Gear | Horse Soup

Best Electric Trailer Jacks Reviewed 2023

May 4, 2020December 31, 2019 by Howie Wood

The worst part of taking your horses out on the trail or to the arena has got to be hooking your rig up to your trailer. But, there is something to take a bit of the headache out of hooking your rig to your trailer and that is the electric trailer tongue jack. Here is our list of the best electric trailer jacks.

We will be reviewing the following jacks.

[amazon table="2054"]

What is the Need for an Electric Trailer Tongue Jack?

First off, why do you need an electric trailer tongue jack when you can use the manual one that is already on your trailer? The answer is in the old saying, work smarter not harder. Sure you can use a manual jack, but those can be cumbersome and call for elbow grease.

The electric jacks may be a godsend for those suffering from arthritis and other diseases or injuries that make it impossible for them to hook their trailer up to their rig with a manual jack. When I broke my collar bone I had to rely on others to crank our jack up so that we could get the trailer hitched up to our rig. For me this was a headache because it was something I was used to doing myself and it was hard to ask for help. An electric trailer jack would have been wonderful to have in this case

Best Way to Use an Electric Trailer Jack

The best way to use an electric trailer tongue jack is by installing it onto your trailer and simplifying the process of hooking it to your rig. Your trailer should be empty of horses or other livestock before hooking it to your rig, but once it is hooked on you can load your animals and be on your way.

When buying a jack there are some things that need to be taken into consideration like your trailer’s tongue weight and the quality of the electric trailer tongue jack. You need to make sure that you are buying something that will work for your situation

What To Look For

There are some things to be aware of when buying an electric trailer tongue jack. First off, how much does the tongue of your trailer weigh? This will determine how much weight your jack needs to handle. The other thing that needs taken into consideration is the quality of the jack. There is no sense in investing in something that will not last, so make sure that whatever you go with has good reviews and quality features that you will need.

Advantages and Benefits

The advantages of having an electric trailer tongue jack installed on your trailer is that they can reduce the time it takes to hook your trailer up to your rig, there is no elbow grease involved, and it makes the process go faster. Also, people who struggle with a manual jack can operate an electric trailer jack without a problem.

Some electric trailer tongue jacks come with a manual option in case there is a malfunction with the electric part of the jack. There are also some jacks that come with a remote and LED lights on the jack itself to make hooking it up that much easier.

The cost and installation of an electric trailer tongue jack can be a deterrent for some people. Generally these jacks run around $100 and take some skill and the use of tools to install. For those who do not have tools or the know how it may be best to hire someone to install the jack for you, but that does come at a cost depending on the person who is installing it.

Prerequisites to Using an Electric Trailer Tongue Jack

Before purchasing an electric trailer tongue jack you need to make sure that you meet the prerequisites that are required. First off, you need to ensure that the tongue of your trailer has the right set up to support the electric jack. Next, you need to know the weight of your trailer’s tongue so you know what size of jack your trailer needs. Then, you need to figure out how you will be powering your jack. Finally, you need to know how to install it or find someone who can do it for you. If you are planning on installing it yourself here is a helpful video that explains and shows the installation process of an electric trailer tongue jack.

Electric Trailer Tongue Jack Reviews

RAM 3004.5068 White 3,500 lb. Electric Trailer Jack

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This jack is very sturdy and makes for quick work lifting your trailer up and down on the hitch. Very easy to install and comes with a one year warranty. Little slow, but has more than enough power to get the job done.

Features:

LED light for hooking up at night
7-1/2” drop leg
Steel Gears
Crank Handle For Manual Override
Setup For 12V Battery Use

Installation Level Of Ease:

Requires Some Skill
Requires The Use Of Tools

Pros:

LED light makes it easy to see what you are doing at night
Has a 7-1/2” drop leg
Can be used manually if needed
Steel gears for longer life
Hooks up to your trailer battery

Cons:

Does not have a remote
Only 1 LED Light

[amazon fields="B00DRK7O18" button_text="Buy On Amazon" value="button"]

GoPlus 3500 LB Electric Trailer Jack

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This jack is easy to install and has 2 led lights which is a nice feature. Well built and quite sturdy. Lift is a bit slow but does the job. Real good jack for the price

Features:

Steel Gears
Standard 3 bolt installation
Powered by 12V outlet
Water seal switch
Crank handle for manual override
Foot pad

Installation Level Of Ease:

Requires Some Skill
Requires The Use Of Tools

Pros:

Steel gears for longer life
Installs on most trailer toungues
Powered by 12V battery
Switch is sealed against water
Dual LEDs for ease of night use
Manual crank ability
Foot pad

Cons:

Does not have a remote
Lifting can be slow
Rounded bottom plate

[amazon fields="B017D8QT8S" button_text="Buy On Amazon" value="button"]

Lippert Power Tongue Jack

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00JMHHF9Q&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=horsesoup 20&language=en US

Very easy to install and jack runs quiet and very smooth. A little slow, but in a hot Summer that added minute or two is well worth the saving of sweat 🙂

Features:

4 LED lights
Helical cut gears
Crank handle for manual override
Powers off trailer battery

Installation Level Of Ease:

Requires Some Skill
Requires The Use Of Tools

Pros:

Gears make operation very quiet
Rocker switch improves durability
Powered by 12V battery
Has 4 LED lights

Cons:

Does not have a remote
Lifting can be slow

[amazon fields="B00JMHHF9Q" button_text="Buy On Amazon" value="button"]

Husky HB4500 4500 lbs. Brute Power Jack

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B004OK77L2&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=horsesoup 20&language=en US

The highest capacity electric jack of the roundup. Very robust and powerful. Installation can be a little tough and makes sure to pay attention to the instructions. Will need to purchase some connectors for the wiring.

Features:

6″ drop down leg
Steel gears
3 sided LED light system
Fits A frame tongues
Built in connector storage bracket
Ball screw design
SmartStop technology

Installation Level Of Ease:

Requires Some Skill
Requires The Use Of Tools

Pros:

SmartStop technology will stop the jack if there is to much weight
Ball screw design lengthens the life of the jack
Steel gears give the jack a longer life
Fits most trailer tongues
Can connect to the trailer’s battery
3 sides lit up by LEDs

Cons:

Does not have a remote
Installation can be diffucult

[amazon fields="B004OK77L2" button_text="Buy On Amazon" value="button"]

Bulldog Reese 500200 A-Frame Power Jack

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B011KQXVX0&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=horsesoup 20&language=en US

Very easy to install. Literally can be done in minutes. The drop leg can be lowered and raised manually and held in place with the supplied plunger pin kit. Lights to see at night are really nice

Features:

8″ drop leg
Single axis level
Manual override
3 LED lights
5 year limited warranty

Installation Level Of Ease:

Requires Some Skill
Requires The Use Of Tools

Pros:

5 year warranty which is the longest of all the jacks in our review
8″ drop leg
You can level it
3 LED lights for hooking up at night
Manual crank for emergency situations

Cons:

Jack does not have a remote
Power supply not specified

[amazon fields="B011KQXVX0" button_text="Buy On Amazon" value="button"]

Quick Products White JQ-3500W Electric Tongue Jack

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This jack is rated at 3650 lbs and has water resistant electrical components. Comes with a waterproof cover fuse holder. Easy to install, but you’ll need to get mounting bolts and nuts. Jack lifts pretty fast. Jack doesn’t ground itself, so you’ll need to ground it to the trailer

Features:

Fits all A frame trailer tongues
1 LED light
Manual crank ability
Built in level
1 year warranty
Oversized footplate
Steel gears

Installation Level Of Ease:

Requires Some Skill
Requires The Use Of Tools

Pros:

1 year warranty
Fits most trailers
Manual crank for emergency situations
Ability to level
Footplate is oversized
Steel gears for longer life
1 year replacement warranty

Cons:

Does not have a remote
Only 1 LED light
No Drop Leg

[amazon fields="B00B9J21QW" button_text="Buy On Amazon" value="button"]

The Winner Is:

Our top choice of the jacks we reviewed is the Bulldog Jack. This jack has the highest tongue weight rating as well as the longest warranty and some extremely useful features. You may find other jacks that fit your bill better than this one, but for us this is the jack that gives you the most bang for your buck.

Best 5 Horse Trailer Camera Systems

April 15, 2020December 19, 2019 by Scott Wood

You load your horse in the trailer and get on the road, but what the heck is your horse doing back there? That is a question many horse owners have asked themselves for years. To answer this question many horse owners have installed horse trailer camera systems in their horse trailers.

There is a wide variety to choose from when it comes to horse trailer cameras. From baby monitors to home security cameras to cameras marketed specifically as horse trailer cameras, the options that people use are almost endless.

These are the trailer cameras we will be reviewing:

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What is the Need for a Horse Trailer Camera?

First off, having a camera in the trailer with your horses would obviously enable you to see what is going on in the horse trailer. Many horse people have pulled over to check on their horses after feeling movement in the horse trailer as they were driving, only to find that all is well in their horse trailer. This is nuisance as it takes up time to stop the rig and get it going again. Other times though people get to their destination only to find their horses and trailer in disarray.

It is true that the vast majority of the time you and your horse will get from point A to point B without an issue, but every once in a while, horses become a liability to themselves or things happen on the road. This is where the horse trailer camera would become an asset in preventing or stopping further injury to your horses and damage to your trailer.

What Type of System Do You Need?

The type of horse trailer camera system each person needs varies. For the most part though, there are many wireless camera and screen systems that will do the job. Some things to take into careful consideration are the durability of the camera, camera night vision, reception distance, wireless or wired, and price.

Camera Durability

Not all cameras are created equal. That being said, a baby monitor camera will not hold up to the abuse that an actual horse trailer camera will hold up to.

Camera Night Vision

Horses are not always transported at night, but when they are, what good will your camera be if it doesn’t have night vision capabilities?

Reception Distance

How far is your cab from where your camera will be? Not everyone will need 100 feet of optimal wireless reception, but the measurement from cab to camera needs to be taken into account before purchasing a system.

Wireless or Wired

It is much easier to install a wireless horse trailer camera system than a wired one. Wireless systems may have a higher cost, but you also need to figure in the value of your time and extra materials for installing a wired system.

Price

As with many things in life, budget drives choice. Don’t buy a system that you can’t afford.

What Horses Would Benefit from a System?

Depending on the horse and the situation, a horse trailer camera system could be very beneficial for added safety during transportation. One example would be hauling a stallion with a few mares; by having a trailer camera system in place you would be able to monitor how the horses are doing inside the trailer and decide if any adjustments need made for the safety of the horses during transportation. You could also use it while you are going on a road trip with your horses to watch their overall health throughout the trip.

We Review The Best Horse Trailer Camera Systems

Tadibrothers 7 Inch Horse Trailer Monitor with Wireless Mounted Backup Camera

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This system has a 120 degree angle view and is waterproof along with auto night vision. A very tough built camera and wireless.

Product Description

Screen:

7 Inch Screen
LCD
Supports 2 Cameras
Powers From Cigarette Lighter

Camera:

120 Degree Field Of Vision
Night Vision
Adjustable
Made With Elements In Mind
Transmits Up To 50 Feet
Battery Powered Or Can Tap Into Trailer Wiring

Pros:

No Cables Needed
The System Is Wireless
The Camera Can Be Powered In Different Ways
The Camera Has Night Vision
The Camera Is Adjustable
The Camera Has 120 Degree Field Of Vision
The Camera Is Durable

Cons:

Most Expensive Option
Only Transmits Up To 50 Feet
No Warranty

Buy On Amazon

YUWEI Wireless Backup Camera System

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0762LMTK2&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=whattheshelf 20&language=en US

Yuwei Wireless Trailer Camera Systems are easy to install and offer 120 degree viewing. Powering is easy and takes only minutes to set up.

Product Decsription

Screen:

5 Inch Screen
LCD
Supports 4 Cameras
Powers From Cigarette Lighter

Camera:

10 Infrared Lights
Waterproof
Instant Tranmission
Transmits Up To 260 Feet
Rotate 90 Degrees
130 Degree Field Of Vision

Pros:

2 Year Warranty
The System Is Wireless
The Camera Is Waterproof
Camera Can Rotate 90 Degrees
Camera Has 10 Infrared Lights
Screen Can Suction To The Windshield
Camera Has 130 Degree Field Of Vision
The Transmission Is Instant
Can Support Numerous Cameras
Transmits Over Long Distances

Cons:

The Camera Needs To Be Bolted To The Trailer
You Have To Tap Into Trailer Wiring To Power Camera

Buy On Amazon

Iball 5.8GHz Wireless Magnetic Trailer Hitch Rear View Camera

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The IBall Digital Pro Wireless Camera is a quick and easy install and a great way to be safe when hooking up your trailer, or checking out to see what your horses are doing while on the trip. Very versatile camera with great range while being sturdy.

