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Hitching and trailer support

Trailer Tongue Jacks: Manual & Electric Options

Choose a trailer tongue jack that fits the way your trailer is built and used. Northline carries manual and electric options for compatible trailers, plus practical help when the mount, clearance, or capacity needs a closer look.

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Brute electric trailer tongue jack

Start at the tongue

A better replacement starts with fit.

A trailer tongue jack does a simple but important job: it raises, lowers, and supports the front of the trailer while you hitch, unhitch, or park. When the old jack is bent, hard to turn, too short, or no longer reliable, the right replacement is the one that physically fits the trailer and safely handles the load it will carry.

Start with the trailer in front of you. Look at the current jack, the shape of the tongue, the mounting location, and the equipment around it. An A-frame tongue, a straight tongue, nearby propane tanks, battery boxes, toolboxes, safety chains, and coupler hardware can all affect what will fit and what will be convenient to use.

Then confirm the working measurements. A jack needs enough travel to lift the coupler clear of the hitch ball, enough retracted clearance for the road, and a mounting style that matches the trailer. Those details are more useful than choosing by appearance or assuming every tongue jack fits every trailer.

Choose the right style

Manual and electric jacks solve different problems.

Manual tongue jacks

Simple support with a direct feel.

A manual tongue jack is a practical fit for many trailers, especially when you want a straightforward hand-crank setup. The important choice is not just manual versus electric. Check whether the jack is designed for your tongue style, whether the crank has room to turn, and whether the handle will clear nearby hardware throughout its travel.

Top-wind and side-wind layouts can make a real difference in tight spaces. A crank that looks fine in a product photo can be frustrating if it hits a propane tray, battery box, coupler handle, or trailer wall. Before ordering, inspect the full turning path, not only the mounting opening.

Electric tongue jacks

Convenience for regular hitching.

An electric tongue jack uses the trailer battery to raise and lower the tongue. That can make hitching easier for frequent towing, heavier front-end setups, or anyone who wants to spend less time cranking by hand. It still needs a compatible mount, enough clearance for the housing, and a dependable battery and wiring arrangement.

Before choosing an electric jack, check the available space above the tongue and around the coupler. Review the power connection and the manual override instructions as well. An electric jack is convenient, but it should still leave you with a clear plan when the battery is low or the trailer is stored for a long stretch.

Measure before you buy

Four fit checks that prevent a bad replacement.

Mounting style

Confirm whether the trailer uses an A-frame opening, straight-tongue bracket, pipe mount, weld-on plate, or another arrangement. The mounting surface and bolt pattern need to match the jack. Never assume a jack that is close in size can be adapted safely without confirming the manufacturer guidance.

Tongue load

A tongue jack supports the downward load at the front of the trailer, not the trailer's full gross weight. Use the trailer manufacturer's information or a suitable measurement method to understand the real tongue load, including how your normal cargo placement affects it. Choose a compatible jack with an appropriate rating.

Lift range

Measure from level ground to the bottom of the coupler, then allow for the extra height needed to clear the hitch ball. A jack with too little travel can leave you fighting the hitch at every hookup. Check both extended height and retracted height from the product's stated mounting point.

Road clearance

When the jack is retracted or swung up, the foot, wheel, drop leg, and body need to stay clear of the road and uneven approaches. Look for scrape marks or a bent old jack, then solve the clearance problem before replacing it. Low hardware can meet a curb or driveway long before the trailer is in trouble.

Manual A-frame top-wind trailer tongue jack

The details that matter

Match the jack to the trailer you actually use.

Mounting is only the first check. A trailer jack also needs to work around the tongue equipment that is already there. Check the space beside the coupler, above the A-frame, and around the jack handle or electric housing. Watch for propane tanks, battery boxes, breakaway kits, toolboxes, cargo, and chain storage that can interfere with normal use.

Think about the ground where you usually hitch and park. A wide footplate can provide a stable base on firm ground. A wheel can make it easier to move a light trailer across smooth, level pavement, but it is not a substitute for wheel chocks or a solid support surface. A drop leg can reduce the distance you need to crank on a taller setup, as long as it is compatible with the jack and secured correctly.

Use a stable jack block when the ground is soft or the coupler sits well above the hitch ball. The goal is a level, solid surface that fully supports the jack foot. Loose scraps, stacked blocks, and uneven ground create a poor starting point for hitching or unhitching. Keep the trailer wheels chocked and avoid putting any part of your body beneath a trailer supported only by a tongue jack.

Storage and weather should influence the choice too. A trailer that stays outside sees more moisture, road grit, and temperature changes around the tongue area. Keep the moving parts, mounting hardware, and power connection inspected according to the jack manufacturer's guidance, especially before the first tow after a long period of storage.

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Before the next trip

Use the new jack as part of a better hitch routine.

Park level and chock first

Whenever possible, hitch and unhitch on level ground. Set the tow vehicle parking brake, chock the trailer wheels, and make sure the jack foot has a firm base before the coupler carries weight.

Inspect the mount

Look over bolts, welds, the mounting plate, moving tubes, pivot hardware, and any power cable. A loose mount, bent tube, cracked weld, or damaged wire deserves attention before the next tow.

Raise only as needed

Lift the tongue far enough to clear the hitch ball, then keep the jack within the use guidance for its design. A tongue jack is not a replacement for properly supporting a trailer during service or wheel work.

Protect the clearance

Before pulling away, make sure the jack is fully retracted or secured in its travel position. Check the foot, wheel, or drop leg one more time so nothing can drag, contact the road, or shift during travel.

Shop Trailer Tongue Jacks

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Northline's current catalogue includes manual and electric tongue-jack options. Compare the product details with your trailer's mount, available clearance, and support needs before adding one to your cart.

Need a second look?

Bring the measurements. We will help narrow it down.

Have the trailer type, a photo of the tongue and current jack, mounting measurements, and any clearance concerns ready. Northline can help you compare a practical manual or electric option before you order a part that does not fit.

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Frequently asked questions

Trailer tongue jack questions.

How do I know which trailer tongue jack fits?

Start with the tongue style, mounting opening or bracket, available clearance, and the loaded tongue weight the jack needs to support. A photo of the current jack and tongue area helps confirm the physical fit before ordering.

What is the difference between a manual and electric tongue jack?

A manual jack is a straightforward hand-crank option for compatible trailers. An electric tongue jack uses the trailer battery to raise and lower the tongue, which can be more convenient for frequent hitching or a setup that takes more effort to crank.

Does a tongue jack rating need to match the full trailer weight?

No. A tongue jack supports the downward load at the front of the trailer, not the entire trailer weight. Use the trailer manufacturer's information or a suitable measurement method to confirm the tongue load and choose a jack with an appropriate rating.

Can Northline help me check fitment before I order?

Yes. Call or contact Northline with the trailer type, a photo of the mounting area, the current jack style, and any measurements or markings you have. Those details make it much easier to narrow down a compatible replacement.