Cordless drill for leveler jacks

jdkoepselljdkoepsell Member Posts: 13
edited March 7 in Tips & Tricks
 I found that my attempts to use a variable speed drill with a three-quarter inch chuck on the leveler jacks was somewhat difficult. It seemed to jump out of my hand with the leveler was fully extended, or once it was fully retracted. I found that the drill seemed to almost jump out of my hand at eith point. I was a little concerned about hurting myself as well as hurting the camper.  Any experience with this, perhaps using some sort of a a drill or driver with less power?

Comments

  • AnOldURAnOldUR Member Posts: 1,691
    Just a heads up. Sure it's done by many owners, but if you strip the thread using a drill BAL will void the warranty.


    Stockton, New Jersey
    2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
    60,865 camping miles through the end of 2025

  • dlbdlb Member Posts: 170
    I use the power impact driver I keep in the truck.  Just be very careful when using it and set it on the lowest setting.
    2021 Tab 400 Boondock
    2020 Audi SQ5
  • pthomas745pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,482
    @jdkoepsell tell us what kind of drill you are using?  I've used a drill on mine since I've had the trailer. With a variable speed drill, it is important to take your time.  Make sure the "bit" is firmly in place and keep control of the position of the drill and the speed.
    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
  • Yoshi_TABYoshi_TAB Member Posts: 560
    Hi, if you use a drill with a variable torque setting , with a bit of experimenting, you can set it to the number that places the stabilizer foot just onto the ground , then the drill will go into free spin and not over torque or jump out of your hand. I bought a second drill body off eBay to keep in my TAB and set to the correct number. 
    2025 360 CS 
    2021 TAB 320 BD (w/new owner having fun)
    2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
    Southern Maryland
  • qhumberdqhumberd Administrator, Moderator Posts: 755
    @jdkoepsell Another tip I learned was to understand that keeping the drill on the lower speed setting is helpful to prevent the drill "jumping". Also remembering that the levelers can be a bit stuck when fully extended or retracted and if you attach the drill and then move the nut by hand clockwise to lower and counterclockwise to raise you can get the nut moving manually and then the drill can take over, going slow. This has worked for me and no more drill jumping.

    2019  T@B400 Boondock Lite "Todd"

    2016 Toyota Tundra 5.7 Crew Cab
  • gkreitzburggkreitzburg Member Posts: 61
    edited March 8
    3/8" or 1/4" ryobi are almost always on sale at home depot for under $100 I got mine last your for 69.99. just leave it and a charger in the camper -- I also keep the jack well lubed with t-9 or a good silicone based lubricant



    2023 T@B 400 Boondock
  • jdkoepselljdkoepsell Member Posts: 13
    pthomas745 the drill I was using is a DeWalt 20v brushless.
  • Grumpy_GGrumpy_G Member Posts: 683
    The drill shown in the picture has a clutch mechanism with different settings. There should be a setting that doesn't kick the drill out of your hand. 
  • pthomas745pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,482
    Have a look at the drill, and if you have the manual, grab it and review the basic settings.  There are several settings that can prevent the drill from "snapping" and twisting.  On the top, there is a "high and low" setting.  On the ring with the numbers there are symbols for a drill, etc. By adjusting the "clutch" (those numbers) it will control how much torque the drill provides before the "clutch" disengages and saves your wrist! 
    I can't explain this well, but this basic YouTube video will help.  All these little settings will help you get control of the drill.
    (Apologize if you already know this stuff...the video below was a good review for me!)
    And: Tripoley!  Can't begin to tell you how much fun that game used to be "way back when" out camping with my friends and parents!

    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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