Product Decsription

Screen:

3.5 Inch Screen
LCD
Supports 1 Camera
Powers From Cigarette Lighter
Transmission May Decrease At High Speeds

Camera:

Internal Battery Lasts 4 Hours
120 Degree Field Of Vision
Transmits Up To 25 Feet
Rechargable Internal Battery

Pros:

No Cables Needed
The System Is Wireless
Easy Installation
The Camera Battery Is Rechargable
The Camera Has 120 Degree Field Of Vision
The Camera Mounts Magnetically To The Trailer

Cons:

Small Screen
No Warranty
The Screen Only Supports One Camera
Low Camera Battery Life

Buy On Amazon

Dallux 7 Inch Monitor Heavy Duty Waterproof Rear View Camera

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B072M58X9N&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=whattheshelf 20&language=en US

The Dallux Wireless Camera System offers many convenient features that keep your eyes on the road and on your horses and trailer for piece of mind.

Product Decsription

Screen:

7 Inch Screen
Supports 2 Cameras
Auto Dimming

Camera:

Weatherproof
18 Infra-red Lights
130 Degree Field Of Vision

Pros:

Big Screen
Lowest Cost
Screen Dims Automatically Based On The Lighting
Camera Has 18 Infra-red Lights
The Screen Supports 2 Cameras
The Camera Is Waterproof
The Camera Has 130 Degree Field Of Vision
High Cruising Speeds Should Not Affect Performance

Cons:

The System Is Wired
No Warranty
Hardest To Install
The Camera Has To Be Bolted Down
There May Not Be Enough Wire For The Installation

Buy On Amazon

SWIFT HITCH SH04 Portable Wireless Wi-Fi Camera

q? encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B07144127T&Format= SL250 &ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=whattheshelf 20&language=en US

The Swift Hitch Camera System is a low profile and highly portable camera system you can use with your smart phone. Quickly install and sync with your phone for easy transmission anywhere you need.

Product Decsription

Screen:

Free App You Use On Your Device
Does Not Use Any Data On Your Device

Camera:

Battery Powered
5 Hour Rechargeable Battery Life
65 Degree Field Of Vision
Link To Multiple Devices At Once
Water Resistant
Night Vision

Pros:

5 Hour Camera Battery Life
Camera Is Water Resistant
You Can Watch Camera From Multiple Devices
Free App To Watch The Camera
App Does Not Use Data On Device
No Cables
Camera Has Night Vision
Camera Is Water Resistant
System Is Totally Wireless
Easy Installation

Cons:

System Does Not Come With It’s Own Screen
Camera Only Has A 65 Degree Field Of Vision
Second Highest Price Of Systems Reviewed

Buy On Amazon

We Have A Winner!

Out of the horse trailer camera systems we reviewed our favorite is the Yuwei Camera System. Having to tap the camera into the trailer wiring is a double-edged sword in that it is harder to install, but that means it won’t run out of power. This system also has the longest warranty life out of all the camera systems we viewed, which shows us that the company stands behind their product and its durability. Also, being able to use 4 cameras with the screen is something else that could give you more eyes on your horses. You don’t have to choose this particular system, but for us it is the best choice.

Our Review Of The Quietest Portable Generators For Horse Trailers

April 15, 2020April 12, 2018 by Scott Wood

You are spending the night in your trusty horse trailer when all of a sudden the growling of a generator prevents you and everyone else around for miles from going to sleep. As you lay in your rack trying to catch a wink, you wonder why people don’t invest in one of the quietest horse trailer generators out there instead of keeping everyone awake listening to theirs.

When living quarters are involved in a horse trailer it will most likely be taken overnighting at some point and a generator will be a fantastic thing to use. However, noisy generators can be very annoying to the owner of the horrendous machine as well as everyone around. Inverter generators may be the answer to these problems and we will discuss a few of the quietest portable generators so you don’t become THAT guy or gal.

How Inverter Generators Work

The inverter generator works in much the same way as your conventional generator, but inverter generators are more innovative and efficient. The video below offers a good explanation.

Honda explains, “… the generator’s alternator produces high voltage multiphase AC power. The AC power is then converted to DC. Finally the DC power is converted back to AC by the inverter. The inverter also smoothes and cleans the power to make it high quality. A special microprocessor controls the entire process, as well as the speed of the engine” (2018).

Advantages

Compared to their conventional counterparts, inverter generators have many advantages which include:

Precise Power Output

Inverter generators produce a more reliable and continuous flow of energy that mimics the energy from the outlets in your home.

Lighter and Smaller

Inverter generators are smaller and lighter than their conventional counterparts. For example, a 2,500 watt conventional generator weighs 97 pounds and a 2,500 watt inverter generator weighs 43 pounds.

Fuel Efficient

Compared to their conventional counterparts, inverter generators use up much less fuel to operate. This is much easier on the pocket in the long run. Here is an image by Westinghouse that illustrates the difference.

