The trailer tongue jack is one of the most-used parts on any bumper pull trailer, yet most buyers never think about it until one bends, sticks, or fails in a parking lot. At Trailer Place in Wharton, TX (moving to Rosenberg in mid-2026), we help Texas and Louisiana customers pick the right jack every day. Here is what you need to know.
Why Jack Capacity Matters
Your jack must lift the tongue weight, not the whole trailer. Tongue weight usually runs 10 to 15 percent of the loaded trailer weight. A 7,000 lb GVWR tandem utility trailer loaded to the max can put 700 to 1,050 lbs on the tongue, so a 2,000 lb jack is the minimum and a 5,000 lb jack gives a safety margin. For a full breakdown, read our guide on GVWR, payload, and tongue weight.
- Single axle utility (3,500 lb GVWR): 1,200 to 2,000 lb side-wind or top-wind jack, about $40 to $90.
- Tandem utility or car hauler (7,000 to 10,000 lb GVWR): 5,000 lb A-frame jack, often with a drop leg, about $80 to $200.
- Dump and equipment trailers (14,000 lb GVWR and up): 7,000 to 12,000 lb square tube drop-leg jack, about $150 to $400.
Manual vs Electric Tongue Jacks
A manual crank jack is simple, cheap, and works without power. An electric 12V jack ($250 to $600 installed) runs off the trailer battery and saves your back when you hitch and unhitch several times a day. Contractors pulling loaded dump trailers and enclosed trailers often find an electric jack pays for itself in time and fewer shoulder strains. Occasional users are usually fine with manual.
Drop Leg, Swivel, and Foot Options
- Drop leg: A pin-adjustable leg drops down fast so you crank less. Great on tall hitches and lifted trucks.
- Swivel mount: Folds up sideways for ground clearance on ramps and rough ranch roads.
- Foot pad or caster wheel: A wide foot keeps the jack from sinking into soft Gulf Coast soil. A caster wheel helps you move a light, empty trailer by hand, but should never be used on gravel or with heavy loads.
Simple Jack Maintenance
Grease the gears through the zerk fitting twice a year, keep the inner tube lightly lubricated, and check the mounting bolts. Humidity and road salt near the coast cause rust fast, so add a quick jack check to your regular trailer maintenance checklist. Replace any jack with a bent tube or stripped gears right away.
Shop Trailers With the Right Jack Already Installed
Every trailer on our lot, from Diamond C and Iron Bull to our in-house STAR trailers, ships with a jack rated for its class, and we can upgrade to electric or drop-leg jacks at purchase. Browse utility trailers and equipment trailers, and ask about financing.
Trailer Place is family-owned, offers financing, and ships nationwide. Call (979) 532-1486 or visit us at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX to find the right trailer and jack setup for your work.
