Upgrading your camper to an electric jack will save your time and energy every time you camp. Electric jacks can bring down the effort needed for this job to a dead zero.
But when you set out to buy an electric tongue jack, you will realize that for the same rated weight capacity, you can get products from anywhere between $150 and $600. That is a huge range for something that does the same basic job – lifting your trailer tongue.
So what makes for an excellent electrical jack? How do you judge whether the price is justified?
In this article, I will try to answer this question and many others, such as:
- Why do manufacturers have so many types of jacks: A-Frame, Heavy Duty, Side Mount – what do each of those mean?
- What size electric tongue jack would you need for your trailer?
- And most importantly, what will be the best electric trailer jack for your trailer from the hordes of products out there?
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, please check our disclosure page.
   |
1. Lippert 285318 3500LB Power Tongue Jack Black
|
CHECK PRICE ► |
 |
2. CURT 28204 A-Frame Trailer Jack
|
CHECK PRICE ► |
 |
3. Husky 82022 Super Brute Electric Jack with Remote Control – 5000 lb. Capacity
|
CHECK PRICE ► |
 |
4. RAM EJ-3520-BBX 3,500 lb. Electric Trailer Jack
|
CHECK PRICE ► |
 |
5. Bulldog Fulton Sidewind 14 Travel A-Frame Jack 5000
|
CHECK PRICE ► |
1. Lippert 285318 3500LB Power Tongue Jack Black – Overall Best Electric Trailer Jack
Specifications
- Vehicle Service Type: Trailer
- Load Capacity: 3,500 Pounds
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Brand: Lippert
- Color: Black
- Item Weight: 10 lbs
The Lippert 285318 is our no. 1 product, and the main reason is that it offers you everything you need at a reasonable price.
To start with, it’s a powerful jack that can lift 3,500lbs of weight to a height of 18 inches. While it does not support a drop leg, it comes with mounting hardware and a manual crank override.
In terms of durability, this jack uses heavy gauge steel and powder coating. Still, the impressive aspect is the textured finish on the electrical part, which makes it scratch resistant and, therefore, waterproof.
It’s a powerful jack that can draw up to 30 amps to run on a 12V battery. It’s also got four headlights in the front for evening and morning departures.
What We Like
- It is very durable. Built to last for a long time, it has features that other jacks miss – such as a textured finish on the electrical head which protects it from the weather.
- It’s got one of the brightest lights on the front, which is useful when lowering or raising the jack in the dark.
- Lippert offers a Power swap cord separately, which you can use to connect this jack directly to your tow instead of the RV. If your RV is low on power, it’s a great optional accessory.
What We Don’t Like
- It neither has a drop foot nor a footpad included. If you are planning to camp at a site that has a soft surface, you will have to purchase these separately.
- It takes a long time to lift or lower down.
- The head of the jack is quite big, so sometimes it may hit the tailgate of your tow.
Pros
- Durable
- Includes manual override and mounting hardware
- Powerful
Cons
- It’s quite slow
- Drop foot not included
2. CURT 28204 A-Frame Trailer Jack – Best Budget-Friendly RVJack
Note: this is a manual jack, not an electric one.
Specifications
- Vehicle Service Type: Trailer
- Load Capacity: 2,000 Pounds
- Material: Zinc
- Brand: Curt
- Color: Black
- Item Weight: 10.9 lbs
If you have a lighter trailer and are looking for a jack that won’t hurt the pocket but will still be durable, we suggest the CURT 28204. It is rated for 2,000 pounds and can lift your trailer tongue 15 inches (and more if you put in a drop leg).
The jack is very durable. It has a corrosion-resistant zinc plating and is powder-coated on the outside. You can bolt it onto the trailer tongue or even weld it for a more permanent option. It doesn’t take more than a few minutes to do either. It’s got a sidewind handle that is great for easy rotation.
What We Like
- It’s very solid. The electroplated steel tube with a black powder coating will last long.
- It’s light on the wallet and does the job reasonably well. You can always buy a drop leg, a caster wheel, or other accessories separately if you need them.
What We Don’t Like
- It has low ground clearance when not in use. Since it doesn’t side mount, you might damage it going over rough terrain.
Pros
- Value for money
- Can be both bolted or welded on
Cons
- Does not come with any frills, not even mounting bolts.
3. Husky 82022 Super Brute Electric Jack with Remote Control – 5000 lb. Capacity – Best Heavy Duty Trailer Jack
Specifications
- Vehicle Service Type: Trailer
- Load Capacity: 5,000 Pounds
- Material: Hardened Steel
- Brand: Husky
- Color: Silver
- Item Weight: 30.1 lbs
The first thing that you notice about the Husky 82022 Super Brute is the 3X price tag compared to other jacks here. But this jack offers a few features that make it worth the while.
At the heart of this jack is an innovative ball screw design. It reduces friction while going up or down and saves the motor from having to put in extra amperage. It also reduces wear and tear, thus making it last longer. It also means that this jack can lift 5,000 lbs using a 25 amp connection.
It also means that this jack can slide down at an impressive 6 inches per 60 seconds, which means it can cover its max lift of 18 inches in just 3 minutes.
This jack comes with everything you can want – mounting screws to jack foot to a 6-inch drop leg, directional lighting on front and sides, a weatherproof cover, a bracket to store your cable plug, and even a remote control.
What We Like
- The ball screw design makes this jack faster, stronger, and more durable.
- You don’t have to buy accessories separately; you get everything in one place.
- Having remote lets, you watch the hitch while lowering the jack.
What We Don’t Like
- It doesn’t have a triangular bolting plate like other jacks, which makes it more difficult to install and uninstall
- It is not very easy to ground the jack. You might have to sand off some of the paint on the panel and use the metal washers that you get with the jack.
Pros
- Loaded with features – drop leg, jack foot, cover, remote, etc.
- Ball screw design makes it faster, stronger, and more efficient.
Cons
- Expensive
- Difficult to ground
4. RAM EJ-3520-BBX 3,500 lb. Electric Trailer Jack – Best in Durability RV Jack
Specifications
- Vehicle Service Type: Trailer
- Load Capacity: 3,500 Pounds
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Brand: RAM Trailer Products
- Color: Black
- Item Weight: 23.9 lbs
At a rated capacity of 3500 lbs, the RAM EJ-3520-BBX is a super-durable electric jack that operates with the push of a single button. With the included drop leg and jack foot, this jack gives you an incredible 25.5 inches of lift, making it an excellent option for muddy and softer ground.
It’s got everything you need from an electric jack – strong front headlights, corrosion-free inner tubing, and powder-coated exterior casing, which means it will last for several years happily mounted on your trailer.
What We Like
- This is one of the most solid electric jacks we could find. The external tube is powder-coated steel which means there won’t be any chips or scratches. The inner one is electroplated, so you can set it down on the muddy ground and wipe it off without rust or corrosion.
- With the drop leg included, this jack gives you 25.5 (18 + 7.5 drop leg) inches of lift. Coupled with the jack foot (included), this is the best jack for lifting your trailer out of muddy and soft soil.
- It’s got big and bright front LED lights, unlike most other electrical jacks that have those small ones. You can see the hitch clearly as you lift the jack, even at night.
- It’s one of the few electric models that include a manual hand crank option. While it’s very durable, you would at least have a manual override in emergencies.
What We Don’t Like
- The jack doesn’t come with any niceties like textured casing, a cover for the jack’s head, or mounting screws. For the price, you might have expected to see these things included.
- The coupling between the inner and outer tubes has been known to break down occasionally. While they offer a 1-year warranty, you have to bear the shipping costs, which is bad customer service. Hence buyer beware.
- It will need 30 amps of power at maximum rated capacity, so you will have to hook it up to an RV or marine battery.
Pros
- Super Durable
- One of the highest lifts (25.5 inches)
- One-touch operation
- Inexpensive compared to other electric jacks
- Manual crank included
Cons
- It takes up 30 amps of power.
- It doesn’t come with mounting screws or a cover for the jack’s head.
5. Bulldog Fulton Sidewind 14 Travel A-Frame Jack 5000 – Best For Manual Operation
Note: this is a manual jack, not an electric one.
Specifications
- Vehicle Service Type: Trailer
- Load Capacity: 5,000 Pounds
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Brand: Bulldog Cases
- Color: Gray
- Item Weight: 10 lbs
The Bulldog Fulton is the only ASABE compliant jack in our lineup, which means that you can use this jack not just for trailers but also for agricultural and commercial purposes – yes, it is that strong!
