Exhaust jacks - opinions?

[lujabe]

Hi all,

Just interested in people thoughts on exhaust jacks?

I have a KL Trailhawk - as far as recovery gear I guess I already carry the basics - air compressor, tyre gauge, shovel, axe, and a pair of maxtrax. I live in VIC, so it's probably mud that would be most likely to bring me unstuck. Or stuck.

Realistically, the KL is most likely to get hung up due to clearance, so I'm wondering if an exhaust jack would be a worthwhile purchase. The underside of the KL has plenty of skid plates/etc so there's plenty of flat, smooth surface that I think makes it somewhat suited to the use of an exhaust jack.

I guess I'm aiming to be relatively capable of self-recovery, but for me our usage of the vehicle probably doesn't justify the cost/weight/storage/safety concerns of a winch or high lift jack...

[Redemptioner]

Originally Posted by lujabe

Hi all,

Just interested in people thoughts on exhaust jacks?

I have a KL Trailhawk - as far as recovery gear I guess I already carry the basics - air compressor, tyre gauge, shovel, axe, and a pair of maxtrax. I live in VIC, so it's probably mud that would be most likely to bring me unstuck. Or stuck.

Realistically, the KL is most likely to get hung up due to clearance, so I'm wondering if an exhaust jack would be a worthwhile purchase. The underside of the KL has plenty of skid plates/etc so there's plenty of flat, smooth surface that I think makes it somewhat suited to the use of an exhaust jack.

I guess I'm aiming to be relatively capable of self-recovery, but for me our usage of the vehicle probably doesn't justify the cost/weight/storage/safety concerns of a winch or high lift jack...

I guess you got to ask yourself, do you want to play with hot exhaust gas in a bag under pressure to jack up your car for $200 or use a high lift jack for $70.....

[SeaComms]

I haven't used one for years but used to carry it all the time with my first 4wd, an old Suzuki LJ80. Got me unstuck from the sand many a time! With th KL's low ride height and limited lifting points for a high lift its prob not a bad option. Though since its a single muffler with twin outlets not to sure how well it will inflate with a load on it?

Sent from a tiny mobile device with fat thumbs...

[lujabe]

Originally Posted by SeaComms

Though since its a single muffler with twin outlets not to sure how well it will inflate with a load on it?

Yeah - I googled that - it seems that others with a similar exhaust set up get around it by just holding a thong or something over one of the outlets - apparently creates enough pressure to inflate the jack.

[SeaComms]

A thong, the aussie answer for everything

Was sitting behind a trayback ute a few months ago that had 3 aussie themed thongs attached to the bottom of each mudguard as mudflaps. In true tradition they were cable tied in place.

Sent from a tiny mobile device with fat thumbs...

[silverfox1111]

My exhaust/air bag jack has a fitting to blow it up with a compressor as well as the exhaust.
Got it from ebay. Actually tried it on the weekend and lifted my wk2 with the compressor.
Silverfox1111

[NTRubicon]

I've had a couple of these exhaust jacks over the years. Great bit of equipment for lifting in sand, as an alternative to something like MaxTrax. Generally used at the side of the vehicle for raising two tyres at a time to then fill the holes created to build traction, then deflate and do the same to the other side. I have used this under the differentials on an old hilux to lift the entire rear of the vehicle (plus the contents of the tray) and then push the vehicle sideways to get the wheels out of a set of ruts. Whilst this is not the 'best' use for the device, and they have changed over the years (they used to be just a bag with two pieces of plastic similar to what you find in the bottom of a Woolies shopping bag for heat protection - now they have that protection built in and are less of a bag and more of an accordion in their use) it has gotten me our of trouble several times in minutes, where otherwise I'd have been stuck for a lot longer.

One bad experience with one of them though. First time out of the bag, was testing a new exhaust nozzle design (can't remember manufacturer sorry) and the bag inflated fine, lifted 3t of Landrover Disco 2, then promptly split (22" split on the measure) and dropped the vehicle from about 10" height and frightened the stink out of two people camping nearby (loud bang).

I think for the KL, and its limited lifting points, a Hi-Lift jack may be wasted in preference for an air jack, or a set of MaxTrax.

Below is a photo of the offending exhaust jack (post-explosion). Test your equipment in neutral territory before you need it out bush.