Electric Trailer Jack and Landing Gear Recommendations for 3 Different Trailers

Question:

I was wondering what electric jack would work the best for my trailers? I have a 99 hillsboro aluminum trailer. It is similar to a horse trailer but it is totally enclosed and fully shelved and loaded. It weighs about 11000 pounds everyday. It has a bulldog 12000# jack mounted on the front of the trailer in the center behind the fifth wheel tungue. I also would like to put an electric jack on a 32ft dual tandem 5th wheel delta flat deck trailer. This trailer has dual 12000 pound fulton jacks on it mounted the same as the prior trailer. I also have a trailer that is a 20ft bumper hitch flat deck dual axle trailer. This trailer has a single 12000 lb jack mounted not on the A frame but mounted in the front of the deck in the center. My question is what electric jack would work the best for these 3 trailers? I am interested in putting one on each trailer. Since it appears it would be required to put a battery on each trailer im wondering if there is a charging system available that will charge the battery when connected to the vehicles?

asked by: Jason

Expert Reply:

t sounds like you have 3 heavy trailers! For the first two trailers I recommend using a landing gear set such as # UF17-943010 rated for 12,000 pounds total. Each jack has its own motor so they can be raised and lowered independently of each other which is great for keep the trailer level.

For the third trailer I recommend the Stromberg Carlson # SC63VR which is rated for 4,500 pounds. Since the jack will be mounted towards the front of the trailer it will not have to handle the total weight of the trailer so the 4,500 pound capacity should be more than enough.

You would need to have trailer mounted 12 volt batteries. You can provide a maintenance charge only to the batteries through the trailer connector but you will not be able to charge up the battery. The wiring in trailer connectors is too small and most vehicle alternators are not strong enough to push back the amperage needed to charge up a trailer battery.

So what I recommend is an AC battery charger, # CTEK56353, to periodically charge the trailer batteries. This particular charger will not only charge the battery but can also help recondition the battery. I own one myself, as do several other experts here, and they work beautifully.

expert reply by: Michael H