Why Get an Electric Trailer Jack for Your Camper or Trailer?
If you own a bumper pull trailer of any kind, whether it’s a travel trailer, cargo trailer, ATV trailer, horse trailer, or even a work trailer. You know the work involved when hitching and unhitching it from your truck.
An electric tongue jack is a fantastic upgrade that not only makes hitching and unhitching easier but also helps with leveling.
Related Product: See how level your RV is using an App on your phone with the LevelMatePro Wireless RV Leveling System (click to view on Amazon)
So how do you choose the right size of power tongue jack for your camper?
For camper trailers, you can get heavy duty RV power jacks that are rated to handle trailer tongue weights from 3,500 to 5,000 pounds.
The tongue weight of a bumper pull trailer is around 15% of the gross trailer weight (GTW).
That means even a small power trailer jack that’s rated to lift up to 3,500lbs can take a camper trailer with a GTW of up to 23,333 lbs.
My 31-foot travel trailer has a max GTW of 9,000 which means that a 3,500 lbs tongue jack should have more than enough power to lift it.
See Also: How To Install An Electric Tongue Jack On A Trailer
If you want to measure your trailer’s tongue weight so you know if you have it loaded down safely you can get a trailer tongue weight scale (click to view on Amazon) or even employ a do it yourself method using a bathroom scale.
Now that you know a little about your trailer’s tongue weight and the right weight rating to look for, let’s get into the best electric jacks for trailers and campers.
Best Basic Option
Most High Tech
Best Overall
Last update on 2024-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Electric Trailer Jack Reviews & Info
1. Quick Products JQ-3500B Electric Tongue Jack
The quick Products electric trailer jack is rated to lift 3,650 lbs and has a 2.25 inch wide outpost which will fit almost any A-frame trailer or camper mounting plate.
It’s easy to install, just bolt it into the existing mounting holes from your trailer’s original jack.
The extension post can travel down up to 18 inches, so there’s plenty of jack to level your trailer. The maximum height is 32 inches.
It features two easy to use toggle switches. One to turn the jack on and off and another to lift the foot up or down.
There is an LED working light on the front which shines down so you get illumination in the main working area of the hitch.
There is a manual override crank included which is standard for any power tongue jack in case something breaks down or you have a dead battery.
It connects directly to the top so nothing will be in the way if you end up having to hand crank it.
The hole for the hand crank is on top of the jack and has a cap with a built in bubble style level protecting it.
This makes it easy to level your trailer right from the tongue jack.
See Also: The One And Only Guide To RV Leveling Blocks
All the electrical components are water-resistant but Quick Products has also included a weatherproof cover with an easy drawstring attachment to shield the jack from the elements, including the sun.
You can get it in black or white (click to view on Amazon) to match the paint job on your trailer or camper.
The foot pad is a metal plate that is 5.5 inches in diameter and the entire unit weighs 23 lbs.
The tongue jack connects to your trailer or truck’s 12 volt battery with two wires and a 6 foot cable.
If you prefer a 7-way plug to power it with your tow vehicle you can buy this version (click to view on Amazon). It’s the same style, it just has a 7-way plug already installed instead.
The Quick Products JQ-3500B Electric Tongue Jack is a great but basic choice and a huge upgrade from any kind of bumper pull trailer’s manual hand crank jack.
And there are multiple electrical options for any preference. All-in-all it’s a quality power jack with some great features.
PROS
- Two Color Options
- 7 way or 12 Volt power options
- Weather Cover Included
- Bubble Leveling Cap
CONS
- Foot Isn’t Adjustable (Not A Drop Foot)
- Head Cannot Rotate
2. RAM EJ-3520-BBX Electric Trailer Jack
Ram Trailer Product’s power tongue jack has some great features for extra convenience making it one of the best light-duty power jacks on the market today.
First off it has a huge LED light right on the front to illuminate your work area making hitching up in the dark easy.
It’s rated for up to 3,500 lbs which is plenty for any standard cargo trailer or travel trailer RV.
It has a main tube diameter of 2.25 inches which is standard for A-frame trailer tongues making it compatible with almost all A-frame bumper pull trailers.
There are two main switches on the front. An on/off switch and an up/down switch. There is an emergency manual crank included in case you run out of battery or the motor has issues.
It connects to 12 volt power using 12-gauge wires.
The drop foot on this jack can drop up to 5 5/8 inches using a pin, which means you can speed up the time you spend extending or retracting the jack electrically.
Just pull out the pin and extend the foot as much as you need, reinsert the pin, and use the electric part to extend the jack the rest of the way.
