
AnswerID: 255657

Reply By: PradoTrev - Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 12:51

Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 12:51
Hi Meri

I have a air bag used once playing on the beach to make sure i knew how to use if i realy needed it.

Lifted the prado so high i was wondering if it was going to tip.

For the price it is s good option to have as a second or back up. on flat soft sand great but due to the hight it raises to would e potentially unstable on a hill climb or the like.

down side two man operation (revs need to be around 1500 rpm)
you need to carry carpet or the like to protect it from wholes and if you have a turbo it is not recommended at all.

There are far easier and safer methods on jacking

TM2CW
Trevor
AnswerID: 255658

Follow Up By: Member - Kiwi Kia - Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 15:09

Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 15:09
Hi Trev,
I believe that there is no reason why you should not use an exhaust airbag jack on a turbo engine. It is a common saying but has no valid reason behind it.
0
FollowupID: 516793

Reply By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 13:02

Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 13:02
I have one in the back and have used it a couple times and yes it’s very unstable but it’s good to know it’s there incase I need it
AnswerID: 255662

Reply By: Member - cuffs (SA) - Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 14:17

Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 14:17
Owning a mono constructed 4wd the air bag is recomended as a high lift jack can twist the chassis.
AnswerID: 255671

Reply By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 17:38

Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 17:38
Meri

I have airbag jack which I don't use. Your welcome to it at no charge if you live in Melbourne.

Regards

Kim

AnswerID: 255700

Follow Up By: Member - colin J (VIC) - Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 17:51

Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 17:51
Hi kim,
I'm about to buy a air bag jack and live in Melbourne. What is the issue with the jack, are you unhappy with it or you don't see yourself using it?
Regards from Col,
0
FollowupID: 516823

Follow Up By: Member - Meri M (VIC) - Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 18:01

Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 18:01
Thanks Kim, I don't live in Melb. but would have happily paid the freight/postage ( think it would be a good back-up for me) but think Col got in first!

Thanks for the generous offer - and thanks too to everyone else for their helpful advice. Meri
0
FollowupID: 516826

Follow Up By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 18:20

Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 18:20
Colin

Couple of things:

1. If the exhaust system on the car has leakage the bag won't pressurise.
2. Their bulky (once unpacked). If you have a trailer this won't be a problem.

I'm a little old fashioned and rely on two hydraulic jacks along with robust ground plates.

The Air Jack has only been used once. If you want it, give me a ring at work on 97055467.

I also have a Yamaha 650 generator which is free to anyone who may be interested. It probably start at the moment without an oil change and new petrol.

Regards

Kim

0
FollowupID: 516832

Follow Up By: Member - Meri M (VIC) - Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 18:22

Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 18:22
Kim, as an afterthought, on the slim chance that Col doesn't take the airbag-jack, I'm happy to come to some arrangement that suits you. I'll be back online in the am. Now I'm off for a glass of anti-freeze.
Cheers, Meri brrrrrrr
0
FollowupID: 516834

Reply By: mattie - Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 20:19

Friday, Aug 03, 2007 at 20:19
i bought one and have only used it twice and can not speak well enough of, like any jack u just need to keep an eye on it whilst jacking u may find u have to let it back down and reposition it etc. this is of no imposition as up and down can be as quick as u like or as slow as u like.
All u need is a square of carpet that i use on the ground and under the car, but if u do a lot of extreme off road then u might have traction rubber mats and these will also double as ground protection for the air jack.

MATTIE
AnswerID: 255730

Sponsored Links

Popular Products (9)