stabilization ideas

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on August 30, 2008 at 12:28am

Take your step chocks and stand them up right instead of using them the traditional flat way.

You still need to be careful with overall stability though.

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Permalink Reply by T.J. on August 30, 2008 at 12:33am

we've got a local lumber yard that we work very close with and if we hear a call and it seems like we're going to need a ot of cribbing we call for it and our local law will escort them to the seen, we've done this a couple of times now and it works great:)

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Permalink Reply by Johnny B on August 30, 2008 at 10:59pm

I may be stating the obvious but deflate the tires. That will drop the vehicle by about 5 inches, place your chocks/cribbing under the vehicle and lower the vehicle onto them.

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Permalink Reply by Brian D. on September 8, 2008 at 10:06pm

That's what we do Johnny, it makes for rock solid stabilization!

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Permalink Reply by Tom Gavin on September 2, 2008 at 9:55am

Michael,
I believe you also need to look at the load bearing capacity of the strut system you are looking at. All manufacturers publish this information and the capacity they publish is for the strut loaded axially (straight and true). Keep in mind that when you use these devices on a vehicle, you will be loading them eccentrically (off center). There load bearing capcity will be reduced from what is published. Also as you extend the srut (make it longer) this also reduces it's load carrying capabilities (Columnar Loading: The longer a post is in relationship to it's diameter, the less weight it can hold).
As you try to stabilize larger vehicles you must consider the increased weight plus you can not ignore the load the vehicle is carrying. Just suppose that after stabilizing the pick up truck, you have to lift it and it's cargo to rescue a person trapped beneath it. As a friend once told me "once you lift a load you own it". Is your system expandable and still strong?
Why stop at pick up trucks. What about larger trucks, buses etc. how do we stabilize these heavy vehicles that are high above the ground. Remember, to really stabilize a heavy load you need to have a very wide foot print (usually impractical) or you need to get a strong post's point of contact above the load's center of gravity. The latter is not as hard as it may seem.
If you have any other questions, or seek additional information I would be happt to talk with you.

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Permalink Reply by chris carillo on September 2, 2008 at 10:10pm

hey michael hurst just came out with stabilizing struts that work great for stabilizing all vehicles, also there is a product called the auto crib that is pretty neat, check them out!

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Permalink Reply by Capt 723 on September 12, 2008 at 3:33pm

We are using the autocrib. They are pretty slick. Just better have your gloves on and watch your fingers!

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Permalink Reply by Butch McCurdy on September 7, 2008 at 8:43pm

Maybe try Farm jacks, maybe air bags.

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Permalink Reply by llpoteat on September 8, 2008 at 5:40pm

Try hi-lift jacks. They are used all the time by off-roaders (trail trucks). www.4wheeparts.com.

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Permalink Reply by lutan1 on September 9, 2008 at 8:03am

Hi-lifts are good in the right hands.

Used incorrectly or in an unsafe manner and these are nightmares when it comes to stability

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Permalink Reply by Mark Klaene on August 1, 2009 at 2:02pm

I have a guy that wants to use Hi-lifts all the time. I don't like them for rescue work in general and basically agree with your comments. Can you provide any more details on when/how they are "good" so I can help convince folks.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Bates on August 2, 2009 at 7:15pm

Mark Hi-Lift jacks are not a stabilization tool . they are to be used to lift , or pull, or used as a come-a-long, they have many excellent uses, just not stabilization. they give no lateral support. I've even used them to create a purchase point.put them in the window like you would your spreaders ans use in same manner. but again they are not a STABILIZATION tool.

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