Using an electric impact wrench to raise jacks?

I always just used my B&D Portable drill motor with appropriate adapters. If that wasn't enough power, it meant it was either time to recharge the drill motor or time to clean and lube the stabilizer screw mechanism (this was the most frequent culprit).

An impact wrench would be overkill.

So some scissor jacks have a 3/4" hex head? Ours have a round head and hole in the side. I took a 3/8" hex key/allen wrench and put that in the drill. The hex shape bites great in the drill chuck. I can also use a 3/8 socket with the electric or battery impact. Seems to work good.

howellma wrote:

Doug33 wrote:
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 didnt buy the socket from Amazon or an rv place. I went to Lowes and got the 3/8" adapter for 3 bucks and dug an extra 3/4" socket out of my tool box and away we went! I use a 20V lithium drill.

X2

I bought the 3-piece adapter set (1/4", 3/8", 1/2") from Harbor Freight for $3 and used one of the many 3/4" sockets I had laying around. I keep the socket/adapter permanently in the trailer so I don't forget it. When we go camping I take my 18V Ridgid drill/driver and charger with me.

Steve

howellma wrote:

Doug33 wrote:
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 didnt buy the socket from Amazon or an rv place. I went to Lowes and got the 3/8" adapter for 3 bucks and dug an extra 3/4" socket out of my tool box and away we went! I use a 20V lithium drill.

I could not find that adapter at Home Depot, and no salesperson knew what I was talking about. They told me to go to Sears, which wasn't open yet that morning, so I just ordered on line. I needed to get some other trailer-related stuff anyway.

As previous posts have noted, an impact driver has much less "reverse kickback" than a standard drill/driver.

To me, this is a disadvantage when using it for the jacks. I use the feel of the reverse rotation of the drill/driver to gauge how much force I am putting on the jacks and when to stop. The impact driver does not offer the same feel and it's very easy to overextend the jacks and stress the frame.

Also, a drill/driver with a torque setting can be used to prevent overtightening of the jack.

Steve

Just to clarify, there is a hand held "impact driver" that is battery battered and is typically used for fasteners like screws and lag bolts. Then there is an impact wrench like used for removing wheel bolts and nuts on automotive wheels. And then there are impact hammer drills for drilling holes in concrete and the larger ones for breaking up concrete.

I think the one originally being asked about is an impact driver.

Use my Dewalt 18.x impact driver all the time; works like a charm but a bit loud for the neighbors at 0700.

It really doesn't take an 18v drill to handle the jacks. My old 9.6v DeWalt has been assigned permanent camper duty and does the job fine.

Definitely NOT an impact wrench, but just a standard rechargable drill of whatever size. Be careful that you keep it at a slower speed....DH found out the hard way. Beats the heck out of the hand crank, but remember that because it will speed right along, it shouldn't. Just easy does it and you'll love the reduction in set-up/break down time and energy.

I bought a regular electric drill at a yard sale for $2.00 . Sure I need a cord , but it works .