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what size trailer jack do i need

by Dr. Gavin Stanton IV Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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To know precisely what jack will be a good size for your trailer, you have to see the weight of your trailer tongue. The best way to calculate this is to weigh both your trailer and weigh your trailer tongue. The weight capacity of the trailer jack you eventually choose depends on your trailer’s tongue weight.

The required weight capacity of tongue jack is determined by calculating the tongue weight of your trailer. The rule of thumb for a boat trailer is 7-10% of the weight of your fully loaded trailer. If you have a 6000lb loaded trailer, using 10% as an example, you would require a tongue jack with a capacity of 600lbs.

Full Answer

What size Jack do I need for a 4600 pound trailer?

Expert Reply: The rule of thumb for estimating a tongue weight is 10-15 percent of trailer weight. A 4,600 pound trailer would have a tongue weight between 460 and 690 pounds. Somewhere between a 1,000 to 2,000 pound capacity jack would be fine. Having a jack that is rated for more than the tongue weight is not a problem.

Is it hard to get a new jack for a trailer?

This is likely going to be the most difficult part of getting a new jack, manual or electric. You’re going to HAVE to know how much your trailer tongue weight is. The best way to know is to weigh your trailer and weigh your tongue weight.

Are all trailer jacks created equal?

Not all jacks are created equal. They come rated in pounds of lifting capacity. Your rig is of a certain weight and you have to get a jack capable of lifting the weight of the front of your trailer. This is likely going to be the most difficult part of getting a new jack, manual or electric.

What size floor Jack do I need for my truck?

If you have a full size truck instead of a lifted truck, then one rule of thumb that has worked so far is to get a jack that will sustain the entire truck. To put it simply, if your full-size truck weighs 8000lbs, then a 4-ton floor jack will be the best option.

What Size Jack Do I Need?

What is manual jack?

How to know how much your trailer tongue weight is?

Why do jacks have a drop leg?

Can you stack boards under a jack?

Can you hitch an electric jack?

Can you overdo a jack?

See 4 more

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What size electric trailer jack do I need for my camper?

To determine the trailer jack capacity needed to support a trailer, you first take the gross trailer weight and then multiply it times . 15 to get the theoretical tongue weight. Pick out a jack that will support that weight, and has a safety margin that you are comfortable with.

How are trailer jacks measured?

Standard A-frame jacks are usually measured to the bottom of the mounting flange. Pipe mount jacks are measured to the center of the mounting pipe. Jacks that have a bolt-on bracket are usually measured to the centerline of the bracket.

What kind of jack do I need for a travel trailer?

Electric Jack: An electric jack is a type of hydraulic jack that uses electricity to power the lifting mechanism. This type of jack is often used to lift vehicles, such as RVs and trailers.

Are all trailer jacks the same size?

Not all jacks are created equal. They come rated in pounds of lifting capacity. Your motorhome is of a certain weight and you have to get a jack capable of lifting the weight of the front of your trailer.

Why do trailer jacks have wheels?

A wheel jack is a wheel that is attached on the tongue of your trailer. It helps to raise and lower your trailer to the height of the hitch on your car. This helps when attaching the trailer to your vehicle and when removing it from your vehicle.

How high should a trailer jack be off the ground?

Make sure your trailer is parked on level ground and measure from the ground to the bottom of the trailer coupler. Take that measurement and add at least 4” to allow your tongue jack to lift your coupler over the ball.

Are electric trailer jacks worth it?

Having the best electric trailer jack for your trailer makes hitching up much easier than hitching up with a manual jack. Electric is easier especially if you have a weight distributing trailer hitch that requires you to lift the tongue AND the back end of your tow vehicle repeatedly.

What are the best electric trailer jacks?

Best Electric Trailer Jacks 2022 ReviewsWeize Heavy Duty Electric Trailer Jack. ... Libra Electric Trailer Jack. ... Hotsystem Electric Trailer Power A-Frame Tongue Jack. ... Buyers Products 0093500 Electric Jack. ... Stromberg Carlson JET-3555 Electric Trailer Jack. ... Lippert 285318 Tongue Jack. ... Husky 82022 Super Brute Electric Jack.More items...•

Why won't my electric jack work on my camper?

For your electric jack, there are only three possible explanations for your jack not working with a charged battery. Either power is not getting to your motor, your motor is bad, or your ground connection isn't working properly.

What size trailer jack do I need for 7000 lb trailer?

