Hensley Question: Spinning down the Jacks w/Drill?

[MSDeneen]

I'm a new Hensley user. Ours has the spin-down jacks. I thought I could use a cordless on them, but my lightweight home utility cordless was not powerful enough. We therefore used a 1/2 ratchet, which is pretty tedious.



Just wondering if anyone does use a cordless, and if so, what model? I feel like it ought to be possible, but then again, I think most things are possible!


As always, I'm looking for "less work!"


Cheers to all,


Mark

[BGClassic]

Mark,

I have a Propride, and I'm not familiar with your hitch jacks. From the web, they appear similar to mine. I am hesitant to use any tool other than a jack ratchet wrench on mine. I've read about damage occurring from using power tools.

https://hensleymfg.com/products/jack...wrench-3-4-7-8

I guess if you were brave, you could buy an electric impact wrench, and you could also use that to loosen lug nuts. Good luck!

Bill

[crispyboy]

I have used a Milwaukee 18v cordless drill for the past 14 years. Quick and simple. I also Use the drill for the stabalizers. Don’t use an impact driver. They can tear up a jack and are very noisy.

[Wazbro]

Using the tongue jack to raise up the back of your TV will reduce the amount of force it takes to adjust the jacks dramatically. You would need a very strong drill to adjust the jacks all the way while the tongue jack is off the ground.

[MSDeneen]

Originally Posted by Wazbro

Using the tongue jack to raise up the back of your TV will reduce the amount of force it takes to adjust the jacks dramatically. You would need a very strong drill to adjust the jacks all the way while the tongue jack is off the ground.

Ahhhh.....yes, I see now. We essentially did a "dead lift!" It was a LOT of work to ratchet those bars several inches up. DUH!



One lesson at a time..........we're getting there.



Thanks Wazbro!


Cheers!


Mark

[4mer Paddler]

Originally Posted by MSDeneen

I'm a new Hensley user. Ours has the spin-down jacks.

I’ve had our 29’ Excella for 18 years now and have always used only a speed wrench to extend and retract the jacks. I find it quick, efficient and quiet.

[JCWDCW]

Have always used a drill to pull up the Hensley bars. You might have to raise the tongue with the jack to ease the work of the drill.

[streamboxer]

I have used a cheap harbor freight cordless for at least 10 years. I also use it to run down the stabilizers. No problems.

[dabhunter]

Hello
I use a Makita 18v (Non impact) for both the PP and the stabilizers. It works fine.

[MSDeneen]

Originally Posted by streamboxer

I have used a cheap harbor freight cordless for at least 10 years. I also use it to run down the stabilizers. No problems.

Indeed. I also went for a $59 Harbor Frieght 20V drill. Seems really powerful! I think I will be happy with it.



Cheers,
Mark

[dvgofaz]

I have the same set up, I use an 18v cordless. Mine is Dewalt but if you are going to get one just for the trailer I'd hit Harbor Freight and save $100.

[Jason P M]

I use a 20v Dewalt but as stated above you should tighten the jacks before lowering the tongue jack. And vice versa when you release them.

[SailorSam205]

I use a Dewalt drill/driver on my PP v1 jacks. I understand that using an impact driver on them has the possibility of breaking the shear pin. My understanding is that for PP's v2 jacks, that they make in-house, they can be run up with an impact driver.
With that said, I always set the jacks before pulling up the tongue jack. I've figured out my go to tension and always use the same setting. To quickly get to my preferred tension, each spring I run the jack all the way down, spray paint the inner tube with a non-black paint, then run the jack to my go-to setting and over paint with black gloss.

[mythbuster88]

3/8 inch extended reach electric ratchet from Milwaukee.

We use it for everything. including the hitch jacks. Great tool.

The advantage over using a drill motor for us old guys is it saves your wrists. The final torque you do manually. There is no leverage with a drill motor.

Top shelf tool gets a lot of use. We also carry a 1/2 " drive standard socket wrench for a spare. Lots of options.

[MSDeneen]

Originally Posted by mythbuster88

3/8 inch extended reach electric ratchet from Milwaukee.

WOW! I never heard of an electric ratchet! I will look into that!
Thanks!


Mark

[mythbuster88]

Originally Posted by MSDeneen

WOW! I never heard of an electric ratchet! I will look into that!
Thanks!


Mark

Don't tell anybody but I have a 3/8" and a 1/4" that get a lot of use. They are like the older speed wrenches that ran on air pressure.