|
|
04-23-2013, 08:13 AM
|
#21
|
Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stoney
I use a cordless impack wrench to lower my jacks.
|
I purchased a Ryobi drill/impact combo with the 18v lithium batteries. Included 1/4" impact driver and a 1/2" drill. I purcased a 3/4" socket and with the impact driver it smoothly lowers the jacks without twisting your wrist like a powered drill will. I only had a corded drill so I treated myself.
Kelvin
|
|
|
04-23-2013, 08:32 AM
|
#22
|
Rivets?
1992 29' Excella
2010 22' Interstate
Van By The River
, Georgia
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,363
|
I Guess I'm Old School...
I find the use of electric drills for things such as BAL stabilizers are not the best answer for me. Electric drills reduce the "feedback" between the operator and the mechanism. Consequently, the operator may not be aware of the increased torque required to operate the stabilizer as it becomes dirty and corroded. It's also annoying to other campers (okay, annoying to me) when somebody uses a drill with a torque clutch and they reach the torque limit and keep on going.... rat-a-tat, rat-a-tat, rat-a-tat. That seems to occur late at night when everyone near them is resting, or early in the morning when the person with the drill is breaking camp before dawn.
I like a solution that keeps me in the feedback loop. If the screw is difficult to turn it's time to clean and lubricate the screw. If something is squeeking or grinding it's time to investigate. A simple $10-$15 speed wrench is the good tool to have on hand - it doesn't require charging, it's relatively quiet, and from what I can see it's as easy to use as a drill motor for operating your BAL stabilizers.
Call me old school because I use one of these:
__________________
Lucius and Danielle
1992 29' Excella Classic / 2010 Interstate
2005 Chevrolet Suburban K2500 8.1L
2018 GMC Sierra K1500 SLT, 6.2L, Max Trailering
Got a cooped-up feeling, gotta get out of town, got those Airstream campin' blues...
|
|
|
04-24-2013, 06:09 PM
|
#23
|
"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
|
I use my cordless drill set...
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
|
|
|
04-26-2013, 08:03 PM
|
#24
|
2 Rivet Member
2012 19' International
1986 25' Sovereign
St. Tammany
, Louisiana
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 38
|
Sooo funny Robert! Made me laugh out loud.
|
|
|
04-26-2013, 08:42 PM
|
#25
|
Moderator
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,500
|
On the topic of "feedback" between me and the stabilizer... I keep the dewalt torque set low (5 of something like 17.) I initially set the torque low because I don't want to crank the stabilizers down too hard because they're stabilizers, not jacks.
__________________
— David
Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566
He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
|
|
|
04-26-2013, 08:51 PM
|
#26
|
Rivet Master
1964 17' Bambi II
Vintage Kin Owner
Schererville
, Indiana
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,637
|
I almost broke my wrist when I used my drill to take the stabilizer down. Never again. I'm old school too (maybe not as old as Robert!)
__________________
Becky
1964 Bambi II
1988 Avion 32S
|
|
|
04-26-2013, 09:05 PM
|
#27
|
2 Rivet Member
2010 27' FB International
La Crescent
, Minnesota
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 96
|
After having the socket come off the adaptor a number of times, I tig welded it to the socket.
Jay
|
|
|
04-26-2013, 09:10 PM
|
#28
|
Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
|
It never occurred to me that I needed anything than the standard "wrench" that came with the trailer.
I suppose if I had bad arthritis in a part of me that I need to use to make the wrench work, I might feel different about it, but with just a quick shot of silicon spray, so far they work like a charm.
ps: spray graphite grease is great too, but it's so dang dirty I avoid it as much as possible. Or maybe I have the wrong kind, but mine shoots a black spray that seems to like to travel a lot.
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ...John Wayne...........................
|
|
|
04-26-2013, 09:18 PM
|
#29
|
"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
|
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
|
|
|
04-26-2013, 09:20 PM
|
#30
|
Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,658
|
silicone spray for me.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
|
|
|
04-26-2013, 09:27 PM
|
#31
|
Moderator
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Alamo Heights
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,500
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aage
It never occurred to me that I needed anything than the standard "wrench" that came with the trailer.
I suppose if I had bad arthritis in a part of me that I need to use to make the wrench work, I might feel different about it, but with just a quick shot of silicon spray, so far they work like a charm.
ps: spray graphite grease is great too, but it's so dang dirty I avoid it as much as possible. Or maybe I have the wrong kind, but mine shoots a black spray that seems to like to travel a lot.
|
I bought the BAL stabilizers and installed them myself. The "speed handle" thingo was another $18-$20 where I got a decent deal on the set of stabilizers, I already had the dewalt and the socket, and the 3/8 drive drill adapter was $4ish. If I forget the dewalt I can use a ratchet and take a while, if I forget the ratchet I forgot the whole tool bag and should've stayed home.
__________________
— David
Zero Gravitas — 2017 Flying Cloud 26U | WBCCI# 15566
He has all of the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire. — Sir Winston Churchill
|
|
|
04-28-2013, 01:02 PM
|
#32
|
2 Rivet Member
1979 31' Excella 500
1973 25' Tradewind
Cinnaminson
, New Jersey
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 40
|
My back can handle one or two stabilizers with the standard crank, hence the drill. It does make a difference especially with all to do when setting up. Getting old sux. More so with health issues.
__________________
Tom Beitz
6760 PA Unit
TAC NJ-5
Riverton, NJ
|
|
|
05-13-2013, 06:55 AM
|
#33
|
4 Rivet Member
2007 31' Classic
Kansas City
, Missouri
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 300
|
Call me old school, too, because I've used the manual crank for years (mostly because my 9 volt drill won't work on the stabilizers.) But here's my rationale for a new $200 18 volt drill: We have 19 stops on our Viking Trail Caravan this summer. 19 stops X 4 stabilizers X two cranks per stabilizer per stop = 152 cranks/$200 = 76 cents. So for just pennies I can efficiently raise and lower my stabilizers with ease. It will almost pay for itself! Now add $500 worth of AGM batteries so I don't have to check the electrolyte level, and I'm saving so much time and energy I ought to get a rebate from the electric company. So with these savings, I can pay for the $5.20/gallon Canadian diesel fuel. And it's all thanks to my new drill.
|
|
|
05-13-2013, 10:18 AM
|
#34
|
Ready-to-Travel
2012 30' International
Walkerton
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,166
|
I don't need to use it for my stabilizers, but I would not trade it for anything when it is time to set my Hensley wd jacks. It's also great for tire changes - up until it is time for the torque wrench.
Pat
__________________
--------------------------------------
Somebody, please, point me to the road.
AIR 3987
TAC VA-2
WBCCI 4596
|
|
|
05-13-2013, 01:24 PM
|
#35
|
retired USA/USAF
2001 30' Excella
Somerset
, New Jersey
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,418
|
AND, on top of all those benefits you can drill a hole with it and mix a drink too.
What a country.
__________________
Roger in NJ
" Democracy is the worst form of government. Except for all the rest"
Winston Churchill 1948
TAC - NJ 18
|
|
|
05-13-2013, 03:19 PM
|
#36
|
Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari
St. Augustine
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,670
|
Yep, Robert's pic of the three adapters is the ticket! I use one for the weight distribution jacks on the hitch too.
If you watch, there are sales on the 18v cordless drills. The one Rigid model I got was rated #2 under Bosch in a consumer cordless drill rating BUT it also has a lifetime warranty and it came with two extra batteries- one free, ALSO covered under the warranty. Can't beat that. It is powerful.
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|