Drill operated tongue jack

[KSH]

I bought an electric tongue jack, and while removing my side winder jack I decided to cut off the handle and weld a bolt to it. My first weld, not pretty but it works! $2.50 bolt, and I'm going to return the $200 electric jack.

[chuckster57]

Have you actually raised the tongue using a portable drill?

If so, that's one creative fix.

[KSH]

I did, worked great!

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[slow]

I did something similar. You will find it convenient and much faster than a manual or electric tongue jack. Just be sure to slow down near the top and lower limits.

In my case I bought a top wind tongue jack and removed the handle and replaced it with a coupler nut with a 3/4" inch hex that I drilled out the threads to fit on the 1/2" diameter shaft. I also cross drilled the hex nut for the original handle mount bolt. I now use my drill for the tongue jack, Propride bar jacks and stabilizer jacks. Makes set up and take down quick.

[KSH]

I saw yours a while back, that's why I gave it a try on mine. slightly different with the same intention.

[jimbari]

Very cool.
If you're concerned about the welding job, grab your grinder and dress it up.
I find my 4" cut off grinder to be my friend when MIG welding!
Enjoy.

[KSH]

I like that it looks like my first attempt, if I get more practice I'll clean it up.

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[jujustad]

I would love to do this for my husband as a surprise. I was thinking about a power jack but this makes more sense in our situation How powerful does the drill/driver need to be? I would like to be able to use this on the jack and the stabilizers. Our trailer is about 5500 pounds. Thanks!

[slow]

I use a Milwaukee brushless with 725 in-lb of torque so not a problem. Not sure what the minimum requirement is but I suspect a brand name 18v would work.


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[Steve S]

Just make sure that you charge your cordless batteries before you go

[KSH]

Originally Posted by jujustad

I would love to do this for my husband as a surprise. I was thinking about a power jack but this makes more sense in our situation How powerful does the drill/driver need to be? I would like to be able to use this on the jack and the stabilizers. Our trailer is about 5500 pounds. Thanks!

I use an 18v Milwaukee cordless drill driver. Trailer is 6200lbs dry. No problems yet. Yes, make sure battery is charged. I use the same driver that I use for the scissor jacks.

[cospilot]

umm so as i understand it you had a 200.00 jack that runs off the battery on the camper and or truck that already raises and lowers the tongue with the press of a button.

and instead you now have an old jack with a bolt welded on it that relies on a 200.00 battery powered drill who's battery could go dead leaving the only option to put a wrench on it and crank by hand manually?

Brilliant!

I get that your trying to save money, but it seems $200.00 is a small investment for that piece of hardware that in my opinion saves a lot of time and frustration.
but whatever floats your boat i guess..

[KSH]

No,I had a regular jack, bought the $200 one, decided to modify my existing one, and returned the one I had just bought for $200. Already had the drill for the scissor lift, so the whole thing cost me less than $5

[notanlines]

Yep, it helps to read all the posts carefully! Anyway, KSH, good job. AND, I'll also compliment you on your "glob weld." Most first timers wouldn't be able to send a picture of their product because it simply wouldn't hold together that long.

[KSH]

Haha, that I figure that glob will hold together long after it breaks somewhere else

[jujustad]

thanks for the info