Powered Trailer Jack Recommendation for a Trailer that with a Weight Distribution

Updated 05/12/2015 | Published 05/11/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Stromberg Carlson Electric Trailer Jack - Drop Leg - A-Frame - 24" Lift - 3,500 lbs - Black

(914)

$251.08

Stromberg Carlson Electric Trailer Jack - Drop Leg - A-Frame - 23" Lift - 4,500 lbs - Black

(914)

$299.95

Question:

I noticed that your answers on electric tongue jacks only consider trailer tongue weight when selecting an electric tongue jack. Most trailers, having the tongue weights in your answers, would be using a weight distrbution trailer hitch. That hitch reduces the actual tongue weight on the hitch. However, to hitch up a WD hitch the tongue jack has to lift the back of the truck as well in order to hook up the hitch spring bars. How do you calculate that weight and jack rating requirements? My tongue weight prior to the reduction of the WD hitch is about 800 to1000 pounds max. I have an electric tongue jack rated at 2500 pounds. It will easily raise the trailer tongue up and down without effort. However, while hitching up it struggles greatly when lifting the back of the truck to the minimum point required to hook up the hitch spring bars. I am considering the Jet 3755 jack rated at 3500 pounds but wonder if I should go even bigger.

asked by: Maury

Expert Reply:

Sounds like going to a higher rated electric tongue jack would be your best option. The higher rated jacks are great for using when installing a weight distribution, but there's not way exactly to know how much capacity you would need so we recommend going with the highest one just to be sure.

I would recommend the Stromberg Carlson # SC63VR. This is a 4,500 lb jack that I can guarantee will have enough capacity for your setup and would be your best option. This jack has a clutch that will automatically stop when the jack has topped out instead of potentially damaging the threads like some jacks will.

expert reply by: Jameson C