Open Roads Forum

Print  |  Close

Topic: Small cordless drill/screwdriver rec for stabilizers?
Posted By: brianosaur on 03/14/18 07:44am

Looking for a very small inexpensive cordless tool to quickly drop scissor jack/stabilizers with a drill socket. It would only be used for this purpose.

I own a 20v DeWalt cordless drill that I dont necessarily want to remember to take with me every time we leave. Plus it's a *bit* heavy.


I like the idea of small pistol grip tool with no hanging battery, but not sure it would be efficient enough.

Does anyone use a cordless screwdriver for this?

Something like this:
[image] with this

[image]

Posted By: SoundGuy on 03/14/18 07:51am

I use a small Ridgid 12 volt lithium ion drill that's rated at just 120 in/lbs of torque but it runs my stabs up/down just fine. Any of the current crop of similar drills would do the same.

[image]

Posted By: Bobbo on 03/14/18 08:09am

I use a Ryobi 18v One+ 1/2" impact driver. I don't have to remember to take it because it lives in the TT. Note that this is NOT a hammer drill. Impact and hammer are completely different.

[image]

Bobbo and Lin
2017 F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab w/Max Tow Package 3.5l EcoBoost V6
2017 Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB

Posted By: PawPaw_n_Gram on 03/14/18 08:13am

Those type drills are going to work fine to raise and lower the stabilizers.

However, I would caution you that most drills are not designed to do crank down the final half inch. Many of today’s drills have a clutch designed to avoid stalling the drill. You will need something in the Dewalt/ Makita 20v plus range if you want to avoid having that clutch break/ burn out.

Some people use an impact drill for that job to avoid damaging a standard drill. It will work great but will not make any friends in the campground if you arrive late and/ or leave early.

I have added stabilizers right behind my rear wheels to get some weight off the suspension. I use my Craftsman 19.2v drill to lower the stabilizers until it touches the ground then I use my automobile 4-way lug wrench for the final tightening. To leave, I use the four way to break the tension on the stabilizer, then the Craftsman to bring them up to the travel position.

Most of the hand cranks that come with stabilizers are cr***, a standard 4 way has a 3/4 inch socket which fits the stabilizer and is so much easier to use.

Full-Time 2014 - ????

“Not all who wander are lost.”
"You were supposed to turn back at the last street."

2012 Ram 2500 Mega Cab
2014 Flagstaff 832IKBS TT


Posted By: midnightsadie on 03/14/18 08:19am

X2 use a impact drill not a reg drill bit drill.

Posted By: Terryallan on 03/14/18 08:22am

PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:

Those type drills are going to work fine to raise and lower the stabilizers.

However, I would caution you that most drills are not designed to do crank down the final half inch. Many of today’s drills have a clutch designed to avoid stalling the drill. You will need something in the Dewalt/ Makita 20v plus range if you want to avoid having that clutch break/ burn out.

Some people use an impact drill for that job to avoid damaging a standard drill. It will work great but will not make any friends in the campground if you arrive late and/ or leave early.

I have added stabilizers right behind my rear wheels to get some weight off the suspension. I use my Craftsman 19.2v drill to lower the stabilizers until it touches the ground then I use my automobile 4-way lug wrench for the final tightening. To leave, I use the four way to break the tension on the stabilizer, then the Craftsman to bring them up to the travel position.

Most of the hand cranks that come with stabilizers are cr***, a standard 4 way has a 3/4 inch socket which fits the stabilizer and is so much easier to use.


I agree. I hate to hear those impact wrenches in the morning. After all, I am not camping on Pit Road.

I use my 24volt DeWalt Hammer drill, with the hammer turned off. and yes. that last half inch is no problem. In fact. I have to be careful not to lower them too far.

will it last? Well it is 18 years old. So I'm gonna say... YEP.

Terry & Shay
Coachman Apex 288BH.
2013 F150 XLT Off Road
5.0, 3.73
Lazy Campers


Posted By: GordonThree on 03/14/18 08:30am

Here in the rust belt, my stabs need an impact wrench to go up or down.

Sorry about the noise. Just think of it as a deleted diesel cranking over a few times.

2013 KZ Sportsmen Classic 200, 20 ft TT
2020 RAM 1500, 5.7 4x4, 8 speed

Posted By: coolmom42 on 03/14/18 08:42am

midnightsadie wrote:

X2 use a impact drill not a reg drill bit drill.


