Anderson Leveler or Bal Leveler

Tabaz

Bought a Ryobi driver last night for the BAL (1,800 in-lbs. torque).  Worked fine jacking up the T@B about two inches, then stopped.  Noticed new metal shavings around the base and that some ridges in the worm screw were worn almost flat. Bought it used, but it was in perfect shape at the time.  However, the four times I've used it since were in areas of sand, gravel and dirt.  I'm guessing some serious grit made its way into the worm screw ridges.  Would not want to have this thing seize-up with the T@B raised out in the boonies, so back to the Anderson leveler for me.  I'll also try the Lego's.  So if you have the BAL, clean and inspect after each trip.

DurangoTaB

Outback...we had the same problem (the Southwest is dusty!), and I ended up contacting BAL and getting a new "screw".  Works MUCH better, and I'm careful to keep dust out (I use a piece of foam pipe insulation).

Photomom

Might as well jump into the fray - I bought the Camco Lego style blocks (along with a few other things I'll need as soon as my T@B comes) and now I see that there are chocks that you use with the leveling blocks. I've been wondering how you keep from backing up onto the blocks and down the other side. Good idea?

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-44401-Leveling-Block-Wheel/dp/B007H2TF4Q/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1461336807&sr=8-8&keywords=Camco+leveling+blocks

jkjenn

OutbackAZ said:

Bought a Ryobi driver last night for the BAL (1,800 in-lbs. torque).  Worked fine jacking up the T@B about two inches, then stopped.  Noticed new metal shavings around the base and that some ridges in the worm screw were worn almost flat. Bought it used, but it was in perfect shape at the time.  However, the four times I've used it since were in areas of sand, gravel and dirt.  I'm guessing some serious grit made its way into the worm screw ridges.  Would not want to have this thing seize-up with the T@B raised out in the boonies, so back to the Anderson leveler for me.  I'll also try the Lego's.  So if you have the BAL, clean and inspect after each trip.

That is definitely a bigger problem in the SW than it is in the east. The sand is so fine, it functions as an abrasive. Also the grease dries out, quickly.

Tabaz

Thanks Durango. I'll give BAL a call today.

Nomad

Photomom - Once you get some practice, you'll be able to back onto a 4-5 stack dead center without the chocks :-)

Nomad

OutbackAZ / DurangoTaB - Had the lock mechanism on my wheel lock get filled with fine sand. Not fun getting that off. Thought I was going to have to jack the trailer up and take the whole wheel off - Imagine a stuck BAL would cause the same indigestion :-(

ChanW

Yep Scott, that looks just like our set-up! Or we'll use the BAL Leveler, whichever is easier for the specific campsite.

ScottG said:

Speaking of cheap, anybody using this set-up?  ;-)

Keep in mind that those cheapie levels that are sometimes sold for RVs aren't necessarily level. I think China is metric, so they probably have a different version of 'level'. B-)

ScottG

For just a little more money, you can get the professional version:

Ratkity

LOL Scott!

Ratkity

DurangoTaB said:

Outback...we had the same problem (the Southwest is dusty!), and I ended up contacting BAL and getting a new "screw".  Works MUCH better, and I'm careful to keep dust out (I use a piece of foam pipe insulation).

Must.resist.screw.comment........ omg, I think I drank too much coffee this morning!

Tabaz

ScottG said:

For just a little more money, you can get the professional version:

I don't care who you are - THAT's funny!

Nomad

That it is :-)

ScottG

The T@B was our first RV, purchased on short notice. I had no idea (but should have guessed) there was so much bling available to, eh... enhance the experience. So, I just threw a few boards in the back of the truck and went campin'.

The BAL leveler looks cool, but a little cumbersome for my tastes. However, I can see its advantage for someone setting up solo. I am eyeballing PXL's lego block thingies with interest, as they seem convenient and compact. I'll probably throw down for some once I wear out my 2x10s!

Mouseketab

Love my BAL!

nancentina

The BAL is fool proof, carrying it around is a pain but it works so great. We used it for our Casita and we bought one again for the T@B

Cyclonic

DurangoTaB said:

This 18V Bosch has a ton of torque; I use it for the stabilizers as well as the BAL.  I thought about getting a cordless impact wrench (one of the few tools I don't have), but they're a little noisy, plus not quite as versatile as the drill.

Gotta say, I could not resist this.  I got a socket adapter and worked like a charm with my 20v DeWalt.  I never tried because I didn't think it could do it, but no problems.  As others have said, keep the screw clean of dirt and greased, and it works great.

DurangoTaB

My only advice is to be a little careful...these new drill drivers (and I assume impact drivers) have so much torque you could sprain a wrist or wrap some fingers into the side of the T@B, so be careful when first doing this!

Cyclonic

I am using a regular drill.  A drill/driver is something I have always kinda wanted but never really had a need for.  The cordless drill though?  I love that thing.

Mouseketab

I used to use a drill for my stabilizers, but broke one of the "corner steady nuts" using it, so now I just crank by hand. I also still use the wrench provided with the BAL leveler. The drill just turned out to be one more thing to carry. I've been lucky the last few parks, didn't need to adjust too much.