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cordless drill for jack AGAIN

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pamwilson
Reg. Sep 2004
Posted 2005-04-18 3:11 PM (#23993)
Subject: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


Member


Posts: 14

Location: Sterling, VA

Sorry I know there has been some discussion of this in the past, but not lately. I have a GN aluminum trailer, about #4300.  I've heard one I get a cordless drill to ease the effort required to raise/lower the trailer(Just turned 40 this year and yeah.. you could say I'm getting some aches and pains ).  Can you buy all the components needed at the hardware store(i.e. drill, fittings etc)?  Are the fittings standard for all trailers? What size drill at a minimum would I need? 

THANKS A BUNCH!

 

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Reg
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2005-04-18 7:19 PM (#23999 - in reply to #23993)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


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Originally written by pamwilson on 2005-04-18 3:11 PM

Sorry I know there has been some discussion of this in the past, but not lately. I have a GN aluminum trailer, about #4300. I've heard one I get a cordless drill to ease the effort required to raise/lower the trailer(Just turned 40 this year and yeah.. you could say I'm getting some aches and pains ). Can you buy all the components needed at the hardware store(i.e. drill, fittings etc)? Are the fittings standard for all trailers? What size drill at a minimum would I need?

THANKS A BUNCH!




Hi Pam (-:
I was one of the cordless drill proponents. If you do a search for author=Reg and "drill" anywhere in the subject body you'll probably find it.
Quick answer: No, it needs bits that aren't off the shelf or you can BUY something from the RV store that was too small for my (4-Star) jack. Initially I hacked up a small length of pipe to replace the manual handle and sort of chucked that up in the drill. It worked, but a MUCH better solution was when I cut up some black pipe and welded it up a bit like a hole saw, then cut slots to go around the bolt that had held the handle on.
Since that topic I've also moved to a better cordless drill (for other reasons) a 3/8 Ryobi 18V and it does a NICE job.

Kinda waste of an excercise opportunity for someone who is ONLY 40 and ONLY has a 4300 lb trailer issue to deal with (-:
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pamwilson
Reg. Sep 2004
Posted 2005-04-19 6:36 AM (#24007 - in reply to #23993)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


Member


Posts: 14

Location: Sterling, VA

Thanks Reg, I had seen some discussion on rv.net about off the shelf parts to attach to a cordless drill, that I could buy to accomplish this task.  But those are for RV, not horse trailers, so maybe the fittings are different.

I may "only" be 40, but I've decided to move into self preservation mode now that I am 40 , I think I've earned it.  And without spending $800-$2000 on an electric or hydraulic jack.

Any other suggestions are very welcome!

 

 

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Reg
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2005-04-19 7:16 AM (#24008 - in reply to #24007)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


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The diameter of the shaft is what you have to match, the bolt that holds the handle to that shaft is what I keyed on. I havn't thought about it recently, but I think mine is 1 inch and the RV ones were 3/4 or 7/8. That was PART of the reason for making one, the rest was just for the sake of tinkering. You might have different RV parts outlets in Va, so a 1 inch part may be available. I remember measuring the cranking force needed, about 5 ft lbs in low gear and you DO need to use low gear for this.

Let me know what diameter shaft your trailer has, I might send you a prototype if it is likely to fit (-:
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gus
Reg. Feb 2004
Posted 2005-04-19 7:52 AM (#24009 - in reply to #23993)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


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reg was this low gear on the drill or trailer jack?

thanks

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pamwilson
Reg. Sep 2004
Posted 2005-04-19 8:17 AM (#24011 - in reply to #23993)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


Member


Posts: 14

Location: Sterling, VA

Reg, wow, you would be a dream if you did that.  Exactly what size, type, etc etc drill do I need?  Will the Ryobi 18v cordless drill work?  Would a 14.4v or 12v work also? I see homedepot has the 18v for about $80, but you have to buy the battery pack separately, area all Ryobi drills cordless?  What is the 1/2" or 3/8" sizing on the drill?  Don't I need a reversible drill as well (to go up and down)? How many speeds do I need on the drill?

I had a 12v outlet put in my DR. It runs off the truck battery, but truck has to be turned on. I have a converter for the outlet to run 110AC?(ya know a regular 2 or 3 prong plug) also, I was hoping I could charge the drill on the way to/from shows while driving.