PLEASE DO NOT use an impact drill. They are incredibly loud and annoying and disturb the entire campground. They are complete overkill for a stabilizer jack.

Single empty-nester in Middle TN, sometimes with a friend or grandchild on board

Posted By: coolmom42 on 03/14/18 08:43am

GordonThree wrote:

Here in the rust belt, my stabs need an impact wrench to go up or down.

Sorry about the noise. Just think of it as a deleted diesel cranking over a few times.


You might try some lubricant on those jacks, instead of subjected everyone else to your noise.

Posted By: RollandB on 03/14/18 08:46am

I have an older 14v DeWalt that found its way to the RV after I upgraded to their lithium units a number of years ago. It stays in the RV all the time and now doesn’t get used much since the new rig has auto leveling

2013 Yukon

2021 Coachmen Spirit 1943RB

Posted By: GordonThree on 03/14/18 08:48am

Lubricant makes things worse, it causes road debris to stick in the threads.

Ptfe (dry) lubricant has proven ineffective.

I'm subjected to noisy diesels, get them to quiet down and I'll do the same.

Posted By: brianosaur on 03/14/18 09:06am

So that's a fat "NO" on the Mr. Cheapskates Special $27.99 7.2v screwgun?

Didn't want to spend another $100-$200 on something I already own.

I do have a 4way lug wrench in the TV already so I don't mind pinching them down the last little bit with that.
As long as it gets me up/down 99% of the way without a thousand hand cranks I'm good.

Who knows, maybe I'll give it a shot just to see if the jack move quickly enough (or at all). Then return it if it doesn't work out.

...is that taboo?

Posted By: skipro on 03/14/18 09:11am

I got an inexpensive Ryobi 18v drill off Ebay that lives in my camper that does fine.




Posted By: jjjandrbaker on 03/14/18 09:20am

I was happily using a cordless Black and Decker drill until after about 3 months, I was raising a stabilizer and AC runoff suddenly dripped and ruined it. Black and Decker sent me a replacement, but while waiting, I got in the habit of using my corded drill. (I bought it during a trip to repair a poorly installed bed brace on my last camper.) To my way of thinking, using my extension cord is not more of an ordeal than remembering to charge a cordless. Anyway, I have the extension cord out for departure anyway for checking and airing up my tires. All that being said, this is all you need.

Jim Baker
San Antonio, TX
travel blog and photos


Posted By: beemerphile1 on 03/14/18 10:48am

Hi, I'm beemerphile1 and I used to be one of those annoying people using an impact in campgrounds. I'm sorry, I claim ignorance but I reformed a few years ago and only use a silent drill now. Please forgive me for being inconsiderate in the past.

Ryobi 18v drill from Home Depot is now my chosen tool.

Build a life you don't need a vacation from.

2016 Silverado 3500HD DRW D/A 4x4
2018 Keystone Cougar 26RBS
2006 Weekend Warrior FK1900


Posted By: jplante4 on 03/14/18 12:06pm

From what I've observed, you need to get the loudest, most annoying impact drill you can find. And oh, make sure you leave REAL early in the morning and arrive after quiet hours start.

Jerry & Jeanne
1996 Safari Sahara 3530 - 'White Tiger'
CAT 3126/Allison 6 speed/Magnum Chassis
2014 Equinox AWD / Blue Ox


Posted By: ScottG on 03/14/18 12:09pm

GordonThree wrote:

Lubricant makes things worse, it causes road debris to stick in the threads.

Ptfe (dry) lubricant has proven ineffective.

I'm subjected to noisy diesels, get them to quiet down and I'll do the same.


Stab jacks come new with grease packed in the threads.
I've used dry film in the past but I don't think it's heavy enough to survive one cycle.
I think the best thing one can do is clean the screw once in a while and slather it with more grease.

Posted By: Hank MI on 03/14/18 01:55pm

We have a motor home with hydraulic levelers but I'll weigh in anyway. I've heard the small impact drivers being used in campgrounds although never really late at night or early in the morning. The few minutes it takes to run them up or down doesn't really bother me. I would much rather hear that than the small diesel truck/tractor in the site next to us. Dual exhaust stacks, one facing our MH, start it up then go back inside for 10 minutes. 10 minutes while I have to listen to it and smell the exhaust fumes. Yea, I'll take the small impact driver any day.

