Electric Tongue Jacks for Trailers: Welcome to the Land of Effortless Lifting

Electric tongue jacks are one of those rare trailer upgrades that instantly make you wonder why you ever lived without one. If you’ve ever cranked a manual jack in 95-degree heat, in the rain, or while being eaten alive by mosquitoes the size of hummingbirds, you already know the value of pushing a button instead of turning a handle like a pioneer.

Whether this is your first electric tongue jack or replacing a previous tongue jack, this guide will provide clarity and confidence while choosing the best electric tongue jack for your situation. Whether you’re towing a travel trailer, utility trailer, cargo hauler, or a decked-out toy hauler, we will break down everything you need to know—from weight ratings to brand comparisons to real-world buying advice.

What Is an Electric Tongue Jack?

An electric tongue jack is a powered lifting device mounted on the A-frame of your trailer. Instead of manually cranking the trailer up or down to hitch or unhitch, you simply press a button and let the motor do the work. 

Trailer owners love them because they are convenient (push-button or toggle switch operation), speed up the process (much faster than manual cranking) and provide comfort (no sweat, no strain, no chiropractor visits). They are ideal for raising and lowering the trailer for hitching & unhitching, leveling the trailer front-to-back, reducing physical exertion and time spent cranking as well as providing a stable, powered lift for heavy trailers.

How Electric Tongue Jacks Work

Electric tongue jacks use a 12VDC motor connected to your trailer’s battery or connected to your towing vehicle’s power system. When you press the up or down switch, the motor turns a screw mechanism inside the jack, raising or lowering the trailer. Components usually include:

• 12V Motor: The heart of the system
• Gearbox: Transfers power to the lifting screw
• Screw Shaft: Converts rotation into vertical movement
• Outer Tube: Protects the mechanismFootplate or
• Drop Leg: Provides ground contact
• LED Light: Helps with nighttime hookups
• Manual Crank Socket (for use with socket wrench): For emergencies

When to Replace Your Tongue Jack?

How do you know when your current jack needs to be replaced?

• You’ve said, “Hold on, I need to catch my breath” while cranking.
• Your manual jack squeaks louder than your kids.
• Your current electric jack isn’t “slow”… it’s glacial. You hit the switch, go make a sandwich, come back, and it’s still thinking about moving. 
• If the jack stops working altogether. Now it’s basically a decorative hood ornament—big, impressive, and absolutely refusing to budge.

Most jacks are replaced when there is a problem with the existing unit. Some retail customers choose to upgrade at that point and some even upgrade just to get the improved features. Here are some things to consider:

• Convenience: Get a jack that is faster or has features such as auto-extension and auto-retraction.
• Safety: Push-button operation is life changing. Electric models protect against seriously strained muscles and increase the stability of the trailer.
• Speed: Faster hookups mean more time camping.
• Resale Value: Trailers with electric jacks sell faster. Because they are easier to operate and are more stable, buyer appropriately feel the trailer is worth more.
• Customer Satisfaction: Once you go electric, you never go back.
• Choosing the Correct Weight Rating

Many people get confused when choosing the correct weight rating for a tongue jack. Let’s make this decision much easier.

Electric tongue jacks are rated by lifting capacity, not just trailer weight. The first thing to consider is your tongue weight, , which is typically 10–15% of the trailer’s total loaded weight.

Example:

• Trailer GVWR: 7,000 lbs.
• Estimated tongue weight (10–15%): 700–1,050 lbs.
• Recommended jack rating: 3,000 lbs.

Why So Much Extra Capacity? Because electric jacks lift more than just the tongue weight. They also (1) lift the rear of the towing vehicle when installing a weight distributing hitch, (2) handle dynamic loads and, (3) you need extra capacity for long-term durability.