The required weight capacity of tongue jack is determined by calculating the tongue weight of your trailer. The rule of thumb for a boat trailer is 7-10% of the weight of your fully loaded trailer. If you have a 6000lb loaded trailer, using 10% as an example, you would require a tongue jack with a capacity of 600lbs.

Can you bolt a weld on trailer jack?

As long as the jack is rated high enough for your 4 Star Trailer, and the gearbox is installed correctly, you would be able to safely use either a weld-on gearbox like part # BD018161 or a bolt-on gearbox like part # BD018155.

What is the jack called on a trailer?

tongue jacksHitch jacks, also known as trailer jacks or tongue jacks, are used to raise and stabilize a trailer so it can be attached to the towing vehicle. It's one of many hitch accessories used to make the process of towing a little easier.

How do you measure a jack?

The proper way to use a tape is to measure across the top of the jack to the boule. Make sure that the end of the tape is positioned at the middle of the boule; if it it too high or too low, the measurement won't be accurate. Keep the tape above the jack, without touching it.

What size trailer jack do I need for 7000 lb trailer?

The required weight capacity of tongue jack is determined by calculating the tongue weight of your trailer. The rule of thumb for a boat trailer is 7-10% of the weight of your fully loaded trailer. If you have a 6000lb loaded trailer, using 10% as an example, you would require a tongue jack with a capacity of 600lbs.

How are RV stabilizer jacks measured?

To determine if the jacks are compatible with your rig, measure the distance between your RV's undercarriage and the ground. If you're using stabilizer pads, you may need two to four inches from the total distance. You'll also need to check the jack's weight capacity. Your RV's weight should be within this range.

How do you measure scissor jacks?

The overall width of the jack is 26 inches when measuring from one end of the jack to the other, including the nut on the end. It is 25 inches when measuring from one end to the other, not including the nut.

How to Choose the Correct Replacement Trailer Jack With Enough Ground ...

Similar Expert Q&A Pages. Recommended Made in the USA A-Frame Trailer Jack; Replacement Bulldog Jack Solutions for part # 1551060301; Is Drive Nut Replaceable on 2,000 lb A-Frame Trailer Tongue Jack

Recommended Jack to Lift a Trailer to Change a Tire

Trailer stabilizer jacks like # TJSCHD-24 are not designed to be used to lift a trailer and hold it up for maintenance. Their purpose is to stabilize the trailer while it's parked and no more. What you're looking for is a jack to hold the trailer in the same fashion one would hold your car to change the tire.

RV.Net Open Roads Forum: What size electric tongue jack do I need?

2010 Keystone Montana 3455SA Quad Slide 4 Goodyear G614's 2017 RAM 3500 DRW 4x4 Crew Cab 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel B & W Companion Hitch All Made In USA

How to safely jack up a travel trailer - RV Travel

Hi Gary, I have a 24-foot Keystone Zeppelin travel trailer with tandem axles. I would like to know the best way to get all four wheels off the ground at the same time to service wheels, besides rolling onto blocks to get one axle at a time.

What Size Jack Stands do I Need?

This question is everywhere on the internet. Many people know what they need but can’t figure out the right size of the jack stand that will fulfill their needs.

How many Jack Stands do I Need to Rotate Tires?

As mentioned earlier, your vehicle would be much more stable and safe to work underneath with two jack stands rather than four.

Why Do You Need a Jack Stand?

Hydraulic jacks elevate your vehicle for you, but it is never safe to rely on only a jack to keep the car lifted during maintenance or while working under the vehicle.

What is the purpose of a jack stand?

The primary purpose of a jack stand is to keep the vehicle elevated in its place and prevent it from toppling over. It provides easier access under the car so you can work without any hassle or worry of your ride come down on you.

Is it better to have two jacks or one?

However, for a generic idea, remember that having two jacks is always better. It helps in supporting weight properly, and it’s safer this way. Sometimes even with two jacks, the car isn’t sturdy enough.

Do I Need Jack Stands to Change a Tire?

Usually, what I see and practice is that jack stands aren’t used for changing tires because it isn’t a much time-consuming process.

How Big of a Jack do I Need for a Truck?

Another frequently asked question is how big a jack must be. A simple answer to this question is to always get the biggest one that can still fit under your vehicle. For example, a 3-ton jack is a minimum you must need for a truck that is 5200 pounds.

What Size Jack do I Need for a Lifted Truck?

As far as the jack size for a lifted truck is concerned, a 60-inch hi-lift jack will be the best option for your lifted truck. But one thing you must make sure of is to use it with proper guidelines; otherwise, it can be very dangerous.

