I can say the one time I needed a jack was just to get a tire off the ground so I could re-set a popped bead and had nothing but a friend's winch which we used on the cage to lift that side up. I sense bought a small scissor jack (and air compressor) that I keep in rear box. In the seven years that I have had it I have never used it..not once.. and often wonder why I lug all this it around. I do own a hi-lift jack...and know people that do take one with them but..almost never need it. I guess if you have something less then 8-ply radial tires.. or break axles on a regular bases, then better be ready for it and have a decent jack.