Can I Wire and Electric Trailer Jack Directly to the Truck Battery

Question:

When installing a electric jack on my feathetlite stock trailer Can it be wired to the truck battery ???

asked by: Joni Y

Expert Reply:

You could technically wire an electric trailer jack directly to your truck's battery, but that isn't really the most practical setup. I've seen one guy pull out his jumper cables every time he wanted to use the jack in this fashion, but I can't say the safety factor didn't worry me. Another thing to consider is that the wire gauge used on electric trailer jacks isn't the most ideal for running up to the front of a truck due to the wire length required and the amp draw of the jack motor. Running 10 or 12 gauge wire from the jack up to the front of the truck just wouldn't be enough for most electric trailer jacks.

You'd be better off either adding an auxiliary 12 volt battery to your trailer and upgrade the wiring on your trailer with a 7-way upgrade wiring kit like part # HS381-9000 or using the Ultra-Fab electric jack, # UF38-944037. Ultra-Fab created one of the only electric trailer jacks with a motor specifically designed to work with the amp limitations of your tow vehicle's 7-way trailer connector. Part # UF38-944037 comes with a 7-pin trailer plug that you can simply plug into your tow vehicle when you are ready to connect or disconnect the trailer. It will use the 12 volt power circuit in your trailer's 7-way without overdrawing on the circuit due to their unique motor design.

Most other electric jacks have a higher amp draw than the 7-way connector can handle, so these are the two routes I recommend going with your Featherlite stock trailer.

expert reply by: John H