Power drills for levelling

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   A separate thread got me thinking about this.
Power drills are commonly used on the stabilizer jacks, especially on bigger trailers. I tried the 'power drill method', too, for levelling but found that the few seconds saved in the levelling process (at most 30 seconds total) wasn't worth the time to get the drill out, so now I just crank away. 

Good excercise, too.

(I guess there is a little Luddite in me)

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Happy Tripping Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 May 2014 Online Status: Offline Posts: 473	Topic: Power drills for levelling Posted: 23 May 2018 at 7:48am
	A separate thread got me thinking about this. Power drills are commonly used on the stabilizer jacks, especially on bigger trailers. I tried the 'power drill method', too, for levelling but found that the few seconds saved in the levelling process (at most 30 seconds total) wasn't worth the time to get the drill out, so now I just crank away. Good excercise, too. (I guess there is a little Luddite in me)

Pod People Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 22 Sep 2011 Location: Chapel Hill,NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 1078	Posted: 23 May 2018 at 8:11am
	One reason for not using a power drill is that the drill can raise the stabilizers too much. I have seen people using a power drill and continue to raise the stabilizer as far as possible. this can produce undue stress on the frame. remember that the 4 corners have stabilizers, not levelers. level the trailer first, then use the stabilizers. Put the stabilizers down until they touch and then only a few extra turns. Vann
	Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179

lostagain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2595	Posted: 23 May 2018 at 8:18am
	I couldn't agree more, Happy. Our practice it to keep everything on our Pod as simple as possible. The more simple, the less stuff breaks. And the less stuff breaks, the less time you spend fixing it instead of camping. And for those of us on a retirement income, the more simple things are, the less costly the Pod upkeep.
	Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Tars Tarkas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1447	Posted: 23 May 2018 at 8:24am
	I use a drill for the stabilizers and for the tongue jack. I converted it to have a 3/4" nut instead of a crank handle. The drill works great. I can't agree with the idea that using the drill encourages people to lower the stabilizers too far. It might make it easier, but you won't do it if you know what and why you are doing. You can lower the stabilizers too far by hand. Drills don't lower stabilizers too far, people do. I recently got a BAL leveler and I use the drill for that too. (So far I'm not all that sold on the BAL. I have 14" tires and I'm having way too much trouble getting it under them. It's nice once it's under there.) TT
	2010 176 FJ Cruiser

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2654	Posted: 23 May 2018 at 9:05am
	I'm with TT. Drills don't hurt stabilizers (or other things) people do. I keep my portable in it's little case inside the "garage". It's handy when I'm doing setup, and speeds up the process. When the drill is set to a low torque value, I think you also get a more consistent setting (as opposed to the theoretical "calibrated elbow".
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

mcarter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Posted: 23 May 2018 at 9:51am
	+2
	Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

texman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 24 Jul 2014 Location: TeXas Online Status: Offline Posts: 446	Posted: 23 May 2018 at 9:59am
	i use an old dewalt that was beyond reconditioning. So it has just enough torque for ground contact and and then the clutch slips. The drill was destined for the trash, so this was a way to get some good out of it still. just have to remember the batteries is the only catch and after leveling, the stabilizers are down in about 2 minutes and no sweat.
	TexMan 2015 182g 2018 Sequoia TexManMods

Subzilla Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jan 2017 Location: Concord, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 302	Posted: 23 May 2018 at 10:26am
	+1 with texman and glueguy.....set the torque to the proper amount based on judgement and you're good
	Mark Concord, NC 2017 RP 179 "Podzilla" 2011 Silverado 1500 4X4

craigwood Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 31 Oct 2016 Location: New Meadows ID Online Status: Offline Posts: 21	Posted: 23 May 2018 at 10:38am
	TT - I am very interested in your modification to the tongue crank to remove the handle and replace with a 3/4" nut. Any pictures? How to suggestions? This mod would free up space to open the rear gate of the PU I use as tow vehicle. Thanks!

Tars Tarkas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1447	Posted: 23 May 2018 at 12:28pm
	I'll post back later with a pic. It's really pretty simple though. TT
	2010 176 FJ Cruiser