For most RVers, driving a motorhome is the best way to travel.
However, if you have a decent towing vehicle, there are plenty of reasons to have an RV trailer instead.
If you do decide to go the trailer route, however, then you’ll want to get an electric trailer jack.
Although electric jacks are not necessary for towing your mobile home, they make life that much easier.
If you’re planning on parking your RV in one spot for weeks or months at a time, then a manual jack may be okay, but for those who travel regularly, an electric model is the best way to go.
So, with that in mind, we want to take a look at the best electric trailer jacks.
Once you’ve seen how convenient and simple they are to use, you’ll wonder why you ever dealt with a manual jack before.
COMPARISON CHART
IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
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1. Husky 82022 Super Brute Electric Jack
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2. RAM EJ-3520-WBX 3,500 lb. Electric Trailer Jack
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3. Quick Products JQ-3500B Power A-Frame Electric Tongue
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4. Lippert 285318 3500LB Power Tongue Jack
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5. Bulldog 500200 Powered Drive A-Frame Tongue Jack
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OUR TOP 5 PICKS
#1 Husky 82022 Super Brute Electric Jack
Specifications
Item Weight | 30 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 33 x 10 x 6.5 inches |
Features
When it comes to trailers and hitches, Husky is a brand that is well-known and trusted in the industry. Compared to some of the other companies out there, you can depend on Husky to have some of the most rugged devices available.
In this case, we have the Super Brute, which has one of the highest lift capacities, as well as a solid steel body that won’t quit under any condition. Let’s see how this electric jack can help you with your RV.
5000-Pound Lift Capacity
One of the most crucial things to do when choosing the best electric trailer jack is to determine your trailer’s tongue weight (more on that down below). If it’s not sufficient, then the jack will strain itself and could break immediately.
Fortunately, this particular model has one of the highest lift capacities we’ve seen, so no matter what kind of trailer you have, whether it’s a small travel camper or a full-size RV, you can lift it without any issues.
Weatherproof LED Panel
Typically speaking, the most significant downside to getting an electric trailer lift is the fact that it can break down either electrically or mechanically. Unlike manual lifts, you do have to worry about the more sophisticated elements holding up to the weather.
Thankfully, Husky has you covered with an insulated control box with a weatherproof LED panel. Not only will this device hold up in the wind, rain, and the cold, but the LEDs notify you of how it’s working and whether you’re ready to go or not.
Overall, this electric trailer jack is both convenient and helpful, mainly if you haven’t used one before.
Sleep Circuit
Since these devices run on electricity, you need to hook them up to your battery. However, assuming that you’re not using the lift all the time, you need to be sure that it won’t drain your RV’s battery overnight.
Fortunately, the Super Brute has a high-tech Sleep Circuit that prevents the unit from drawing power, even when it’s not working. Since this can be an issue with other electric trailer jacks, it’s nice to know that you don’t have to worry about this model.
- WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- PROS/CONS OVERVIEW
Overall, if you’re looking for a high-quality lift that is both reliable and easy to use, the Super Brute is the best option out there. I like that it’s strong enough to work on almost any size RV, as well as easy enough for virtually anyone to use it.
Video
#2 RAM EJ-3520-WBX 3,500 lb. Electric Trailer Jack
Specifications
Vehicle Service Type | Trailer |
Material | Alloy Steel |
Load Capacity | 3500 pound |
Color | White |
Features
The RAM Electric Trailer Jack is the perfect addition to any trailer. With a durable exterior grade black powder-coat finish and zinc finish inner tube, this jack is built to last.
- WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- PROS/CONS OVERVIEW
The LED light makes it easy to hook up your trailer in the dark, and the manual override crank means you're never stranded if the power goes out. The 3,500 lb. capacity and 18" travel height make this jack perfect for any size trailer. So whether you're hauling your toys to the lake or your RV on a cross-country trip, the RAM Electric Trailer Jack has you covered.
Video
#3 Best Choice Products SKY1395 12V 3500 lb
Specifications
Item Weight | 23 lbs. |
Product Dimensions | 34 x 9.6 x 6.8 inches |
Material | Alloy Steel |
Load Capacity | 3 Pounds |
Vehicle Service Type | Trailer |
Features
Looking for an electric tongue jack that can handle even the heaviest of trailers? Look no further than the Quick Products 3500 Electric Tongue Jack! With a maximum weight capacity of 3,650 lbs., this jack is more than up for the task. Plus, it comes loaded with deluxe features that make it a great value.
- WHAT WE LIKE
- WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
Pros
Cons
#4 Lippert 285318 3500LB Power Tongue Jack
Specifications
Item Weight | 31 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 32.8 x 12.5 x 7.2 inches |
Features
As you can see, most of these electric trailer jacks have a lift capacity of 3500, meaning that you shouldn’t need much more than that for your RV. In this case, we have a remarkably easy to install and use model from Lippert. Let’s see what it can do.
LED Lights for Visibility
One thing that you have to consider when picking out a trailer jack is the fact that you may have to couple your RV at night. If that is the case, you’ll want to be able to see what you’re doing.