Normally 5th-wheel jacks use this type of drop foot and it’s cool to see it in a bumper pull electric trailer jack.
See Also: Best Weight Distribution Hitches With Sway Control
The total extended height of the main jack is 28.5 inches with a travel distance of 19.5 inches. If you drop the foot all the way you add even more height onto the 19.5 inches.
There is also a white option (click to view on Amazon) available to match different colors of trailers or campers. The entire jack weighs 24 lbs.
One thing about this specific product is the main shaft is 6.5 inches long. Most travel trailer campers use a 4.5 inch shaft which means it may not fit through the bottom support plate.
To fix this issue all you need to do is make the hole on the base plate larger to fit the longer shaft.
It’s a fairly easy fix but if you don’t want to have to change anything on the tongue of your trailer this may not be the trailer tongue jack for you.
The RAM EJ-3520-BBX is the typical power tongue jack for the most part but the drop foot helps make it a faster jack if you don’t mind crouching down to undo the pin.
You can drop the foot and speed up your hitching and unhitching time considerably.
It’s a great feature and perfect for people with tall trucks who need those extra inches to hitch up their trailers or campers.
PROS
- Drop Foot Can Be Extended With Pin
- Large LED light
- Extra Long Extention Distance
CONS
- Moves Slower Than Most
- Shaft Is Slightly Longer Than Standard
- Head Cannot Rotate
3. Husky Brute Power Jack with Wireless Remote
Husky makes some very fancy electric trailer jacks with two different lift ratings.
A 3,000 (click to view on Amazon), 4,500 (click to view on Amazon), a 4,500 with a wireless remote (shown in picture above), and a ultra-heavy duty 5,000 lbs power tongue jack (click to view on Amazon).
I’m going to review the one with the wireless remote because it’s awesome and not something you see every day.
The only Husky power trailer jacks with a wireless remote are the 4,500 lbs and 5,000 lbs rated ones.
I’m going to mainly review the 4,500 lbs rated power tongue jack since it has more than enough lifting power even for extra-large bumper pull travel trailers and most work trailers.
The outside has a durable rust resistant silver powder coating with weather-resistant switches and electrical.
There are three LED lights on the electrical housing so you have plenty of light to see what you are doing.
There is also a neat storage bracket on the back you can set your trailer’s electrical plug into when not in use. It will help protect it from the elements and any dirt.
See Also: 6 Best RV Stabilizer Jacks For Trailers & Campers
The Husky Brute Electrical Trailer Jack is run with 12 volt power, with a 30 amp inline circuit breaker. And of course, there is a manual crank included just in case.
The wireless controls are run using a small keyfob and there are two included with purchase. They work from up to 40 feet away.
One downside to the wireless feature is it stays on the entire time the power tongue jack is plugged in.
This means you have to make sure it’s turned off when not in use otherwise it will drain the battery on your trailer.
Husky electrical jacks also have a smart stop. By using a timing system the jack knows when the nut is about to reach the hard stop point.
The smart system will shut off the power to the jack before it reaches the nut and starts putting damaging pressure on it.
This increases the life of the jack and the mechanical parts inside. It also helps keep the fuse from blowing which is a common issue with any kind of power tongue jack.
The Husky fits on almost all A-frame tongues and has a standard 2.25 inch outer tube.
It has a drop foot that can extend up to 6 inches and the inner tube extends up to 18 inches.
The Husky Brute is an excellent product built with you in mind. The included remotes make it easy to level your trailer from a distance.
The drop foot makes the hitching and unhitching process much faster. The wireless feature also makes this electric tongue jack great for people to travel or work alone.
PROS
- Drop Foot
- Wireless Remote
- Storage Bracket For Trailer Plug
- 3 LED Lights
- Smart Stop
CONS
- Must Turn Off When Not In Use
- Head Cannot Rotate
4. Lippert Power Tongue Jack
Lippert’s electric tongue jack will get the job done over and over again. It’s rated for 3,500 lbs and the outer tube is a little less than 2.25 inches to fit almost all A-frame trailer or camper tongues.
Most electric trailers jacks have at least one LED light but Lippert’s has 4. It shines bright and in multiple directions allowing you to see everything you need to when hitching and unhitching in the dark.
There are two switches an on/off one and an up/down one.
The electrical housing is made of water resistant plastic but if you want to be extra careful and increase the life of your electric jack a waterproof cover (click to view on Amazon) is always a good idea.
See Also: The 5 Things You Must Do When A Trailer Starts To Sway
Included with the electric tongue jack is a manual hand crank, all the hardware needed to install it, and a wide foot.