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gus
Reg. Feb 2004
Posted 2005-04-19 8:21 AM (#24012 - in reply to #23993)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


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Posts: 103
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reg the reason i ask i have a store bought socket made to fit my trailer and my 14 v drill would not work but i do not have a two speed jack was wondering if it was the jack or drill

thanks

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pamwilson
Reg. Sep 2004
Posted 2005-04-19 8:30 AM (#24013 - in reply to #23993)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


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Posts: 14

Location: Sterling, VA
up oh, so it sounds like maybe a 14v or less drill won't work????
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gus
Reg. Feb 2004
Posted 2005-04-19 8:37 AM (#24014 - in reply to #23993)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


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Posts: 103
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that is the reason i ask about the jack i was told by the people that make the ez jack they call the socket you use that you need a two speed jack?any way i have a few of them i traded some of my window screens for them
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Reg
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2005-04-19 11:06 AM (#24022 - in reply to #23993)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


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Hmmm, lotsa questions (-:
I don't know the lower limit for the drill, I had originally got it to work on my trailer using a black and decker 9.x (9.6 I think) cordless drill, more a cordless screwdriver than drill. Yes, low gear on the trailer and if you have the choice low speed (high torque) on the drill. It is TORQUE that you need out of the drill, that is SOME function of voltage, but if there is a choice go for the low speed high torque one vs the high speed low torque one. I think my trailer has a BullDog jack, though I don't know the model.
My 18V Royobi is part of a 5 tool kit that I bought on impulse, I really don't know whether or not the 14.x and 12.something ones would be adequate - maybe.
I'd guess mine would take the trailer on and off the truck 4 or 5 times between recharges, but I havn't run any sort of test. Yes, reversible and if I remember correctly mine winds counter clockwise to raise the trailer.
If YOUR trailer winds clockwise to raise you could get by with a non-reversing drill, after all LOWERING the trailer is easy enough - if you get the truck in the right place and don't have to raise/lower again and again (-:


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packerpete
Reg. Mar 2004
Posted 2005-04-19 11:50 AM (#24025 - in reply to #24022)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


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It was easy enough to TRY this on my (4600 lb) Exiss. I just needed a 13/16" socket and drive adapter, which mostly was stuff I already had in my shop. I understand that some trailers have "more complicated setup". BUT, using a 9.6 volt Makita does NOT work, even with FULLY charged batteries on high torque setting. Is this a reason to buy a new tool???

Maybe... but it only takes about 30 seconds to do it manually and somedays it takes more effort to lift the saddle up on my mule...let alone those full pack paniers.

Then again, maybe we need to propose a test of cordless drill manufacturers. I am guessing that you need a fully charged cordless drill of significant power (14 Volt) to do this operation.

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Reg
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2005-04-19 12:24 PM (#24026 - in reply to #23993)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


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As I said, it takes about 5 ft lbs of torque on MY 4 horse head to head 4-Star with the Bulldog jack in low gear, I really DO NOT know how this compares to other trailers. I determined this by measuring the length of the crank handle and hanging lead dive weights on it when in the horizontal position. If you do something similar and compare it to torque specs for the drills you won't have to buy to try them. Adding in a factor for inefficiency, friction, etc. I'd look for a 100 inch lb or greater drill. BTW, be sure you have the grip, wrist and forearm strength to hold onto the drill - i.e. DO NOT sue me if you hurt yourself because either you don't hold it tight enough or can't and it whips around and hurts you.
OTOH, if you do have the grip, wrist and forearm strength you can probably put up with the hand crank for a few more years (-:
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Reg
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2005-04-19 12:32 PM (#24028 - in reply to #23993)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


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I think in the other topic we were comparing this to an alternative that was several (a few) hundred dollars, i.e. having to buy another tool just for this purpose isn't THAT bad compared to the alternative that was being considered at the time.
I still favor the hand crank, heck everything else we do around horses requires SOME effort (WORK) and this is probably less than shovelling out ONE trailer stall (-:
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pamwilson
Reg. Sep 2004
Posted 2005-04-19 12:47 PM (#24030 - in reply to #23993)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


Member


Posts: 14

Location: Sterling, VA

I do see Regs point, that if you have the strength to hold the drill still, you should have the strength to crank/uncrank manually.  Well I felt I had to investige this but I'm starting to think this may be the wrong avenue to venture down.  My jack(the jack on the trailer) I believe does not have a speed, it's all manual.

It is quite a bit of work for me though, I have to stop after a few cranks once the tension builds and rest my arms. My BP was SO much easier, I'm disappointed about that part of now owning a GN. I just got my new trailer last month.

Eventually I may look into the electric jack, it's just not really in the budget right now. Or maybe by then I will have built up enough arm strength to do it, all 113 lbs of me

 

 

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Reg
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2005-04-19 3:54 PM (#24040 - in reply to #24030)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


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Probably against the forum rules to comment on another member's age and weight, but...

113 lbs and I think you said 40 ?
LUCKY YOU !

