Tongue Jacks

What Is a Tongue Jack and Why Does It Matter?

Tongue jacks are one of those components that go unnoticed — until you need them. Tongue jacks are mounted at the front of a trailer and used to raise and lower the trailer tongue and coupler, making it possible to hitch and unhitch from a tow vehicle without heavy manual lifting. They also play a critical role in leveling your RV or boat trailer once parked, supporting the front-to-back balance that keeps your setup stable at a campsite or boat launch.

The job sounds simple, but choosing the wrong tongue jack can mean a jack that strains under load, wears out prematurely, or fails at the worst possible moment. Understanding how they work — and what to look for — goes a long way toward making the right purchase.

Manual vs. Electric Tongue Jacks

There are two main types of tongue jacks: manual and electric. Manual jacks use a hand crank to raise and lower the trailer tongue, making them simpler and potentially more reliable since there are fewer components that can fail. Electric tongue jacks use a switch that draws power from your trailer's 12V battery system to do the lifting for you, offering a major convenience boost especially on heavier rigs.

Manual jacks require physical effort but have fewer maintenance concerns, while electric jacks are easier to use but require a power source and more upkeep. Most electric jacks also include a manual override crank, so you're not stranded if the battery runs low.

Key Shopping Considerations

• Weight capacity: Match your jack's rated capacity to your trailer's tongue weight, which is typically 10–15% of the trailer's fully loaded gross weight. Always choose a jack rated equal to or above that figure — never under.
• Travel distance: The jack must extend far enough to lift the coupler clear of the hitch ball when connecting and disconnecting, and retract enough to clear the ground while towing.
• Mount type: A-frame jacks are the most common for RV and travel trailers. Swivel jacks, pipe-mount, and weld-on styles suit specific trailer configurations.
• Foot or wheel: A wheeled base is great for maneuvering on pavement, while a flat foot plate provides more stability on soft or uneven ground.
• Corrosion resistance: For marine trailer applications, zinc-plated steel or aluminum construction is strongly recommended to stand up to saltwater and brackish environments.

Top Tongue Jack Brands

Draw-Tite is the dominant name in this category — and for good reason. Established in 1946, Draw-Tite has built a reputation as one of North America's most trusted towing brands, offering a wide selection of tongue jacks spanning manual A-frame, powered electric, and heavy-duty sidewind designs. Their Bulldog line of jacks covers capacities from utility-grade up to 5,000 lb and beyond, making them a go-to for RV owners and serious towers alike.

Seachoice focuses on the marine trailer segment, offering tongue jacks purpose-built for boat and powersport trailers. Their lineup includes both electric and manual options, with features like swivel bolt-on mounts and 7-way connector compatibility — ideal for trailers with no on-board battery. Seachoice is run for and by boaters, keeping their product line practical and affordable for fishing, boating, and watersports enthusiasts.

SeaSense rounds out the marine-focused offerings with corrosion-resistant jacks designed for the harshest water environments. Their Mighty Wheel™ swing-up trailer jack features a patented design with a SEACOAT™ finish for superior protection, and their unique Tongue Weight Indicator Jack combines a built-in scale with a trailer jack — giving users an at-a-glance confirmation that the trailer is safely loaded before hitting the road.