Tired Of Hand Cranking The 4 Stabalizer Jacks

[drfife]

Originally Posted by Bob Landry

My manual says to not use a power drill to lower the stabilizer jacks. I have always been told that once the foot on the jack touches the pad, go one to one and a half turns more and stop. I havn't used the drill, but it may be hard to tell when the jack bottoms, especially with the power of an 18V drill. If I were going to use a power drill, I think I would run the jack almost to the ground then finish it by hand. JMO. I'm sure many people use drills without issue.

I've been using a cordless drill to lower and raise the jacks on my trailer for it's entire 9+ year life. I have had no problems or issues with the jacks. I've done it a thousand times.

Once you use a drill, you will never go back to hand cranking.

Tips:

• Make sure you get at least an 18V drill or higher.
• I recommend a spare battery, just in case your battery poops out at the wrong time.
• Get a drill with an adjustable torque setting so when the pad hits the ground it does not twist off in your hand. Trust me, if you don't have it set without torque slippage it will hurt when the pad hits the ground.

[Diesel Donnie]

I have an 18 volt impact tool which can also be used to remove lug nuts when necessary- Don't know how I ever got along without it-JMHO- Don

[Diesel Donnie]

Originally Posted by rvrev2

My old Jayco uses a "J" hook instead of the 3/4 inch socket for the stabilizers. I haven't found a "J" hook adapter for my cordless drill yet, but I'm still looking.

I have an old Ford pickup jack that utilized a "j" hook to operate- I had a welding shop install a bolt on the end so I can use the impact tool to raise and lower the jack- JMHO- Don

[rvrev2]

You guys are brilliant with the idea of using an allen wrench!!!!!!!!

[drfife]

Originally Posted by rvrev2

You guys are brilliant with the idea of using an allen wrench!!!!!!!!

I'd like to claim I was the one that thought of it. I scabbed the idea off a forum 10 years ago.

[gatordone]

Originally Posted by Diesel Donnie

I have an 18 volt impact tool which can also be used to remove lug nuts when necessary- Don't know how I ever got along without it-JMHO- Don

x2

[jwstewar]

I used my 18-volt impact driver one time. It did a nice job, but it was so loud everyone in the campground was watching. I went back to the 18-volt cordless drill. I love my impact driver, but not for this job. Driving a screw or bolt/nut yes, but not the stabilizer jacks on my camper.

[Crabman]

True story, a friend of mine was using his drill on the stabilizers, his DW said something to him, distracted him, he looked at her and took his eyes off the job at hand. When the stabilizer was extended the drill came tight, turned out of his hand and the battery struck him in the chin. (ouch) I guess he had the torque setting way up. Lesson- DW`s, do not distract your DH while he is drilling the stabilizer!

[jwstewar]

Originally Posted by Crabman

True story, a friend of mine was using his drill on the stabilizers, his DW said something to him, distracted him, he looked at her and took his eyes off the job at hand. When the stabilizer was extended the drill came tight, turned out of his hand and the battery struck him in the chin. (ouch) I guess he had the torque setting way up. Lesson- DW`s, do not distract your DH while he is drilling the stabilizer!

Along those same lines, when we were building the deck on our old house, I had a socket on the drill (before I had the impact driver). Warned the F-I-L to be careful because it would get him. He didn't believe me, saying it is cordless, it can't have that much power. I said OK, next think I know, he is pinned up against the house because the bolt bit into the wood and he didn't let off the trigger.

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by jwstewar

Along those same lines, when we were building the deck on our old house, I had a socket on the drill (before I had the impact driver). Warned the F-I-L to be careful because it would get him. He didn't believe me, saying it is cordless, it can't have that much power. I said OK, next think I know, he is pinned up against the house because the bolt bit into the wood and he didn't let off the trigger.

Yeah, FIL`s always know better then SIL`s don`t they? I suspect he has a little more respect for those cordless drills now.

[capehank]

Any ideas as to how to make the slotted drill adaptor. The c-jacks my friend has have a pin that comes out of each side of the screw. Any ideas?

Thank you.

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by capehank

Any ideas as to how to make the slotted drill adaptor. The c-jacks my friend has have a pin that comes out of each side of the screw. Any ideas?

Thank you.

I just took a sawsall and cut a slot in an old socket... DONT use a thin wall socket

[capehank]

Seann45,
Thank you. I will be sure to use a thick socket.

[jamoke]

Can't beat the electric jack for convenience.

Here is the tool I use:

[licamp]

Originally Posted by rvrev2

My old Jayco uses a "J" hook instead of the 3/4 inch socket for the stabilizers. I haven't found a "J" hook adapter for my cordless drill yet, but I'm still looking.

Grab a rod heat it up bend it get the drill out and you have power jacks. My stabilizers are 3/4 socket. I just cut a ratchet extension and put it in my drill.

[buckeyejim]

I just bought a 18 volt 1/2 inch 400 lb torque Mastercraft drill for $89.00 including as and 2 batteries from Manards. I had a 18 volt but not enough torque, In the rain the drill is the way to go.

Buckeye jim
Eagle 322fks
Cummins Dodge

[Phar0e]

We have a 18V drill, with an adapter and a 3/4 inch socket. Does anyone suggest using an extender bar between the adapter and the socket? We have a 23J hybrid which we pick up two weeks from now.

[drfife]

Originally Posted by Phar0e

We have a 18V drill, with an adapter and a 3/4 inch socket. Does anyone suggest using an extender bar between the adapter and the socket? We have a 23J hybrid which we pick up two weeks from now.

I've found no need for an extender with my trailer jacks.

[jwstewar]

Originally Posted by drfife

I've found no need for an extender with my trailer jacks.

me either. I do use a deep well socket though. Not sure if there was a reason, or if that is what Lowes had when I picked up the one I leave in the cubby.

[llerberg]

rvrev2 - I used an allen wrench in my electric drill on the scissors jacks we used with our Scamp before getting the Jayco.