Using an electric impact wrench to raise jacks?

Impact wrenches are for breaking bolts loose....you do not need impact to raise/lower stabalizer jacks....you can damage the jack. I have used an 18 volt Dewalt for 6 or seven years now...no problem.

Michael

I just ordered the 3/4" socket (from Amazon) that can be attached to my portable drill. My new TT is much higher above the ground than the previous TT, and takes forever to extend and retract the stabilizers by hand. I also ordered a second set of Lynx levelers so I don't have to extend the stabilizers as far down to the ground. Good advice to keep them lubricated. I have a can of white lithium grease.

I can't see why you'd need the "impact" and torque of an impact driver for this. I see many using just a standard rechargeable drill. It's really hard to control an impact driver compared to a drill. You could easily over-tighten the jack when winding it back up and damage something. I've used an impact driver a lot and would never use one on an RV for anything. A variable speed drill (with sufficient power) would be nice for this.

Impact drivers are also noisy. I'd be ticked at someone next to me winding their jacks up or down with all that noise. Grrr.... Elec. stab. jacks and tongue jacks are noisy enough as it is.

Pretty much any 18v battery drill will work fine. Main thing is, give your stab jacks a liberal spray with spray lubricant and don't go too fast. If the jack binds up, it can snap your wrist in a heartbeat. Have a firm hold and just ease the jacks up and down, being prepared to stop if it binds at all. I spray my jacks about every 3rd trip or 3 months, whichever comes first.

Also, if you buy one of the chucks that fit the end of the stab jack, get one that is flat on the sides. The completely round ones will sometimes spin in the drill. Had one of those and left it at a campsite on purpose. Sorry if your the poor guy that picked it up and it's aggravating now ;-)

I also use an 18v drill. Works fine for me. I would think an impact action would be overkill.

I use the craftsman 18.6 or 19.6 volt 1/2 inch drill for the jacks(until we got the new trailer with electric stabilizers). I have a friend who uses the impact method... When we arrive late OR break camp early he comes and gets my drill so he does not wake the neighbors with his impact.

I use a Dewalt 18V drill but not the impact function. I'm afraid the impact action would be hard on the jacks and it's never been necessary.

I use an 18volt Dewalt. It has more than enough torque for the stabilizers. My father-in-law uses an 18volt Dewalt impact and it does do the job, but it is very loud. I helped him setup late at night on one occasion and it was painfully loud.

i use an 18 volt drill as well... i used to use a socket but i lost the socket on one trip and just stuck the end of the manual tool that came with the trailer in the chuck and have been using that way ever since... i would like to get an electric impact gun just for the trailer, but every time i think about it, there is something else i'd rather spend the money on

I carried a DeWalt impact not only for running stabilizer's up and down, but also for the changing of a flat tire if needed.

Now that I have the 6 point level up system I still bring it along.


C.B.