Trailer Jack vs Floor Jack: Which One Should You Buy?
A trailer jack holds a trailer tongue at hitch height for hitching and parking; a floor jack lifts a vehicle for wheel work. Compare lift range, capacity and the safety rules for each.
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Trailer jack vs floor jack: a trailer jack holds a trailer tongue at hitch height so the coupler can meet the tow ball, while a floor jack lifts a vehicle at a lift point from the owner’s manual so a wheel can come off for service. One mounts on the trailer tongue and stays with it, and the other rolls around the garage on its own wheels. Pick the trailer jack for hitching and parking a trailer, and pick the floor jack for lifting a vehicle for wheel and brake work.
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Below: what each jack does, the lift ranges and capacities the listings state for the trailer jacks in this guide, and the safety rules that apply before anything goes up in the air.
Trailer Jack vs Floor Jack: What Each One Does
A trailer jack mounts on the trailer tongue and raises or lowers the coupler to meet the tow ball. It stays on the trailer, holds the tongue at hitch height while the trailer is parked, and lets the trailer roll a short distance by hand when the jack has a wheel. A floor jack does the opposite job: it rolls under a vehicle on its own wheels, lifts by the saddle at a lift point from the owner’s manual, and lowers again when the work is done.
| Trailer jack | Capacity | Lift range | What the listing states |
|---|---|---|---|
| VEVOR A-Frame Trailer Jack | 5000 lbs | 9.8-32.5 in | 15 in screw travel, 5-position drop leg, foot plate, 3-hole bolt-on mount |
| VEVOR Swivel Trailer Jack | 1000 lbs | 12.8-23 in | 10 in travel, 6 in PP wheel, swivels up for towing |
| Torin Swivel Trailer Jack | 1000 lbs | 10-1/2 to 20-1/2 in | 6 in wheel, fits tongues 3 to 5 in, limited 1 year warranty |
| POLESTAR Electric Trailer Jack | 5000 lbs dynamic, 7500 lbs static | 9-27 in, up to 31.5 in | 12V DC hardwired, LED light, circuit breaker, rain cover |
Every listing in this guide is a trailer jack, so the floor jack side is described by job rather than by model. The trailer jack is the gear to compare by capacity and lift range, while the floor jack is the tool for lifting a vehicle, used at the lift points in the owner’s manual. See the guide to how to use a jack lift for the full lifting sequence.
How a Trailer Jack Works
Most trailer jacks in this guide crank by hand. The A-frame VEVOR bolts to the tongue with a 3-hole mount, and the handle turns a screw that moves the foot through 15 in of travel, covering 9.8-24.8 in; the 5-position drop leg adds 7.7 in of coarse adjustment, for a total working lift range of 9.8-32.5 in. The listing states to measure coupler height before ordering to confirm fit. The two swivel jacks work the same way at a lower capacity: the VEVOR swivel covers 12.8-23 in on 10 in of travel with a 6 in PP wheel that turns a full 360 degrees, and the Torin covers 10-1/2 to 20-1/2 in with a 6 in wheel, fitting tongues 3 to 5 in. The POLESTAR trades the crank for a motor: it hardwires to the trailer’s 12V battery, lifts 9-27 in, and reaches up to 31.5 in with a 4.5 in drop leg. The maker lists a ball screw design, a brake motor, a built-in circuit breaker, and LEDs that shine down on the ball and coupler.
How a Floor Jack Works
A floor jack rolls on wheels to the lift point, and the saddle meets the lift point the owner’s manual lists. On a hydraulic floor jack, pumping the handle raises the saddle, and a release valve lowers it again in a controlled way. The jack holds the vehicle only while it goes up and comes down; rated stands on solid, level ground hold it while any work happens underneath.
Trailer Jack vs Floor Jack: Which One Fits Your Job
- Hitching or parking a trailer: trailer jack. Match capacity to tongue weight and lift range to coupler height.
- Wheel, brake or suspension work on a vehicle: floor jack, plus rated stands before any work under the vehicle.
