RIDE GEAR GUIDE / TRAILER OWNERSHIP

Best Electric Trailer Tongue Jacks

Five documented powered A-frame jack options, compared by lifting capacity, real operating travel, power arrangements and installation tradeoffs.

Compare Current Options
BUYER’S GUIDE5 RESEARCHED MODELSFITMENT FIRST

An electric tongue jack saves cranking, but the wrong one can hit a tailgate, run out of extension on sloped ground or strain an undersized circuit. This guide focuses specifically on powered A-frame tongue jacks, not stabilizers, landing gear or general-purpose side-mount trailer jacks. Product specifications are sourced from named model pages rather than assumed from similarly branded versions.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

01 Electric tongue jack quick picks

Each recommendation targets a different ownership need. All capacities are manufacturer or specialist-retailer stated lift ratings, not trailer towing capacities.

Best for alternate power optionsLippert Power Stance 813748

Optional tow-vehicle power with separately purchased Power Swap cord; four LEDs and emergency crank

Rated lift 3,500 lbTravel 18 in
Best for warranty-conscious ownersBULLDOG 500187 Powered A-Frame Jack

Integrated motor, drop leg, LED courtesy light and top-access manual override; limited five-year warranty

Rated lift 3,500 lbTravel 22 in total
Best for extra vertical reachStromberg Carlson JET-3755

19-inch powered travel plus five-inch drop leg offers flexibility on uneven campsite approaches

Rated lift 3,500 lbTravel 24 in combined
Best higher-capacity optionStromberg Carlson JET-5000

18-inch powered travel and five-inch drop leg with dual-side LED illumination

Rated lift 5,000 lbTravel 23 in combined
Best straightforward OEM-style replacementLippert Power Tongue Jack 285318

Conventional powered A-frame format, included hand crank and mounting hardware per manufacturer listing

Rated lift 3,500 lbTravel 18 in

02 Model-by-model comparison

Travel figures are quoted as published and may combine powered stroke with drop-leg adjustment. Check the relevant model page before ordering.

Electric jackRated liftAdvertised travelBest fit
Lippert Power Stance 8137483,500 lb18 inBest for alternate power options
BULLDOG 500187 Powered A-Frame Jack3,500 lb22 in totalBest for warranty-conscious owners
Stromberg Carlson JET-37553,500 lb24 in combinedBest for extra vertical reach
Stromberg Carlson JET-50005,000 lb23 in combinedBest higher-capacity option
Lippert Power Tongue Jack 2853183,500 lb18 inBest straightforward OEM-style replacement

03 Detailed electric jack reviews

These picks emphasize different engineering and ownership considerations rather than pretending every 3,500-pound jack is interchangeable.

01 / Best for alternate power options

Lippert Power Stance 813748

3,500 lb rated lift18 in stated travel

Optional tow-vehicle power with separately purchased Power Swap cord; four LEDs and emergency crank.

What stands out: Optional tow-vehicle power with separately purchased Power Swap cord; four LEDs and emergency crank. Check the exact part number because nearby variants may have different specifications.

Who it suits: Owners who want an upgrade path when trailer battery power is unavailable.

Why choose it

Optional tow-vehicle power with separately purchased Power Swap cord; four LEDs and emergency crank.

Why skip it

The auxiliary power cord is optional, not included with the basic 813748 jack.

Ownership tradeoff: The auxiliary power cord is optional, not included with the basic 813748 jack. Manufacturer or retailer specification: model documentation.

Check Price
02 / Best for warranty-conscious owners

BULLDOG 500187 Powered A-Frame Jack

3,500 lb rated lift22 in total stated travel

Integrated motor, drop leg, LED courtesy light and top-access manual override; limited five-year warranty.

What stands out: Integrated motor, drop leg, LED courtesy light and top-access manual override; limited five-year warranty. Check the exact part number because nearby variants may have different specifications.

Who it suits: Buyers who value documented replacement parts and a longer stated limited warranty.

Why choose it

Integrated motor, drop leg, LED courtesy light and top-access manual override; limited five-year warranty.

Why skip it

Mounting hardware is not included; confirm lift stroke versus total travel.

Ownership tradeoff: Mounting hardware is not included; confirm lift stroke versus total travel. Manufacturer or retailer specification: model documentation.

Check Price
03 / Best for extra vertical reach

Stromberg Carlson JET-3755

3,500 lb rated lift24 in combined stated travel

19-inch powered travel plus five-inch drop leg offers flexibility on uneven campsite approaches.

What stands out: 19-inch powered travel plus five-inch drop leg offers flexibility on uneven campsite approaches. Check the exact part number because nearby variants may have different specifications.

Who it suits: Owners needing a wide operating range after measuring their trailer and tow vehicle heights.

Why choose it

19-inch powered travel plus five-inch drop leg offers flexibility on uneven campsite approaches.

Why skip it

The 24-inch figure includes drop-leg adjustment; do not treat it as motorized stroke.

Ownership tradeoff: The 24-inch figure includes drop-leg adjustment; do not treat it as motorized stroke. Manufacturer or retailer specification: model documentation.

