DIY BAL Jack Socket

[bdosborn]

Tired of the time commitment and drudgery of lowering/raising your BAL jacks? Do you need more time for friends and family? I have the solution for you! We have BAL stabilizer jacks on all four corners of our trailer (which IMHO are the best jack available for a small trailer) :



Each pair comes with a jack handle:



The socket has a slot in it that goes over the jack screw:



I ended up with 2 jack handles so I was going to cut the socket end off one and stick it in my cordless drill. No more drudgery! BUT, then I looked at the price for replacement handles as I tend to loose things and they're not cheap! So I made one for $3 with a 5/8 deep socket and drill adapter from HF Tools. I just cut a slot in the socket with a grinder. Try and get the slot centered in the socket or its a bit wobbly but other than that its a cinch:



Here is is in the drill:



How does it work? Well its pretty fast and drudgery free. I don't think I'll take it camping but it's nice for use when we get home:

YouTube video

Bruce

[Miriam C.]

Great idea but I would take it with me..

[kirkman]

Nice!

[bdosborn]

Oh look, here's a company that makes them:

Socket Jenie



$24 delivered.

Bruce

[CliffinGA]

When we bought our pop up the RV dealer told us the size of socket to use with out modifing it. Since then I've just always take the cordless with a socket bit when ever we take it out camping.

Cliff

[Wolffarmer]

Why not take your drill with you? I often do, toss in some drill bits. Never know what might happen. Also do like I do, I also toss in a beater from an electric egg beater. Works pretty good.



Randy

[bdosborn]

Why not take your drill with you? I often do, toss in some drill bits. Never know what might happen. Also do like I do, I also toss in a beater from an electric egg beater. Works pretty good.

Hmm, that's a good idea! I night need to post a video of that.

Bruce

[Verna]

Why not take your drill with you? I often do, toss in some drill bits. Never know what might happen. Also do like I do, I also toss in a beater from an electric egg beater. Works pretty good.



Randy

I like that one!!! And, I'll have to remember it, too

Don't forget your leather gloves can be used as pot holders--my sister hates that one

Verna

[k1w1cruzer]

I converted my 12v battery drill by taking out the battery and attaching a long lead that plugs into the 12v cigar lighter. Now I don't ever have to worry about the drill battery going flat. The lead is just light 12v cable so no weight to carry round and its long enough to reach right round the 4x4 and the camper