Q: What types of trailer jacks are available?

A:

• A-frame
• Side mount
• Pipe mount
• Swivel
• Drop leg
• Scissor
• Stabilizer

Q: What are the primary criteria I should know before selecting a trailer jack?

A: Where is the location of the mount? It is important to take note of any clearance issues, especially making sure the jack handle doesn’t interfere with the frame of the trailer. You must know the fully retracted dimension of the jack. This dimension is important to ensure adequate ground clearance. You must know how much travel or distance if required from the jack. This will ensure you will have the correct jack necessary to raise the trailer tongue above your tow vehicle’s hitch ball. It is also important to note that a drop leg may be used for additional travel, especially if your required jack travel is greater than 15”.

Q: What is an A-frame jack?

A: An A-frame jack is a smaller jack that mounts into the body of an A-frame coupler. They are typically 2K and 5K capacity and most often found on light-duty trailers.

Q: What is a side-mount jack?

A: A side-mount jack is designed to either bolt or weld to the side of the frame of a trailer. The pivoting design of this jack allows the jack to swing up and out of the way for towing and down for storing when taking your trailer off. Manual crank jacks and side mount jacks are available in both top wind or side wind styles.

Q: What is a pipe-mount jack?

A: Pipe-mount jacks have a square or round tube that is welded to the trailer frame, providing a mount for the jack to pivot on. The weld-on mounting method gives you more options for where you can mount the jack.

Q: What is a swivel jack?

A: Swivel jacks provide great convenience when towing by allowing the jack to swivel up and be stored next to the trailer frame. Swivel jacks are available in both clamp-on and weld-on styles. A pull pin holds the jack in position where you can simply pull the pin to rotate the jack to change the position from vertical (down) to horizontal (up) when towing.

Q: What is a drop leg jack?

A: The primary feature of a drop leg jack is that it provides fast leveling and an increased lift distance. Drop leg jacks are typically welded on to the front of a trailer. The drop leg action is created by pulling a pin on the leg to lower both the inner leg and the foot to the ground. This is accomplished by lining up the holes on the inner leg and outer leg and then reinserting the pin to lock the inner leg in the lower position. You then crank the jack to extend and raise the trailer. Because the inner leg and foot are close to the ground, you do not have to crank the jack as much to raise the trailer.

Q: What is a stabilizing jack?

A: A stabilizing jack is most often a jack that bolts onto the trailer frame. A stabilizing jack typically folds up for storage and pulls down for use. These jacks are best suited for small utility trailer and pop-up campers.

Q: What is a scissor jack?

A: A scissor jack is a type of stabilizing jack. A scissor jack typically bolts on or is welded to the trailer frame. Scissor jacks are typically located at the corners of the trailer and operate by a screw gear (also called a worm gear) and handle. Scissor jacks are usually used in pairs and their primary function is to stabilize and level bigger campers.

Q: What is the difference between a top wind and side wind jack?

A: A top wind jack has a handle that directly drives the jack screw. The rotation of the handle is horizontal. A side wind jack has bevel gears that allow the rotation of the handle to be vertical. The main reason for using a side wind jack is for ease of cranking and for applications where a top wind handle would interfere with some part of the trailer structure.

Q: What weight capacity of trailer jack is required for my trailer?

A: The rating of your jack must exceed the tongue weight of the trailer.

Q: Do I need a bottom support plate for my A-frame trailer jack?

A: Yes, a bottom support plate should be used to provide additional foundation structure for an A-frame jack. The A-frame plate is bolted or welded at the top of the trailer frame or A-frame coupler. The bottom support plate is welded to the underside of the trailer frame.

Q: How do I maintain my trailer jack? How often is maintenance required?

A: There are a number of maintenance procedures that should be performed on an annual basis. For side-wind models, the internal gearing and bushings of the jack must be kept lubricated. To accomplish, apply a small amount of automotive grease to the internal gearing by removing the jack cover. You may also use a needle-nose applicator or standard grease gun on the lubrication point found on the side of the jack near the crank. To effectively lubricate, rotate the jack handle to distribute the grease evenly. Lightweight oil must be applied to the handle unit at both sides of the tube for side-wind models. If equipped, the axle bolt and nut assembly of the caster wheel must also be lubricated with the same lightweight oil. For top-wind models, apply lightweight oil to the screw stem. If your trailer jack is being used in a marine environment, flush the jack assembly and bushings with fresh water, and then apply fresh lubricant.

Q: What are the benefits of a two-speed jack?

A: The benefit of a two-speed jack is the ease of handle effort required to lift the weight of the trailer. When using the low gear, the handle effort will be lower but the speed will be slower. When used in high gear, the effort will be higher but the speed will be faster.