Hi-Lift Lift-Mate Design Improvement
There aren't many lift points around the outsides of our big rigs, and the Hi-Lift Lift-Mate is a most useful tool to raise the van by a wheel with a Hi-Lift jack. However, there is a design weakness in the Lift-Mate, as was pointed out by Bill Burke on the Anza Borrego outing (one of the many things worth the price of admission!). The trapezoidal strap piece sewn to keep the hook straps together is stitched such that the very first use results in broken stitches and weakened strap integrity.
An improvement is to rivet the strap piece to reinforce the threads. Six 3/16" diameter steel rivets backed by washers did the trick. An awl for making holes for the fasteners prevented damage to the strap fabric. Much more robust. A small fix but something that may not have been on the radar of those who have these things, until Hi-Lift improves their otherwise great product.
Cheers!
|