12k Trailer Jack Drill Adapter

[JCoastie]

I recently purchased a new trailer and the 12k jack has such a low gear ratio, I found myself cranking it 60 times to get it on/off my truck, so I wanted to create a drill adapter. In the 12 years I have had a trailer, I have never had a reason to unhitch it with something still on the trailer, so I'm not sure if this would work under load or not, but for my unloaded use, it works just fine. I did a mock up first just as a proof of concept.

Once that worked successfully I made it smaller for the finished product, just using a 1 inch diameter threaded pipe at 3 inches in length with a hole drilled through the middle which lines up with the factory hole for the stock handle, a 1 inch end cap, and a threaded rod coupling nut and bolt/lock washer. I had the right size bolt laying around, not sure what size it is, but the head is 3/4 which is the largest deep well socket I could fit inside the pipe to tighten it, so that was nice. Everything is put together with red locktite and an impact wrench. If need be I can have a neighbor weld it, but it does not seem to require much force in use.

Obviously the opposite handle needs to be removed before use, but this is what it looks like mounted. Handle stays with the trailer in the storage compartment.

 

[AWSubie]

Practical, inexpensive, I like it!

 

[Cataclysm]

I welded up a similar adapter a while back. I just got tired of cranking that jack.

 

[JCoastie]

That's real nice, I was looking for some type of yoke like that, but wasn't having any luck.

 

[Fxfymn413]

What type of impact tool are you using to power it? 1/2", 1/4", 12v, 20v, etc.??

 

[ddbackhoe]

What type of impact tool are you using to power it? 1/2", 1/4", 12v, 20v, etc.??

My choice would be one that can do lug nuts too (just in case)

 

[Fxfymn413]

My choice would be one that can do lug nuts too (just in case)

I always carry a 20V 1/2" impact with me when I'm towing. It is priceless if you have to change a tire. But I'm curious about which tool he is using since a friend tried using the same impact I have on his GN jack and it would not work. The impact gun is the highest torque rated impact DeWalt makes.

 

[Hay Dude]

I bet you could sell those on line for $50.
I’d buy one.
I think an impact might vibrate the gears in the jack too much?
Maybe better with a low speed 1/2” cordless drill? Like an electricians drill, but 20V cordless?

 

[Fallon]

I might copy this...

An impact driver is going to cause a lot more wear & tear than a drill. Hammering on precision parts & mild steel deforms them pretty quickly. Not sure if gears in a jack qualify as precision or are made out of some kind of hardenable steel, but the principle still stands.

 

[coldsteelva]

High torque is fine, but I wouldn't use an impact either. You want the turn without the hammer.

 

[JCoastie]

just using an 18v Ryobi drill on low, (higher torgue, lower speed) I didn't think an impact would be good for the gears. Even on low, it's pretty quick moving the jack position. When the rain stops, I'll try to get a video.

 

[Hay Dude]

You oughta make those, paint em black and sell em.
With the popularity of cordless drills, and the standard size of the jack stub, theyd sell like Pats Easy Change.

 

[4570Man]

What type of impact tool are you using to power it? 1/2", 1/4", 12v, 20v, etc.??

An impact will eventually cause damage to the jack. You need a continuous rotation tool like a drill.

 

[Hay Dude]

An impact will eventually cause damage to the jack. You need a continuous rotation tool like a drill.

A slip clutch equipped drill would be a good idea, too

 

[JDZ735M]

A slip clutch equipped drill would be a good idea, too

I don't think it has a slip clutch but this would do it.

Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Hole Hawg Right Angle Drill (Tool-Only) 2707-20 - The Home Depot

Afford high performance of your battery by choosing this inexpensive Milwaukee M LithiumIon Brushless Cordless Hole Hawg Right Angle Drill.

www.homedepot.com

 

[newbury]

Along similar lines I purchased a BIG RED T10152 Torin Steel Scissor Lift Jack Car Kit for my trailer. Found when I slide it back under the axles cranking it was a royal pain.
/edit due to handle length and configuration.
So I slid a 6 point socket on an extension for my 20v Max drill and slipped the socket over where the crank handle connects. Easy as can be.

 

[JCoastie]

As above, just using a standard old (non-brushless) 18v Ryobi 1/2 drill with a hex to 3/8 adapter and deep well socket.
the small 1.5ah battery didn't work well, but the 3a worked just fine.
Drill is an old P271, long discontinued, I'm sure modern drill will work even better.

Here is a short video, wobbly with one hand on the drill and one on the camera. New video by JCoastie

 

[Cataclysm]

I have a small plasma table that I cut the yokes on. I weld on 2 different nut sizes. The big one is an extra lug nut off the trailer, the small one is a 14mm socket that is used to run the speedbinders. That way I have at least 2 common sockets to run the trailer jack.

As mentioned, I wouldn't use an impact. I run it in low range, and it won't lift the trailer off the gooseneck when the 6-ton excavator is loaded. It is a wrist twister when you are raising the jack leg and it hits the stop.

Here is the drill I use.

 

[Cataclysm]

I bet you could sell those on line for $50.
I’d buy one.
I think an impact might vibrate the gears in the jack too much?
Maybe better with a low speed 1/2” cordless drill? Like an electricians drill, but 20V cordless?

If you are directing that to me I have thought about making a few extras.

One added benefit is theft deterrent. I run the trailer jack all the way down and take the adapter and original handle with me. The trailer is too low to get on a ball and no easy way to raise it.

 

[Hay Dude]

If you are directing that to me I have thought about making a few extras.

One added benefit is theft deterrent. I run the trailer jack all the way down and take the adapter and original handle with me. The trailer is too low to get on a ball and no easy way to raise it.

No, J Coastie, but you as well!