Posted By: Jack Spratt on 03/14/18 02:38pm

GordonThree wrote:

Lubricant makes things worse, it causes road debris to stick in the threads.

Ptfe (dry) lubricant has proven ineffective.

I'm subjected to noisy diesels, get them to quiet down and I'll do the same.


What an attitude

Leprechaun 260 DSF
2017 Big Horn FL3750

'10 Yellow Lab to keep us on our toes.

Posted By: Terryallan on 03/14/18 03:45pm

coolmom42 wrote:

GordonThree wrote:

Here in the rust belt, my stabs need an impact wrench to go up or down.

Sorry about the noise. Just think of it as a deleted diesel cranking over a few times.


You might try some lubricant on those jacks, instead of subjected everyone else to your noise.


Yep. Think WD-40, then oil.

Posted By: Hammerboy on 03/14/18 04:50pm

coolmom42 wrote:

midnightsadie wrote:

X2 use a impact drill not a reg drill bit drill.


PLEASE DO NOT use an impact drill. They are incredibly loud and annoying and disturb the entire campground. They are complete overkill for a stabilizer jack.


X2, don't be "that guy". Totally unnecessary, I love my impacts but not for camping. I have about 8 18v. drills in my arsenal (between my shop and work trailer) I have a "retired" 18v lithium drill that I keep in my 5er and is more than adequate for the job and more versatile too if your going to keep only one in your trailer. Maybe you can find a quality used one over a new cheap one. Used quality tools are better IMO.

Dan

2019 Chevy crew LTZ 2500 HD Duramax
2017 Wildcat 29rlx fifth wheel

Posted By: brianosaur on 03/14/18 05:18pm

Okay got it.

Went and bought this and put a 3/4" socket on it.

[image]

Posted By: brianosaur on 03/14/18 05:22pm

Oh, then I got this for splitting up some firewood at midnight.

[image]

Posted By: brianosaur on 03/14/18 05:25pm

Oh yeah

Here's my new travel trailer. The inside is spacious and the outside really rocks!

[image]

Posted By: Veebyes on 03/14/18 06:46pm

I started with a cheap & nasty lower voltage screwdriver type drill. Wasted my money. Should have bought the Dewalt 20V drill in the first place.

Boat: 32' 1996 Albin 32+2, single Cummins 315hp
40+ night per year overnighter

2007 Alpenlite 34RLR
2006 Chevy 3500 LT, CC,LB 6.6L Diesel

Ham Radio: VP9KL, IRLP node 7995

Posted By: TurnThePage on 03/14/18 08:18pm

I use a Ryobi One+ drill. It's not all that compact, but the battery can be used on other Ryobi One+ products that are also handy when camping or RVing, ultimately saving weight and space.

2015 Ram 1500
2022 Grand Design Imagine XLS 22RBE

Posted By: Bobbo on 03/14/18 08:29pm

Jack Spratt wrote:

GordonThree wrote:

Lubricant makes things worse, it causes road debris to stick in the threads.

Ptfe (dry) lubricant has proven ineffective.

I'm subjected to noisy diesels, get them to quiet down and I'll do the same.


What an attitude

No worse than this:

coolmom42 wrote:

PLEASE DO NOT use an impact drill. They are incredibly loud and annoying and disturb the entire campground. They are complete overkill for a stabilizer jack.

I use, and will continue to use my impact Ryobi. I have 4 stabilizers, I have finished lowering them all in less than 90 seconds.

Posted By: Fryer5 on 03/14/18 08:52pm

I use my 18volt rigid drill. I find it to be compact. I have also discovered that if I don’t bring my entire set of tools that whatever breaks will require whatever tool I left behind to fix. So I bring a fairly decent tool set. But that conversation is for a different thread.

2018 Nissan NVP 3500 SL.
2008 Keystone Passport Ultra-light 290BH

Posted By: valhalla360 on 03/15/18 03:49am

We just have a 2 speed basic battery powered drill. The lower gear ratio is needed to put the legs down. The bigger issue is remembering to keep it charged.

