Recommended Trailer Jack To Clear Tailgate With A-Frame Trailer

Updated 07/08/2019 | Published 07/05/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Bulldog Round, Pipe-Mount Swivel Jack - Sidewind - 15" Lift - 5,000 lbs

(230)

$112.21

Curt Class III Drawbar - 2" Rise - 4" Drop - 13" Long - 7,500 lbs

(2273)

$39.94

Question:

I have a 6’x10’ Tillman dump trailer 7,000lb capacity. I’m looking for a jack that will allow me to open my tailgate on a 2015 ram 2500. It has an A frame setup now but not opposed to welding on the side. Anything strong enough to hold 4 tons of weight when I need to remove trailer loaded and allow me to open tailgate when connected. Thanks

asked by: Ron

Expert Reply:

I do have an option for you but the tongue jack only needs to be rated for the tongue weight of your trailer which will only be around 10-15% of its loaded weight. Therefore, you are likely only going to need around a 700-1,000 lb weight capacity. The higher rated you go, the better off you will be but an 8,000 lb option would be far too much. In order to clear your tailgate while the trailer is attached you are likely going to need a side mount, swivel option. I recommend the Bulldog Round Pipe-Mount Swivel Jack part # BD178203 because all you will need to do is weld a pipe mount onto the side of the trailer and that would then give you not only plenty of capacity but also the ability to lower your tailgate with the jack in the stored position.

Please note, installing a side mount trailer jack on an a-frame trailer with a heavy tongue can lead to instability issues. That said, it might be a better option to use a longer ball mount like the Curt Class III Drawbar part # C45270 for example which has a 7,500 lb weight capacity and measures 13" from the center of hitch pin hole to the center of the ball hole.

expert reply by: Conner L