Forum Discussion

2006_SMOKEY's avatar
2006_SMOKEY
Explorer
Feb 25, 2015

Tongue Jack ratings

Lovin this Forum.
Is there a quick answer to the rating of a tongue jack: 2500- 3000- 3500 etc. My tongue weight is 660lbs and trailer weighs 6500lbs. How to determine which to purchase?
Thank you in advance.
Cranky,
  • I would get the largest one available. One thing to look out for is the size of the shaft. There are some that are 2" diameter. Others are 2.25' diameter. Make sure what you get fits.

    I bought a Barker. Got the 3000# one that's 2" diameter. Turns out, the larger 3500# one would have fit.

    That said, my Barker VIP 3000# is still doing it's job.
  • When I had to replace mine, I selected the same size that was on it.

    I was not sure if the mounting bolts center were the same on different sized jacks.
  • I got a good deal on a Barker 3000# and my tongue weight is about 800#. It handles it easily and even though I have abused the heck out of it for more than ten years and never lubed it once, it continues to work perfectly. (Even when I make it nearly lift the back of my Dodge off the ground.)
  • Get the largest one you can afford. (they don't vary much in price) and don't worry about it again.
  • I have been using my air bags to lift rear for attaching the WDH since the crank portion is tough for me. I guess with the power jack I can forego the airbags inflate and deflate method.
    Thank you Both for an answer.
  • What is your usage? If you only use it to raise and lower trailer tongue, then any rated above the tongue weight would do the job, some better than others of course, but if you do as many do and use it to raise the tongue when attached to the tow vehicle to make connecting/disconnecting the WDH hitch easier, then you need something that will handle that extra load. How much extra load is highly variable, how much weight (portion) of tow vehicle are you lifting?

    We have around 1300lbs tongue weight and use it to help connect/disconnect WDH so I got the 4000lb rated one. Works great.
  • I think you may be giving dry weights, but for your size trailer, I'd get the 3,500. It will be more HD, and at times, you will be lifting on truck as well, to put spring bars on/off.

    Jerry