This is my philosophy....

ever since I had 3, yes 3, flats and only 2 spares on a trip years
ago that took my wife and I along the newly blasted road into
Carmanah valley (thankfully some of the watershed preserved as park
later) I take a hi lift jack with me on trips.

The new road road was sharp rock, and I was a greenhorn with respect
to proper tires (this was my '72 westy), but we did bring 2 spares.
Changing the tires was tricky at times, the road was rough and
uneven, the stock jack not so good.

After the 3rd flat, I drove on flat tire to get back closer to
civilization and we parked at side of road (all logging roads) at a
spot where I hoped someone would drive by. Oh and we had 3 big dogs
with us :) Next morning (monday)  we got rescued by loggers who
drove  me into camp (the old camp, now gone, at south west end of
Cowichan lake) and they kindly patched 2 tires for me.

But anyway, at next Xmas, wife gave me a hi lift jack. It has come in
very useful ever since then. In both my '72 and  '82 westy it has
helped us dig the van out of mud ruts etc.

Not everyone is going to be travelling on logging roads or seasonal
creeks (once were logging spurs, now become creeks in winter and
loose gravel roads in summer) but if you do i recommend a hi lift (or
Jackall as often called up here).

It does take up more space, and it is heavy. I keep it under rear
bench. You can get all macho and such and strap it on the outside
somewhere :)

alistair