Electric Tongue Jack?

Impulse001 · 08-22-2009, 12:04 PM

So I was thinking of getting an electric tongue jack, but have no idea about them. Does anyone have any suggestion on what lbs I need, or what brands are good? I currently have a manual one that has 4 bolts that clamp around the tongue of my trailer, which would be easy to change. How do the electric ones install?

Also, how does it get power? I have a battery up right next to where it would be installed for my winch, will that work?

I have a 1994 Sea Ray Laguna, 3400 lbs dry weight...

Bigger Hammer · 08-23-2009, 12:22 PM

I installed an Attwood electric jack on our trailer. I chose that brand and model to be consistent with the power jack that's installed on the enclosed trailer I own, and the mounting bracket matched my trailer. I figured I could swap parts, etc, for troubleshooting if I had problems. Both jacks have been reliable, and I don't have any experience with other brands. They make one that clamps onto the trailer tongue, mine are bolted on with a triangular flange.
Mine are powered from the tow vehicle through the 7-pin connection, you should be able to power it from any other battery that's big enough. I'm not sure how much power they consume.
The Attwood clamp-on jack is rated for 1000 lbs, which seems like it would be sufficient for your needs. I think mine has a 3500 lb capacity.
Bill

sjef · 08-23-2009, 05:59 PM

I also have the Attwood and have had no problems in 3 years. The cover is not secured too good and it did blow off on me. It is on a tri axle trailer and I haul boats up and down the east coast so it is used alot. Mine get's its power through the winches, which use #2 battery cable to feed them but I don't think that's neccessary. Could just use the 7 pin connector like Bigger Hammer said.

beachgirl · 11-07-2009, 06:14 AM

Ok, I have a stupid question. I want to get a new trailer jack for our boat for my hubbie for Christmas. Due to the surprise element, I am having to figure out this "guy" stuff on my own, lol. I have been looking at the Fulton 2000 lb jack, but wondered about an Atwood electric jack. So here's the question. Would getting it wet ruin it? I do know that there have been times that we have backed the boat down and the muffler was underwater. I also know that we have an Atwood on our rv that is now 12 years old and has performed flawlessly. Help! Btw, our boat is a Hurricane deckboat, probably weighs about 5-6000 lbs. Figure the tongue weight must be about 10% of that...the Fulton might be overkill. More is better?

Bigger Hammer · 11-07-2009, 07:35 AM

Not a stupid question at all. The jacks I'm using are not "marine" jacks. The external metal housings are painted black, not plated. I've had them for several years, and the one on the boat trailer is starting to rust just a bit around the attaching hardware even though it doesn't get anywhere near the water when I launch the boat. So at some point there will be some maintenance involved in keeping it in good shape.
I only see one electric jack advertised anywhere as a "marine" jack, it's a 1000 lb capacity Attwood jack sold by Eastern Marine. It might be worth a call to them to see what their experience has been with that jack. They have a good reputation here. There may be other "marine" electric jacks that I didn't come across.
I wouldn't use anything smaller than a 1000 lb capacity jack. I think this is definitely something you wouldn't want to cut corners on.
Bill

beachgirl · 11-09-2009, 09:24 PM

Thank you for your reply Bill. I think I will call those folks and inquire about the electric marine jack. I f I don't go that route, I'll probably get the 2500 lb Fulton...

Small world...I see you are from Slidell just as I am!

bc22 · 11-10-2009, 02:41 AM

i have a bunch of trailers for boats, utility and cargo and none have elec. jacks.
Even for the tri-axle trailer the manual jack works fine. It's all in the rating and gear ratio reduction to make the job easy. It's easy and simple and reliable. I can't see myself justifying an elec jack when i could rather spend on more fishing gear, tackle, or more $ for fuel. Unless you already have it all, i think an elec jack is not a great idea and not as a gift unless it was hinted at.
An elec winch is a different game.
For gifts: think gold anodized aluminum 2 speed reels--that's guaranteed to generate a big azz smile.

rwidman · 11-12-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachgirl

.......... I do know that there have been times that we have backed the boat down and the muffler was underwater. ............

I can't give any advice on the jack, but I will say that you shouldn't be backing the tow vehicle far enough in the water to get the muffler wet. Or anything else except perhaps the tires. That water, especially if it's salt water is going to do a number on the tow vehicle.

signmansez · 11-14-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwidman

I can't give any advice on the jack, but I will say that you shouldn't be backing the tow vehicle far enough in the water to get the muffler wet. Or anything else except perhaps the tires. That water, especially if it's salt water is going to do a number on the tow vehicle.

All a part of boating in Florida. I even extended my trailer tongue 2 extra feet and still have to wet the truck on many occasions.

Just had the hassle of rebuilding my brake actuator due to rust buildup causing it to lock up. Did not even think to rinse it after pulling it from the water.
Do now!!

rayteagarden1 · 11-15-2009, 06:34 PM

After reading this post and remembering how hard it is for me at 76 years old to raise and lower my boat tongue jack I looked for and found a low cost 12 volt jack I can slide under the trailer tongue and with a furnished hand control raise and lower the trailer tongue to lower the coupler onto the ball or raise the coupler off the ball.

The jack weighs only about two pounds, Will lift 2000 pounds and has a 12 foot cord which plugs into a cigarette lighter receptacle, it also has a 12 foot cord with a push button controller. It lifts 5” to 14”.

Fortunately my LandCruiser has a 12 volt lighter receptacle at the rear hatch.

Because I only hook up or unhook the trailer at home I won‘t permanently attach the unit to the trailer but rather just hang it on the wall in my garage.