Rated to lift 5,000lbs by up to 15 inches, the Bulldog Fulton is a no-nonsense manual sidewind jack with an alloy steel construction which you can buy at a great price. Don’t expect any frills from this jack, though – it doesn’t ship with either a jack foot or a drop leg.
What We Like
- This product is super strong – it’s the highest-rated jack in our lineup at 5,000 pounds.
- The alloy steel construction is superior to normal stainless steel and powder-coated jacks. Alloy steel has enhanced corrosion resistance and better strength.
- While it doesn’t come with a drop leg, it is drop-leg compliant – so if you need those few extra inches, just get a drop leg online, and you are good to go.
- The crank handle is in front of the jack, not the side. While you can reverse the handle if needed, some configurations need a front handle, and if your hitch works that way, this jack is great for you.
What We Don’t Like
- The number of turns you need to lift a weight is the same as if you had a lower capacity jack – so it’s not a huge time saver if you are purchasing it for that purpose.
- It’s got no frills – no drop leg, no jack foot. Sometimes, the package doesn’t even come with mounting screws!
Pros
- Super strong
- Inexpensive
- Front handle
Cons
- No frills
What To Look For On A Good Electric Tongue Jack
Lift Capacity
Your trailer jack should be rated to lift at least 10% of the trailer weight, including the weight of the camper stuff that you will carry on the trailer.
For example, if the trailer weighs 7,500 lbs, and the weight of everything you are carrying is another 1,000 lbs, you need to get a trailer jack rated for a lift capacity of about 850 lbs. To be on the safer side, get one that is rated for at least 1,000 lbs.
If you are not sure of the trailer weight, you can always talk to the manufacturer or research it online, but do not buy a trailer jack without doing this little calculation.
Durability
The problem with electric jacks is that water going into them can damage the internal circuitry. What you need is a jack whose exterior is corrosion-resistant water.
Apart from that, these jacks are often installed permanently on the trailer tongue, so they are exposed to the external environment. There can be moisture in the air, dirt, and dust on the road, and road salt can accumulate over time.
You need a solid exterior with Zinc electroplating that will keep the jack rust-free for many years. It should be made with solid high gauge steel, and a powder-coated finish will make it even better.
Look for a textured exterior that will prevent minor cracks and chips on the road, which can cause corrosion over time.
Installation
Tongue jacks are either bolted on or welded on. Welding is a more permanent option. However, you would need a bit of expertise to weld it on.
Bolting is a lot easier and takes less time as well. Most DIYers should be able to bolt an electric jack onto the tongue in a few minutes with the right tools. So unless you have prior welding experience, we suggest you bolt on the jack.
Pro tip: Don’t throw away older bolts when you remove the jack; you might be able to reuse them whenever you buy the replacement.
Drop Leg
Drop Legs have two advantages: they reduce the effort you need to crank the jack and give you additional flexibility in places where the ground is too high or too low.
All you need is to pull out the pin, lower the leg, and put it back in. It will add a couple of inches to the jack if the trailer is far away from the ground and reduce the time you need to crank the jack.
Manual Crank Override
Murphy’s law says that all things that can go wrong will go wrong. As any experienced RVer/camper knows, you need to be prepared.
Our experience tells us that despite the best and most durable construction, the electrical circuitry in these jacks can go bad on the road. A manual override is one feature you should never compromise on. Even if you don’t have power, you can always crank the handle and get your trailer ready in no time.
Jack Foot
Many trailer jacks come with a jack foot accessory. This is a good thing to have, so ask your dealer whether the model you are purchasing has one.
They protect your jack from dirt at the bottom, but it also gives a wider base to the jack so that it can distribute the load that it is carrying. It also adds a couple of inches to the jack.
A jack foot can either lock onto the jack in a twist motion or use a pin. Try to get the twist motion one; it is easier to remove.
What Size Electric Trailer Jack Do I Need?
The trailer jack size that you need depends on the configuration you are going to hitch.
Traditional Hitch
In the traditional hitching method, your jack only needs to lift the tongue of the trailer, not the back of the towing vehicle.
You can get the weight of your trailer tongue by asking the manufacturer. Another rule of thumb is to simply take 15% of the trailer’s weight. If your trailer weighs about 10,000 lbs, the trailer tongue would measure 1,500 lbs.