The tongue jack is powered by 12 volts and there is a 30 amp inline fuse in the power cable.
It can extend 18 inches and uses helical-cut gears to improve efficiency and make it quieter.
The Lippert Power Tongue Jack is a great way to upgrade your trailer’s tongue jack and make life easier when hitching and unhitching.
If you use it on a work trailer and are often needed to use it at night the four LED lights will come in handy.
PROS
- 4 LED Lights
- Runs Quiet
CONS
- Foot Isn’t Adjustable (Not A Drop Foot)
- Moves Slowly
- Head Cannot Rotate
5. Uriah Products Electric Trailer Jack
Uriah makes one of the few 5,000 lbs rated trailer jacks. It’s a fantastic choice if you have an extremely heavy bumper pull trailer or just want something that can really lift.
There is also a 3,500 lbs version for smaller trailers and campers.
A unique thing about this product is that it only has a 7-way plug option.
It means easier installation because there’s no electrical to deal with, but you will need to have a vehicle close by whenever you use it.
Many power tongue jack manufacturers include a 7-way plug option along with hardwired ones but Uriah only has the plug version available.
There is an LED light for working at night which turns on with a switch and there is an up and down switch.
Since you have to plug it in to get power there’s no need for an on/off switch.
There is also an emergency crank included and a storage bracket for the 7-way plug to keep it clean and out of the way.
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One upside to having a power tongue jack you have to plug in is you won’t have to think about making sure the unit is turned off.
Hardwired trailer tongue jacks can slowly drain a trailer or camper’s batteries if left on.
If you are worried about this issue a 7-way plug in trailer jack may be a better option for you.
It has an 18 inch extension and an extra-wide foot that also drops 4.5 inches for faster hitching and unhitching.
The main shaft is the standard diameter to fit most A-frame trailer and camper tongues. A crank for using the jack manually is included.
Uriah Products Electric Trailer Jack is the perfect option for those who want an electric jack for their bumper pull trailers but don’t want to mess with any batteries or electrical wiring.
Or maybe your trailer doesn’t have a battery or any way to connect it to power.
The 7-way plug simplifies the installation process and the jack is ultra-heavy duty and has a great weather resistant cover which means it’s built to last.
PROS
- Easy Installation
- Adjustable Drop Foot
- Plug Won’t Drain Battery
- Plug Holder Has Cover To Protect It
CONS
- Slow
- Head Cannot Rotate
6. Bulldog A-Frame Power Jack
Bulldog makes a few models of powered tongue jacks but their 4,000 lbs version has a super cool drop foot and I couldn’t resist adding it to my list.
The reason I think the drop foot makes the Bulldog so great is that instead of a pin you have to unhook and pull out it has a spring-loaded pin that you just pull to release and then let go to secure again.
This makes hitching and unhitching a trailer even faster.
On top of the spring loaded pin it also extends up to 8 inches, which is longer than any other drop foot in this review.
They did shorten the amount the inner tube can extend (only 14 inches) but with the foot combined you end up with 22 inches of movable trailer tongue jack leg.
It can lift up to 4,000 lbs and has 3 LED lights for working. There is an emergency crank included along with all the hardware needed to install the jack and a bubble level on top.
It’s also the standard tube diameter so it will fit on almost all A-frame camper and trailer tongues.
See Also: How To Replace The Leaf Springs On A Dual Axle Trailer
It is powered by connecting the wires to the 12V power from your trailer batteries.
One huge plus with the Bulldog is that the head can be unbolted and rotated 90 degrees if you need to make more space for a tailgate or door.
None of the other ones in this review have this feature and it can be hard to find jacks that can do this.
If you have had issues in the past with trailer jacks getting in the way, the Bulldog is going to be the easiest one to adjust.
The mounting plate also has multiple holes to make it compatible with even more styles of bumper pull trailers and campers.
Bulldog also makes a smaller 3,500 version that comes in black (click to view on Amazon) and white (click to view on Amazon).
You get all the benefits of the bulldog brand including the rotatable head but they do not come with the spring loaded pin on the drop foot.
The Bulldog Reese A-Frame Power Jack is a high quality product and a great jack but there are a few features that make it a premium choice.
The spring loaded pin and the drop foot make hitching and unhitching quick and easy.
And the rotatable head along with the extra mounting holes means it’s compatible with not only more kinds of trailers and campers but also more kinds of tow vehicles.
