Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

What Recovery Equipment do you use.
Post Reply
richie
Newbie
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Sep 24, 2007 7:23 pm
Town: tableview cape town
Vehicle: Toyota 2.5d -4d 4x4 s/c

Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by richie »

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
BenHur
Monster Truck
Monster Truck
Posts: 5906
Joined: Fri May 18, 2007 7:12 pm
Town: Pretoria
Vehicle: '96 D/C Raider
Real Name: Bennie
Location: Doornpoort

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by BenHur »

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. :wink:
User avatar
Cookie Monster
LR 4WD Full Lockers
LR 4WD Full Lockers
Posts: 968
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:02 am
Town: Port Elizabeth
Vehicle: 2006 Hilux DC V6 Auto 4x4 Oldman Emu suspension
Real Name: Justin
Location: Eastern Cape
Contact:

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by Cookie Monster »

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 :cry: :evil: :roll:
2006 Hilux DC 4x4 4.0 V6 Old Man Emu suspension, Long Range Fuel Tank and a LA Sport Sump Guard, Natko railings with spade and high lift brackets, LA Sport high lift jack mounts, Powder coated Hilux Nudge Bar, Hella LED light bar, LED Work Light
User avatar
SYRON CONVERSIONS
LR4WD, Lockers, Crawler Gears
LR4WD, Lockers, Crawler Gears
Posts: 1494
Joined: Fri May 18, 2007 8:51 pm
Town: Tamboekieland
Vehicle: SFA HILUX
Real Name: SIMON
Location: Tamboekieland

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by SYRON CONVERSIONS »

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
1992 Slightly Modified Hilux, 2008 VW Caddy panelvan work, 2010 Isuzu 2.5 td bakkie for work, a pair of big 'balloons' as well hanging at the rear of my Hilux

simoan
User avatar
Niel
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 7372
Joined: Sun Jul 15, 2007 10:07 pm
Town: Cape Town
Vehicle: 2014, DC, D4D 3.0, 4x4
Real Name: Niel
Location: Bellville
Contact:

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by Niel »

So what other good makes do you get an can you reccomend :?:
User avatar
Mud Dog
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 29852
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2008 2:18 am
Town: East London
Vehicle: '90 SFA Hilux DC 4X4, Full OME, 110mm lift. Brospeed branch, 50mm ss freeflow exhaust. 30 x 9.5 Discoverer S/T's on Viper mags. L/R tank. (AWOL) '98 LTD 2.4 SFA, dual battery system. Dobinson suspension, LR tanks, 31" BF mud's.
Real Name: Andy
Club VHF Licence: HC103

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by Mud Dog »

Personally I would'nt even consider them . The pro's of balloons vs high lift weigh greatly in favour of the high lift. M2CW
When your road comes to an end ...... you need a HILUX!.

Image
Image

Life is like a jar of Jalapeño peppers ... what you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow.
Don't take life too seriously ..... no-one gets out alive.
It's not about waiting for storms to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.
And be yourself ..... everyone else is taken!
Clarence
Low Range 4WD
Low Range 4WD
Posts: 102
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:52 am
Town: Cape Town
Vehicle: Pipe Car
Real Name: Clarence

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by Clarence »

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
BenHur
Monster Truck
Monster Truck
Posts: 5906
Joined: Fri May 18, 2007 7:12 pm
Town: Pretoria
Vehicle: '96 D/C Raider
Real Name: Bennie
Location: Doornpoort

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by BenHur »

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... ImageImage




:wink:
Clarence
Low Range 4WD
Low Range 4WD
Posts: 102
Joined: Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:52 am
Town: Cape Town
Vehicle: Pipe Car
Real Name: Clarence

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by Clarence »

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 :idea: :wave:
User avatar
swartvark
Monster Truck
Monster Truck
Posts: 2051
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:03 pm
Town: Gordons Bay
Vehicle: SFA HiLEX V8; Suzuki GSF1200s Bandit
Real Name: Tiaan
Location: Western Cape

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by swartvark »

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. :thumbup:
After 4 years of owning the Lux I've never used the spare????
Image
MUD........GLORIOUS MUD!!!!!