It really would NOT be worth having a_single_'nother_pound just for cranking a trailer off a truck (-:
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maccwall
Reg. May 2004
Posted 2005-04-20 1:29 PM (#24059 - in reply to #24040)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN



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Posts: 524
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Location: Lone Oak, Tx
If anybody wants an inexpensive 18v cordless drill for this project, check this out.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/category.taf?f=clearancesale&...

Safe Riding,
Todd
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pamwilson
Reg. Sep 2004
Posted 2005-04-20 1:50 PM (#24060 - in reply to #23993)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


Member


Posts: 14

Location: Sterling, VA

Hey Mac, do you know anything about this brand?  Heck, it may be worth it to get this drill even if it does not help me raise/lower my trailer, For $20 I'm sure I can use this type of drill for another purpose.  But then there is always "if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is".

Thanks,

Pamela

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chadsalt
Reg. Nov 2004
Posted 2005-04-20 2:24 PM (#24061 - in reply to #24060)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


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Originally written by pamwilson on 2005-04-20 1:50 PM

Hey Mac, do you know anything about this brand?  Heck, it may be worth it to get this drill even if it does not help me raise/lower my trailer, For $20 I'm sure I can use this type of drill for another purpose.  But then there is always "if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is".

Thanks,

Pamela




ive used that brand before, you do get what you pay for....i have a 12 volt porter cable now it cost me $140
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maccwall
Reg. May 2004
Posted 2005-04-20 2:59 PM (#24064 - in reply to #24060)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN



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Posts: 524
500
Location: Lone Oak, Tx
I have one and it works fine for I use it for. I've never had a problem with it. I also have a DeWalt and if I had to chose between the two to use for this application I'd go with the $20.00 one and not opt to tear up my $200.00 DeWalt.

Safe Riding,
Todd
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chadsalt
Reg. Nov 2004
Posted 2005-04-20 4:36 PM (#24072 - in reply to #24064)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


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Location: sc

Originally written by maccwall on 2005-04-20 3:59 PM

I have one and it works fine for I use it for. I've never had a problem with it. I also have a DeWalt and if I had to chose between the two to use for this application I'd go with the $20.00 one and not opt to tear up my $200.00 DeWalt. Safe Riding, Todd

thats actually a pretty good point.

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MrTruck
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2005-04-20 5:01 PM (#24073 - in reply to #23993)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN



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Posts: 1160
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Location: Denver Colorado
Harbor Frieight also has a cordless 1/2" impact wrench, 19 volt (Chinese of course) for $150. It's a Chicago brand that I've bought from them 20 years ago. So I'm going to buy one to change tires on road. I'm sure it would work well for the trailer jack. I'm over 40 and jumping up and down on a star wrench to change tires, doesn't appeal to me anymore. I've got a 12 volt power inverter too, so I can charge it up on the go. 
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chadsalt
Reg. Nov 2004
Posted 2005-04-20 8:59 PM (#24077 - in reply to #23993)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


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sure looks like things get complicated after 40.  sorry, couldnt help myself.

Edited by chadsalt 2005-04-20 9:01 PM
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MrTruck
Reg. Oct 2003
Posted 2005-04-20 9:49 PM (#24080 - in reply to #23993)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN



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Posts: 1160
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Location: Denver Colorado
I wish I could remember my thirties. Forties means 4 times the vitamins to get going and 4 times the coffee, 4 times more in the bathroom....maybe I've turned fifty and didn't know it.
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Turfa
Reg. Mar 2004
Posted 2005-04-20 9:59 PM (#24082 - in reply to #23993)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


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Posts: 171
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Location: Henderson, TN 38340

Here's another option Check out the "Power Drives" at www.Superwinch.com.  I think that this will slip right onto the jack shaft with a pipe coupling.  Lots of torque for a single speed jack.

 

Turfa

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pamwilson
Reg. Sep 2004
Posted 2005-04-21 6:14 AM (#24096 - in reply to #23993)
Subject: RE: cordless drill for jack AGAIN


Member


Posts: 14

Location: Sterling, VA

So I'm intrigued by the power winch, but being a mechanically challanged person, I'm haven't a clue  where to go to find someone to put this thing together for me, any suggestions? 

I did start slowing down a bit at 40, but I *think* I'm a bit wiser about how I spend my time and energy, hence starting this thread about how to easy my hitching experience, I often have to hitch/unhitch 2 times in a weekend when going to a show, it just wears me out.  My friend thinks my hitch fitting need greasing or something, b/c she says her Sundowner is really easy, again my mechanically challenged brain says how do I grease fittings? And where are they?  I guess something this is quite obvious to many of you folks.

 

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