PROS
- Spring Loaded Pin
- 8 inch Drop Foot
- 3 LED Lights
- Rotatable Head
- Multiple Holes In Mounting Plate
CONS
- Bubble Level Doesn’t Hold Up Well
- Slow
- Easy To Blow Fuse If Lifted To Upper Limit
What To Look For In An Electric Trailer Jack
A Drop Foot
Electric jacks for trailers are not fast, often times the electrically powered arm moves much slower than people would like and it can sometimes be a deal breaker.
If you are the kind of person who likes to be able to hitch or unhitch your trailer and camper quickly one way to speed up the process is to get an electric jack with a drop foot.
A drop foot is when the foot of the jack can be dropped down by removing a pin.
Drop foot jacks are commonly found 5th wheels and they can be nice to use with electric trailer jacks because you can quickly drop the foot to the ground and then use the slow moving electric part to jack the trailer up the rest of the way.
Power Connection Options
Most electric tongue jacks are powered using the 12 volt power from your trailer or camper’s batteries.
Usually, they come with a positive and negative wire that you can either add a battery eye terminal to so you can connect it directly to the battery or you can wire them to the electrical box on the tongue.
Most people connect them directly to the battery since that’s the easiest and fastest way.
If your trailer doesn’t have a battery in a good location to connect to it or you prefer using a 7 way plug you can connect to your tow vehicle many electric trailer jack manufacturers also have that option available.
Resistance To The Elements
You can get covers for electric tongue jacks to help them stay waterproof in the rain or to help reduce the damage done by the sun.
Getting power tongue jack with a durable plastic head that is waterproof is something to look for since it’s easy to forget to put a cover on and it’s always possible for covers to be blown off or damaged in storms.
Luckily most of the ones in this review have waterproof housings and are made with durable weather resistant materials.
Easy Installation
Most A-frame trailer tongues have standard mounting plates on them that have holes pre-drilled to match most tongue jacks.
If you get a power tongue jack with standard holes it will almost always line up with the holes on your trailer which means installation is as easy as putting 3 bolts through.
That being said there is one common issue with the distance from the bottom mounting plate that is used to help keep the tongue jack in an upright position being too short to accommodate the main drive shaft of some powered tongue jacks.
If this is the case with your trailer or camper most of the time all you need to do is use a Dremel or sander to make the hole larger.
If you don’t want to have to make any changes to your trailer you should measure the distance between the A-frame mounting plates to make sure it will fit. Most of the time it will, but it’s something to look for just in case.
The Placement Of The Electric Jack Head
One thing many people don’t think about when they get a trailer or camper with a power tongue jack or when they upgrade from a hand crank one is there is a large plastic head on them that houses the motor and all the electrical components.
The head on powered tongue jacks is bulky and can sometimes get in the way of tailgates and doors on certain tow vehicles.
This problem is most common on certain Dodge trucks, F-150s, and SUVs with the big door that swings up.
One way you can combat this issue is to make sure you get one that has a rotatable head on it or multiple mounting holes so you can mount it to the A-frame in a turned position.
Unfortunately, very few powered trailer jacks have this capability and the only one in this review is the Bulldog Reese A-Frame Power Jack (click to view on Amazon).
Not being able to open the back door to your SUV or let the tailgate all the way down on your truck can be annoying and it’s definitely something to think about before installing one.
Conclusion & My Recommendation For The Best Electric Trailer Jack
While it may seem like a simple tool, power tongue jacks come with all sorts of different features and options.
All of the products in this review are reliable and good choices but there are certain ones that may fit specific criteria better than others.
Here are my recommendations for the best electric trailer jacks based on different needs and uses.
Best Basic Option – Quick Products JQ-3500B Electric Tongue Jack
Quick Products has done an excellent job of making one of the best basic trailer jacks you can buy.
There are black and white options as well as a 7-way plug option.
The plastic housing is water-resistant and very durable which is important whenever something kicks up from the road.
They even include a heavy-duty weatherproof cover made with vinyl.
Their jack works quietly, is easy to use, and has an LED light to help you out at night.
It has all the basics covered and if you are looking for a durable and dependable jack and don’t care about all the bells and whistles like a drop foot then this is a fantastic choice.
Most High Tech – Husky Brute Power Jack with Wireless Remote
Sometimes it’s the little things that count and the Husky Brute Power Jack is already a strong, durable option but they added a wireless remote to make it more user friendly.
The electric jack part has a drop foot which makes the entire hitching or unhitching process faster and the housing is made with ultra durable materials.
On top of that, the entire thing is covered in a rust resistant powder coating.
