A trailer jack is an important part of safe towing. If you need to add or replace a jack on a trailer, the following information can help you choose among the many kinds to find
the right one.
Basic Functions of a Trailer Jack
Raises and lowers the trailer so that you can connect the coupler
to and disconnect it from the ball on your hitch
Keeps the trailer level when it's not attached to the tow vehicle
Stabilizes the trailer for loading and unloading and when the trailer is parked
Trailer jacks come in different weight capacities and lengths. Remember to consider the length of the jack in both the retracted
and extended positions. When extended, the jack has to lift your coupler high enough for it to clear the hitch ball on the vehicle. And the jack has to
retract far enough to clear the ground when you're traveling. The following information can help you find a jack with the proper weight capacity
and length for your application:
1. Determine the Height of a Jack
To determine if a jack will work for your trailer, you'll need to know its height, both retracted and extended. These dimensions
are usually given for jacks. They're taken from the bottom of the jack (including any foot that may be present) to the mounting point. The mounting
points can vary, depending on the style of jack. Standard A-frame jacks are usually measured to the bottom of the mounting flange. Pipe mount jacks are
measured to the center of the mounting pipe. Jacks that have a bolt-on bracket are usually measured to the centerline of the bracket.
2. Trailer Tongue Weight
Trailer tongue weight (TW)
is the downward pressure that the coupler places on the hitch ball. Typically, TW is 10 to 15 percent
of your gross trailer weight (GTW), which is the weight of the trailer when it is fully loaded.
For example, a 5,000-lb trailer has a TW of 500 lbs to 750 lbs pressing down on the ball.
Choose a jack with a capacity that matches or surpasses your TW
Because of manufacturing processes and costs, many jacks of different sizes and weight capacities are similar in price.
So you can use a jack that will easily surpass your trailer's TW yet won't be too large or expensive. For example, you could use a 2,000-lb jack for a 3,500 GTW utility trailer, even though the estimated TW would be around 525 lbs.
3. Trailer Tongue Height
With the trailer level and parked on level ground, measure the height from the ground to the bottom of the trailer coupler
The jack should extend about 4" higher than the level height of the coupler so you can raise it over the ball for connecting and disconnecting the trailer
The jack should retract enough to be shorter than the coupler height of the level trailer
It should also retract (or pivot out of the way) enough to clear the ground when the trailer is being towed. To make sure the jack will clear uneven ground,
the higher it retracts, the better.
A-frame jacks conveniently bolt or weld onto A-Frame couplers or sit in a brace behind the coupler
Capacity: 2,000 lbs to 5,000 lbs
Applications: A-frame utility, camper and landscape trailer applications
Manual crank or 12V-powered models available
Manual crank jacks come in one of two styles - cranking from either the side or the top
One type may work better than the other depending on the clearance around your trailer
Drop-leg style available
Saves time when raising and lowering
Simply pull the pin on the leg to lower the inner leg and the foot to the ground
Line up the holes on the inner and outer leg and reinsert the pin to lock the inner leg in the lower position
Crank the jack to extend it and raise the trailer (Because the inner leg and foot are close to the ground, you won't have to crank the jack much to raise the trailer)
Allows for greater lift
Many models of A-frame jacks let you add the wheels or feet of your choice to best fit your application
Side-mount jacks either bolt or weld to the side of the frame of a pole tongue or A-frame trailer. The pivoting design lets the jack swing
up and out of the way for towing and down for jacking. Manual crank jacks come in one of two styles - cranking from the side (most common) or top. One type
may work better than the other depending on the clearance around your trailer.
Pull-pin swivel jacks clamp on or weld to the trailer frame
Clamp-on style fit frame sections up to 3" wide x 5" tall
Weld-on style can mount to frame in any convenient location
Capacity: 800 lbs to 1,500 lbs
A pull pin holds the jack in position - simply pull the pin to release the jack and change its position
The pin is spring loaded so that it will automatically snap back in when the jack reaches the stow or jack position
Lightweight marine trailers frequently use these kinds of jacks, which are often zinc coated for extra resistance to corrosion that salt water can cause
Typically a wheel is included to make it easy to manuever the trailer
Pipe or tube is welded to the trailer frame, providing a mount for the jack to pivot on - down for jacking and stabilizing, and up for towing
Weld-on mounting method gives you more options for where you can mount the jack
Capacity: 2,000 lbs to 7,000 lbs
Mounting location is frequently on the trailer's tongue, but often found at the sides of the trailer near the back to aid with stabilizing and leveling
Drop-leg jacks are either welded or bolted to the side of your trailer's tongue
Clamp-on-style drop-leg jacks will usually fit a frame up to 3" wide x 5" tall
Capacity: 8,000 lbs to 12,000 lbs
Applications: agricultural, industrial and construction trailers
Square cross section offers improved side-load strength over other designs
Drop-leg feature makes for fast leveling and increased lift
Saves time when raising and lowering
Simply pull the pin on the leg to lower the inner leg and the foot to the ground
Line up the holes on the inner and outer leg and reinsert the pin to lock the inner leg in the lower position
Crank the jack to extend it and raise the trailer (Because the inner leg and foot are close to the ground, you won't have to crank the jack much to raise the trailer)
Some models can be paired up with a follow jack and used as landing gear on RV trailers
Motors can be added to some models as an option
Both their high capacity and the ability to be paired with a follow jack make these jacks an attractive option for gooseneck and fifth-wheel
trailers
Keeps a trailer from rolling or slipping when it's parked
Some wheel chocks can function as an instant jack on tandem axle trailers
Steps to use chock as a jack:
Set the chock in front of one of the trailer's tires on the side that you want to raise
Pull the trailer forward
The chock will tilt, raising the trailer's tires off of the ground
If the trailer has two axles, the tire that is not supported by the jack, but that is on the same side of the trailer, will also be raised so that it can
be changed
@AngelaB I would like to help you with that, but we need more information. Is the tongue on your trailer on an A-Frame, or a straight frame? Looking at your existing jack, does it wind on the top or the side. Looking at the article regarding extended height, what is your current jack?
