Mine jacks are manual(not by choice), plus I made mine quick-release (picture a large hinge that can come apart.) for the reasons that you mentioned. If I camp locally, and alone, I don’t care if the camper bounces a bit in the rear when parked, so in that situation I will take them off and leave them at home.
Because of the way they disconnect, I can (and do) invert them for longer trips. That way I have them, they are not inside the camper, and they are not gangly as you put it. (Apt description)
Here is a photo of an inverted jack. (during construction phase)
Here it is on gangly position:
