So your jack broke and now you don't know where to start because the jack that was on your camper was discontinued 27 years ago. Well you're in the right place. We've gotten experience with many jacks and have put together a list of the best camper/A-frame jacks you can get, so that you can have the confidence of knowing your jack will last a long time.
Electric vs. Manual
Just to break it down for you, there are two main types of jacks: electric and manual crank. Electric jacks are the most popular option because they are doing all of the work for you; all you have to do is literally lift a finger and push a button. However, while electric jacks won't break your back, some of the pricier ones might break your bank. Electric Jacks can be more costly than manual cranks. And since they have more parts, there is a greater chance something will break or need to be replaced later down the road. Manual crank jacks are a lot more cost effective, however, there is quite a bit more effort that goes into getting your camper level, so most people tend to overlook the price difference for convenience sake. Every time you are hooking up or unhooking, you will need to get that crank handle out and wind it by hand, which is something not everyone wants or is even able to do.Now that you know the main differences between an electric and manual jack, keep scrolling to see a list of the top three jacks you can get for your camper, one in each category: premium, value, and economy. I have included the best of both electric and manual jacks on this page, so there is a jack for everyone - and if there isn't, you probably don't have a camper.
Built-in LED light you you can still see your coupler when it's dark out
Adjustable drop foot to fit wide range of campers
Weather-resistant design with sealed buttons, rubber covers, and a protective bag keep it in top shape
Emergency crank included for manual function in case of power loss
Up to 5,000-lb capacity (a lighter, 3.5k lbs version is available)
Automatic reset circuit protects the motor from overload (so no spare fuses needed)
Ultra-quiet operation
This is for you if:If you’re tired of cranking a manual jack until your arms feel like jelly, or if you simply want a budget-friendly, hassle-free, high quality electric jack that’s built to last. If that all sounds pretty good to you, then let me be the first to tell you, the etrailer Electric Trailer Jack is the way to go. It’s designed for effortless towing, letting you raise and lower your trailer at the push of a button. No more struggling with a hand crank—just hit the switch, and let the jack do the work.Not only does it operate extremely quietly, but it also has an auto stop feature that prevents over-extension, so you don’t have to worry about damaging the gears over time?
. And thanks to the build-in LED light, you’ll have plenty of visibility to get everything connected properly, even at night.?
Another standout feature is the etrailer Jack's supreme durability. Unlike cheaper models that start rusting after a season or two, this jack is fully powder-coated to resist corrosion from rain, snow, and road salt?. Plus, the included weather resistant cover gives you an extra layer of protection when your trailer is parked for long periodsThis is NOT for you if:You don’t want a high-performance jack, and you’re okay with cranking manually for hours on end if it means you're gonna save yourself some cash. If a $100 difference in price means that much to you, then sure, the manual jack will work fine. Also, if your trailer requires more than 18" of lift, you may want to check out alternatives with a higher extension range.
Side-mounted LED lights so bright you can see your future
Easily accessible toggle switch on top
Extremely quiet operation
Drop leg for greater adjustability
Independent ground wire for secure ground
This is for you if:If you're in the market for a jack that's got all the bells and whistles, and you don't mind paying a premium price for it, then the Stromberg Carlson Electric Trailer Jack could be what you're looking for. This jack really does have it all. The LED lights on the side make it easier than ever to hookup and unhook your camper at night, and are conveniently facing almost every direction (I don't have to tell you not to stare straight into it though, do I?). You might also like that the extremely quiet powered drive on this Stromberg Carlson jack makes it easy to make a quick getaway at night without waking up any sleeping neighbors. Another reason why I recommend this electric jack is because with a weight capacity of up to 5,000 lbs, I don't see you needing anything more heavy duty for your camper (and there's less of a chance you'll brake this one by overloading it). And with an independent ground wire, this means you will spend a lot less time and effort trying to find a good spot to ground your jack, so that you can make sure it's done right the first time.This high-tech jack is one of the most efficient on the market because of the ball screw, which includes ball bearings that roll along the threaded steel rod for a quick trailer positioning. It also has 18" of travel with a 4-1/2" drop leg, so that you can get to your desired height right away, and spend less time raising the trailer up and down to get it perfectly level.This is NOT for you if:If you're like me and you don't want to pay an arm and a leg for the convenience of an electric jack, then you may want to look at different options. Also, if you have a camper that needs more than a 24" extended jack height, then you may want to look elsewhere. This jack offers a maximum of 24" of ground clearance when fully extended. If you need more than that, then you're out of luck.