With this rough calculation, you can buy a trailer jack that can support at least this much weight, but we would suggest you err on the side of caution and buy a jack rated for a higher weight.
Weight Distribution Hitch
A weight distribution hitch has several advantages. It gives your towing vehicle better coupling and more stability when you are on the move.
However, in this case, the jack needs to be able to lift not just the trailer tongue but also the back of your towing vehicle.
We have already told you how to ballpark the weight of the tongue, but you need to find out the weight of the tow car online or from its manufacturer. Nearly 50% of the weight would rest on the rear tires, which the jack would have to bear.
Let’s do the math here quickly. Let’s say:
- Trailer weight: 10,000 lbs
- Tow vehicle weight: 4,000 lbs
This means your jack needs to be able to lift:
- 15% * 10,000 lbs + 50% * 4,000 lbs = 3,500 lbs
So now, you should look for a jack that is rated to hold at least that much, but we suggest you get one that can support at least 5,000 lbs.
Types Of Electric Tongue Jack
Tongue jacks can be either manual or electric, the only difference being the way you pull up the jack. In a manual jack, you need to crank it up using a lever, whereas, with an electric jack, you just need to push a button. There are three main types of Electric jacks:
A-Frame
A-Frame jacks are named after A-frame trailers for which these jacks are most widely used. You can affix these jacks to the trailer, and most of them are not meant for lifting more than 2,000 to 5,000 lbs. As we mentioned earlier, always look for a jack foot when buying an A-frame jack.
Even electric A-frame jacks will have a manual overriding crank. If the crank is on the side of the jack, it is called a sidewind jack, and on the top, it is called a top wind jack. The Bulldog Fulton we have reviewed above is a sidewind model.
When buying an A-frame jack, look for ones with a drop leg mechanism because it makes the height adjustable for different surfaces and saves you time if you have to crank it manually.
Heavy-Duty
If you use a class A motorhome or a fifth wheeler, an A-frame jack would simply not cut it. Secondly, if you are using a weight-distribution hitch, you need a jack that can handle more capacity than normal A-frame jacks.
This is where heavy-duty electric jacks come in. These babies are designed to withstand anywhere from 5,000 to 12,000 lbs. For example, the Husky 82022 Super Brute we just saw can manage 5,000 lbs without a hiccup.
Since these jacks are heavy, you need to put up brackets on the sides of your trailer’s frame to permanently attach them. In most cases, if a heavy-duty jack has a drop leg, it would be a double tube to make sure that it remains sturdy under a lot of weight.
Side Mount
Letting your jack hang straight down when moving means that your trailer tongue has a much lower ground clearance. If you hit a bump somewhere, the jack will get damaged.
Side-mounted jacks avoid this problem by swiveling to the side when they are not in use. While that’s a great way to avoid damage, it also means that the jack is not as sturdy as a heavy-duty option. So these jacks are mostly used for smaller trailers.
If you are looking for side-mounted jacks, you will find three mounting options: drop leg, pin-based, and pipe-based.
Drop legs are the sturdiest, and you can get these with weight capacity ratings as high as 8,000 to 12,000 lbs. The pin-based jacks will give you a capacity of 800 to 1,5000 lbs, whereas the pipe-based ones are rated between 2,000 to 7,000 lbs.
Benefits of Using an Electric Tongue Jack
There are three main benefits:
- Easy to use: Once you have done the initial installation, the jack just needs a button press every time you want to hitch or unhitch. It will save you lots of precious time and leave one less thing to do.
- Auto Leveling: Many of the electric models even come with auto-leveling. When you press the button on the remote, the jack will automatically stop going down when it is firmly on the ground. Others can preset the depth, so if you camp on the same site every year, you don’t have to make the height measurements again and again.
- Backup Crank: Electric trailer jacks are intelligently designed with a manual cranking mechanism. If the wiring goes loose or you don’t have access to power, you can default to the manual method.
Conclusion
We judged the electrical jacks on many parameters, and each had its strengths and weaknesses. But among all the options, we felt that the Lippert 285318 3500LB Power Tongue Jack Black is the best compromise between features, value, and ease of use.
If you like this post about the best electric trailer jack, consider checking out some of our other favorites: