Battery Powered Impact Wrench
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 643
Likes: 38
From: LA = Louisiana
I keep this under the back seat Kobalt 0.5-in 450 ftlbs Air Impact Wrench in the Air Impact Wrenches department at Lowes.com
Since I already have an air system and air hose on board ........... I keep this Kobalt "Compact" Impact and this
I leave my battery systems at home most of the time but prefer the Kobalt tools.
The newest and best one for lugs is this one rated at 750ftlbs
I have the predecessor at 650 ftlbs
I also have a smaller more compact one rated at 150 ftlbs
The reason I prefer these Kobalt tools is every Kobalt tool I've owned has been very good quality.........and also when I started collecting the battery tools the Kobalt batteries were about 1/2 the price as many of the others.
I have used many brands of battery tools and the Kobalt batteries seem to be as good as any. I use some of the tools regularly and still have all 6 batteries I've bought.......... never had to replace a battery, so far anyway.
Since I already have an air system and air hose on board ........... I keep this Kobalt "Compact" Impact and this
I leave my battery systems at home most of the time but prefer the Kobalt tools.
The newest and best one for lugs is this one rated at 750ftlbs
I have the predecessor at 650 ftlbs
I also have a smaller more compact one rated at 150 ftlbs
The reason I prefer these Kobalt tools is every Kobalt tool I've owned has been very good quality.........and also when I started collecting the battery tools the Kobalt batteries were about 1/2 the price as many of the others.
I have used many brands of battery tools and the Kobalt batteries seem to be as good as any. I use some of the tools regularly and still have all 6 batteries I've bought.......... never had to replace a battery, so far anyway.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 752
Likes: 519
My post wasn't directed at anyone with maintenance or lack there of, just pointing out my opinion as is everyone else. However since you brought it up if I was a betting that at least half of blow outs are due to that whether anyone would really admit that or not.
4 times in 43 years is once every 10 years, that's pretty infrequent IMO, using something 1 time in less than 10 year avg isn't something I personally need, but knock yourself out if you believe its a need for you.
Comparing an impact to fire extinguisher is foolish. One saves you a few minutes taking a tire off, one can save your vehicle or life from a fire, cmon man.
4 times in 43 years is once every 10 years, that's pretty infrequent IMO, using something 1 time in less than 10 year avg isn't something I personally need, but knock yourself out if you believe its a need for you.
Comparing an impact to fire extinguisher is foolish. One saves you a few minutes taking a tire off, one can save your vehicle or life from a fire, cmon man.
If you are dealing with high-torque 8 or 10 lug wheels, that impact will save you more than a few minutes. And every minute working on the shoulder of a high traffic interstate increases the considerable risk to your life.
Tire maintenance is very important, but if you tow a lot, you will get flats.
Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 96
Likes: 21
If you are dealing with high-torque 8 or 10 lug wheels, that impact will save you more than a few minutes. And every minute working on the shoulder of a high traffic interstate increases the considerable risk to your life.
Tire maintenance is very important, but if you tow a lot, you will get flats.
Tire maintenance is very important, but if you tow a lot, you will get flats.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 606
Best deal is a Harbor Freight 1/2" drive model of your choice unless you have a current cordless system battery and you can buy just the tool.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 712
If you are dealing with high-torque 8 or 10 lug wheels, that impact will save you more than a few minutes. And every minute working on the shoulder of a high traffic interstate increases the considerable risk to your life.
Tire maintenance is very important, but if you tow a lot, you will get flats.
Tire maintenance is very important, but if you tow a lot, you will get flats.
.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,945
Likes: 1,359
From: NY/Canada border
As far as comments by others about tire maintenance, there's only so much you can do. Start the trip with correct pressure and don't have them overloaded. It's a fact of life that many trailer makers send them out with very low budget, questionable quality tires. And many of those tires are in fact China made.
On long trips I jack the trailer up and make sure that there's no shuck in the wheels. If so, the dust caps come off and things are tightened and inspected to make sure the bearings are intact and greased. Some tires simply aren't going to live as long as I'd like with high temperatures and sustained interstate highway speeds no matter how many precautions are taken pre trip.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,347
Likes: 4,375
From: SW VA
Am I the only one who would drive on the flat to the nearest exit? Exits are usually every couple miles (on the east coast anyways), so I'll gladly sacrifice the tire if it keeps me from dying on the interstate.
