Unfortunately, there may be times when you need to change a flat tyre on your caravan.
In this situation, you’ll need a caravan jack. It’s an essential piece of kit to store in your camping vehicle. You never know when you might need it because something could happen at any moment!
Hopefully, you’ll never use it and it will sit forgotten in your caravan forever. But it’s better to be safe than sorry!
However, if you do find yourself in a precarious situation, a good caravan jack will make a big difference. In this guide, we’ll look at some of the best jacks on the market and how to use them.
Let’s get started!
| Explore Caravan Scissor Jack | KoJack 4T Jack Kit with Higher Extension | Trail-A-Mate Hydraulic Jockey Wheel & Jack | Black Jack Electric Trailer Jack with Clamp & Harness Kit |
---|---|---|---|---|
Our pick | ||||
*Using coupon CRCSAVE20 | ||||
1,600 kg | 4,000 kg | 1,000 kg | 1,600 kg | |
113mm to 606mm | 214mm to 600mm | 380mm | 560mm | |
6.6kg | 12kg | N/A | 17kg | |
1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year |
Best Caravan Jacks Australia
Explore Caravan Scissor Jack
Best Scissor Jack
The Explore Caravan Jack is a reliable, heavy-duty system that won’t break the bank.
This scissor jack is much cheaper than the other options in this guide. It’s available for around $150 depending on the seller. Meanwhile, Explore provides a one-year warranty.
It has a working load limit of 1,600kg so it’s suitable for most small to medium-sized caravans. Furthermore, it elevates from 113mm to 606mm. Use the supplied handle or a cordless drill to activate this jack.
At just 6.6kg, it’s very light and won’t take up much space in your caravan.
The main negative is that scissor jacks are more strenuous to operate than hydraulic options. However, if you just want a basic and durable tool, this may be the best caravan jack you’ll find.
KoJack 4T Jack Kit with Higher Extension
Our No.1 Pick
This KoJack caravan jack utilizes a hydraulic system for easy lifting.
The most impressive aspect is a working load limit of 4,000kg. This makes KoJack an industry leader in the world of caravan jacks. Meanwhile, the lifting height range is from 214mm to 600mm.
They supply a hydraulic jack with a carry case and several attachment collars. The jack smoothly lifts the caravan without you breaking a sweat!
It costs around $225 with a 1 year warranty. Considering the jack’s features, this is very reasonable.
Trail-A-Mate Hydraulic Jockey Wheel & Jack
2-in-1 system
The Trail-A-Mate caravan jockey wheel jack is an interesting product.
One of the most enticing aspects is that you can convert it from a lifting jack into a hydraulic jockey wheel. This dual function may be useful for different scenarios.
However, the problem with this is that the jack’s specifications don’t really cut it.
The maximum lifting range is 380mm. This is less than the previous, cheaper products we’ve looked at. It also has a lower maximum load of just 1,000kg.
On the bright side, the product is well-made.
Trailer-A-Mate also supplies all the necessary accessories and components. These include brackets, a hydraulic jack, a jockey wheelbase, and a lifting clamp.
It costs $450 or so with a one-year warranty. If you like the dual-function nature of this product then it’s decent value.
But it’s not the best hydraulic caravan jack.
Black Jack Electric Trailer Jack with Clamp & Harness Kit
Premium Option
The Black Jack electric caravan jack only costs about $60 more than the Trail-A-Mate 2-in-1 system.
However, the difference is remarkable.
This is arguably the best caravan jack available today. It has a seemingly endless list of features. These include LED night lights, built-in indicators, and an all-weather cover. We haven’t even started on the important aspects yet!
It has a lifting capacity of 1,600kg and a lifting range of 560mm. This system is entirely electric so it’s extremely easy to operate. All you need to do is install the jack and connect it to your 12V battery.
Black Jack also supplies a backup crank handle in case of emergencies. The jack itself has powder-coating for enhanced durability.
There are two main negatives.
Firstly, it’s relatively heavy at 17kg. It’s still not massive but every little bit adds up in a caravan.
Furthermore, it’s expensive at over $500. The product itself is superb and one of the most advanced out there. But it may not represent good value for somebody who just wants a serviceable jack for emergencies.
Points To Consider When Buying A Caravan Jack
Let’s look at the following aspects to help you use your caravan jack efficiently.
Working Load Limit
Your new jack must be strong enough to lift your caravan.
The working load limit is the caravan’s safest operating point. It’s advisable to get a caravan jack with a load limit of 1,000kg or more. Ko-Jack is a standout performer in this category with its impressive 4,000kg limit.
Check your caravan’s weight before you buy your jack! The same applies when buying caravan levelling ramps.
Lifting Height Range
The other essential performance point to check is the lifting height range.
Depending on your style of caravan and the activity you intend to carry out, you may want to lift it higher or lower. The basic Explore model has an impressive range of 113mm to 606mm.
Meanwhile, the more expensive hydraulic and electric jack systems actually have lower ranges. You don’t always get what you pay for!
Health and Safety
Many things can go wrong if you don’t use a caravan jack correctly.
Never exceed the jack’s working load limit or lifting height range. This will put intense strain on the device. In the best-case scenario, you’ll only break your jack.
However, there’s also a chance of damaging your caravan and requiring expensive repairs.
Finally, don’t be tempted to crawl underneath the caravan while the jack is in operation. It’s incredibly dangerous because the jack could slide or shift. Nobody wants a caravan to fall on top of them!
Use your jack when the caravan is attached to the car because it will be more stable. If the caravan is unhooked, there are fewer points of contact with the ground.
Also, ensure that they conform to Australian Safety Standards - like all of the products in this guide!
Caravan Jacks - FAQ
How do you jack up a caravan?
It’s relatively easy to jack up a caravan.
First of all, apply chocks to the wheels of the caravan. This will maximize the stability of your camping vehicle. If the ground is soft, eg. after rain, you can place a piece of flat wood underneath the jack.
The jack should fit comfortably under the lifting point. You should also be able to lift a full-inflated tyre into place relatively easily.
Different caravan brands have a variety of weight distributions.
Consult your user manual before you attempt to jack up the caravan. It will tell you where the best place is to place your jack. Remember that there may be suspension drooping on one side.
In the case of an electric jack, you can easily operate the system. Scissor and hydraulic jacks will usually require a handle.
Remember to take care because you can never trust a jack!
Can I use a car jack on a caravan?
It’s highly inadvisable to use a standard car jack to lift a caravan.
That’s not to say it isn’t possible. Of course, it depends on the jack and camping vehicle in question. But it would be irresponsible to say that it’s safe.
There’s a reason why caravan jacks exist.
They are designed specifically for camping vehicles with their proportions in mind. This makes them much more suitable than a standard car jack.
Final Thoughts
You never know when your caravan jack will come in useful.
Our best pick was the KoJack 4T Jack kit. That’s because of the excellent price and industry-leading weight capacity.
However, the Black Jack and Explore options are also very good - but for different reasons.
The former is a highly-advanced premium option with an impressive range of features. If you decide it’s worth the money, it won’t let you down. Meanwhile, the Explore caravan jack is solid and dependable for a much lower price.
If you have any questions about these products or caravan jacks in general, please leave a comment!
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Note that while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this page, there may sometimes be errors. Check all specifications with the manufacturer before purchasing any product.
Can you please explain how you use a Black Jack to change a caravan tyre.