How to Use an Easy-Lift Trailer Jack

To use an easy-lift (or Eaz-Lift–style) trailer jack safely: chock the trailer wheels, deploy the jack’s foot or wheel, then crank or power the jack to raise or lower the tongue for hitching, unhitching, or front-to-back leveling—never using the jack or stabilizers to support a person under the trailer. This guide explains step-by-step procedures, safety checks, differences between manual and electric models, and troubleshooting tips.

Know Your Jack Type

“Easy-lift” commonly refers to tongue jacks that make coupling, uncoupling, and leveling straightforward. The exact operation depends on the jack’s type and drive mechanism.

• A-frame tongue jacks (manual top-wind or side-wind): Mount through the A-frame plate on many travel and cargo trailers.
• Electric A-frame jacks: Use a 12V motor with a rocker switch; typically include a manual override.
• Bolt-on swivel tongue jacks (common on boat/utility trailers): Swing down to operate; swing up to tow.
• Scissor/stabilizer jacks: For stabilizing only, not lifting or hitching operations.

Identifying your jack type ensures you follow the correct steps and avoid misusing stabilizers for lifting duties.

What You’ll Need

Having a few basics on hand improves safety and prevents damage to the jack or coupler.

• Wheel chocks for both sides of at least one axle.
• A solid jack pad or wood block to prevent sinking on soft ground.
• Work gloves and eye protection.
• Grease or dry lube for the screw/shaft, and spray protectant for corrosion.
• For electric jacks: a charged 12V battery and spare fuse; 3/4-inch socket or crank for manual override.
• Torque wrench for checking mounting bolts (consult your jack’s spec).

With these items ready, you’ll reduce strain on the jack, keep it operating smoothly, and maintain control on varied surfaces.

Pre-Use Safety Checks

Before cranking or powering the jack, verify that it’s correctly mounted and that the environment is safe to work in.

• Confirm the jack’s capacity meets or exceeds your trailer’s tongue weight (typically 10–15% of total trailer weight).
• Inspect mounting bolts and the A-frame plate or bracket for tightness and cracks.
• Check the footplate or wheel is secured and undamaged.
• Assess ground conditions; add a pad or block on soft soil, gravel, or hot asphalt.
• Ensure handle clearance (manual) or test battery voltage and fuse (electric).
• Chock trailer wheels firmly before lifting or lowering the tongue.
• Look for bent tubes, binding, or rust that could impede safe operation.

These checks help prevent sudden movement, binding, or structural failures while the trailer’s weight is shifting.

Coupling to the Tow Vehicle (Hooking Up)

Follow these steps to connect the trailer to the hitch ball using a tongue jack without strain or guesswork.

1. Park the trailer on level ground if possible; chock its wheels on both sides.
2. Deploy the jack’s foot or wheel. For swivel jacks, swing down and pin it.
3. Crank or power the jack to raise the coupler slightly higher than the hitch ball.
4. Back the tow vehicle so the ball is centered under the coupler (or use a spotter/backup camera).
5. Lower the jack until the coupler fully seats on the ball; close the coupler latch and insert the safety pin/lock.
6. Attach safety chains in an X pattern under the coupler, connect the breakaway cable, and plug in the trailer wiring.
7. Retract and stow the jack completely; for swivel types, swing up and pin securely.
8. Remove chocks last, then perform a light pull test to confirm the connection.

Completing this sequence in order minimizes the risk of roll-away and ensures the coupler latches positively onto the ball before you drive.

Uncoupling at Camp or Storage

When dropping the trailer, keep it secure and support the tongue properly as you lift off the ball.

1. Park level if possible, set the tow vehicle in Park with the parking brake, and chock the trailer wheels.
2. Disconnect the wiring plug, safety chains, and breakaway cable.
3. Unlock and open the coupler latch.
4. Deploy the jack’s foot or wheel and crank/power the jack to raise the coupler off the hitch ball.
5. Pull the tow vehicle forward slowly once the coupler clears the ball.
6. Adjust jack height until the trailer is roughly level front-to-back.
7. If camping, deploy stabilizer jacks after leveling; do not use them to lift.

This process keeps weight transitions controlled and prevents binding the coupler latch or damaging the tow ball.

Leveling and Stabilizing

Proper leveling improves comfort and appliance performance; stable footing prevents rocking while parked.

• Side-to-side leveling: place leveling blocks under the low-side wheels before chocking.
• Front-to-back leveling: use the tongue jack to fine-tune height once parked.
• Stabilization: after leveling, lower stabilizer jacks to contact pads firmly without lifting the trailer frame.
• On soft ground, use wider pads under both the tongue jack and stabilizers.

Completing leveling first, then stabilizing, avoids twisting the frame or overloading any single jack.

Using a Swivel Tongue Jack (Boat/Utility)

Swivel jacks mount to the trailer tongue and rotate up for travel and down for use.

1. Pull the release handle or spring pin and swing the jack down to vertical; re-pin securely.
2. Crank to raise or lower the tongue as needed for coupling, uncoupling, or moving by hand.
3. When finished, raise the tongue fully, pull the pin, and swing the jack up parallel to the tongue; re-pin for travel.

