12v Impact Wrenches

[RetSgt7114]

Does anyone use a 12v impact wrench on their rig? I'm thinking about getting one from Amazon for about $50.00. It is supposed to have 240 f/lbs of torque but is that strong enough to take off the lugs on a class c dually? Tnx

[rbutton]

I have a 18 volt Ryobi lithium battery impact wrench. Had a flat on the back of our Jayco while out camping - dropped the leveler jacks and the impact wrench took the nuts off with no problem. And had more than enough power to install the spare.
I have the Ryobi charger (they offer a 12 volt charger) wired up to the 12 volt power to keep a battery charged at all times.

[RetSgt7114]

Thanks to all.

[Cummins12V98]

Okie1 wrote:
I have had an 18volt Milwaukee Impact for a couple of years now and I have yet to find anything that it wont loosen or break off. It has 450 ft lbs of torque, it is a bit on the expensive side but worth every penny.

Buy once, buy quality!

[Okie1]

I have had an 18volt Milwaukee Impact for a couple of years now and I have yet to find anything that it wont loosen or break off. It has 450 ft lbs of torque, it is a bit on the expensive side but worth every penny.

[Bonefish]

I can only speak to a 1/2 inch drive Dewalt Impact Driver which I carry.

I have and it will knock loose and take the lug nuts off the tow vehicle and camper in the case of a flat.

Caution: It is capable of OVER torquing and cross threading the lug nuts with 300 ft-lbs if use improperly when putting them back on. I start the lug nuts by hand and use a short burst to snug them up I then torque the lugs the rest of the way by hand (torque wrench set to 110# for tow vehicle).

You will need impact capable sockets---the standard ones it will split open. Also another advantage the wheel does not have to be in contact with the ground when knocking the lug nuts loose.

[Cummins12V98]

Don't waste your money on cheap no name tools. The batteries don't last. And they are usually not available.

DeWalt Milwauke Portercable those are a few that are good quality and the batteries do last.

JMHO

[bob_b1]

A 12V impact wrench alone won't be enough for mine. A torque multiplier might make it workable.

My motorhome needs 450/ft pounds for the lug nuts on my Oshkosh diesel chassis. I usually let the professionals take over from there. I've never needed it, but I do have a 1"-drive ratchet, a big socket and a long metal pole just in case. On my chassis, the driver's side is reverse threaded. It might be important to find out if yours is the same as you don't want to break anything.

[willald]

2oldman wrote:

willald wrote:
(original poster) owns a Motorhome

Class C dually.

Right. I believe a Class C dually classifies as a Motorhome. 🙂

Previous poster makes a great point - 120V is usually available on most motorhomes, either by firing up the genny or with an inverter. That may be a better solution.

Will

[2oldman]

willald wrote:
(original poster) owns a Motorhome

Class C dually.

[AprilWhine]

Just bought a Dewalt 120 volt impact gun. Used it to remove the wheels from my 3500 Sprinter class C. Also used it to remove the bolts holding the brake rotors on same vehicle.

120 volts always available from genset or inverter in camper.

The electric impact does hammer for a few seconds, up to 15 seconds on a hard bolt. It does the job. The brakes on the New to Me camper were original, never changed.

I will never be without one again. The motor does not put out that many footpounds, the torque is developed by the hammer on the anvil.

[willald]

dennislanier wrote:
...As others have suggested, at LEAST 18 volts would have a better chance. In my opinion better to spend more money and be satisfied than $50 for something that probably won't work for your purposes. Over the years I have had 4 different air impacts that were rated about the same torque, and they were NOT equal in actual use, hence my statement above. I suspect the battery powered would also vary depending on the manufacturer.

..Problem with cordless battery operated units is, now you have one more battery to have to keep charged, replace every so often when it wears out, etc.

If its for something you use regularly (like for stabilizer jacks), thats not a problem. However, for something that will rarely be used (for emergencies) like is the case here, being able to use your MH's 12V power supply (or possibly 120V) is much more practical.

You think the battery in that cordless unit is going to have any power at all, when its been sitting for a few years and you get it out at the side of the road when you have a flat? Nope, it won't. Now, you have to sit at the side of the road for another 1/2 hour or so to charge it before you can do anything.

With a 12V powered unit, you can just connect it to your MH's 12V power supply and get to work. No extra batteries to have to keep charged or replace. I'm betting thats why the OP mentioned 12 volts.

Will

[dennislanier]

RetSgt7114 wrote:
Does anyone use a 12v impact wrench on their rig? I'm thinking about getting one from Amazon for about $50.00. It is supposed to have 240 f/lbs of torque but is that strong enough to take off the lugs on a class c dually? Tnx

Probably not. Even air-powered impacts (depending on quality) have a hard time. It seems these ratings for foot pounds of torque are inaccurate or outright fabrications in some cases. As others have suggested, at LEAST 18 volts would have a better chance. In my opinion better to spend more money and be satisfied than $50 for something that probably won't work for your purposes. Over the years I have had 4 different air impacts that were rated about the same torque, and they were NOT equal in actual use, hence my statement above. I suspect the battery powered would also vary depending on the manufacturer.

[Dick_B]

18V is FAR better than 12V.

[willald]

..I think several are missing the point, question that the OP asked. He (original poster) owns a Motorhome, not a TT or 5er. He asked about 12V impact drill/wrench, specifically for the purpose of handling the lug nuts on his Motorhome.

He did not ask about cordless drills that can be used to work stabilizer jacks. Such would be pretty much worthless for what he wants to do here.

This is a subject I'm interested in as well, actually. I've been thinking about getting a 12V impact as well, one thats strong enough to take the lugs loose on our Class A MH. Specs call for 165 ft-lbs of torque on the lug nuts, but I'm sure it will take a lot more than that to break them loose.

Here's a Kawasaki 12V impact wrench at Northern Tool I've been thnking about. However, not sure if 280 ft-lbs will be enough, to take off the lugs on a Class A?