How do You Determine the Trailers Tongue Weight to Choose a Replacement Jack  

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A trailer's tongue weight is usually between 10 to 15 percent of its total weight. So if your trailer is 10,000 pounds its tongue weight should be between 1,000 to 1,500 pounds. Most electric jacks will be able to handle this with ease and it's also pretty common for trailer jacks to be rated higher than necessary. This helps the jack operate smoother and last longer since it's not pushing its maximum capacity all the time.

To find a more accurate number there's a few methods you can use. I've attached a help article that describes them in detail. The easiest is to use a togue weight scale like the # e99044.

I think the best value for an A-frame tongue jack is the Stromberg Carlson # SC63VR which is rated for 4500 pounds of tongue weight. This is 1000 pounds more than other models, and even though you may not need this much capacity, you will find that the jack motor runs quick and effortlessly. This will add years to its life. This jack also has a unique clutch that prevents damage from overextending or retracting the jack foot - the most common reason for jack failure. I also like that is has a generous 23" lift, including a time-saving drop-foot. It includes LED lights for operating the hitch in the dark, and a built-in bullseye leveling bubble.

Another popular, and more economical options is the etrailer.com jack, part # EJ-3520-BBX. This jack doesn't have the extra features of the Brute but is still plenty for your trailer. It's rated for 3,500 pounds

expert reply by: Charles S

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