Always verify the wheel clears the ground when stowed, and that the jack cannot rotate or drop while towing.

Using an Electric A-Frame Jack

Electric jacks simplify lifting but rely on a healthy 12V supply and correct technique.

1. Confirm trailer battery is charged and ground connections are clean; check the in-line fuse or breaker.
2. Use the extend/retract switch in short, controlled bursts to avoid shock loads at end-of-travel.
3. If power fails, insert the manual override crank or a 3/4-inch socket on the top nut and operate by hand.
4. Avoid continuous cycling to prevent motor overheating; allow cool-down if the housing becomes hot.

Electric units are convenient, but the manual override is essential gear; keep the tool accessible before you need it.

Maintenance and Storage

Routine care keeps the screw mechanism smooth and the housing protected from corrosion.

• Lubricate the screw/shaft lightly every 3–6 months or per manufacturer guidance; wipe dirt before re-greasing.
• Inspect and torque mounting hardware seasonally.
• Rinse off road salt and dry; apply rust protectant to exposed metal.
• Replace bent wheels, cracked feet, or damaged handles immediately.
• For electric jacks, test fuses, connectors, and battery charge regularly.
• Use a jack cover when stored outdoors; retract fully when towing.

Preventive maintenance extends service life and reduces the risk of mid-trip failures that can strand your trailer.

Troubleshooting

If the jack resists turning, makes noise, or won’t power, these quick checks solve most issues.

• Won’t crank: reduce load (reposition on level ground), check for bent inner tube, clean and lube the screw.
• Loud popping/binding: the inner tube may be twisted; lower, re-lube, and straighten. Inspect for damage.
• Electric dead: verify battery voltage (12.4–12.7V at rest), ground connection, and replace the in-line fuse/breaker.
• Drifts down over time: internal screw/nut wear—service or replace the jack.
• Wheel won’t swivel: remove pins, clean debris, re-grease pivot, and replace worn bushings.
• Foot sinking: add a larger pad or block to distribute load on soft or hot surfaces.

Stop operation if there’s visible bending or cracking; a compromised jack should be replaced rather than repaired under load.

Capacity and Sizing

Choosing the right jack prevents overloading and provides sufficient travel to clear the hitch ball.

• Capacity: select a rating comfortably above your measured tongue weight (often 700–1,000+ lb for many travel trailers).
• Travel: ensure enough lift to raise the coupler off the ball on uneven terrain.
• Clearance: confirm the handle or motor clears propane tanks, battery boxes, and A-frame accessories.
• Foot vs. wheel: a wheel aids maneuvering light utility/boat trailers; a foot offers better stability for heavier loads.
• Mount pattern: match A-frame bolt pattern or the tongue size for clamp-on swivel units.

Correct sizing enhances safety, reduces cranking effort, and ensures the jack can be fully stowed for travel.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These frequent errors can lead to damage, injury, or a stranded trailer.

• Towing with the jack down or partially extended.
• Using stabilizer/scissor jacks to lift the trailer weight.
• Skipping wheel chocks before lifting or lowering.
• Operating on steep slopes without additional precautions.
• Overextending the jack to the mechanical stop under heavy load.
• Standing directly in line with the coupler on uneven ground during uncoupling.

A brief pause to check these points can prevent costly damage and keep the process controlled.

Quick Reference Checklist

Use this snapshot before each hitch or drop to stay consistent.

• Chock wheels, verify ground, deploy foot/wheel.
• Raise/lower with smooth cranking or short electric bursts.
• Latch coupler, pin, chains crossed, breakaway set, lights connected.
• Retract and stow jack fully before moving.
• Level first, then stabilize; never lift with stabilizers.
• Inspect, lube, and re-torque periodically.

This routine keeps you efficient and reduces the chance of overlooking a critical step.

Summary

An easy-lift trailer jack streamlines coupling, uncoupling, and front-to-back leveling when used on solid footing with wheels chocked and the jack’s capacity respected. Identify your jack type, follow a consistent step order, keep components lubricated and bolted tight, and stow the jack fully for travel. With these practices, you’ll handle hitching tasks quickly and safely on every trip.

How do you use a jack step by step?

Steps to Use a Car Jack

1. Preparation: Ensure your car is on a flat, level surface.
2. Position the Floor Jack: Locate the jacking point on your vehicle.
3. Lift the Car: Pump the handle slowly to raise the car.
4. Insert Jack Stands: Position jack stands under the vehicle, near the jacking point.
5. Remove the Jack:

How to use easy lift trailer jack?

Place the EZ Lift Trailer Jack under the trailer axle closest to the wheel that you want to lift. Make sure to locate an area that the jack’s movement will not be obstructed by any trailer components such as U-bolts or brackets as it moves forward.
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How does a quick change trailer jack work?

Got a flap. No problem just grab your Rapid Jack put it under the good tire. And then simply drive up.

How to manually use an electric trailer jack?

Up. And rotate clockwise. To drop it back. Down. If you’ve got a power drill I highly recommend it for this job.