I just purchased the Lippert power stance jack with the aux cord to power from my truck as I am using it on my landscaping trailer (no battery). Install was fine, however, it seems I am not getting power to the Jack? I know I am getting power from the 7-pin on the truck as i have a breakaway battery box with LED display that reads it is charging that battery. Truck is a 2019 F150. I even pulled the aux cord end apart to ensure that it was wired correctly to match 12v from the truck and it is. Thoughts?
I have attached a link reviewing trailer wiring. Please double check your truck-side 7-pin connector. Also verify that the white wire on the truck side and the white wire on the trailer side are clean and filed to bare metal for their connections. A poor grounding can cause all kinds of problems.
I would also check for any inline fuses from the trailer 7-pin to the jack.
If these are correct, then you will need to trace the power wire from the jack to the power source watching for breaks or crimps along the way.
It could be possible that your jack is defective. Let's try hitching your trailer to another truck and see if it works. This will also tell you if the problem is on the truck side or trailer side.
I need a 5 K top handle for an A frame tailor that is the shortest between the mounting plate and the top of the jack so my tail gate will not hit it. About 8".
First, since you want the most room possible for tailgate clearance, why wouldn't you use a side cranking handle? Do you not have room?
Considering the drawings on the page you posted your question on, what is the least "retracted height” you can work with? Or, we could give you a very short jack that would always require wood blocks beneath it.
I have included a link that has all of our jacks for an A-frame trailer, that has a topwind, can handle 5K pounds, and bolt into the existing place on the A-frame.
Out of those, the etrailer # TJA-5000-B has the least height from the mounting bracket to the top of crank.
My tube jack is welded on my trailer and has rusted or fused in some way so I can't raise or lower my trailer. Can I take apart the tube jack or is there some way to remove the old one in order to replace it
Each jack is different, some can be disassembled for cleaning and maintenance, but many cannot. Does your jack swivel so that it can be rotated for better ground clearance when not in use? If so, then there should be a pin or snap ring that can be removed in order to take the jack off the trailer. If it is stationary and the outer tube of the jack is welded directly to the trailer, then I believe it will take some time with a grinder to remove the jack.
I have a Haul-master 2 wheel jack. I think I over shot, my trailer isn’t heavy enough to turn the wheels when empty. CanI convert it to a single wheel?
If you have a removable caster wheel set then you might be able to replace it with something like part # DL22539 but I would also check to make sure that your current caster freely spins and it doesn't need any kind of lubricant.
How does the jack work. Any pictorial diagram to see how it works. I would like to buy the drawings for my trailer. It is not possible to import one piece.
Are you looking at a particular trailer jack model? I'm not sure I would be able to obtain in-depth diagrams, as it could approach propriety information, but I can certainly try to answer any questions you have.
Replacement gears are brand and model specific so I would need to know exactly what you have in order to find the correct replacements. Topwind jacks, like the Round A-Frame Trailer Jack #TJA-5000T-B will typically have a threaded rod that the handle…
I have included a dimensional drawing of the Dutton-Lainson Round Swivel Jack #DL22335 that shows the overall extended height of the jack at 40-5/8" tall. This measurement is from the bottom of the wheel to the top of the jack when extended.
The spindle that would work with the hub #8-174-5UC3 you mentioned is the TruRyde Spindle, part #TRU57FR. This spindle includes the washer, castle nut, and pin. This has a 2,500 lb capacity. I have attached a product review video for this spindle you…
For your electric jack, there are only three possible explanations for your jack not working with a charged battery. Either power is not getting to your motor, your motor is bad, or your ground connection isn't working properly. To test power,…
If your electric jack, like part #EJ-3520-BBX, isn't able to raise your trailer then either your battery needs to be charged (which you ruled out), you have a bad ground, or something is going on with your trailer jack motor. Since you ruled out…
The Hidden Hitch Ball Mount, #80248, with the 11 inch drop would be a good choice. The 11 inch drop will put you right about where you need to be (14 inches from the ground). It will actually be a little higher at 14.5 inches but the tongue weight…
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You would choose a side wind or top wind jack based on several factors. Each has its advantages. If clearance is an issue for the radius of a top wind, then you would choose a side wind. The opposite is also true. It is my experience that a side…
For your 10,000 lb car hauler trailer, I recommend the Round A-Frame Trailer Jack - Sidewind - 15-5/8" Travel - 5,000 lbs #TJA-5000S-B for a manual jack, with footplate #JF-99. The majority of the weight of your trailer will be on your axles and…
I have included a couple of pictures that show where to plug in a brake controller on a 2001 Chevy Silverado. You are looking for the black junction box located towards the back left corner on the drivers side. Remove the cover and you will see a…
The rule of thumb for estimating a tongue weight is 10-15 percent of trailer weight. A 4,600 pound trailer would have a tongue weight between 460 and 690 pounds. Somewhere between a 1,000 to 2,000 pound capacity jack would be fine. Having a jack that…
The Race Ramps Wheel Chock for Vehicle Service part #RR-WC-2 will fit on the main platform of the Race Ramps Heavy-Duty XT Ramps for Service and Display - 67" Long part #RR-XT-2-HD although it may hang off just a bit depending on the size of the…
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Angela B.
1/18/2022
I currently have a hand crank jack for my 2006 travel trailer and would love to see if it can be upgraded to an automatic one.