Tool to lower stabilizer scessor jacks

[T and C]

Originally Posted by Bill

The handiest tool for lowering the stabilizers is an Allen wrench (also known as a hex key) and a cordless drill. Buy a 1/4" or 3/8" Allen wrench for less than a buck, put the long end in the drill's chuck, and hook the short end through the center of the jack and out through the hole in the side. Zoom!

The cordless drill is probably not powerful enough to actually raise the TM, but if you have an 18-volt drill, you can run the stabilizers up and down a dozen times or more before a recharge is needed.

Are you sure you don't have the hand crank? It is often hidden under the mattress, or occasionally on the back of the sofa (if you have one).

Bill

I have read that the allen wrench "eats", or wears unevenly, the hole in the stabilazing jack. I bought my trailer used and the holes are obviously not round and the edges are bent out a little.

I ordered a "J" fitting from my local RV store. It was seven bucks or so. It is completely rounded, fits in my drill, and hopefully will not make the holes wear unevenly in the future.

Tom

[Bill]

Originally Posted by T and C

I have read that the allen wrench "eats", or wears unevenly, the hole in the stabilazing jack. I bought my trailer used and the holes are obviously not round and the edges are bent out a little.

It is very true, the hardened-steel Allen wrench does eat at the edges of the hole. People continue to be concerned about that, and I'm not sure why. To the best of my knowledge the hole has no function other than hosting the Allen wrench. It is by no means a precision-sized or -shaped hole, and I've never seen a tool specifically made to fit it.

Bill

[mjlaupp]

I use a modified foundation bolt and a Craftsman 19.2 volt drill. I can lift my 3326 off the ground with this combination. You can buy a foundation bolt from almost any hardware/builder supply store for less than a $.
http://www.anchorboltsource.com/rangle.html
I cut dimension C to about 1/2 length and filed 3 flats in the threads so it would not slip in the drill chuck.

[Wavery]

I just purchased 4-new jacks with the 3/4" hex on them. I have the professionally made S/S drill adapter tool for the hook type jacks and the long hand crank tool for sale if anyone is interested........$15 plus shipping.

Maybe I am older than most who post here, but while I do have a Dewalt battery drill that works fine with the jacks and I use it where power is not available, I actually prefer using my old 3/8' heavy duty electric drill with an extension cord. The extension cord might be an extra weight but I use it for multiple purposes such as putting a fan in my screen tent and the electric drill will outdo most if not all battery operated drills. My battery drill is the backup for use in the storage lot or for primitive (rare) camping.

Don't forget all work is fun - if you have the right tools! Here is a link to what I use with an Allen :
http://tinyurl.com/23fwkel