BAL leveler question?

[outdoors5]

Need input on wheather or not to buy a BAL leveler?  I have heard that people like them but how are they on saving set-up time, ease of use, durability, storage, and weight/size.  Also, do you only buy one for one side?  I saw there is a BAL locking chock, is this needed?  I would prefer to only buy one thing if possible.

[fritz_monroe]

It's strictly a preference thing.  You can easily level with a BAL, Lynx levelers or even wood.

I have a BAL and it's great.  What I love about it is I can get the pup into the exact position I want it in and just crank it up.  It's easy to use.

As for the locking chocks, I plan on getting them some day, but for now, I'll stick to my $1.98 Walmart chocks.  Work just fine with the leveler.

[Kelly]

What Fritz said.  Strictly preference.

I have a BAL and I really like it.  I camp by myself with my kids and they just aren't old enough to trust when it comes to getting the trailer parked on wood or Lynx levelers.  With the BAL I can level without help.

The BAL fits right inside my PU door.  I still have the bottom of the box and I keep that inside a big trash bag ... I just slide it in last thing before we leave.  We store the box/bag under the PU while we are camping.

I don't have the locking chock and have no intention of buying one, but I do know that people who have that combination love it.

[diane]

I love my BAL leveler :-() . Not only is it easier to level but the camper is a lot more steady when walking around inside the camper (it doesn't seem to rock as much)

[Frio Freaks]

Need input on wheather or not to buy a BAL leveler?  I have heard that people like them but how are they on saving set-up time, ease of use, durability, storage, and weight/size.  Also, do you only buy one for one side?  I saw there is a BAL locking chock, is this needed?  I would prefer to only buy one thing if possible.

Ditto to what everyone has said.  We have the locking chock too only because DH wanted to buy it as well since we didn't have any kind of chock to begin with.  It helps in leveling and does make the pup more steady when inside moving around.

Good luck with your decision.

[ronerjones]

I am a NEW-BE  could some one explane the ball leveler and locking choks to me. I have not even camped in our camper yet that is how new it is to me. The guy I bought it from went over the whole set up and tear down with me. Basically he told me to use the front wheel on the tongue of the trailer to level front to back and then crank down the stabolizer pads until they are snug to the ground. Can some one explane if there is another process and if something else is reccomended, thanks.

[austinado16]

Do a little ebay or google search and you'll see the BAL levelers.  Basically a U shaped scissor type jack that fits around one wheel.  Then you turn the crank on the BAL leveler and that lifts the trailer on one side, via that wheel.  So, it levels the trailer side to side very fast.  You can use your tongue jack to level front to back.  When you've got it all trued up, you crank down your 4 stabilizer legs so it's supported well.

Haven't purchase one yet, but it's the next thing on my shopping list!

[outdoors5]

Thanks for all of the helpful information.  I'm leaning towards getting the BAL leveler.  Does anyone have input on how heavy the BAL leveler is?  Would it be close to the equal amount of wood to level?  One other question:  What is, if any the advatage of having the BAL locking chock over a regular chock?

[Kelly]

Thanks for all of the helpful information.  I'm leaning towards getting the BAL leveler.  Does anyone have input on how heavy the BAL leveler is?  Would it be close to the equal amount of wood to level?  One other question:  What is, if any the advatage of having the BAL locking chock over a regular chock?

Seems to me it weighs around 20 pounds.

[ForestCreature]

Kelly's close, shipping weight is 18.75 lbs. It's worth the weight it takes up and then some. We've been using the  BAL for over 5 years.

Here's a pretty darn good price on it....
http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-jacks/tire-leveler.htm

[Kelly]

Kelly's close, shipping weight is 18.75 lbs.

[/color]

LOL ~ nothing like splitting hairs, Marcy!

[bonscott]

I am a NEW-BE  could some one explane the ball leveler and locking choks to me. I have not even camped in our camper yet that is how new it is to me. The guy I bought it from went over the whole set up and tear down with me. Basically he told me to use the front wheel on the tongue of the trailer to level front to back and then crank down the stabolizer pads until they are snug to the ground. Can some one explane if there is another process and if something else is reccomended, thanks.

Wow, bad advice.  Very bad.  Stabalizers are *NOT* to be used to level the trailer.

You need to also level it side to side which is probably more important then anything.
The cheapest way is with some boards or lynx levelers.  You park your PUP and then see which side is lower.  Then you put some boards down and drive up on them.  Check to see if you're near level, if not back off and get more boards.  You need to be as level side to side as you can.
Then you can use the tongue jack to level front to back.
Then you crank up and then you put the stabalizer jacks down.

The Bal Leveler just replaces the boards.  You park, put the Bal under the low side wheel and then crank it up until you're level.

[AustinBoston]

First, ronerjones posted:

I am a NEW-BE could some one explane the ball leveler and locking choks to me. I have not even camped in our camper yet that is how new it is to me. The guy I bought it from went over the whole set up and tear down with me. Basically he told me to use the front wheel on the tongue of the trailer to level front to back and then crank down the stabolizer pads until they are snug to the ground. Can some one explane if there is another process and if something else is reccomended, thanks.

Then bonscott replied with:

Wow, bad advice.  Very bad.  Stabalizers are *NOT* to be used to level the trailer.

I have read ronerjones post several times, and can't find anything wrong with the advice he was given.  While you are correct that stabilizers are not levelers, nothing in ronerjones post suggests that they be used that way.

You need to also level it side to side which is probably more important then anything.
The cheapest way is with some boards or lynx levelers.  You park your PUP and then see which side is lower.  Then you put some boards down and drive up on them.  Check to see if you're near level, if not back off and get more boards.  You need to be as level side to side as you can.
Then you can use the tongue jack to level front to back.
Then you crank up and then you put the stabalizer jacks down.

The Bal Leveler just replaces the boards.  You park, put the Bal under the low side wheel and then crank it up until you're level.

Good advice.

Austin (who has never, ever misunderstood anything... :Z )

[Toby]

Quick question.  I just bought a bal leveler and for those of you who use them dose it make any sence to place a flat piece of plywood under both tires so that when you use the leveler it slided easy under the tire.  From what I have been reading the biggest complaint is when in soft sand or gravel sites it's sometimes challanging to put it on and or off.  Mind you I just bought it and will be using it for the first time this weekend, I have been from the old school of just pulling up on wood and getting it close as we can.  Thanks.



Toby.

[wavery]

Quick question.  I just bought a bal leveler and for those of you who use them dose it make any sence to place a flat piece of plywood under both tires so that when you use the leveler it slided easy under the tire.  From what I have been reading the biggest complaint is when in soft sand or gravel sites it's sometimes challanging to put it on and or off.  Mind you I just bought it and will be using it for the first time this weekend, I have been from the old school of just pulling up on wood and getting it close as we can.  Thanks.



Toby.

If you are on dirt, sand or very uneven ground, it can be a little difficult to put under the tire. I have used my Bal-leveler about 20 times. It has been difficult to place about 2 or 3. I wouldn't consider bringing a piece of plywood. I've always worked it out and the last thing I need is one more piece to add to the puzzle . Besides, if the ground is uneven or soft, the plywood could crack or distort (from the weight of the PU and/or moisture on the ground) in a way that it may make it even more difficult to get out when you get ready to leave. Just not worth it IMHO.