How to Use a Trailer Tongue Jack - Complete RV Guide

 

A trailer tongue jack is an essential tool for RV owners, allowing for easy hitching and unhitching of trailers and providing stability when parked. Mastering the proper use of a tongue jack ensures smooth and safe towing experiences for RV enthusiasts. Here’s everything you need to know about using a trailer tongue jack once you find the right one from our collection.

Importance of Having a Trailer Tongue Jack

We carry a wide range of trailer tongue jacks that will all get the job done. Wondering what the job is? Here’s why it’s important to have a trailer tongue jack before heading out for your next RV trip.

Hitching and Unhitching: One of the primary functions of a trailer tongue jack is to assist in hitching and unhitching trailers from the RV. By using the trailer tongue jack to raise and lower the trailer tongue onto the hitch ball, RV owners can align the coupler with the hitch receiver with ease, ensuring a secure connection before towing. This process simplifies the otherwise cumbersome task of manually lifting and lowering heavy trailer tongues, reducing the risk of injury and strain for RV enthusiasts.

Stability and Leveling: A trailer tongue jack provides stability and support for the RV when parked, allowing for precise leveling on uneven terrain. By adjusting the height of the trailer tongue using the jack, RV owners can ensure that the RV is level and stable, minimizing the risk of rocking or swaying while parked. This not only enhances comfort and safety inside the RV but also prevents damage to the RV's frame and components caused by uneven weight distribution.

Convenience and Versatility: Beyond its primary functions, a trailer tongue jack offers convenience and versatility for RV owners in various situations. Whether stabilizing the RV during loading and unloading, supporting hitch-mounted accessories such as bike racks or cargo carriers, or providing additional clearance for towing vehicles with low ground clearance, a trailer tongue jack enhances the overall functionality and usability of the RV.

Safety and Peace of Mind: Perhaps most importantly, having a trailer tongue jack instills confidence and peace of mind for RV owners, knowing that they have the necessary equipment to safely and effectively manage towing and parking tasks. By investing in a high-quality trailer tongue jack and properly maintaining it, RV enthusiasts can enjoy worry-free travel experiences, knowing that they are equipped to handle any hitching, leveling, or emergency situations that may arise.

A trailer tongue jack is an indispensable tool for RV owners, offering essential functions that contribute to safe, stable, and convenient towing and parking experiences. From hitching and unhitching trailers to leveling the RV at campsites and facilitating emergency tire changes, a trailer tongue jack plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall functionality, safety, and enjoyment of RV travel.

How to Use a Trailer Tongue Jack For Your RV, Step by Step

1. Safety First

• Parking: Ensure your RV is parked on a level surface.
• Chocks: Place wheel chocks on both sides of the wheels to prevent any movement.

2. Raising the Trailer

• Manual Jack:
  • Insert the handle into the crank.
  • Turn the handle clockwise to raise the trailer.
• Electric Jack:
  • Connect the jack to the power source (usually the RV's battery).
  • Use the control switch to raise the trailer.

4. Connecting to the Tow Vehicle

• Align Hitch: Position the tow vehicle so the hitch ball is directly under the trailer coupler.
• Lower the Trailer:
  • Use the tongue jack to lower the trailer onto the hitch ball.
  • For a manual jack, turn the handle counterclockwise.
  • For an electric jack, use the control switch.

5. Securing the Hitch

• Latch the Coupler: Ensure the coupler locks securely onto the hitch ball.
• Attach Safety Chains: Cross the safety chains under the hitch and attach them to the tow vehicle.
• Connect Electrical Wiring: Plug in the trailer's electrical connector to the tow vehicle.

6. Leveling the Trailer

• Use the Tongue Jack:
  • Raise or lower the front of the trailer using the tongue jack to achieve a level position.
  • Check the level side-to-side using a bubble level.
• Side-to-Side Leveling: If the trailer is not level side-to-side, use leveling blocks under the wheels.

7. Stabilizing the Trailer

• Stabilizer Jacks:
  • Deploy the stabilizer jacks at the corners of the trailer for additional support.
  • Lower them until they are firmly in contact with the ground.

8. Detaching the Tow Vehicle

• Reverse Steps: To detach, simply reverse the steps:
  • Raise the trailer using the tongue jack.
  • Unlatch the coupler.
  • Disconnect safety chains and electrical wiring.
  • Move the tow vehicle away.

Tips and Reminders

• Lubricate the Jack: Regularly lubricate the tongue jack's moving parts to ensure smooth operation.
• Check Weight Capacity: Make sure your tongue jack can handle the weight of your trailer.
• Use a Jack Stand: For added stability, place a jack stand under the tongue jack when parked.

Towing your RV should be a cinch when you have the right tools and direction. If you need to upgrade your current RV towing and leveling equipment, you’re in the right place. Here at RVupgrades we carry an assortment of essential tools to help you get the job done. Check out our selection or get in touch with us for more information.