The best electric tongue jacks make hitching and unhitching your trailer a breeze.
Today’s options are more powerful and durable (not to mention more affordable) than ever, and are guaranteed to make you glad you made the switch from a manual jack.
Instead of winding your jack until your arm goes numb, push a button on an electric jack to raise and lower the front of your trailer to easily hitch it to your tow vehicle.
What is an electric tongue jack?
An electric tongue jack allows you to lift or lower the front your trailer with the press of a button so that it can be hitched or unhitched to your tow vehicle.
If you’ve previously been using a manual trailer jack, prepare to have your life changed. Electric trailer jacks are ridiculously easy to use and will save you a ton of physical exertion and frustration.
With such a large difference in ease of use, electric trailer jacks have recently begun to soar in popularity.
The result is that every manufacturer is now making an electric jack. It’s great that there are electric tongue jack options for every budget and need, but it’s difficult to find the best electric trailer jack for you through the endless list of options.
We’ve done the research and have put together our list of the 5 best electric tongue jacks sorted into three categories:
- Best Value
- Best Heavy Duty
- Best Cheap
(HomeGenerosity NEVER accepts compensation from manufacturers for favorable reviews)
BEST VALUE ELECTRIC TONGUE JACKS
They may ultimately accomplish the same goal but electric tongue jacks come in a variety of travel heights, maximum weights, features, and price points.
For best value, we took into consideration all of the above factors to find you the most well rounded jacks.
RAM EJ-3520-BBX 3,500 lb. Electric Trailer Jack with Drop Leg
When it comes to high-quality trailer jacks, RAM Trailer Products has for some time now been one of the leading brands in the market.
The RAM EJ-3520 is one of RAM’s best products and is easily one of our finalists for best valued electric tongue jack.
It boasts an 18″ travel height and can handle up to a 3,500 pound A-Frame Trailer with the flip of a switch. For additional adjustment a 7-1/2″ drop leg is included.
Hitching at night? The EJ-3520 is equipped with a handy LED light.
Also, just in case you lose power, it can be used as a manual jack.
We particularly love that despite its friendly price range, it is durable and is constructed of a powder coated outer tube and a zinc finished inner tube.
This electric jack is sold in black and white colors.
Real HomeGenerosity Reader Review
“This Ram jack has made a huge difference in how much I enjoy my boat (and definitely has saved my shoulder from not having to crank). It does take a little bit of time to work but it’s worth it.”
Pros
- Great bang for the buck
- Durable
- Handles up to 3,500 pounds
- Bolt-on installation – powered by 12-volt power source
- Responsive customer service
Cons
- Not as fast as some other electric tongue jacks
Quick Products 3500 JQ-3500W 12V Electric Tongue Jack
The Quick Products 3500 Electric Tongue Jack goes toe to toe with the RAM EJ-3520 for best value in an electric jack.
The Quick Products jack matches the RAM with an LED light, emergency manual crank, and 1 year warranty. However, it tops the RAM with its 3,650 pound maximum weight rating.
It is also offered in two colors: white and black.
Our favorite feature of the Quick Products 3500 is the leveling cap. Sitting atop the jack, the leveling cap lets you set your rig to a level position.
Notably, other reviewers have found this jack to be slightly more difficult to install; with some reviewers finding that the ground wire to not be connected.
Pros
- Plenty of power for the money
- Durable
- Handles up to 3,650 pounds
- 2.25″ post diameter
- Includes waterproof vinyl cover
Cons
- More difficult to install than the RAM EJ-3520
BEST HEAVY DUTY ELECTRIC TONGUE JACKS
Sometimes you just need more power.
These jacks come at a slight premium but can handle more weight and are designed to take a licking and keep on ticking.
Husky HB4500 4500 lbs. Brute Power Jack
Quality and Husky go hand in hand.
The Husky HB4500 Brute Power Jack lives up to its moniker and makes our list of the best heavy duty electric tongue jacks with the ability to handle a whopping 4,500 pound maximum weight – perfect for hitching and unhitching even full-sized campers.
In only 38 seconds, the Brute can lift your trailer 10 inches – up to 18 inches total. The Brute’s lifting ability is also boosted by it’s unique ball screw design which allows the electric motor to work less, using less electricity.
For uneven ground, a 6-inch drop down leg offers the perfect adjustment.
For hitching and unhitching your A-frame trailer at night, the Brute has a 3-way LED light to illuminate the entire area.
