Power tongue Jack cost less than a buck

Dalehelman Member Posts: 2,414

July 2015 edited July 2015 in Tips & Tricks

If you use a cordless drill for your stabilizers check this out, and it will not drain your house battery.

Hash T@B Fun

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JandJ92010 Member Posts: 304

July 2015

THAT is an AWESOME idea! Well, now I know what I will be doing tomorrow, I have an electric jack, but it won't fit with the tongue box that I have. This is the answer. Thank You!!

The HobbiT@B, 2015-L, towed by a2014 RAM C/V
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Rad Member Posts: 516

July 2015

Ok, please don't take this the wrong way......The idea is clever; however when did we lose the ability to turn a crank by hand?

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jkjenn Member Posts: 6,417

July 2015

Wouldn't it take longer to take the cover off of the top of the jack than to it would to use the hand crank?

2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014
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JandJ92010 Member Posts: 304

July 2015

Rad said:

Ok, please don't take this the wrong way......The idea is clever; however when did we lose the ability to turn a crank by hand?

When we turn 63.

The HobbiT@B, 2015-L, towed by a2014 RAM C/V
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Rad Member Posts: 516

July 2015

JandJ92010 said:

Rad said:

Ok, please don't take this the wrong way......The idea is clever; however when did we lose the ability to turn a crank by hand?

When we turn 63.

I passed that milestone. I can still turn a crank, as long as I don't have to use my back. Just got a set of steroid injections in L5 on Friday as I'm hoping to hold off a second back surgery.

This whole getting old thing is not for the timid.

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Dalehelman Member Posts: 2,414

July 2015
At 69 I save my energy for more important activities.
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Sgtjohn Member Posts: 238

July 2015

JandJ92010 said:

Rad said:

Ok, please don't take this the wrong way......The idea is clever; however when did we lose the ability to turn a crank by hand?

When we turn 63.

And when we've had a total shoulder replacement on one shoulder and we have to baby the other shoulder lest we have a replacement on that side too.
(It's just part of hanging around so long).

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JandJ92010 Member Posts: 304

July 2015

I say let the battery drill do the work, it's running my stabilizers up & down anyway.

The HobbiT@B, 2015-L, towed by a2014 RAM C/V
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Dalehelman Member Posts: 2,414

July 2015
Jand: makes since to me.
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Sgtjohn Member Posts: 238

July 2015

The idea-I think is to modify the crank so that the cap remains on (which will keep the gears clean) and to set aside the hand crank for emergency use. Is that it?

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Dalehelman Member Posts: 2,414

July 2015 edited July 2015
sgtjohn: That's correct. I welded a 3/4" socket to the crank. You can also use a 3/4" socket and ratchet or a 3/4" wrench.

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Sgtjohn Member Posts: 238

July 2015

That is a great idea, having a backup in case the drill battery runs down!

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JandJ92010 Member Posts: 304

July 2015

Sgtjohn said:

That is a great idea, having a backup in case the drill battery runs down!

Oh yeah, gotta have a plan "B".

The HobbiT@B, 2015-L, towed by a2014 RAM C/V
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Allie Member Posts: 194

July 2015

Pictures are great, and give the general idea, but have a few questions about details please. What size bolt did you use to replace the crank? Did you have to drill a hole in the bolt? What does the bolt attach to (opposite side of bolt head)?

Allie
Condo A-Go-Go
2018 Casita Spirit Dlx (KONDO)
2017 Tacoma (AH GOGO)
S. UTAH
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Dalehelman Member Posts: 2,414

July 2015
1/2" bolt use the crank to determine length and where to drill hole. Use hammer to drive roll pin behind gear out. The roll pin is the only thing that keeps things together.
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Dalehelman Member Posts: 2,414

July 2015
Allie: Once you pop the top cover off and wipe off some of the grease it should make more since.
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Allie Member Posts: 194

July 2015

Dale, thanks. I'll have to take a look see before I take everything apart and screw it all up.

Allie
Condo A-Go-Go
2018 Casita Spirit Dlx (KONDO)
2017 Tacoma (AH GOGO)
S. UTAH
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Mercator Member Posts: 237

July 2015

Here is another similar solution, but using the levelling jack handle as a reserve. http://www.funfinderclub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1738

Ray and Vida Barrick
(formerly a 2013 T@B Q M@X); 2015 Jeep Sahara JKU (Max Tow)
Toronto ON Canada
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vito Member Posts: 181

July 2015

What would an electric jack cost commercially? Some of us are not skilled in welding, etc. Just curious.

2016 T@b S Maxx
2011 Subaru Outback
Rockford, Illinois
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Dalehelman Member Posts: 2,414

July 2015
No welding is needed drill 1hole then saw off the excess. Power jacks run $125 and up plus install and wiring. They will also draw considerable power from your battery.
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ericnliz Member Posts: 4,437

May 2017 edited May 2017

@Dalehelman, Thanks for the bolt! Gonna save my back & I'm with you, save my well-seasoned body energy for more fun things!

2016 T@B MAX S-aka: WolfT@B
TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
Spokane, Wa.
Eric aka: Lone Wolf

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Estancio Member Posts: 243

May 2017

Great tip! Thanks for the clear pictures.

Stancil Campbell
2011 T@B
Rockingham, NC

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Dalehelman Member Posts: 2,414

May 2017
The hole is 5/32" and it is necessary that it is centered.
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db_cooper Member Posts: 748

May 2017

Love this mod. Assuming you have a drill press for making the hole?

2015 Max S Outback | 2010 Xterra -- Retired
2022 Ford F350 Tremor | 2022 Cirrus 620

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Tabaz Member Posts: 2,421

May 2017

After living with this mod for over a year, it still brings a smile to my face each time I hitch and un-hitch the T@B. Thanks Dale!

2016 Outback 320
2024 Ford F150 Supercrew short bed.
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Dalehelman Member Posts: 2,414

May 2017
db_cooper said:

Love this mod. Assuming you have a drill press for making the hole?

It can be done with a hand drill. It just may take more than 1 attempt to get it right. Give it a try. Good luck
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drpprmt Member Posts: 117

May 2017

shucks, I have 10yrs on you and I can watch my wife turn that crank all day long. Looks like a good mod though

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BrianZ Member Posts: 1,770

June 2018 edited June 2018

In recent years, I have only used a corded drill, but can anyone recommend a good cordless drill for this purpose. I gave up on them many years ago, as batteries & chargers never seemed to last, though it may have been a cheap one and now they have lithium batteries. I can't see using an extension cord for this, but I'd be willing to buy a cordless drill to keep in the trailer.

-Brian in Chester, Virginia
TV: 2005 Toyota Sienna LE (3.3L V6)
RV: 2018 T@B 320S, >100 mods
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Newbomb_Turk Member Posts: 18

June 2018

I'm looking at retirement next year, and every time I worry about how I'm going to fill all that spare time, I just open up this forum.

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Verna Member Posts: 6,876

June 2018

I love my 20V Lithium DeWalt drill and driver set, but I use them a lot so I can justify the cost. It’s amazing how long the charges last with lithium batteries. The same 5AH batteries fit my Jigsaw, string trimmer, hedge trimmer, leaf blower, and my next purchase of a circular saw.

I used a nice Mikita the other day evening, and I think it was a lithium powered drill also. I have no idea how much it cost.

Be sure to get a Lithium battery operated drill, with at least two batteries. The charge lasts “forever” and gives you no warning it is dead and needs recharged—it just stops. The charger can also be used on an inverter if you are camping without electricity.

Verna, Columbus, IN
2021 T@B 320S Boondock “The T@B”
Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
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Power tongue Jack cost less than a buck

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