Inverter Generators Are "Quiet"

A huge selling feature of inverter generators is their volume. Compared to conventional generators, inverter generators purr like a kitten at 52 decibels instead of roaring like a lion at 74 decibels. Below is a video of a side by side comparison of the two types of generators.

That’s a heck of a difference 🙂

Parallel Capabilities

Inverter generators have the amazing ability to combine their power. So, when budget only allows one 2,000 watt generator, you can still achieve 4,000 watts later on by buying another 2,000 watt generator and parallel kit. Below is a video quickly demonstrating how to use two generators in a parallel setup.

How to Choose

Depending on your needs, you will need to look at what options will work for you and your situation.

According to the above chart from electricgeneratorsdirect.com, most people will need at least a total of 3,000 watts from an inverter generator to run on their horse trailer. Not having enough watts will result in insufficient power for all your appliances and devices.

Drawbacks

Though there are many advantages to using an inverter generator, there are some disadvantages. Because of their small size inverter generators have a smaller fuel capacity and they are more expensive than their conventional counterparts.

Prerequisites

The prerequisites to using an inverter generator are no different than using a conventional generator. All that is needed is fuel, an extension cord, and any adapters or parallel kit that you may need.

Portable Inverter Generator Reviews

Champion Power Equipment 100233 3400W Inverter Generator w/ Parallel Capability

Champion 3,400 Watt Wireless Start Inverter Generator

Noise Level- 64 decibels
Size- 81.6 pounds
Watts- 3400 starting watts and 3,100 running watts
Fuel Capacity -1.6 gallons
Fuel Life- up to 7.5 hours at 25% Load

PROS

CONS

3 year limited warranty
Lifetime technical support
Parallel ready
120V 30A RV, two 120V 20 A household outlets, 12V DC outlet with dual USB adapter
Cold start technology
Economy mode heightens fuel efficiency
Highest wattage option on our list
Longest fuel life option on our list
Largest fuel capacity option on our list
Most outlets out of the options on our list

Westinghouse WH2200iXLT Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator - 1800 Rated Watts and 2200 Peak Watts - Gas Powered - CARB Compliant (Renewed)

Westinghouse WH2200iXLT Portable Inverter Generator

Noise Level- 52 decibels
Size- 43 pounds
Watts- 2,200 starting watts and 1,800 running watts
Fuel Capacity- 1.3 gallons
Fuel Life- up to 13 hours at 25%

PROS

CONS

3 year limited warranty
Lifetime technical support
Parallel capable
Efficiency mode to save on fuel
Two 5-20R 20A 120V outlets, one 12V DC outlet
Very quiet
Second cheapest option on our list
Second longest fuel life option on our list

Briggs & Stratton P2200 PowerSmart Series Inverter Generator with Quiet Power Technology and Parallel Capability, 2200 Starting Watts 1700 Running Watts

Briggs and Stratton 2,200 Watt Inverter Generator

Noise Level- 59 decibels
Size- 54.6 pounds
Watts- 2,200 starting watts and 1,700 running watts
Fuel Capacity- 1 gallon
Fuel Life- 8 hours at 25% Load

PROS

CONS

WEN 56200i Super Quiet 2000-Watt Portable Inverter Generator, CARB Compliant

WEN 2000 Watt Inverter Generator

Noise Level- 51 decibels
Size- 48 pounds
Watts- 2,000 starting watts and 1,600 running watts
Fuel Capacity- 1 gallon
Fuel Life- 6 hours at 50% Load

PROS

CONS

2 year warranty
Two 120V outlets, one 12V DC outlet and one 5V USB port
Parallel capable
Automatic fuel consumption
Most inexpensive option on our list
Potentially the quietest option on our list

Honda EU2200i 2200W 120-Volt Portable Inverter Generator

Honda 2,200 Watt Inverter Generator

PROS

CONS

3 year warranty
Eco Throttle system
Parallel capable
30 day satisfaction guarantee
Two 15A AC 120v outlets, one 8.3A dc 12V outlet
Potentially the quietest option on our list
Second lightest option on our list

And The Winner Is...

The winner out of our list is the Westinghouse 2,200 watt inverted generator. It gives you the most bang for your buck with it’s 13 hour fuel life, 3 year warranty, noise level of 52 decibels, and light weight of 43 pounds. It may only put out 1,800 running watts, but you can add another generator if you need to support a larger load. Overall though, this is a great little generator that can tackle your needs.