Best Electric Tongue Jacks: Get Hitched Quickly
Hand-cranking your tongue jack is for the birds.
Trailering and towing is a fact of life for many people, but it’s not always easy to hook up and be on your way — especially if you’re a one-person crew. Lifting the trailer tongue and positioning it for hitching is a real pain, especially if you’ve got a heavy trailer with a manual tongue jack. That’s where a good electric tongue jack can offer a truly life-changing experience. Even if you’re by yourself, an electric jack tongue can lift your trailer safely and quickly. We’ve gathered a few of our favorite jacks here to help you get started.
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Learn moreThe Lippert 3500-pound jack offers heavy-duty construction with a coating that resists chips and cracks. The jack kit comes with everything you’ll need to get started and the super easy push-button operation means you won’t be left struggling to get your trailer in position. Some will find that the jack is overkill for their trailers, but the extra power and capability will be a boon to most.
The Lippert jack also features a hand-crank and LED lights that make it easy to understand what the jack is doing. Noise is minimal, but the downside is that the LED lights are not water-resistant. It’s also worth noting that there have been some difficulties getting warranty claims settled or obtaining replacement parts from Lippert, depending on where the jack was purchased. If you purchase from Amazon or another seller, it’s important to note both the seller’s and the manufacturer’s warranty policies.
Specs:
- Brand: Lippert
- Weight: 10 pounds
- Model Number: 285318
Pros:
- Heavy-duty construction
- Redundant manual crank
- 3,500-pound capacity
Cons:
- Not water-resistant
- Slow operation
- Manual crank is noisy
Libra offers one of the easiest and quickest to use electric jacks with a value price. The Electric Power A-Frame Tongue Jack features quiet, fast operation in a compact package. It also comes with a motor cover to help guard sensitive bits from rain and water damage on the road.
There’s a bright LED to assist with after-dark operation and the Libra’s powder coated tube, stainless steel screws, and rugged design make it a great choice for nasty conditions. The long power cord and remote control sweeten the pot and make the Libra super easy to use. The Libra’s lights do not automatically shut off, however, which can lead to dead batteries. There are reports of the Libra arriving damaged or defective, or that the jack was not configured to be installed for their trailer. It’s important to research and understand if the jack will fit your application before buying.
Specs:
- Brand: Libra
- Weight: 21 pounds
- Model Number: V3-PRO
Pros:
- Remote operation
- Long power cord
- Quiet during operation
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Occasional durability issues
- Jack may outlive its remote
- Switches are not waterproof
As its name suggests, the Husky Brute is a powerful jack with hardened steel gears and a weather-resistant design. It features a three-sided LED that lights the hitch and spring bar area, as well as a friction-reducing ball screw. The Brute is faster and quieter than most of its rivals, and its SmartStep technology can sense the jack’s range limits and shut down the motor.
There are, however, some issues with Husky’s decision to configure the jack’s motor on the front of the unit instead of the side. Depending on your tow vehicle, you may find that the motor prevents opening tailgates or liftgates. You may also need additional hardware or wiring to properly install the jack, so be sure to order what you need upfront.
Specs:
- Brand: Husky
- Weight: 30 pounds
- Model Number: HB4500
Pros:
- Fast operation
- Quieter than most
- Weather-resistant switches
Cons:
- Hardware sold separately
- Occasional durability issues with the motor
The Bulldog Power Tongue Jack offers 4,000 pounds of lifting power and a convenient design that makes operation a breeze. The jack is easy to use after dark, thanks to convenience lights, and its corrosion-resistant construction should make it a long-term investment. Though it’s not as fast as some jacks, the single axis level and manual override make the Bulldog a great choice for both casual and hardcore trailer users.
Bulldog owners report quick installation and easy use, but many complain of the slow speed. If quickness is important to you, you might want to look elsewhere. For everyone else, the Bulldog offers convenient features, flexibility in operation, and strong capability. What’s more, the company is very quick to replace defective items and customer service is superb.
