How to Choose the Right Utility Trailer Jack

When you’re looking at utility trailer jacks, what matters most? Weight capacity is a crucial part of the selection process, but what about options? Things like square construction versus round, fixed or swivel mounting, castor versus sand shoe? Do you need shock absorption? What’s the application?

All of these questions and more can make the choice seem difficult. And that’s before we get to the weight capacity issue.

So let’s talk about that first and then discover what options Premier Manufacturing offers.

All utility trailer jacks are rated for a specific load. The static rating is the stationary load, while operational is how much it will lift. These are always measured in pounds.

All of Premier Mfg’s utility trailer jacks go by the 50% rule. For example, if you have a 10,000-pound static-rated utility trailer jack, it will handle lifting 5,000 pounds in its operational state.

Note: Premier Mfg has created a selector guide at premier-mfg.com that offers several options based on the static and operational weight at the tongue.

From Swivel to Fixed Mount Trailer Jacks, Premier Mfg Has Many Options to Choose From

Premier Mfg offers three utility trailer jack options – the 600, 700, and 800 series. All are made in-house, right here in the USA. The 600 and 700 series are rated up to 10,000 pounds, while the 800 series is rated 5,000 pounds static, 2,500 operational.

The 800 series would be considered a light-duty trailer jack, perfect for air compressors, a boat, etc. You can select a fixed swivel mount, depending on what you’re comfortable with and where you’re going.

As an option, you could select a specific footing – do you want a fixed leg, a sand shoe, or does your application require a castor? A gravel surface with a fixed leg or sand shoe is ideal if you’re not rolling it around. It’s perfect for stability and would be safe up to the rating listed on the utility trailer jack.

However, while a castor would allow you to roll the trailer around on a cement surface, you would reduce the weight capacity rating based on the castor construction. You, as the customer, need to know that the sand shoe or castor would give the final ratings of the jack

An example would be if you’re running a 1,200-pound steel wheel castor on our 620 jack, the rating is at 1,200 pounds. If you put 5,000 pounds on it, guess what? The trailer is on the floor.

Swivel vs. fixed mounting is also available. For those in construction, the most common choice is a swivel mount. You have a range of travel to handle various changes in terrain, and we can even customize the location. Say you want the swivel mount on your Premier Mfg utility trailer jack seven inches from the top. Because every jack is handmade one at a time, Premier Mfg techs can mount that swivel seven inches down, giving you the clearance and capacity on which to swivel. Or maybe you want a crank to drop that down to the ground, lift that four inches, and then dump a load. Then come back, hook up, and swivel out of harm’s way.

And sometimes there’s no room to swivel – so you need to run a fixed mount trailer jack. Premier Mfg offers an external spring mount on its 600 series. Designed to be a cushioning or dampening device, this spring helps with the contour of the road.

Again, you have several options with Premier Manufacturing’s utility trailer jacks that go far beyond load capacity. Take a look at the full Premier catalog and make the best choice for your needs today.

Whether You Need Heavy or Light-Duty Trailer Jacks, Premier Mfg Has You Covered

Premier Mfg is a private, American-owned company with roots going back almost a century, with the invention of the pintle hitch by founder Dewey Weiss. Its products are designed and made right here in the USA, and 8 of the top 10 LTL carriers use our equipment to handle their trucking needs while moving goods across our great nation.

Reach out today and discover more about Premier Mfg’s line of world-class couplings, pintle hitches, and jacks for you and your team.