Pros
- 4,500 pounds of lifting power
- Durable finish
- Quick lift
- Weather protected switches
Cons
- Only available in gray
Bulldog 500187 Black A-Frame Jack with Powered Drive
While the Bulldog 500187 lacks the pure power of the Husky Brute, it makes it up for with its impressive screw travel of 14 inches and drop leg travel of 8 inches – for a total travel distance of 22 inches.
Of course we are fans of the stylish black and lime green design, but more importantly, we love the 5 year limited warranty this electric tongue jack comes with. Not that you are likely to need it. Long term reviewers have reported very few problems.
Installation is easy with the Bulldog as it can simply take the place of your existing jack – new bolts included.
Real HomeGenerosity Reader Review
“I like the adjustable foot. I take my trailer out to some uneven land and it makes it easy to hookup. No complaints here.”
Pros
- Easy to install
- LED light
- Corrosion resistant
- Integrated motor and gearbox
Cons
- Could have higher maximum weight for price range
BEST CHEAP ELECTRIC TONGUE JACKS
Not sure about splurging on a top of the line electric jack? Or don’t use your trailer enough to justify the cost?
We’ve found you the best electric tongue jack for the money – at a price point barely above a manual jack.
Quick Products 3000 JQ-3000 12V Electric Tongue Jack
Don’t want to manually hitch your RV but don’t want to spend a lot of money?
Here’s the Quick Products JQ-3000.
Our selection for the best cheap electric tongue jack can handle up to 3,250 lbs in maximum weight.
The post is the standard 2-1/4″ size so that it perfectly fits your existing jack mounting holes.
The JQ-3000 offers 18″ of travel for quick and easy attachment to equalizing bars.
Like higher priced electric tongue jacks, it also comes equipped with an LED light so that you can hitch and unhitch at night.
While you can’t expect the durability of high end jacks, reviews of the JQ-3000 have found this jack to be worth the money – even after extended use.
Pros
- Great price point
- Comparable features to more expensive electric jacks
- 1 year warranty
- Water resistant electronics
Cons
- Slower operation than higher priced models
- Under powered for heavier trailers and RVs
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING
When it comes down to it, electric tongue jacks aren’t all that different from manual jacks; they raise or lower your trailer to reach your tow vehicle’s hitch.
There are several important factors that you should consider though:
Weight Capacity
Our reviewed electric tongue jacks range from weight capacities of 3,250 – 4,500 pounds.
You may be saying that your boat or camper weighs more than that.
Don’t worry.
The electric jack only raises the front of your trailer which typically works out to be approximately 15% of the total weight.
For example, the Husky Brute jack rated at 4,500 pounds can lift a trailer that weights up to approximately 30,000 pounds.
Installation
The most popular electric tongue jacks are bolt on. While some jacks can be welded on, it’s tough to pass up the ease of bolt on installation.
It’s important though to check whether the jack you are interested in includes new bolts.
Durability
As with any important equipment purchase, you want to make sure you are buying a product that lasts – or at least gives you your money’s worth.
Your jack will spend a lot of time in the weather. Consider whether the electric jack you are interested in is built of corrosion resistant material and whether the inner electronics are properly sealed and waterproofed.
While it’s true that the higher priced models tend to be more durable, don’t overlook less expensive, but just as tough, jacks like the RAM EJ-3520.
Travel Distance
No, not driving, but the distance from your hitch to the ground.
Electric tongue jacks have different distances that they can travel. Make sure that you measure your hitch so that you’ll be sure your new jack can lift your trailer high enough.
MAKE THE SWITCH TO AN ELECTRIC JACK
Manual jacks have worked for years, but it’s 2019.
Stop killing your arm and upgrade to an electric tongue jack for your RV, boat, jet ski, camper, or any other trailer in your arsenal.
If you have any questions on what electric tongue jack is best for you, or would like to share your experience with one of the jacks we have reviewed, please feel free to get in contact with us.
Image Credit: Amazon.com
you think referral tameside
I purchased this Quick Products JQ-3500W Electric Tongue Jack for my 34ft car hauler and it works great. I love its rather extensive 3,650-pound loading capacity. This feature could handle lifting my 6,000-pound trailer with relative ease. It has some features such as manual crank override, a heavy-duty weatherproof vinyl cover, a bubble-style leveling cap…
After our last trip, I decided that the manual jack had really gotten old. I looked at a lot of different models, and this article gave me a lot of choice. Thanks so much.