"What size trailer jack do I need?" is one of the most common questions we get — and the answer isn't the trailer's total weight. It comes down to tongue weight, dynamic load rating, and height. Get those three right and one jack will outlast your trailer. Here's how to size yours in a few minutes.
Step 1: Find your tongue weight, not your trailer weight
Tongue weight is the downward force your trailer puts on the coupling — and it's what the jack actually carries. It typically runs 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight. So a camper that weighs 5,000 lb packed for a trip puts roughly 500–750 lb on the tongue.
Always use the loaded weight — water tanks full, gear packed, the way it sits when you actually leave — not the dry weight on the spec sheet.
Step 2: Match the dynamic rating to that number
Jacks list a static rating (held while parked) and a dynamic rating (carried while you roll the trailer on the wheel). Off-road, dynamic is the rating that matters, because the whole job is moving the trailer by hand over rough ground. Pick a jack whose dynamic rating clears your tongue weight with margin to spare.
Step 3: Check the height
A lifted tow vehicle or off-road coupling sits high. If the jack can't extend far enough, it won't lift the coupling clear of the ball. ARK XO jacks reach up to 28", which clears most lifted setups; the smaller XO350 reaches 21" for lower trailers.
Sizing by trailer type
| Trailer | Typical loaded weight | Est. tongue weight | Recommended jack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teardrop / small utility | 1,000–3,000 lb | ~150–450 lb | XO350 (770 lb) |
| Mid-size off-road camper | 3,000–6,500 lb | ~450–950 lb | XO500 (1,100 lb) |
| Large / tandem-axle overland rig | 6,500–11,000 lb | ~950–1,650 lb | XO750 (1,650 lb) |
If you fall between two models, size up — the headroom pays off on soft ground and over the life of the jack.
Still not sure?
When in doubt, weigh the loaded tongue at a public scale (or with a tongue-weight scale) and pick the jack whose dynamic rating clears it comfortably. Browse the full ARK XO off-road trailer jack collection — all in stock and shipping from Upland, CA, and the same jacks fitted as OEM on Black Series campers.