Best Boat Trailer Jacks (2020)

Looking for a great jack upgrade for your boat trailer? Look no further. After today you will have the confidence to know which jack is best for you and why. Below is a list of the top 3 best boat trailer jacks that you can get your hands on in 2020, and why each one may or may not be right for you.

All of the jacks on this list are going to be manual crank, swing-up jacks, because that is the most common type of jack for boat trailers. For those of you who need the best of everything and want to make towing as easy for yourself as possible, we have the premium option. For those of you who want a really good jack with great features, but don't want to spend all of your children's Christmas money, we have the value option. And for those that don't tow very often or just want something that will get the job done while spending the least amount of money possible, we have the economy option.

Top 3 Best Boat Trailer Jacks:

Premium

Trailer Valet 5x

Value

Fulton F2 Swing-Up Jack

Economy

etrailer Swivel Jack

1. Trailer Valet 5x Swivel Jack and Trailer Mover

Item STC-V211

What We Like

Raises, lowers, and easily moves trailer
Gets trailer into tight spots
Automatic brake keeps trailer from rolling (still use chocks for storage)
Simple installation, yet heavy duty construction
High speed and low speed gear settings for different inclines
Up to 500 lb tongue weight capacity

This is for you if:

If you have a boat trailer you're always squeezing into tight spots, and you have a hard time maneuvering it with your vehicle, I think you're going to like this one.

As long as your boat is not too heavy (about 5,000 lbs or less), and especially if you tow it very often, this is the perfect choice. This jack makes it easy to move your trailer wherever you need it to go, because with the dual positraction wheels, one of the tires freewheels when you're turning, and when your turn is complete, it reengages. As you are turning, use the steering handle to help guide the trailer exactly where you want it.

Feel like it would be too much work to maneuver this on your own? Don't sweat it: Trailer Valet already thought of this for you. This jack is the only one that includes the ability to use a drill attachment TVDA, so that you can use a cordless drill in place of the hand crank. It will also stand up to rust with a rugged steel construction and silver powder coat over a zinc-nickel plating.

The Trailer Valet 5X is great if you often find yourself frustrated from having to constantly back your vehicle up to maneuver your trailer, and if you want something that will make moving it quick and painless. And after you are finished getting your trailer exactly where you want it, this jack stores alongside your trailer frame for a compact look, so you never have to worry about it being in the way. This jack is basically a no-brainer (hence being #1).

This is NOT for you if:

If you like maneuvering your boat trailer with your vehicle because it means you don’t have to get out of your car, keep scrolling down the list.

This jack makes moving your trailer very easy, but it does require some hands-on maneuvering. Also, if your boat weighs more than 5,000 lbs and you know your tongue weight will be higher than 500 lbs, this jack will not be sufficient for you (don't worry, you can go with one of the next two choices). This jack is also quite a bit more expensive compared to the other jacks on our list, so you might want to pass on this one if you're okay maneuvering it with your vehicle if it means saving some hard-earned cash.

2. Fulton F2 Swing-Up Trailer Jack

Item F1413020134

What We Like

Adjustable mount and swivel system makes it easy to lift and transport
Maintenance free due to lubricated 1-piece gearbox
Twin 7" wheels roll independently for easy maneuvering
Up to 1,600 lb tongue weight capacity

This is for you if:

If you want something very durable and reliable like the Trailer Valet, but with a much better-looking price tag, this Fulton Jack is your match made in heaven.

Fulton has become a very recognizable and trustworthy name in the trailer jack world, and for good reason. They create high-quality jacks that you can keep on your trailer for a long time, only until your trailer itself starts to fall apart. This Fulton jack comes with a limited lifetime warranty and is one of our best-selling jacks for boat trailers.

With a 1,600 lb tongue weight capacity, this jack is capable of handling almost any and every boat out there. The Fulton F2 is a classic swing-up jack, with all the features that you would ever need in a standard hand crank. It has dual wheels like the Trailer Valet; however both wheels roll independently, unlike our #1 choice. This F2 also has a maintenance-free gearbox so you never have to worry about adding extra grease later on. However, if you are an extra cautious individual, you can still add extra grease if you would like through the convenient ventilation port.

As far as rust resistance goes, this jack features aluminum inner and outer alloy tubes, both with an anodized finish, so the F2 definitely contends with what the the Trailer Valet has to offer and will provide you with excellent rust resistance over time. And did I mention it's a simple bolt-on application, and has an adjustable mount to fit just about any boat trailer? As long as your tongue is the standard 3"x3" or 3"x4," this jack will work for you.

This is NOT for you if:

If you want to spend as little money as possible, check out #3 on the list as the Fulton jack is still not as affordable as the etrailer jack. The F2 is still a very good price for the outstanding quality, but you can also snag a jack with fewer features for less money. This Fulton jack is perfect for those frequent boaters but may not be your first choice if you only take your boat out once or twice a year, as you may just want something basic that is not going to cost too much.

3. etrailer Round Swivel Marine Jack

Item MJ-1206B

What We Like

Easily swings up for storage
Includes wheel and mounting hardware
Easy bolt-on installation
Up to 1,000 lb tongue weight capacity

This is for you if:

You want to spend as little money as possible, yet still get a reliable jack that will hold up really well over the years. This etrailer jack features a corrosion-resistant zinc finish and is made from heavy-duty steel capable of handling up to 1,000 lbs of tongue weight.

With one plastic wheel, you can easily move your trailer where you need it to go, however this etrailer jack will not be quite as efficient as the first two on our list, as they both feature dual wheels which allow for an easier and more accurate maneuvering. And for those who don’t want to spend a lot of time or work upfront, you’ll love the simple bolt-on installation, with a very easy-to-use sidewind handle with a comfortable, grooved grip.

This jack is perfect for you if you don't plan on taking your boat out very often. With a very low cost compared to our other contenders, that may be the deciding factor for you, especially if you aren't going to use it every day. This etrailer jack is built for those who are less concerned with bells and whistles and more concerned with getting a solid jack for a great price.

This is NOT for you if:

If you want a jack that will make it as easy as humanly possible to maneuver and raise/lower your trailer, this isn't it. As this jack is the most economical one on our list, it does come with some sacrifices in terms of stand-out features. The etrailer jack does not feature the dual wheels, chain drive system, or automatic brake that the Trailer Valet does, so it will be a bit harder to get it into tight spots as accurately and quickly. And although this jack does have a corrosion-resistant clear zinc finish, it does not compare to the Trailer Valet's powder coat with zinc and nickel plating, which will typically hold up a lot longer in the elements.

If you’re planning on taking your boat out every weekend and want to make the trip as effortless as possible, you may want to pass on this one. I’d suggest going with either the Fulton or the Trailer Valet above.

Still have questions?

Give our experts a call at 800-298-8924, or contact us online. We're happy to assist any way we can!

About the Author

My journey with etrailer started in Customer Service, where I went through months of product training to make sure that I had all of the knowledge I needed to help our neighbors find a solution to any situation. I helped them with technical questions, troubleshooting, product information, and anything else they needed. Since it has always been my passion to write and express myself through words, I made the transition over to the content side of the website so I could combine my product knowledge and passion for writing.

In order to make sure that I am giving you the most accurate, current information, I am constantly doing research and talking with people who are doing what I am writing about every day. I am constantly striving to find out what questions you are asking, and to give you an answer to every one of those questions, plus answers to questions you haven't even asked yet - yes, I'm that good. Plus, I am constantly getting hands-on training with our vendors and asking them all of the hard questions, that way you can have all of the information you need before making a decision.