Recommended Dewalt Driver for Wheel Changes?

OB

obiewan

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Hello all,
In my prep for my big trip next year, I have noticed that I am awfully unprepared when it comes to wheel and tire changes on the road.
I have already committed to team yellow, but I’m overwhelmed by the choices of drivers available to make this task easier.
I already have a solid torque wrench and I have appropriate sockets.
I would like to know what model you guys are using for both trailer and truck.
As always, I really appreciate the help!
Obie
 
I am a do it yourself type person and own a hobby farm that always has projects, so I have had my share of experiences with power tools. For a number of years I had the mindset of "I'll just get this because you could buy 2-3 of these for one of those" but learned that I was burning out equipment when I needed it most and really not saving money in the long run. What I believe is the trend for all brands is that they are going cheap and banking on infrequent, light duty use for all lines but the highest lines. I'd go with the highest line. Buy once cry once.

Because I can't help keeping my opinion to myself, I will say that wouldn't buy another DeWalt product. I'm just a stranger on the internet, so what do I know? ;)
 
I carry a 20V Dewalt 1/2" drive impact wrench, and it works great for me. I also have a plethora of Dewalt tools at home, and they also work great for me, at least for the last 10 years anyway. :)

IMO either Dewalt or Milwaukee are the tools of choice.
 
@Hoopy Frood thanks! Can you tell me the model number that you use? I want one that will easily break both trailer and truck wheels and I know numbers but want some real world experience. Obie
 
Islesfan said:
I have the Dewalt DCF899H and it has never let me down removing lugs. It's a beast.
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Are you pairing that with a 6AH battery? I’ve seen several opinions on YouTube Uni that the battery can matter just as much as the driver. Thanks, @Islesfan!
 
obiewan said:
@Hoopy Frood thanks! Can you tell me the model number that you use? I want one that will easily break both trailer and truck wheels and I know numbers but want some real world experience. Obie
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The wrench is in the truck tool box which is under the cover, so it's not really easy to get at. But the brushless wrenches work the best. As far as breaking the truck bolts loose, that could be an issue with mine as they are torqued to 130 ft.lbs. They should come loose, but I've never had to remove them so can't really say. I always carry a 25" breaker bar so it's not really a concern. :) And don't forget that if you use an extension you'll lose some torquing power due to the extension movement.

I have never given the size of the battery much thought, but it could make sense that the bigger battery is a good idea, as the use of the wrench does pull down the battery some. As with anything it's always better to try out new products in the driveway, rather than out on the side of the road somewhere. :)
 
obiewan said:
@Hoopy Frood thanks! Can you tell me the model number that you use? I want one that will easily break both trailer and truck wheels and I know numbers but want some real world experience. Obie
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Not @Hoopy Frood but I have had to take a flat off and mine are also torqued to 130 ft lbs - broke all the lugs free. The deWalt model I have is the DCF894HB which is the hog ring anvil version as opposed to the detent pin anvil. Like Howard, I also carry a breaker bar just in case.
 
Hoopy Frood said:
I carry a 20V Dewalt 1/2" drive impact wrench, and it works great for me. I also have a plethora of Dewalt tools at home, and they also work great for me, at least for the last 10 years anyway. :)

IMO either Dewalt or Milwaukee are the tools of choice.
Click to expand...
I too have the 20 volt impact wrench by dewalt. It is awsome. All my battery tools are dewalt and I have never had a problem. All being the same the batterys interchange.
 
Hoopy Frood said:
The wrench is in the truck tool box which is under the cover, so it's not really easy to get at. But the brushless wrenches work the best. As far as breaking the truck bolts loose, that could be an issue with mine as they are torqued to 130 ft.lbs. They should come loose, but I've never had to remove them so can't really say. I always carry a 25" breaker bar so it's not really a concern. :) And don't forget that if you use an extension you'll lose some torquing power due to the extension movement.

I have never given the size of the battery much thought, but it could make sense that the bigger battery is a good idea, as the use of the wrench does pull down the battery some. As with anything it's always better to try out new products in the driveway, rather than out on the side of the road somewhere. :)
Click to expand...
I'm reading several of these drivers do +1000 to 1400 ft-lbs. :eek:Excellent reminder about extensions... and loosing a couple in my driveway to make sure it works before getting on the road!. Appreciate your reply. Obie
 
I have the 1/2in Dewalt impact wrench and it’s my 2nd on 10 years. I use it on lugs for the F450, for my MO 397TH and my 44 Foot Horse trailer. It is absolutely outstanding. When you are on
I-95 with a flat and a horse in your trailer, you don’t want to be on the side of the road for any length of time. I would highly recommend the Dewalt. My good friend has the “Big Red Milwaukee” 1/2in Impact and it works well too, but I don’t let him know I agree with him ;).
 
The Rigid tool line from Home Depot comes with a lifetime warranty, including the batteries. Buy a combo kit for best prices.. I have had it for a about a year with no problems.
 
Lots of good choices out there. I switched out of the yellow team many years ago after spending too much money on battery replacements. I too am using the Rigid line from HD and love it. The tools AND the batteries have a lifetime warranty.

I have a large inventory of battery-operated Rigid tools for my wood woodshop and car shop including a nice Rigid 1/2" impact that works great. In the camper though, I just keep an old-fashioned 4-way tire lug wrench. It's easy, quick, very lightweight, and always works. Select whatever option works best for you.
 
I have personally found out that battery powered impact wrenches are ok for getting lug nuts off, but not great. I prefer to use a breaker bar to get the lug nuts started, and then use the impact wrench to quickly remove the nuts. And then use the impact wrench to get them almost all the way on and finish up with a torque wrench.

Remember that after you put lugs back on after completely removing them you should check the torque frequently. From memory I seem to recall 50, 100, and then before each trip. And again from personal experience, they do loosen up until you’ve got some miles on them (with periodic tightening).
 
Have and always do removal/install of all my lug nuts on all my vehicles by mechanical hand tools (i.e. ratchet, 24" breaker bar, torque wrench) and a maybe a cheater removal pipe for those that where put on last by someone who used a power tool.

Seen way to many stripped out, cross-threaded, over/under tightened lugs nuts when using electric or pneumatic tools. IMO, better slow to go, than quick and fight to remove later. Not to mention.... a few busted knuckles, sore/strained wrists, and even a few broken bones from power tool torque on tight or rusted threaded nuts and lugs.

As for the topic, do use a Dewalt 20v Driver for "other" projects for both stick-built and rolling-shoebox.
 
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