The wireless remote, which is the high tech part of it, is a small key fob you can put on your key chain. There are two included with purchase.
If you travel or work alone being able to control the electric tongue jack from a distance is going to make leveling your camper or trailer much easier.
You can stand back and move the front up or down until it looks just right.
The Husky uses 12 volt power but there is an included a storage bracket on the head for your camper or trailer’s 7 way plug to help protect it and keep it clean which is a nice little addition not many companies think about adding unless the jack is powered using a plug as well.
Best Overall – Bulldog A-Frame Power Jack
The Bulldog electric trailer jack is not only the best overall, but it’s also the premium option and the most compatible/adjustable one on this list.
First off, it works great. The motor is quiet, powerful, and it has a durable waterproof housing to keep everything protected from the elements.
Besides all of that, it also has a drop foot that uses a spring loaded pin that is super quick and easy to use. No more crouching down and messing around with a pin.
Just pull the tab and the foot will drop, when you start putting the leg down with the motor the holes should line up and the spring will also snap the pin into place.
It also has an adjustable head on it as well as multiple mounting holes on the plate so you can turn the head to face any direction you want.
This is especially useful because it ensures you will be able to make enough room for the tailgate on your truck to go down or even for the back door of an SUV to open.
Taking everything into consideration the Bulldog is one of the best choices out there and my best overall pick.
See Also: Best RV Steps & Stairs For Campers & Trailers Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions About Electric Trailer Jacks
How do I install an electric trailer jack?
Installing a new power tongue jack for your trailer should be a simple process. For step-by-step instructions with pictures check out this article here.
What is the diameter of my travel trailer’s tongue jack?
When you buy a new trailer jack of any kind it’s important to get a size that is compatible with your trailer.
To measure the diameter use a measuring tape or ruler to measure the top of the jack that is on the trailer now. This will tell you what size of diameter to buy.
The standard is 2.25 inches. Almost all trailers will have this diameter and almost all electrical trailer jacks like the ones on this list have that diameter.
Are electric jacks for trailers waterproof?
Most are water-resistant but they can be damaged from water over time.
They also can get damaged from rocks flipping up on the road so the water-resistant plastic housing may be compromised over time.
Buying a waterproof cover (click to view on Amazon) for your power tongue jack is a really good idea.
It protects all the electrical and motor components from the elements and keeps them from being damaged by UV rays from the sun.
What pound rating should an electrical tongue jack have for my trailer?
I explained this at the beginning of this post. Here’s a little refresher. Buying the correct pound rating for your trailer is important and this step should not be overlooked when buying a trailer jack.
You can buy power trailer jacks for tongue weights from 3,500 to 5,000 pounds, which means there’s a jack for almost any size and weight of bumper pull trailer.
Safe tongue weights are around 15% of your gross trailer weight (GTW).
That means even the lightest-duty power trailer jack (3,500lbs) can take GTW of up to 23,333 lbs.
My 31-foot travel trailer has a max GTW of 9,000 which means a 3,500 lbs tongue jack is more than enough.
See Also: RV Truck & Trailer Towing Capacity – How Much Can I Tow?
What do I do if my power tongue jack won’t turn on?
It’s frustrating when your trailer’s jack won’t move up or down. If you are in a pinch and need to get it moving fast just use the emergency crank that came with it.
If you have a little time you can do a few things to troubleshoot the problem
The first thing you need to do is to make sure you are getting power. If you are connected to the trailer’s 12 volt battery it may be dead.
Plug the trailer into your vehicle to give it power. If your jack is plugged directly into your vehicle make sure the connection is good.
Sometimes the plug is dirty or worn, using electrical grease (click to view on Amazon) will fix this problem.
If the power connections are good then the problem may be in the electrical housing of the power tongue jack.
Disconnect the jack from power. Remove the housing and make sure all the connections are secure. A lot of times a wire will have come loose from bumps and road vibration.
If it still isn’t working you have a bigger problem and you may need to contact the manufacturer. Most power jacks have a warranty and you may be able to get a new one.
Will an electric trailer jack work when it’s freezing outside?
Yes, it should work fine even when it’s freezing outside.
Just make sure the tube that extends doesn’t have any ice on it and your battery or power source is charged.
What do I do if my electric tongue jack is having trouble extending?
If it is being slower or noisier than normal there may be rust in the extension tube or the mechanical gears.
Using some WD-40 or even anti-seize lubricant (click to view on Amazon) on the threads of the screw that moves the extension tube up and down should help it move faster and keeps it working better longer.
Have any more questions? Leave a comment below.
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