Specs:
- Brand: Bulldog
- Weight: 24 pounds
- Model Number: 500199
Pros:
- Easy-to-use manual override function
- 4,000 pounds of lifting capacity
Cons:
- Slow operation
- Some units might arrived damaged
- Customer service can be difficult to reach
How We Selected The Products
The Drive’s editors have spent the time struggling with subpar products so that you don’t have to. Our goal is to recommend products that are safe, durable, and easy to use, and since we can’t test every product ourselves, we scour the internet for reviews and information on every product we list. In the case of electric tongue jacks, we specifically weighed price, lifting capacity, apparent build quality, and ease of operation.
Our product selections, rankings, and awards for this story are based on research. While we haven’t conducted real-world testing on all of these products yet, we’ve looked at consumer testimonials and data, tutorials, and general discussions on social media and in forums. We also consider price and specification in the context of the segment. And, of course, we rely on our institutional knowledge of the automotive landscape to weed out weak products.
Buying Guide/What to Look For
Shopping for electric tongue jacks isn’t rocket surgery, but there are a few things you should be aware of before clicking “Buy.”
What to Consider When Buying Electric Tongue Jacks
Weight Rating
The jack’s weight rating is one of the most important factors to consider when shopping for a new electric tongue jack. It’s the amount of weight that the jack can lift, which isn’t the trailer’s total loaded weight. Tongue weight can generally be estimated to be between 10 and 15 percent of a trailer’s total weight.
Features
Lighting and advanced features may not seem all that important, but they can be a real lifesaver when you’re faced with using the jack after dark or in inclement weather. It’s also a good idea to look for tongue jacks that feature manual cranks in case the motor stops working when you’re way off the grid.
Price
You get what you pay for, so it’s important to balance cost with features and capabilities instead of focusing on finding the lowest price possible. The cheapest jacks may save you a few dollars up front, but you’ll pay for it down the road with replacements and repairs, and you may not end up getting the functionality you need.
Power Source
Most powered trailer tongue jacks require power hookup to the trailer battery, but some feature different connections and varying power cord lengths. If you’re concerned about power hookup, make sure the jack you’ve chosen has a power cord and hookup that works with your trailer.
Electric Tongue Jack Tips and Tricks
As with something you do for decades upon decades, you pick up a few tips and tricks along the way in terms of selecting the right product, and/or using it. That’s the case with us and electric tongue jacks. To help you bridge the information gap, here’s a selection of what we’ve learned along the way.
- Know the location of your trailer’s power source and buy a jack that works with it
- You may want to invest in a trickle charger or disconnect all of your trailer’s power equipment before storage
- Cover your jack when the trailer is parked to prevent weather and water damage
- Follow the manufacturer’s installation and use directions exactly to prevent property damage or injury
- If you’re unsure of power hookups or installation, it’s best to reach out to an expert for help
FAQs
Q: How do I power an electric tongue jack?
Most jacks use the trailer’s onboard 12-volt battery power. You’ll want to invest in a trickle charger or make sure that your trailer’s electrical components are disconnected before you store it.
Q: What size tongue jack do I need?
A good way to determine what trailer jack capacity you need is to calculate the total loaded weight of your trailer and take 10 to 15 percent of that weight as your jack capacity. For example, a 5,000-pound fully loaded trailer would require at least a 500-pound jack.
Q: Are electric jacks better than manual jacks?
Most people will find them more convenient and easier to use than a traditional jack, but we won’t stand in your way if you prefer getting a good workout every time you need to lift your trailer.
Q: Do I need to lubricate my electric tongue jack?
Some units are lubricated internally and are sealed, but many others require at least annual lubrication to operate properly. Check your owner’s manual for directions on how to add lubrication and how often you should do so.
Final Thoughts
While it’s completely possible to get by with a manual trailer tongue jack, life is too short to be cranking away every time you need to move or lift your trailer. Consider our Best Overall pick, the Lippert 285318 3500LB Power Tongue Jack, when you want a heavy-duty jack with a lot of features. For a cheaper, compact option, choose the Libra 3,500-Pound Electric Power A-Frame Tongue Jack.