I used my trailer for four years with out it. I bent my tongue when I "Jack-nived" my trailer into the jack while backing. Lesson learned !
If you want to keep the tilt-bed function just have a welder ( a beer trade for work works good ):lol:

make a new tongue ( 10' - 15' of tubing needed ) and weld a "Good Atwoods Jack to the strengthened tongue. Always make sure the jack you buy has no "Wobble-to it". It if does "Go to the next jack in the stack".
That can be at any time you wish.
Pat
PS: The 2" x 2" x 1/4" tubing was $2/ft here and I welded it up myself and tapped the screw holes as descrbed above. seven foot and a three foot lengths equaled ten feet, so $20 plus rod / electricity ( money saved on the coupon ).
Life is to short always eat dessert first.
uÊ