Cordless Impact Drill for Wheel Lug Nuts

[RudeS1W]

Greetings everyone,

Has anyone ever used a cordless drill to remove lug nuts on their Class C? Been wanting to buy one to keep in the camper incase of a blowout, but don't know what voltage size or reliable brand. I'm guessing a 1/2 inch would be the size to go with. Any feedback is much appreciated.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by RudeS1W

Greetings everyone,

Has anyone ever used a cordless drill to remove lug nuts on their Class C? Been wanting to buy one to keep in the camper incase of a blowout, but don't know what voltage size or reliable brand. I'm guessing a 1/2 inch would be the size to go with. Any feedback is much appreciated.

One you use a breaker bar to break the lug loose any will work.

If one works before you break the lug loose the IMHO the nut is not TIGHT.

JMHO,

[Kraken]

Harbor freight carries some big ones for less money. It might be a good way to go considering you may never use it, or use it very rarely. I carry an Electric Black and Decker in my toad, thinking my genny works well and I have an extension cord. I'm worried that with a battery operated one, the battery will be dead when I need it with my luck.

[John.W]

I have a 1/2" Dewalt 20v cordless. It hss 1,200 lbs breakaway torque. I use a 1/2" torque wrench to secure Lug nuts.

[Ron Dittmer]

I wouldn't rely on a power tool because it won't work when you need it most. Whether an under-charged battery or is simply an under-powered tool, you or the person you help could be stranded either way. The worst part is then you resort to plan-B where somebody gets hurt.

I bought on-line for around $60, a 32" long 3/4" breaker bar, a matching deep impact socket, and a 12" long 3/4 extension to reach inside the duallies. I also carry a short 1/2" breaker bar and 3/4-to-1/2 reducer to use after the lug nuts are broken loose.

Having the right tools prevents personal injury.

[DirtRider]

I use a cordless impact. Even a 3/8" drive brushless has enough for class C lugs. As far as it being discharged--it's not a problem for me. I carry a milwaukee charger to keep up with lights, the 12V compressor, and the vacuum cleaner anyway. Extra bonus is that it's smaller and lighter than a breaker bar. I carry a 4-way as well, but don't use it.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Produc...enches/2554-20

[Mudfrog]

A cordless drill will not work at all. You will have to go with a cordless impact wrench that has the decent torque rating. The torque required varies between models so you need to find the spec for your particular motorhome, then find an impact wrench with a higher than that torque rating to remove the nuts.

On reinstalling, I would not trust an impact wrench to do the complete job. I would definitely use it to snug up the nuts but then I would do the final tightening myself with a satisfactory sized torque wrench or breaker bar. The breaker bar works fine for me with my 19.5 wheels but many would want to use a torque wrench to make sure they tightened the nuts to the torque specified in their owner's manual.

[TXiceman]

A drill will not do the job. You need a 1/2" drive impact wrench. Or simply use a 1/2" break over bar and a cheater pipe. To reinstall, never run all the way up with an impact tool. Use a torque wrench and take the torque up to spec in 3 steps.

You will also need a set on impact sockets as the regular hand sockets will break in impact use.

Ken

[RRR]

I have one of these from HF.

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-ma...mpact+wrenches

I'm a little skeptical about its 1200 pounds torque but I took my 22.5 wheels off and I know they were torqued by the tire shop to 450 lbs.

When I reinstalled them I ran them down with it then rechecked them by feel, still tight.

[powercat_ras]

I use this one. Works great, just plug into your inverter. Have no trouble breaking free my lug nut bolts with it.

$50 230 ft lbs from Harbor Freight

[Vongreg]

Originally Posted by RRR

I have one of these from HF.

https://www.harborfreight.com/20v-ma...mpact+wrenches

I'm a little skeptical about its 1200 pounds torque but I took my 22.5 wheels off and I know they were torqued by the tire shop to 450 lbs.

When I reinstalled them I ran them down with it then rechecked them by feel, still tight.

That one does work, I have seen those and the snap-on version in use in tire shops. My son in law has one and I used it to break a bolt that a breaker bar and cheater pipe wouldn’t budge.

[Skiddy]

I have a 1/2" Lowes brand (cant remember the name) 20V impact. I have had it for over 5 years and still works great, I have used it a lot on smaller lugs. it will not work on my 450lbs torque on the 22.5 wheels unless I use a breaker bar to loosen then a torque wrench to tighten. but is one of the best tools that I have and use a lot pulling a trailer. one day coming back from four wheeling I had 5 blowouts on the trailer with only 1 year old tires between the impact and floor jack, I got pretty fast with it lol

[avfordguy]

Been there done that, 110v for me all the way!

Originally Posted by Kraken

Harbor freight carries some big ones for less money. It might be a good way to go considering you may never use it, or use it very rarely. I carry an Electric Black and Decker in my toad, thinking my genny works well and I have an extension cord. I'm worried that with a battery operated one, the battery will be dead when I need it with my luck.

[Offramp]

I use a Dewalt 1/2” drive 20 volt impact wrench for use with my class C MH. I use it when rotating tires. I final torque using a Kobalt (Lowe’s store brand) 1/2” drive torque wrench.
Since I have a spare tire on the MH, I carry the impact wrench and torque wrench on trips but fortunately have not yet needed spare or wrenches. I figure the torque wrench can also serve as a breaker bar if the impact wrench failed on the road.