Fortunately, this model comes with extra-bright LED lights that both illuminate the control panel and the hitch. This way, you can make sure that you’re locking your RV to your towing vehicle correctly without having to fumble with a flashlight.
Quiet and Efficient Operation
When you use an electric trailer jack, you’ll notice that many of them are pretty loud. This sound is because the gears inside are turning and grinding against each other. Thankfully, you don’t have to deal with so much noise from this lift, as the gears are helical, meaning that they fit together more smoothly.
Manual Hand Crank Included
One element that all of these jacks have in common is the inclusion of a manual hand crank. Although ideally, you’d never have to use it, the fact is that the machine may stop working for a variety of reasons.
In some cases, the battery may be dead, or the electrical components inside may be worn down. Also, fuses can blow out if you haven’t used the jack in a while, which is why cranking it manually is always an option.
- WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- PROS/CONS OVERVIEW
If you’re looking for something simple and elegant, then this is an excellent electric trailer jack. I like that it can install easily, as well as the extra LED lights included for better visibility at night.
Video
#5 Bulldog 500200 Powered Drive A-Frame Tongue Jack
Specifications
Item Weight | 24.1 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 8.5 x 6.5 x 34 inches |
Features
Much like the Super Brute at the top of this list, we’re finishing with a rugged and burly electric trailer jack. This particular model is built to be both convenient and heavy-duty, so let’s see how it compares.
4000-Pound Lift Capacity
Although we’ve seen that most trailers are fine with a 3500-pound jack, it’s nice to have more of a buffer. As I’ll discuss in the buyer’s guide below, you never want to max out your jack’s lifting capacity, so having an extra few hundred pounds is a blessing.
Emergency Manual Override
As I’ve mentioned multiple times, electric lifts are not immune to breaking down, particularly if you don’t treat it with the care it deserves. Thankfully, this particular model makes it easy to operate the lift if it does shut down, thanks to the manual override on the side of the machine.
Spring-Loaded Drop Leg
Yes, 18 inches is the standard, but sometimes you need a little extra height to ensure that your rig is level. This additional height is perfect as well if you have a weight distribution coupler that measures both the front of your RV and the back of your towing vehicle.
For the most part, you shouldn’t have to use this extra foot, but it’s there just in case.
- WHAT WE DON’T LIKE
- PROS/CONS OVERVIEW
I like that this rig is built tough and that it has a higher load capacity. I also appreciate that it comes with large, weather-resistant buttons and a manual override for emergencies.
Video
BUYER'S GUIDE
What Is a Tongue Jack and How Does It Work?
Although I’ve been showing you a bunch of electric trailer jacks, you may still need to know how they work. These mechanisms are designed to lift and lower the front of your trailer so that you can couple to your towing vehicle.
Normally, this process is done manually, meaning that you have to use a hand crank to get it up and down. By installing one of these machines, however, you simply have to press a button, and it will do everything for you.
These devices usually run off of your RV’s battery, so installation can be somewhat tricky. In some cases, however, they may utilize a seven-pin connector, meaning that you just have to plug it into your tow vehicle to get the power you need.
What Is the Right Trailer Weight Capacity and Height?
As I’ve mentioned, the weight capacity for an electric trailer jack is crucial. However, when looking at the overall limit, you have to realize that the tongue (where the trailer couples) is not the same as the gross vehicle weight.
As a rule, you want to assume that the tongue is between 10-15% of your trailer’s total weight. So, if you have a 10,000-pound trailer, you should anticipate needing a trailer jack with about 1,000-1,500 pounds of lift.
Here are a few other things to keep in mind, however.
Give Yourself a Buffer - add another 500 pounds if possible so that you don’t strain the jack by maxing out each time you use it.
Measure From Loaded Weight - a full trailer is heavier than an empty one, so go with the more massive load limit for safety.
Do You Have a Weight Distribution Hitch? - If so, then you need to lift both the trailer and the back of your tow vehicle, so add extra weight to accommodate it.
Trailer Jack Feet
Most of these jacks come with feet attached, but some of them don’t. Also, in most cases, the foot is a circular one, which isn’t ideal for rough or uneven terrain. Whether you have a foot already or not, I highly recommend one of the following two upgrades.
Curt Trailer Jack Foot
This is the best foot option for most trailers as it gives you more surface area when it’s on the ground. Thus, if the terrain is uneven or soft, you can still maintain better traction when lifting and lowering your RV. The shape of this foot is rectangular.
Fastway Flip Trailer Jack Foot
If you’re worried about the foot hitting the ground while driving, then this model may be a better option. Instead of raising up into the jack, it will fold underneath the trailer’s A-frame.
One word of warning with this foot, however, you can’t keep your trailer at a grade above three percent, or it could cause the foot to fold, which can result in disaster.
CONCLUSION
Although each of the electric trailer jacks on this list is reliable and worth your time, I have to say that the Super Brute from Husky is my top pick.
I love this jack because it has the best lifting capacity, it’s the most well constructed, and it’s one of the easiest to use. Overall, you can rest easy knowing that your trailer is in good hands. Just be sure to take care of your machine, and it will last for years.