Over the past few years, SUV/RV trips have become quite popular. Almost one million Americans live full-time. These vehicles not only make traveling convenient but also add adventure to your life. However, setting the trailer up at different locations can be quite a hassle. That’s why having a powered tongue jack is so important.
In this article, we’ll explain how a powered tongue jack makes lowering and lifting a trailer a breeze.
What is an A-Frame Trailer Tongue Jack?
An A-frame trailer jack is a piece of equipment specially made for trailers with an A-frame tongue design. The jack basically provides support to the front of a trailer when it is disconnected from the SUV. It also helps lift and lower the trailer when setting it up on the ground at your travel destination.
Different models of jacks offer varying features. For example, some can be bolted to your trailer, while others can be welded. Also, load capacities to accommodate different trailer weights change with these models.
Manual vs Electric Trailer Jacks
When researching trailer jacks, you’ll find two common types available on the market: manual and electric. A manual jack typically consists of a vertical post with a plate attached to the bottom. A crank, usually at the top or side of the post, can be used to lower or lift the trailer.
In comparison, an electric trailer jack does not have a crank. Instead, it is fitted with a motor and buttons to lower and raise the trailer without any manual force. All you have to do is press the buttons and the powered tongue jack will start working accordingly.
How to determine the size of a powered tongue jack to lift a trailer and jacks?
The overall weight of your trailer is not the value to look for when buying a jack. Instead, you’ll need to know the tongue weight of your trailer. This weight is usually between 10% and 15% of the trailer’s overall weight. So, if your trailer weighs 8000 lbs, you’ll need a jack that can at least handle tongue weight between 800-1200 lbs.
Preferably, you should get a jack that can handle even more capacity than your calculated tongue weight. This is because the overall weight of a trailer specified by its manufacturer is for when it is empty. It does not account for all the heavy equipment or furniture you’ll place in the trailer yourself. So, getting a trailer jack with a higher capacity prevents chances of jack failure or excessive wear and tear.
Electric A-frame Jack Provided by DNL
When it comes to getting a powered tongue jack, you can’t go wrong with the EJ3500 model by DNL. The model comes in black or white and can handle up to 3500 lbs of tongue weight. The go-to solution for hassle-free trailer lifting features:
- Impressive 3500 lbs. lift capacity
- Lightning-fast positioning and a generous 14 inches of travel.
- Enjoy enhanced adjustability thanks to the drop leg offering 8 inches of travel.
- Adopt multi-angle LED light, expertly angled to illuminate your trailer coupler.
- Comes with an easily accessible manual crank that provides emergency override capability.
- Experience the unbeatable performance and durability of its integrated gearbox and motor
- Embrace sleek, futuristic housing design.
- Say goodbye to uneven setups with the convenient top-level, making trailer leveling a breeze.
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Specifications |
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Art No. |
Part No. |
Lift Capacity (lbs) |
Unit Weight (lbs) |
Travel (in) |
Retracted (in) |
Extended (in) |
Total Travel Length (in) |
|
7300 |
EJ3500W |
3500 |
18 |
14 |
9.75 |
31.7 |
22 |
|
7301 |
EJ3500B |
3500 |
18 |
14 |
9.75 |
31.7 |
22 |
|
Replacement Part |
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|
Art No. |
Part No. |
Description |
Remarks |
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|
7971 |
SPS-EJ-WS |
Light Switch |
Boxed |
||||
|
7972 |
SPS-EJ-BS |
Extend/Retract Switch |
Boxed |
||||
|
7973 |
SPS-EJ-LS |
LED Light Assembly and Bulbs |
Poly Bag |
||||
|
7974 |
SPS-EJ-ES |
Manual Override Cap |
Poly Bag |
||||
|
7975 |
SPS-EJ-LB |
Manual Override Crank |
Boxed |
||||
|
7976 |
SPS-EJ-CP |
Boxed |
Boxed |
||||
|
7977 |
SPS-EJ-CK |
Boxed |
Boxed |
||||
|
7978 |
SPS-EJ-DL |
Drop Leg and lock pin |
Ind. Pac |
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How to Use Electric A-frame Jacks to Lift SUVs
Here’s how to use a powered tongue jack to lift SUVs:
- First, mount the jack to the A-frame of the trailer, making sure everything is tightly bolted.
- Next, connect the jack to the trailer’s electrical system. When that’s done, use the buttons on the jack to lift the trailer tongue.
- When the trailer is at a desired height, stop the jack and carefully hitch the trailer to your SUV.
- After securely hitching the trailer, lower the jack until it no longer holds the whole weight of the trailer.
- Finally, disconnect the power source before starting to drive.
Conclusion
RVs/SUVs can be really fun to take on road trips or even make a home out of. However, the constant requirement to hitch and unhitch the trailer can be frustrating. That’s why you should make the process easy with our powered tongue jack models.
They are designed with advanced technology to combat all kinds of hitching and unhitching situations. DNL is the leading manufacturer of trailer accessories with over 20 years of experience. For more features, check out the details of our trailer jack models at DNL.
