How to Determine Correct Size Electric A-Frame Tongue Jack for 12,500-lb Triple Axle Trailer

Updated 07/24/2020 | Published 07/22/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Electric Jack w/ Footplate - Drop Leg - A-Frame - 25-1/8" Lift - 3,500 lbs - White

(1983)

$150.25

Stromberg Carlson Electric A-Frame Tongue Jack - 18" Lift - 2,500 lbs

(924)

$215.47

Question:

I have a 12,500 pound triple axle travel trailer. What size electric tongue jack would I need?

asked by: Giles H

Expert Reply:

The correct electric A-Frame trailer tongue jack for your 12,500-lb triple axle travel trailer will need to have the capacity that will surpass your trailer's loaded tongue weight, which is typically between 10 and 15 percent of the loaded trailer's weight.

So your 12,500 pound trailer would have a tongue weight between 1250 lbs and 1875 lbs, so any trailer jack rated over 2,000 lbs would be sufficient to lift the trailer's tongue, however I recommend a higher capacity and high quality designed jack because they tend to last a bit longer. The most common reason for a trailer jack to stop working is because of friction that breaks down the gears and and over-extension of the jack.

The most common size in the electric A-frame trailer tongue jacks would be the 3,500-lb weight capacity and it will be more than enough for you because it only needs to be rated for the tongue weight of the trailer.

The Electric Jack w/ Footplate # EJ-3520-WBX could be a great option; it has a 3,500 lb lift capacity, an extended height of 28-1/2" and a retracted height of 9". Another option is the Stromberg Carlson Electric A-Frame Tongue Jack # JET-2500, which has a 2,500 lb capacity with a 9" retracted height and 27" extended height.