Curiosity - impact drivers

[rheffner]

I notice a majority of folks using an impact driver when lowering and raising their stabilizer jacks. Aside from the undue wear and tear on the stabilizer jacks by using an impact driver, not to mention the obnoxiously loud noise of the impact driver, why are they being used as opposed to a run-of-the-mill drill driver?

 

[Twinboat]

I too wonder that. A simple drill would be all that would be needed but maybe they also use the impact for tire changing.

 

[dblr]

Actually, somebody on YouTube has just put out a video and said it is best to use the drill instead of the impact as most using an impact over tighten and could possibly damage their jacks.

 

[Rhumblefish]

why are they [impact drivers] being used as opposed to a run-of-the-mill drill driver?

Dunno/qood question.

In my particular case, I ended up with a (great) combo deal at a big box store that landed me a screwgun AND an impact driver (plus batteries and charger) that basically provided the impact driver for free. The screwgun lives on the rig while the impact driver stays home to augment the home screwgun.

Some may be in the situation where they need a screwgun at home and the impact driver - potentially seen as a low use device - might get relegated to being dedicated to the camper. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Whatever it is, it's definitely a distinct call in the campground for late arrivals, as well as early departures.

an impact [driver] [could] over tighten and could possibly damage their jacks.

Yeup, though there's a clutch on these things for a reason. Hopefully people are using them properly (or, as properly as possible).

Just my .02 - I could be wrong.

 

[ejl923]

A large amount of people don’t know how to use stabilizer jacks, using them to level their camper, lifting wheels a little etc. I use an impact gun because it doubles as other things like emergency repair, but I only use it to lower them to the ground, then usually hand tighten /adjust from there. No ratcheting. Yup, I also hear the racket of the impact gun, and many times those peoples jacks are all bent to hell as well. Can’t say it bothers me. Short lived sound, and not my equipment being beat on

 

[TitanMike]

I notice a majority of folks using an impact driver when lowering and raising their stabilizer jacks. Aside from the undue wear and tear on the stabilizer jacks by using an impact driver, not to mention the obnoxiously loud noise of the impact driver, why are they being used as opposed to a run-of-the-mill drill driver?

Simple answer is that all to many today don't care about anyone else but themselves while camping.

Impact guns are only one item on the sadly growing list.

Excessive night time lighting, and loud campfire parties, barking dogs, pet waste, loud generators, -------------

 

[kenandterry]

Simple answer is that all to many today don't care about anyone else but themselves while camping.

Impact guns are only one item on the sadly growing list.

Excessive night time lighting, and loud campfire parties, barking dogs, pet waste, loud generators, -------------

Yup….its the me, myself and I mentality we’ve come to be surrounded by.
It’s sad.

 

[TitanMike]

Yup….its the me, myself and I mentality we’ve come to be surrounded by.
It’s sad.

It's caused Boondocking to rise to the top of my list of places to camp.

 

[ejl923]

Simple answer is that all to many today don't care about anyone else but themselves while camping.

Impact guns are only one item on the sadly growing list.

Excessive night time lighting, and loud campfire parties, barking dogs, pet waste, loud generators, -------------

I’m a dog owner who is hyper aware of barking. It’s the reason our old dog never came with us. My new dog is better, but as I walk around the campground with him it’s evident people don’t care, and cg owners don’t enforce. One class a had a giant lab lay on the dash all day, and every time someone walked by barked to high heaven. Leaving dogs unattended is worse.

The lights is a good one. The new campers have that long line of bright leds that people like to keep on all night, making the inside of my camper like daylight even with shades shut. Pet waste is everywhere. Why people think they don’t need to pick up is beyond me.

Ok, enough get off my lawn! Back to impact drivers.

 

[rvlife_63f552b988ea1]

I carry both a drill and an impact wrench. The drill is for the stabilizers and the impact wrench is for changing tires.

 

[itat]

Fortunately, we have auto-level on our TT but I see it all the time at campgrounds. To me it is an annoyance but its only for a minute or so and I expect to have to hear reasonable noises from others at a campground, so no sweat. However, if you arrive later in the evening, say after 8pm (bed time for infants and younger kids), I would consider using a loud impact driver or impact wrench poor etiquette. Using them after 10pm is probably against every campgrounds' rules.

 

[Aussieguy]

I need both...

only got a breaker bar ... And last time I changed a tire people around me would have welcomed the noise of a impact gun

no one should have had to hear what I said that day ...... %$#^&%$ %$$ %$%#

but can get good amount of torque on the stabilizers

PS never had to use the breaker bar on stabilizer...... it's electric !

 

[TitanMike]

Fortunately, we have auto-level on our TT but I see it all the time at campgrounds. To me it is an annoyance but its only for a minute or so and I expect to have to hear reasonable noises from others at a campground, so no sweat. However, if you arrive later in the evening, say after 8pm (bed time for infants and younger kids), I would consider using a loud impact driver or impact wrench poor etiquette. Using them after 10pm is probably against every campgrounds' rules.

Late at night isn't as bad as 5:30AM as they are getting ready to leave. Nothing like the symphony of Impact Wrench, Idling Diesel, slamming doors, and the shouting often accompanying the rest. Some of these can't be helped but the rest?

At least at night many are still awake.

 

[itat]

Late at night isn't as bad as 5:30AM as they are getting ready to leave. Nothing like the symphony of Impact Wrench, Idling Diesel, slamming doors, and the shouting often accepting the rest. Some of these can't be helped but the rest?

At least at night many are still awake.

True that!

 

[Oaklevel]

I agree with the noise issue........................ but you can by the quick release socket at any RV store for use with a drill driver so no surprise that so many use them.

So they are used frequently with a drill driver see it all the time.

 

[Oaklevel]

This what I see used all the time and yes they can be noisy. But this set up is being used often and no it does not usually cause damage just unwelcome noise.

 

[bikendan]

I notice a majority of folks using an impact driver when lowering and raising their stabilizer jacks. Aside from the undue wear and tear on the stabilizer jacks by using an impact driver, not to mention the obnoxiously loud noise of the impact driver, why are they being used as opposed to a run-of-the-mill drill driver?

As someone who uses a cordless drill for this, I have only seen someone use an impact driver a couple of times for this.
Not sure where you live but it's not common out West, from my perspective.

 

[RobbieH]

I had someone using an impact in our last campground. They were also using cinder blocks under their leveling jacks, seems like a lot of weight to be toting around. This was in central Texas.

 

[Nick Danger]

I notice a majority of folks using an impact driver when lowering and raising their stabilizer jacks. Aside from the undue wear and tear on the stabilizer jacks by using an impact driver, not to mention the obnoxiously loud noise of the impact driver, why are they being used as opposed to a run-of-the-mill drill driver?

My guess would be that "said individuals" aren't aware of the difference between the 2?

Not everyone is fluent in mechanics.

 

[Superglenn1966]

As to your original question, I believe people just don't understand that a scissor jack on our RV's are not meant to be used to "level" the RV, they are meant to be used to "stabilize" the RV. Using an "impact/hammer" drill they are attempting to level the RV without using tire ramps. As you said it will create unnecessary wear and tear on the jack I agree the noise is disturbing. I'm ok with the noise during the day but when they are "levelling" at night it gets obnoxious. I have a tendency to look at "stupid" and roll my eyes. hahaha

Glenn