Option to choose footplate or caster (sold separately)
Up to 5,000-lb lift capacity
Recognized as industry standard for agricultural and commercial applications
This is for you if:If you don't need anything fancy and are okay with putting a little elbow grease into raising and lowering your camper, this Bulldog jack is a great fit for you. Get this jack if you want something that won't hurt your wallet but also something that can outlive any of your pets. I'm recommending this Bulldog jack because out of all of the hand crank jacks available, this is the most popular and best quality jack for the price. It doesn't come with a footplate (BD018564), or caster (BDCP555), but you can easily buy these separately with all the extra money you're saving on this jack. This Bulldog jack is versatile because it can either be bolted or welded on, depending on your preference and situation. This jack is also awesome because it has a capacity of up to 5,000 lbs so you can install this on just about any and every A-frame trailer. This Bulldog jack is great for the campers who don't tow very frequently, or do and don't mind doing a bit extra physical work when you do tow. Just know it will take more time to extend and retract your camper, it as it does not have a drop leg. If you don't want to have to replace your jack frequently, or even at all, this may be the one for you.This is NOT for you if:If you are disabled or unable to consistently crank this thing multiple times a day (or you just don't want to), this might not be the best idea. Or if you find yourself often running behind (like me), and always have less time than you thought, this won't be the best choice for you. The reason for this is because this jack does not feature a drop leg, so it will take longer to get it at the height you need, and it also requires more man-power to get there than an electric jack does.
It all kind of depends on your truck tailgate size and far away your jack sits away from it. Some people are able to simple rotate their trailer jack so that the head sits at a different orientation, while others need to use a longer ball mount so that the trailer sits further away from the truck.
Hi Frank. I am with you - and the answer is yes. Atwood made a vertical mount style electric jack that came on our 2012 Lance 1985. It allows the tailgate on our 2020 Silverado to JUST open all the way. What a huge difference that makes, when loading and unloading the truck! I recently bought another trailer, a new Gulf Stream, and it has a jack like the one Olivia is recommending here. The tailgate on our truck will not open, so I switched jacks and it opens fine. The Atwood is powerful, but it does use a body ground, not a separate ground wire. So far that has not been an issue.
@StevenR Unfortunately, Atwood was split up and the various divisions were sold off so their electric trailer jacks are no longer available. Wish we had better news.
I am not sure what your exact question is but the Lippert Power Gear Jack 181794 has been discontinued and there are no replacement parts available for this. Therefore, if you have an issue with yours then you will need to replace the entire jack and…
A drop leg on a trailer jack is a feature that allows you to lower an inner leg of the jack by pulling a pin, letting the inner leg slide down, and then re-pinning the inner leg at a lower height. This prevents you from having to crank the trailer…
I can't tell you what the most reliable trailer jack is as we don't really have testing to support this but what I can tell you is that the Phoenix Electric Trailer Jack part #UF38-944040 has a longer warranty than any other jack on the…
You will need the Red LED Trailer Clearance or Side Marker Light #328-K-52 or Amber LED Trailer Clearance or Side Marker Light #328-K-51 for your 2018 Forest River Sunseeker motorhome. These lenses have the same Top Command SAE-AP2-16 markings on the…
Yes, a galvanized wheel will resist rust and corrosion better than a painted/coated wheel. This will apply to both the bead seat and face. In regards to cost, if you do not have access to a tire mounting machine or the means to use one for that…
The first step in choosing a weight distribution system is to conclusively determine the tongue weight of your camper once it is fully loaded and ready to tow. This includes full water and propane tanks plus any other gear you would typically travel…
We can get you a ball mount with a longer shaft to help keep your trailer safe. Without knowing the rise or drop you need, or the weight capacity, I can only offer a couple of general recommendations for ball mounts with long shafts. Since you have a…
Yes, the etrailer round tube trailer jack part #TJA-5000S-B would work in place of the Lippert Smart Jack that you have now. This is a much simpler jack solution that will be a lot more reliable and you won't have to worry about it not working.
If you are looking to maximize the capacity of the etrailer.com 5,000-pound Jack #TJA-5000S-B, you are not limited to the 2,000-pound drop legs. With that said, you will want to check out the etrailer.com #JF-1005H-Z drop leg. This is rated up to…
I talked with my contact at Lippert and the only replacement parts they have available for your model 181794 jack are the cover, foot pad, and switches. Unfortunately this means you will have to replace the jack without an available part to repair…
For a Lippert jack model 181794 a replacement manual crank nut is not available. I checked with my contact at Lippert to confirm. You will need to replace your jack with a complete new one, I am sorry to say. To help you select a new one I have…
Frank B.
8/22/2020
Are there ANY electric 12 volt RV trailer jacks that allow a truck tailgate to lower?