- Moving a parked trailer by hand: a swivel trailer jack with a wheel, such as the VEVOR or Torin 1000 lbs models, on flat ground.
- Heavy tongue weight: the 5000 lbs class, such as the VEVOR A-frame or the POLESTAR electric jack.
- No cranking: the POLESTAR electric jack, hardwired to 12V, with its LED light for hitching after dark.
Sizing a Trailer Jack: Capacity and Lift Range
Capacity comes first. The listings here split into two classes: 1000 lbs for light-duty trailer tongues, and 5000 lbs for heavier trailers, RVs, boats and horse trailers. The POLESTAR adds a static figure of 7500 lbs on top of its 5000 lbs dynamic load. Pick the class that covers the tongue weight with room to spare.
Lift range comes second. The listing states to measure coupler height before ordering to confirm fit. Compare that height with the stated range: 9.8-32.5 in for the VEVOR A-frame, 12.8-23 in for the VEVOR swivel, 10-1/2 to 20-1/2 in for the Torin, and 9-27 in, up to 31.5 in with the drop leg, for the POLESTAR. A jack that cannot reach the coupler height is the wrong jack even if its capacity fits. None of the listings below states ASME PASE certification, so the stated capacities stand as the maker’s figures, and rated stands still carry the load whenever work happens under the trailer or the vehicle.
Before You Lift Anything
- Park on solid, level ground. Chock the wheels that stay on the ground, and set the parking brake.
- Find the lift point in the owner’s manual. Lift only where the manual lists a lift point.
- Never get under a vehicle on a jack alone. A jack lifts; rated stands hold. Set the stands and lower the load onto them.
- Keep the load inside the stated capacity. The figures in this guide are 1000 lbs or 5000 lbs by model.
- Check the ground under a trailer jack foot or wheel. The VEVOR A-frame listing states its foot plate spreads the load and protects asphalt; soft ground still lets a jack sink.
- Lower slowly and keep hands clear of the saddle, the coupler and the drop leg while the load moves.
Never work under a vehicle or a trailer held up by a jack alone. Lower the load onto rated stands on solid, level ground, and confirm the vehicle is steady before going under it.
A jack is for lifting, not holding. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack: set it on rated jack stands, on solid, level ground, at the manufacturer's lift points, chock the wheels, and give the car a firm shake before you go under. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
FAQ: garage tools
Can a trailer jack lift a car for a tire change?
No. A trailer jack mounts on a trailer tongue and lifts the coupler, not a vehicle frame. For a tire change, use a floor jack at a lift point from the owner’s manual, then set rated stands.
Can a floor jack hold a trailer tongue for hitching?
No. A floor jack has no mount on the tongue and no way to hold a coupler at hitch height. Hitching calls for a trailer jack with a lift range that covers the coupler height.
What lift range should a trailer jack cover?
The range must cover the coupler height from the ground to the tow ball, with room at both ends. The listings here cover 9.8-32.5 in, 12.8-23 in, 10-1/2 to 20-1/2 in, and 9-27 in up to 31.5 in. If the coupler height sits outside the stated range, the jack cannot do the job.
Do I need jack stands with a trailer jack?
Stands are for work under a load. A trailer jack holds the tongue for hitching and parking. Any work under the trailer or under a raised vehicle calls for rated stands on solid, level ground, with the load lowered onto them.
Can I leave a trailer parked on its trailer jack?
Yes, that is what the jack is for: it holds the tongue at hitch height while the trailer is parked. Chock the wheels and park on solid, level ground.
What size trailer jack do I need for heavy tongue weight?
Match the stated capacity to the tongue weight. The 5000 lbs class in this guide covers heavier trailers, RVs, boats and horse trailers, while the 1000 lbs class suits light-duty trailer tongues. The POLESTAR lists a 5000 lbs dynamic load and a 7500 lbs static figure.
Related: how to use a jack lift, hydraulic floor jack parts, electric vs hydraulic floor jack, square floor jack pads, car jack oil and emergency scissor jacks.