What Size Floor Jack do I Need for a Full Size Truck?

To put it simply, if your full-size truck weighs 8000lbs, then a 4-ton floor jack will be the best option.

What is the best scissor lift jack?

One of the best scissor jacks you may find in the market is the BIG RED T10152 Torin Steel Scissor Lift Jack. This jack is forged using high-quality alloyed steel, making it highly durable. This jack’s compact design makes you use it as a rugged replacement jack or an extra utility jack. See the latest price here.

What is a jack used for?

Jacks are great equipment for lifting your vehicle and checking if there is something wrong underneath. There are various types of jacks available in the market. The most used ones are Hi-lift, ARB, trolley, bottle, and scissor jack.

What is a scissor jack?

The Scissor jack is similar to the one present in the back of your car. As compared to other types of jacks, it is compact and economical. It features a handle that slots in at the end. You have to position the jack under the jacking point and turn the handle clockwise until the car is lifted.

Why is it so hard to maintain a truck?

Maintenance of a truck or SUV is quite difficult as compared to a car because everything is bigger and heavy-duty. Therefore a standard car jack won’t come in handy. To lift these heavy vehicles, you will need a heavy floor jack. In this guide, we have discussed everything you need to know about jacks for trucks.

How much weight can a trailer jack carry?

if your trailer weighs that much, but it does mean that the trailer jack should support 1,000-2,000 lbs.

How to measure a tongue jack?

Tongue jacks may come in various diameters. To figure out the exact size, simply measure the hole in the tongue support frame and you’ll know what electric tongue jack to buy. Alternatively, you can just measure the circumference of your old trailer jack, assuming you still have it.

Why use an electric tongue jack?

The main benefit of using an electric tongue jack is that you don’t have to worry about it snapping when you’re near the trailer tongue. You also don’t have to worry about the handle getting stuck and having to put serious force into loosening it up again.

How much does a trailer tongue weigh?

You can easily estimate both if you know how much your trailer weighs off the factory line. A trailer tongue will weigh roughly 10-15% of your total trailer weight.

Why is it important to have a jack?

That’s why it’s recommended to get a jack that has more capacity than you need. This accomplishes two things. First of all, it ensures that the tongue weight is supported even if you add more than you’re supposed to in the trailer. Secondly, it preserves the structural integrity of the trailer jack. This is always important but it’s even more ...

Is an electric tongue jack reliable?

That being said, an electric tongue jack is still more reliable and more convenient to use these days, as long as you bought the right one for your trailer.

Can you count on an old trailer jack?

Don’t count on your old trailer jack to give you a reliable weight capacity. Maybe you’ve made modifications to the trailer over the years and maybe you’ve added more stuff inside it to make it more comfortable.

What is the part number for a Bulldog jack?

You could also use Dutton-Lainson jack, part # DL22530 or Bulldog Heavy Duty Jack with Steel Wheel, part # BD165412. Just make sure you allow for the weight of the trailer when loaded and again use the 10-15 percent figures. Also make sure the jack has enough lift to get the coupler above your hitch ball on the tow vehicle so you can safely ...

Is a 60419 jack still good?

If the jack tube itself wasn't damaged then it may still be good (assuming the top casing is available as a replacement part). If you can tell me what model jack you have I would be happy to look. 60419

What Size Jack Do I Need?

Not all jacks are created equal. They come rated in pounds of lifting capacity. Your rig is of a certain weight and you have to get a jack capable of lifting the weight of the front of your trailer.

What is manual jack?

A manual jack is a jack with a hand crank to lift and lower the tongue. The only motors are your own amazing, or not so amazing, muscles. The number of revolutions you have to turn it all depends on how much of a grade you are on, or how high/low your hitch is.

How to know how much your trailer tongue weight is?

You’re going to HAVE to know how much your trailer tongue weight is. The best way to know is to weigh your trailer and weigh your tongue weight.

Why do jacks have a drop leg?

Why is this a good thing? Because first, it will save you power—either manual or electric.

Can you stack boards under a jack?

Some people opt to simply stack boards or levelers under the jack. This seems like an OK thing to do, but we strongly recommend against it. This makes the front of your travel trailer much more unstable. If your rig rolls, it can fall off of the levelers/blocks, causing damage or even injury.

Can you hitch an electric jack?

So even if you are a clunkhead and kill your battery, you can still get hitched up.

Can you overdo a jack?

You can’t overdo it but you sure can under-do it! Don’t under-do the jack weight rating, or you may break your jack.

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