Tool to lower stabilizer scessor jacks

My second problem of the day in going over the Trailmanor. We went to lower the scissor stabilizer jacks that are on my unit, but the tool I thought was used to lower them was not the correct tool. I think what I have is a crank for the automatic jack. At any rate, we wound up lowering them by sticking a small screw driver in the side hole and turning them this way (after lubricating them good) This is not the way to do it I know. I also know I read about you all using a drill to put them down, but I thought you all said you used a 3/4" socket, but my memory is awful and I will have to find those posts again. At any rate a socket by itself is not going to work, so I must be wrong. But what does the tool look like to lower them manually?

[commodor47]

The stabilizer crank looks similar to this:

http://www.rvwholesalers.com/catalog...e-15-0221.html

Our unit uses the "J" hook style.

Dick

[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

+1 for the Allen wrench and 18v drill. Only thing I have ever used on two TMs.

Thanks Commodore47 for the link and the picture. Now I know what it looks like. I couldn't enlarge picture to see end better, but it looks like it right angles a bit to be able to go inside and grab that side hole.

Bill I will look further under the mattress. I did find the awning crank there, but not the stabilizer crank. I will go out and look more thoroughly. Thanks.

[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.

If I recall, someone on this list was recently selling a stabilizer crank should it come to that. A search would find it, assuming it is still available. But as others have suggested, a 18v drill with a 3/8" allen wrench is by far the best way to go...