The last camping trip we took in my buddies new-to-him RV, we lost 2 tires. First one, we were able to hit an exit and change it on a secondary road. Second blowout was right under an overpass just after the exit, so we pulled off on the other side of the on-ramp so we at least had one lane between us and traffic.
The last camping trip we took in my buddies new-to-him RV, we lost 2 tires. First one, we were able to hit an exit and change it on a secondary road. Second blowout was right under an overpass just after the exit, so we pulled off on the other side of the on-ramp so we at least had one lane between us and traffic.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 752
Likes: 519
Am I the only one who would drive on the flat to the nearest exit? Exits are usually every couple miles (on the east coast anyways), so I'll gladly sacrifice the tire if it keeps me from dying on the interstate.
The last camping trip we took in my buddies new-to-him RV, we lost 2 tires. First one, we were able to hit an exit and change it on a secondary road. Second blowout was right under an overpass just after the exit, so we pulled off on the other side of the on-ramp so we at least had one lane between us and traffic.
The last camping trip we took in my buddies new-to-him RV, we lost 2 tires. First one, we were able to hit an exit and change it on a secondary road. Second blowout was right under an overpass just after the exit, so we pulled off on the other side of the on-ramp so we at least had one lane between us and traffic.
Out west, it is common to be 8, 10, 20 or more miles from an exit.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,706
Likes: 12,845
From: Wyoming
I drive a lot of two-lane roads in CO, WY and MT. There are no exits. Pulling over would put me in the ditch. If it was a trailer tire, I would limp along until I found a wide spot. A flat tire on the truck though would be a tough call.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 607
Likes: 377
My vote is Milwaukee M18, but that is what all of my other job tools are. If I were going to buy a standalone, I would look hard at Rigid. They are Home Depot exclusive now but make some pretty good stuff. The big thing is look at torque and battery size. Impacts REALLY eat through batteries.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 329
From: Ontario
I've used my new RIDGID (Home Depot) impact a few times now and what a treat after years of using breaker bars and ratchets. I decided to go with RIDGID because they have a lifetime battery warranty, and they perform as good as more expensive brands. I picked up a few other tools from them as well. I just wish RIDGID made a chain saw, and since they don't, I had to buy another brand.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,945
Likes: 1,359
From: NY/Canada border
Am I the only one who would drive on the flat to the nearest exit? Exits are usually every couple miles (on the east coast anyways), so I'll gladly sacrifice the tire if it keeps me from dying on the interstate.
The last camping trip we took in my buddies new-to-him RV, we lost 2 tires. First one, we were able to hit an exit and change it on a secondary road. Second blowout was right under an overpass just after the exit, so we pulled off on the other side of the on-ramp so we at least had one lane between us and traffic.
The last camping trip we took in my buddies new-to-him RV, we lost 2 tires. First one, we were able to hit an exit and change it on a secondary road. Second blowout was right under an overpass just after the exit, so we pulled off on the other side of the on-ramp so we at least had one lane between us and traffic.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 712
Am I the only one who would drive on the flat to the nearest exit? Exits are usually every couple miles (on the east coast anyways), so I'll gladly sacrifice the tire if it keeps me from dying on the interstate.
The last camping trip we took in my buddies new-to-him RV, we lost 2 tires. First one, we were able to hit an exit and change it on a secondary road. Second blowout was right under an overpass just after the exit, so we pulled off on the other side of the on-ramp so we at least had one lane between us and traffic.
The last camping trip we took in my buddies new-to-him RV, we lost 2 tires. First one, we were able to hit an exit and change it on a secondary road. Second blowout was right under an overpass just after the exit, so we pulled off on the other side of the on-ramp so we at least had one lane between us and traffic.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 243
Likes: 153
I've used my new RIDGID (Home Depot) impact a few times now and what a treat after years of using breaker bars and ratchets. I decided to go with RIDGID because they have a lifetime battery warranty, and they perform as good as more expensive brands. I picked up a few other tools from them as well. I just wish RIDGID made a chain saw, and since they don't, I had to buy another brand.