As a rule of thumb always choose a jack rated at least 2–3 times your actual tongue weight. Here are some basic guidelines:

• 3,500 lbs. Capacity: Typically used when tongue weights are 1,000 lbs. or less. This includes small and mid-sized travel trailers, utility trailers, lightweight campers, and cargo trailers.
• 4,000 lbs. Capacity: Suggested for tongue weights up to 1,400 lbs. These are typically larger travel trailers, landscape trailers and Toy Haulers.
• 5,500 lbs. Capacity: Tongue weights over the 1,400 lbs. threshold. Needed for food trailers, and heavy-duty utility trailers, cargo trailers, etc.
• Note: Always purchase the heaviest duty jack that you can afford as the jack will last longer and operate more easily. 

Other Tongue Jack Factors to Consider

Besides weight ratings, some key features to consider when purchasing a new powered tongue jack include:

• Travel Height: Most jacks offer 18” of standard travel, but some are up to 21”. Most come with a 5.5” drop-leg, meaning total travel can be between 18” and 26.5” depending on model
• Drop Leg: As mentioned, this typically adds 5.5” of travel to a jack. This reduces the amount of powered travel needed, making the jack faster and more efficient.
• Speed: Some electric tongue jacks are excrutiatingly slow. That’s why most brands don’t publish their speed. Ultra-Fab is the only brand that publishes their speed. The Ultra-Series moves 10” as fast at 40 seconds and their Phoenix Series is the absolute fastest at 10” in only 18 seconds.
• Work Light: Perfect for nighttime hookups or early-morning departures. Incandescent lights do the job fine. For better lighting, opt in for an LED lighting system.
• Weather Protection: Obviously all jacks should have some weather protection such as powder-coated housing, sealed switches and water-resistant motor covers. For extra protection, there are tongue jack covers that extend the life and appearance of the tongue jack dramatically.
• Manual Override: If your battery dies, you’ll be glad you have it.
• Footplate vs. Wheel: Footplates offer stability. Wheels are not recommended for heavy trailers.

Tongue Jack Brand and Model Comparisons

This is where things get fun. Let’s compare the major players.

• Ultra-Fab: Extremely durable. Longest warranty of any tongue jack. Available in Ultra-Series for basic operations and Phoenix Series for a serious upgrade in features (auto-extend, auto-retract, two memory settings and a 10-year warranty). Known for being the most reliable even in harsh environments. Best For: Customers who want long-term reliability without overpaying.
• Lippert: Known for being on the trailers from the factory. They are widely available and offer acceptable performance, but they are pricier than some models without adding any functionality. Typically, a one-year warranty. Best For: Customers who want a recognizable brand name.
• Husky: Know as a solid mid-range performance. Acceptable performance. Typically a 2-year warranty. Best For: Customers trying to save a buck.
• Harbor Freight (Badland / Haul-Master): Known for being a budget option. But they tend to be weaker, slower moving and have a limited lifespan. Best For: Customers who tow occasionally and want the cheapest option.

 

Tongue Jack Installation

Electric tongue jacks are surprisingly easy to install. Recommended tools include a socket wrench, wire crimpers and electrical tape (or heat shrink).
The process is super easy. Most DIY customers say that installation is under 30 minutes.
Typical steps include:

• Remove the old manual jack
• Insert the new electric jack into the A-frame hole
• Bolt it down using the existing hardware
  
• Connect the power wire to the trailer battery’s positive terminal
  
• Connect the ground wire to the trailer battery’s negative terminal
  
• Test operation

Maintenance Tips

Electric tongue jacks are low-maintenance, but not no-maintenance. Every six months you should lubricate the gears and the screw mechanism. All brands provide access to the gears for easy greasing. Only Ultra-Fab’s Ultra-Series allow for adding grease to the inner screw mechanism via a zerk fitting on the jack leg.

Need a New Tongue Jack?

Electric tongue jacks aren’t just an upgrade—they’re the moment your trailer finally stops fighting you and starts acting civilized. They cut the grunt work, save your back, and turn every hookup into a smooth, drama‑free operation. Pick the right weight rating, the right features, and a brand that isn’t built like a bargain‑bin blender, and you’ll get years of reliable, push‑button bliss.

If your trailer’s still rocking a manual jack or a bargain electric that wheezes like it’s doing you a favor, now’s the time—upgrade your setup and make towing easier on you, not harder.