Will 3/8 cordless impact remove lug nuts?

[CHECrappie]

Looking at getting a cordless impact to have and wonder if 3/8 would do most of the work I’d need it for. Biggest question is does it have enough torque to remove lug nuts on a boat trailer?

[Fishysam]

Probably but a half inch will for sure and probably enjoy doing it vs a premature fail asking to happen

[Phoenix Jim]

Probably but a half inch will for sure and probably enjoy doing it vs a premature fail asking to happen

for sure

[KennyVexus]

There are less powerful 1/2" drive impacts available these days. You can look into those and then use an adapter for 3/8 as well. Being careful of course.

[188Musky]

Of course it will remove them if they are loose enough, but it may not if they were put on with a device that produces higher torque.

For lug nuts, a 1/2” is the standard.

[dougfire]

I just got the Dewalt 20 volt 3/8 max HR, it easily removes lugnuts from my Rangertrail, not the 1/4 inch

[5keepers2]

I would go half inch!

[DrewFlu33]

I had some experience using one my Dad has not long ago, a 3/8" drive DeWalt with a few years on it. It does OK...as long as the battery is fully charged and they're not too tight. Even with a battery fresh off the charger we ran into one we had to put the breaker bar on.

I had been waffling on getting a battery impact of my own forever, partially because I was waiting on a good sale--I have Ridgid tools already and they're proud of that 1/2" if you don't get it on sale or in a bundle--and partially for what seems to be the comparison the OP is making right now. That kind of cemented it for me. I ended up going with the Ridgid 1/2" high torque model. Holy cow does that thing rip. You'd break your arm before you ran into a lug nut you couldn't remove.

So not exactly apples to apples, my Dad's 3/8" DeWalt is several years old and my Ridgid 1/2" is brand new, but for the modest price difference and worrying that you'd run into a situation at some point where the 3/8" is useless, it seems a no-brainer to me to buy once, cry once in this scenario.

[rboren]

Sometimes but it depends on how much torque is used to tighten a particular lug nut. So very iffy. 1/2 inch is the only real choice on a pickup. With some cars it might work. Also if you insist on a 3/8 get the highest power possible. It might be harder on the socket used also!

[99R93S]

I would suggest 1/2 inch, and a decent one at that. I’ve seen some cheap ones that don’t hit very hard.

[CJ1]

My 3/8" 20v dewalt will but it is at the limit. Now the 20v 1/2" has no issues with car or truck lugs. It will torque to over 200ft lbs as my trailer is 225 and it hits that with no issues. CJ

[allen656]

1/2" Harbor Freight impact gun.....keep in my truck ...under $90

[Lightning 6]

Probably, but you should carry a breaker bar also…..rusty lug nuts can test a man’s patience sometimes. I ALWAYS torque them down with a breaker bar when on the road (torque wrenches stay in the shop)…..that way I am more confident of close to spec lug nut torque.

[tx_basser]

it will if you buy a Milwaukee

[Transom]

Just carry a breaker bar and never have to worry about it.

[JoshKeller]

I put on and remove my lug nuts with a 1/4". It puts out 190 ft lbs. Stock spec is around 100 - 130 ft lbs for lug nuts.

[Mcjenson]

I don’t think so. I have a nice Milwaukee 1/2 inch 18v, and even then most times I need the breaker bar to loosen my truck lug nuts (150 lb-ft)

[bbqpitboss]

New Ryobi brushless 1/2" drive. 18volt and will torque up to 500 ft lbs.

[Bob G.]

I don’t think so. I have a nice Milwaukee 1/2 inch 18v, and even then most times I need the breaker bar to loosen my truck lug nuts (150 lb-ft)

Surprised. I have a Milwaukee 1/2” 18v Fuel Mid-torque impact wrench and it will take the 140 lb-ft lug nuts off of my truck every time without using a breaker bar.

[mactlman]

A good one will