Add this tool to the list of unnecessary...unless you've got a MAN/Kamaz lorry/Unimog...and weight isn't really a concern.

If you're carrying a 2nd spare tire on a rim, use that.

If you're carrying a 2nd spare tire without a rim...why?
The extra weight of the rim is comparable to the weight of the bead breaker, and tire irons...no?

If you carry too much stuff for those rare situations, you will create problems for yourself due to the weight...like busted mother springs, or wheel bearing failures, etc...now that would be a bugger...carry a spare set of wheel bearings...much better investment on weight.

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edde
93 BMW K75s
www.motoedde.com

Looks like the thingy would work really well. But... do have to agree with the rarely-used tool argument. Better to spend a little time improvising than a lot of time carrying dead weight.

Still... Looking at the design, it strikes me it could be half the size and just as effective, hmmm? Sub-500gms and I'd be tempted...

Jamie, if you get into a swing with the welding perhaps we could chip in for a spare ? ;-))

Always surprised me that no one has come up with a 'hydraulic-press'-style attachment for a hi-lift. Maybe it could be combined with a bead-breaker? Does anyone know a patent lawyer?

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Pictures, Mauritania 2011

I am on holiday in Germany at the mo, and was in the Daerrs shop a couple of days ago - a veritable mine of overlanding stuff... You name it it is there! I was there with my credit card at the ready and salivating, but finally walked out with a bag of ratchet straps which always for some reason disapear! Of course I must admit I am a bit of a kit fanatic, and get almost (maybe even more, when you are restricted by time to how much travelling you can do) as much fun from tinkering with my vehicle and getting it how I want as I do from travelling. To be honest maybe most of us have this tendency or are in this position? But this tool I reckon could be genuinely usefull... Of course it could be easily made (maybe even just make one which replaces the whole 'foot' from a hi-lift to minimise weight issues) and an improvisation can almost always be made, but there is a certain satisfaction from using a well designed tool to do a job - otherwise we would all use chinese spanners and drive 1985 Ladas and just buy new ones when the old ones break. Of course there is also the opposite to this where we get a kick from making do with the bare minimum and shrugging off 'materialistic entrapments' and paring everything down to the minimum. I reckon this is a well thought out and usefull piece of kit (like the tyre plier) but is not 100% required for everyone. I wont buy one but I certainly wont knock it, and if I was really that weight concerned then the fridge and the /fresh cheese would also get slung out, but they wont. Neither will the GPS, Stereo, Hiking boots, Books, folding chair and toilet paper

Sorry guys, just feeling a little bit philosophical on the last day of my hols...
Gil
This evening enjoying a few fine German Beers - super!

However - no-body with a big truck carries a High-Lift since they can't lift heavy trucks. I do carry 2 hydraulic jacks, wood blocks and an 8 ton air bag (4X4X4' when inflated). The 3 piece rims used on my U500 and the MANs make tire/wheel dis-assembly easy.

Charlie

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Unimog U500 w/Unicat