Stabilizer deployment

[afipita]

Just got our 2016 28 Ft Flying Cloud, dealer in Tampa Fl suggested I get a battery powered impact driver to lower and raise the stabilizers. Any thoughts or suggestions about best way to handle this?

[drboyd]

And I'll bet the dealer has one he'd be glad to sell you for only $999.99. Then you have to worry about keeping it charged and all that hooey. Get a crank handle speed wrench instead:

[Mrjkq]

I use a portable power drill. You can buy the attachment on line or at most hardware stores. Works great & just takes about one minute to lower or raise all stabilizers.

[dkottum]

We use a quality compact power drill with lithium ion batteries. You can pick up the 3/4 inch socket to fit the drill at any camping store. We also use it to adjust our ProPride hitch weight distribution screw jacks, the snug them with a wrench. Easy peasy.

[wjcwill]

The drill is the way to go I used a battery powered impact once it makes a lot of noise.

[moosetags]

Definitely use a drill. An impact driver will wake up the dead. We use a DeWalt 12 volt. It is more than powerful enough the handle Lucy's stabilizers. It can also handler the weight distribution bars on the Hensley.

We used to use a DeWalt 18 volt. The 12 volt is half the weight and does as well.

Brian

[Ron A]

Using a drill for stabilizers. May want to use caution, not to firmly against the ground.


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[Bill M.]

I use a drill. The impact driver works better but is loud. I do not use the stabilizer all the time and never when we stay hooked up. Lithium ion drill is very handy as is the impact driver. I carry a kit that came with both and an extra battery.

[cwf]

Drill it!!!!! You will need a 3/4" socket to fit the stabilizer Screw head. Camco makes one which fits well into drill chuck and stabilizer screw head. See here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001V...mco+stabilizer

Take care about the drill that you don't over tighten the stabilizers...that is not good for your Airstream as it will cause does and other stuff to not fit well.

Also, when you have almost deployed or retracted the stabilizer, the sudden stop can cause injury to you and Airstream siding/trim, etc.

I have my drill torque set low enough that it won't likely be uncontrollable.

[Cannonball]

We use the crank handle that came with the Airstream. Never needs charging. Works every time. We just kneel on a work glove to save staining our evening wear. Contacts the ground, give it another 3/4 turn, or so. You will feel it.

Of course, we are kinda of nutty purists in certain respects. I still have two manual turntables and 1000+ vinyl albums in the stick-and-mortar.


Cannonball, Deep in the Heart of Texas!

WBCCI #4387, Air #84080

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[AnnArborBob]

The cordless drill is definitely the way to go. Plus you'll have it on-board for other tasks. Not much other use for an impact driver in an RV.

[PaulnGina]

I like the crank handle best. I always know where it is..... It doesn't need charging, etc, etc.

Of course, I like my antique drill brace, too, for making holes in stuff. It's way older than I am!


PaulnGina
1987 Avion 34W
1995 Ford F250 7.3L PowerStroke

Blessed and highly favored

[Drathaar]

Originally Posted by afipita

Just got our 2016 28 Ft Flying Cloud, dealer in Tampa Fl suggested I get a battery powered impact driver to lower and raise the stabilizers. Any thoughts or suggestions about best way to handle this?

A drill works well, sometimes too well. Be careful to not over extend/retract the stabilizer. If you really jam it, it is a €%#& to free up. Don't ask how I know...

I'm quite fond of the speed handle these days.

[PKI]

A drill would add weight and I'd have to carry the crank as a backup anyway. It's part of staying fit along with levering the sway control into position.

When I can't turn the hand crank, I'll get a drill. What ever it takes. Pat

[switz]

Use the factory supplied speed wrench on the Classic. Have some ⅛" roll pin on hand to replace the turning handle keeper when it finally shears off. Got a ⅜" spinner wrench at Harbor Freight and a swivel ¾" shallow socket. I then use the Hensley supplied wrench to fine tune the left arms.

Tried the drill idea, but it's something else to keep charged. The battery tends to be low when I need to use it.....

[tsunami]

Picked up a Rigid drill/impact driver combo kit with lifetime warrantee from Home Depot. Intend to use this on my stabilizers and any other AS related projects. The drivers are fairly small and light weight.

[cwf]

Don't use impact unless you want to twist something off

[GoWhereTowed]

A cordless drill works great. Get an extra battery.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by GoWhereTowed

A cordless drill works great. Get an extra battery.

^
X2


Battery?



Bob

[paiceman]

Drill, no impact. HD has a wide variety - least expensive you can find will do the trick. Just not too tight when the stabilizers hit the ground.