Check Price
04 / Best higher-capacity option

Stromberg Carlson JET-5000

5,000 lb rated lift23 in combined stated travel

18-inch powered travel and five-inch drop leg with dual-side LED illumination.

What stands out: 18-inch powered travel and five-inch drop leg with dual-side LED illumination. Check the exact part number because nearby variants may have different specifications.

Who it suits: Trailers requiring a higher rated jack after actual tongue-load measurement.

Why choose it

18-inch powered travel and five-inch drop leg with dual-side LED illumination.

Why skip it

Extra rating does not cure insufficient mounting clearance or poor electrical wiring.

Ownership tradeoff: Extra rating does not cure insufficient mounting clearance or poor electrical wiring. Manufacturer or retailer specification: model documentation.

Check Price
05 / Best straightforward OEM-style replacement

Lippert Power Tongue Jack 285318

3,500 lb rated lift18 in stated travel

Conventional powered A-frame format, included hand crank and mounting hardware per manufacturer listing.

What stands out: Conventional powered A-frame format, included hand crank and mounting hardware per manufacturer listing. Check the exact part number because nearby variants may have different specifications.

Who it suits: Owners replacing an aging electric jack without needing an auxiliary power ecosystem.

Why choose it

Conventional powered A-frame format, included hand crank and mounting hardware per manufacturer listing.

Why skip it

Confirm mounting pattern, retracted height and available head clearance before purchase.

Ownership tradeoff: Confirm mounting pattern, retracted height and available head clearance before purchase. Manufacturer or retailer specification: model documentation.

Check Price

04 Seven fitment and safety checks

Complete these checks before spending money or removing your existing jack.

  1. Measure actual tongue load: Use a suitable scale or verified measurement method; trailer gross weight is not the tongue weight and does not determine the required jack rating.
  2. Confirm A-frame mounting: Compare mounting hole pattern, center opening and jack tube diameter to the exact replacement instructions.
  3. Check retracted and extended heights: Account for hitch ball height, ground slope, footplate and the amount of drop-leg extension; total travel is not motor stroke.
  4. Inspect tailgate and propane-tank clearance: Check the jack motor head with the tow vehicle fully articulated and tailgate open; a rotated installation may not solve every conflict.
  5. Verify 12-volt power and fuse: Follow the specific manual for wire gauge, circuit protection, grounding and battery or tow-vehicle power compatibility.
  6. Plan for manual override: Know where the emergency crank fits and keep it accessible; test operation with the trailer securely supported.
  7. Use level, load-bearing ground: Chock wheels before uncoupling, place the foot on a stable surface and never use the tongue jack as a person-supporting lifting device.

05 Choose by actual requirements

For standard A-frame replacement: First match the mounting dimensions and loaded tongue weight. Compare Lippert 285318 with BULLDOG 500187 if you prefer a conventional 3,500-pound powered jack.

For limited battery access: Lippert Power Stance supports an optional manufacturer-specific tow-vehicle power accessory. Verify your vehicle and cord setup before treating this as a backup.

For changing campsite elevations: Look closely at Stromberg Carlson JET-3755’s powered stroke plus drop leg. Measure both the minimum hitching height and the maximum required lift.

For heavier tongue loads: Consider the JET-5000 only after confirming its 5,000-pound rating, electrical installation, and A-frame fit.

Related reading: manual and other trailer jack types, trailer wheel chocks, and the trailer ownership hub. These are roadmap paths; live publication status is not independently verified.

06 Frequently asked questions

Is a 3,500-pound electric jack enough for a travel trailer?

Often, but only after checking actual loaded tongue weight and the manufacturer’s rated lifting capacity. Do not compare the jack rating directly to the trailer’s total GVWR.

What is the difference between stroke and total travel?

Stroke is the jack’s powered vertical movement. Total travel may add a telescoping drop leg, so two products with similar total reach can behave differently.

Can I power an electric tongue jack from the tow vehicle?

Only with a manufacturer-approved arrangement and adequate wiring. Lippert offers an optional Power Swap cord for its Power Stance system; do not assume any jack accepts a standard trailer plug.

Will a new jack fit my existing A-frame bolt holes?

Many use common A-frame patterns, but tube diameter, bolt spacing, head orientation and interference must be checked against both trailer and jack documentation.

What happens if the battery is dead?

The reviewed models document manual override provisions, but the location and required crank vary. Read the manual and practice safely before a trip.

Should I buy a 5,000-pound jack for a lighter trailer?

Extra rated capacity can be useful, but it does not compensate for poor mounting fit, insufficient reach or inadequate electrical supply. Select on measured requirements.

07 The right powered jack fits first

Start with actual loaded tongue weight, available mounting clearance and required operating heights. For versatility, the Power Stance has a documented optional power accessory; for a stated longer limited warranty, BULLDOG 500187 stands out; for higher rated lifting capacity, investigate the JET-5000. None is a substitute for safe chocking, stable ground and a correct 12-volt installation.

Scroll to Top