Best Off-Road Jacks: Save Your Bacon on the Trails

We came to this selection of off-road-ready jacks by comparing and contrasting more than 20 units, all with a good range of features, sizes, and options. We kept to just two types of jacks with bottle and trail since we personally don't find scissor jacks to be an ideal solution, and conventional floor jacks won't cut it. We've also done a good amount of off-roading ourselves, and while we haven't needed to make any lengthy or complex repairs on the side of a trail, we have certainly familiarized ourselves with both bottle-type and trail-type jacks.

Our product selections, rankings, and awards for this story are based on research. While we haven’t conducted real-world testing on all of these products yet, we’ve looked at consumer testimonials and data, tutorials, and general discussions on social media and in forums. We also consider price and specification in the context of the segment. And, of course, we rely on our institutional knowledge of the automotive landscape to weed out weak products.

When searching for the right off-road jack for you, there are a few things to take into consideration, such as the jack's size, load capacity, operation, type, maintenance, and weight. If you need something compact that you want to be thrown in the back of a smaller off-road rig, a bottle jack is hard to beat. Though, if your rig is lifted up pretty high, the bottle jack might not cut it.

The key is to find something in your price range that will fit your vehicle's size, that you're comfortable handling, and that won't get in the way. A cast-iron, manual trail-type jack is great, but they can be a bear to wield around and take up a lot of space.

Trail jacks, also known as farm jacks, handyman jacks, and manual jacks, are the most versatile and work on various types of road surfaces. These jacks are fairly basic and are typically designed to work in conjunction with a wide, flat base, with all applicable wheels chocked. One of the advantages of these jacks is they're easy to use leverage in a mix of terrain, including gravel, sand, rocks, mud, and snow.

If you want a very strong hold, then a floor jack will do the trick. However, this type of jack works best on flat surfaces. While some brands have wheels and can technically be used in sand, snow, and mud, they can be difficult to move around. They are not the best choice for off-roading.

Bottle jacks are also known as hydraulic jacks. Those with wide and grippy bases are best for off-roading. Still, bottle jacks are most efficient if they're used on flat surfaces. They also aren't always able to reach certain points because of their compact design.

Scissor jacks are very simple to use but are often not ideal for off-road use since they need a flat and stable surface. While simple to use, they're also annoying to use. It can take a long time to jack one up to the proper height on any vehicle, let alone a lifted off-roader. These are commonly found as automakers' emergency jacks, they're OK in a pinch and when the surface is flat, but generally any other type will be more versatile.

Safety is top priority when you're shopping for the best off-road jack. The more you can do to minimize risk, the better. Make sure that what you're buying is designed to meet the needs of your particular situation. Look for safe jacks that come with protective features, such as shear bolts, built-in weight limits, locking-pin systems, and safety bars. Also consider buying as wide of a base as you can find, as well as wheel chocks.

Not all off-road jacks work with all vehicles. Do your research and make sure the jack you purchase is designed to work with your particular rig. Check the lifting capacity and whether it can easily fit under your car, truck, or SUV. Also, make sure it'll easily be stored inside or outside the vehicle.

The best off-road jacks are heavy-duty, sturdy, and durable. They should be constructed of high-grade steel or cast iron, so they can withstand the stress of off-road use. Most of the above highlighted high-quality jacks are powdercoated, which protects them from rust and corrosion and extends their lifespan. 

Some jacks are more versatile than others. While many brands are geared towards road use and are perfect in the garage, some can also operate in the mud, sand, or gravel. An on-/off-road jack is convenient because you can use it in a variety of situations.

Along the way, you pick up a few tricks along the way in terms of selecting the right product and using it. That’s the case with us and off-road jacks. To help you bridge the information gap, here’s a selection of what we’ve learned along the way.

Most jacks can support a car that weighs between 1.5 and 4.0 tons. Look up the weight of your car and compare that to the weight that the jack will hold. Buying something that will support your car quite easily, such as a 4.0-ton capacity jack lifting up a 2.0-ton vehicle, is never a bad idea.

Jacks have different weights and sizes. For off-road use, make sure the jack is not too heavy for your physical ability, and that it will fit in tight spaces if you need to use it.

Off-road jacks usually do not fit in the space where your car’s original jack fits. You’ll need to do a bit of measuring before purchasing, although you can always store them in a storage box, attach them to a roof rack, or keep it in your truck's bed.

Be aware that many common jacks, especially of the hydraulic variety, have maintenance requirements. It's best to consult your model's manufacturer for the best guidance here.

Sometimes, the simple and low-tech approach is best, and that's why we chose the Hi-Lift Jack as our best overall pick. It's easy to use and provides plenty of lift clearance. If you want the top of the line, though, the best of the best, we recommend the Torin Big Red.