Cordless Drill for Socket Genie and 2005 Viking / Coachman PUP

[kampingkoge]

Was wondering if anybody uses the socket genie to raise the roof on their 2005 Viking or Coachman pups and if so what type of drill are you using?   I just ordered a socket genie and am currently researching cordless drills.  Per the company's website they are recommending a 1/2 inch 24volt cordless drill .... any suggestions.  Is 24volts really needed?

[DT Sante Fe]

Was wondering if anybody uses the socket genie to raise the roof on their 2005 Viking or Coachman pups and if so what type of drill are you using? I just ordered a socket genie and am currently researching cordless drills. Per the company's website they are recommending a 1/2 inch 24volt cordless drill .... any suggestions. Is 24volts really needed?

I hear many people have had luck with a 1/2 inch, 18 volt Dewalt.  I would think you would want to find a drill with metal gears. I have yet to spend the money on a good cordless. I  use a corded 1/2 drill at home when I need to open up the Pup

[wavery]

Was wondering if anybody uses the socket genie to raise the roof on their 2005 Viking or Coachman pups and if so what type of drill are you using?   I just ordered a socket genie and am currently researching cordless drills.  Per the company's website they are recommending a 1/2 inch 24volt cordless drill .... any suggestions.  Is 24volts really needed?

I used this one on our Coleman PU, 12' roof with AC:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00911542000P?adCell=A3

I've seen this on sale at Kmart for as low as $59 (with 2 batteries). I think that I paid $89 for it. Make sure you get the one that comes with 2 batteries. You can find the drill for $49 with no battery but the batteries are like $35 each.

It did the job on my roof but it sometimes took both batteries to raise the roof.

[kampingkoge]

I was on dewalts web site and was looking at the corded 1/2 inch drills as well, specifically the DW249.  About 100.00 cheaper than a cordless drill.  Anybody have any expericnce with the corded drills, any reason why I would not want to use a corded drill to raise the roof?  Seems all the posts regarding socket genies and drills refer to cordless.

[He Ruide]

Gary,

There are two reasons why a cordless is preferred to a corded drill.  First, you are limiting yourself to using it only when you have CG hookup.  Second, most of us that use a drill to raise the roof also use it to lower and raise the stablizers, tongue jack and BAL leveller.  Moving around a PUP with a corded drill is possible but much easier with a cordless drill.

If you don't dry camp and only want to raise and lower the roof, then a corded drill may be an option.

Ruide

[E3-n-Austin]

So looking at the different sockets/bits that can be bought on this site to be used for raising/lowering roofs, which would you guys recommend for the E3?

[kampingkoge]

I have a portable Honda 2000 watt generator that I use for my dry camping, so power source not such a big deal .... just wanted to make sure there were no other reasons besides power that a cordless would be required.   With the price of replacement batteries for cordless drills, I would much prefer not getting one.  I have had a few cordless tools in the past and the batteries only seem to last a couple years and at 89.00 a pop for replacements for the dewalt I would rather invest my cash elsewhere.

[kampingkoge]

So looking at the different sockets/bits that can be bought on this site to be used for raising/lowering roofs, which would you guys recommend for the E3?

Here is the website and phone number, I called and talked to a very nice lady who seemed to know a bit about these.  If you dont see yours listed on the web page maybe they can help you out.
http://www.customcylindersintinc.com/socket_jenie.htm
Contact: 1.800.779.5544
Local: 859.744.5544
Fax: 859.744.5835

[wavery]

I have a portable Honda 2000 watt generator that I use for my dry camping, so power source not such a big deal .... just wanted to make sure there were no other reasons besides power that a cordless would be required.   With the price of replacement batteries for cordless drills, I would much prefer not getting one.  I have had a few cordless tools in the past and the batteries only seem to last a couple years and at 89.00 a pop for replacements for the dewalt I would rather invest my cash elsewhere.

I have a corded drill also. For some reason, it's hard to find a corded drill with enough torque to do the job.

I recommend this one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=97622

It has plenty of torque and it's only 340RPM, which is perfect. It goes on sale for $89 once in awhile.

I purchased this one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93632
I got it for $39 (on sale) and it has barely enough torque to do the job.

If you dry camp (as we do), we often get in after "quiet time" and can't run the generator. We have a 2500W inverter that takes care of that issue.

[centex_popup]

Was wondering if anybody uses the socket genie to raise the roof on their 2005 Viking or Coachman pups and if so what type of drill are you using?   I just ordered a socket genie and am currently researching cordless drills.  Per the company's website they are recommending a 1/2 inch 24volt cordless drill .... any suggestions.  Is 24volts really needed?

Instead of a socket genie, I went down to my local RV dealer and purchased a regular replacement crank handle for $9.00, then I cut it at the bend leaving the straight shank on it.  It fits into my 1/2" chuck drill and works like a charm.   :#

[kampingkoge]

Received my socket genie in the mail the other day (nice chuck of machined steel I must say) and I decided to go with the Dewalt DW235G corded drill from Home Depot (99.00).  I appreciate the responses and suggestions I received both on this post and a previous post I made back in 2007 (forgot about that one .

[wavery]

Received my socket genie in the mail the other day (nice chuck of machined steel I must say) and I decided to go with the Dewalt DW235G corded drill from Home Depot (99.00).  I appreciate the responses and suggestions I received both on this post and a previous post I made back in 2007 (forgot about that one .

It'll be interesting to hear if it has enough torque to lift your roof.......I believe that you have a 10' roof. If that's the case, it may be adequate.

[kampingkoge]

I have a corded drill also. For some reason, it's hard to find a corded drill with enough torque to do the job.

I recommend this one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=97622

It has plenty of torque and it's only 340RPM, which is perfect. It goes on sale for $89 once in awhile.

I purchased this one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93632
I got it for $39 (on sale) and it has barely enough torque to do the job.

If you dry camp (as we do), we often get in after "quiet time" and can't run the generator. We have a 2500W inverter that takes care of that issue.

Hey Wavery, just wanted to give you an update.  I ended up purchasing the $59.00 low speed drill from Harbor Freight  which was on-sale for $39.00.  Had to set the variable speed setting about half way to get the top to go up.  Would prefer it to go a bit slower, but this was the setting required to move the top.  Appreciate your feedback with my multiple posts related to this topic.

[wavery]

Hey Wavery, just wanted to give you an update.  I ended up purchasing the $59.00 low speed drill from Harbor Freight  which was on-sale for $39.00.  Had to set the variable speed setting about half way to get the top to go up.  Would prefer it to go a bit slower, but this was the setting required to move the top.  Appreciate your feedback with my multiple posts related to this topic.

Glad it works for you.

That's why I recommended the right-angled one http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=97622

It goes slower and has a lot more power. However, for $39, you can't go too far wrong with the one you got.