Your friendly VW salesperson......(with a passion for SFA Hiluxes)

NEED A CAR?
talk2tiaan@gmail.com
0829294028
User avatar
Toybox
LR 4WD Full Lockers
LR 4WD Full Lockers
Posts: 814
Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2007 7:36 pm
Town: Cape Town
Vehicle: Hilex
Real Name: Jonathan
Club VHF Licence: X100

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by Toybox »

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....
User avatar
Suidwes1
Low Range 4WD
Low Range 4WD
Posts: 218
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2009 1:59 pm
Town: Roodepoort
Vehicle: Landrover 110 Defender met baie ekstras ( jammer ouens )
Real Name: Nico
Location: Krugersdorp
Contact:

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by Suidwes1 »

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.
OUD Suidwester !!!
Province

My 4 x 4
Lets Play !
168 Commisioner street
Krugersdorp

S 26 05.897 E 27 45.627
my4x4shop@gmail.com
www.my4x4shop.co.za ( aktief )
+27116609687
OOOOMS
Top Web Wheeler
Top Web Wheeler
Posts: 19468
Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2013 7:09 am

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by OOOOMS »

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!
User avatar
warthog
LR 4WD Full Lockers
LR 4WD Full Lockers
Posts: 846
Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:42 am
Town: Barberton
Vehicle: Fortuner 4.0 V6 Auto, LRFT, Dual Batt, OME's, BFG AT's, ARM comp, 800w inv, Roofrack
Real Name: Hennie
Location: Barberton, Mpumalanga

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by warthog »

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
ImageImage

Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
Jos 24:15: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"
OOOOMS
Top Web Wheeler
Top Web Wheeler
Posts: 19468
Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2013 7:09 am

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by OOOOMS »

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 :wink:
Thabogrobler
Monster Truck
Monster Truck
Posts: 5266
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:43 pm
Town: Pretoria
Vehicle: '02 'Lux KZ
Real Name: Thabo
Club VHF Licence: x223
Location: Garsfontein
Contact:

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by Thabogrobler »

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! :lol:

Defender Trophy 2010 - Swaziland - Nog net 11 dae voor ons begin!!
'02 KZ 'Lux. Cooled. Chipped. Onca'd. Cherished!

If you are a diesel fan, raise your hand.
If you aren't raising your hand, raise your standards!

A 4x4 is merely a machine that enables you to get stuck further away from civilization.
Dadz Toy BFI

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by Dadz Toy BFI »

IMHO a great addition to a Hi-Lift Jack but NOT a replacement for ;-)
User avatar
warthog
LR 4WD Full Lockers
LR 4WD Full Lockers
Posts: 846
Joined: Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:42 am
Town: Barberton
Vehicle: Fortuner 4.0 V6 Auto, LRFT, Dual Batt, OME's, BFG AT's, ARM comp, 800w inv, Roofrack
Real Name: Hennie
Location: Barberton, Mpumalanga

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by warthog »

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

Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
Jos 24:15: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"
OOOOMS
Top Web Wheeler
Top Web Wheeler
Posts: 19468
Joined: Tue Jul 16, 2013 7:09 am

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by OOOOMS »

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

Ek sal maar net vir jou 'n paar getuies hof toe kan stuur as jy wil :thumbup:
User avatar
swartvark
Monster Truck
Monster Truck
Posts: 2051
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:03 pm
Town: Gordons Bay
Vehicle: SFA HiLEX V8; Suzuki GSF1200s Bandit
Real Name: Tiaan
Location: Western Cape

Re: Baloon jacks--- Anybody use th...

Post by swartvark »

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!
Image
MUD........GLORIOUS MUD!!!!!


Your friendly VW salesperson......(with a passion for SFA Hiluxes)

NEED A CAR?
talk2tiaan@gmail.com
0829294028
Post Reply

Return to “Recovery Equipment”