If it's low on juice, I just take them down as much as they will go and then a second or two raising the landing gear to put a little weight on them (don't over do it).

It takes 5 seconds per stabilizer, so hardly a huge noise issue if someone wants to use the impact version.

Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV


Posted By: Range Maggot Bob on 03/16/18 10:23pm

coolmom42 wrote:

midnightsadie wrote:

X2 use a impact drill not a reg drill bit drill.


PLEASE DO NOT use an impact drill. They are incredibly loud and annoying and disturb the entire campground. They are complete overkill for a stabilizer jack.


[emoticon] Oh, okay. Probably takes at least 15-20 seconds X 2. And I'm sure the users are wise enough to not put the drill in "hammer mode". There is a choice you know.

Posted By: westend on 03/16/18 10:54pm

brianosaur wrote:

Oh yeah

Here's my new travel trailer. The inside is spacious and the outside really rocks!

[image]
Man, you caught on quick!

I don't know what kind of battery impact driver is ruining camper's experiences. I have a Ridgid 18V set and the impact driver is rated to 650 ft lbs. I'd bet in non-full-impact mode that is used for drilling, driving, or stab jacks, you couldn't hear it from 50'. Not more than a few ticks, anyway.

BTW, some Ridgid battery equipment is still warrantied for life, batteries, charger, and tools. I recently got a new battery for just a phone call.

'03 F-250 4x4 CC
'71 Starcraft Wanderstar -- The Cowboy/Hilton

Posted By: Boon Docker on 03/16/18 11:10pm

"I don't know what kind of battery impact driver is ruining camper's experiences"

If it does ruin a camper's experience then maybe that camper should not stay in a campground, because there is lots of other noises going on around them. [emoticon]

Posted By: westend on 03/17/18 03:59am

That's part of the reason I stay away from commercial campgrounds. When I hit the woods, I like to relax and I find it difficult with a lot of activity around.
Hopefully, my little impact driver doesn't upset a local moose or bear.[emoticon]

Posted By: wa8yxm on 03/17/18 10:28am

RE: using an inpact wrench type drill v/s a non-impact model

THe noise is not all that bad but the danger is the impact may do damage

I would use a standard drill (non impact) and a proper wrench for the last little bit. But that's me.

But then I've broken a few lug nuts.. Using nothing but a common lug wrench.

Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times


Posted By: Boon Docker on 03/17/18 02:51pm

westend wrote:

That's part of the reason I stay away from commercial campgrounds. When I hit the woods, I like to relax and I find it difficult with a lot of activity around.
Hopefully, my little impact driver doesn't upset a local moose or bear.[emoticon]


If it does disturb the wild life they won't complain or get upset, they will just move on. [emoticon]

Posted By: jjjandrbaker on 09/30/18 02:10pm

Word of caution... Make sure your AC water isn’t dripping your drill. It hit mine just right and fried it. It was brand new. Black and Decker replaced it.

Posted By: STBRetired on 09/30/18 04:15pm

One of these spinner handles works quickly and silently.

1999 Newmar MACA 3796 F53 6.8L
2016 Ford Edge Sport
Roadmaster Sterling A/T with Brake Buddy Select


Posted By: jjjandrbaker on 09/30/18 07:21pm

Wow! This is just one of several things that showed up as new posts today. I didn't realize until just now that I had responded to this one 6 months ago.

Posted By: seaeagle2 on 09/30/18 10:07pm

We recently stayed at Deception Pass State Park, which is directly on the final approach to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. An F18 Growler is LOUD, the guy 3 campsites down was noisy when he was using his impact driver. Was it F18 full throttle LOUD, no, but it was noisy....

2014 F 250 Gasser
2019 Outdoors RV 21RD
"one life, don't blow it", Kona Brewing
"If people concentrated on the really important things in life there'd be a shortage of fishing poles" Doug Larson


Posted By: 2012Coleman on 10/01/18 05:35am

deleted - not use responding to a months old post someone resurrected.

Experience without good judgment is worthless; good judgment without experience is still good judgment!

2018 RAM 3500 Big Horn CTD
2018 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS

Posted By: Dave H M on 10/01/18 08:07am

You folks sure some of that is not just wood peckers? [emoticon]

Dang, my fifth wheel was built in 09 and it has electric stabilizers in the rear. [emoticon]

Print  |  Close