Using Drill To Level A TM

Philip · 05-03-2017, 08:42 AM

I have a 2008 2720 TM. I am thinking about leveling the TM using a drill on the leveling jacks.

Does anyone have experience using a drill to level. Does the drill have enough power to lift the trailer enough to level it up? Does anyone use a battery powered drill to level?

I would prefer to use a battery powered drill since I often go where there is no electric and a battery powered drill would be much easier in any event.

Anyones experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Phil

**Bill** · 05-03-2017, 08:49 AM

Many of us use an 18-volt drill to lower the jacks to ground level, and to raise them when breaking camp. It is quick and easy. But unless you have a moose of a drill, it won't lift the TM. At least mine won't.

Bill

mecicon · 05-03-2017, 08:59 AM

Assure that the screws are lubricated, and yes it will run them up/down but doubtful it will have enough torque to lift the trailer.

**inghamm** · 05-03-2017, 09:03 AM

I have a Craftsman impact wrench like this one:
https://www.craftsman.com/products/c...red-by-4ah-xcp

It does lift the trailer for leveling (and makes quite the racket while doing the heavy lifting). My battery is about half the size of the one pictured and I usually don't get 2 lifts without recharging. (So I can go down, then up, then down again, but not enough power to lift it back up)

This is the battery I have:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

**Larryjb** · 05-03-2017, 09:17 AM

So far, I've found it pretty easy to level by using a 1' level to estimate how many 5/8 pieces of plywood I need under a wheel to level side to side. Then I use the tongue jack to level end to end. I've been pretty good about estimating the plywood pieces so far. A 1/8" gap would mean I'd 2 boards under the low side, done just before unhitching the TV.

BrucePerens · 05-03-2017, 01:00 PM

Ryobi is the only brand I know of that sells a 12V charger for their batteries. This is convenient if you want to charge from the car or solar while boondocking. So I use their drill, vacuum, and air pump.

handjstar · 05-03-2017, 02:17 PM

Dewalt 18 volt drill does me fine. If your trying to raise trailer you can alway use hand drill. Using scissor jacks too much sort of makes my TM not fit together well so I get wheel and tongue as close to level as possible

rmHaar · 05-03-2017, 04:36 PM

I get it as close as I can with these
https://www.etrailer.com/Wheel-Chock...9JohoCrmTw_wcB

And then finish with the drill.

Shane826 · 05-03-2017, 04:41 PM

Like inghamm, I have a similar Craftsman cordless impact wrench (the previous generation). I had the old (not Li-Ion) Battery but it gave up the ghost. Gonna get the new XCP 4Ah battery for it. I welded bolt heads onto the existing jacks and gave away the old L-handle. It makes small work of leveling the TM.

grubbyjeans · 05-03-2017, 06:43 PM

They aren't really intended as 'leveling' jacks, rather, they stabilize the trailer once it is level.

I level side to side when positioning on the pad using a ramp on the low side. Large bubble level on the front of the trailer, placed after leveling in my driveway using a 6' level on the frame.

Level end to end when disconnecting with tongue jack.

Stabilize only with screw jacks. I use one of those $19.00 drill/light combos from Harbor Freight. Set the drill clutch to maximum tension and run the screws down until the drill clutch slips. Always do the curbside (entry side) first. If it is just a tad higher than the street side the a/c will drain to the back.