Lars' Guide to Leveling the TrailManor Shells

[mjlaupp]

I use the Bal Leveler in some campgrounds and at home. I comes in handy where you can not back straight in over boards. I can't do this at home.

One of the advantages of the Bal leveler is that it functions as a very good set of chocks. My TM is much less prone to wiggle when it is in use. So much so that I have thought of getting the Bal single axle chock to complement it.

Mike

[ShrimpBurrito]

Mike,

So it sounds like you still use the boards when you can....why? Are they still easier than the BAL?

Dave

[mjlaupp]

Dave,

Edit: Boards much easier. 1) Place board(s) on ground. 2) Drive on board(s). 3) Chock. Bal: 1) Position TM. 2) Crank up low side rear jack about 2-3". 3) Slide Bal under tire. 4) Use Bal supplied ratcheting box wrench to raise leveler (Your power drill will not have enough torque to lift the TM). 5) Chocking is not necessary. End Edit.

I use boards most of the time in campgrounds when I can pull straight through or back straight in. If I can't get a good shot at the boards for any reason or I need more than 3 inches on one side, then I use the Bal.

The Bal fits very tight around the 14" tire and takes some effort to slide it in place or to remove it. I sometimes use the rear sissors jack on the low side to lift the TM about 2 inches to make the Bal easier to install and remove.

Mike

[cali camping]

I'm confused. I've never used anything other than the scissor jacks installed on the TM to raise and level. Am I missing something?

[mjlaupp]

Originally Posted by cali camping

I'm confused. I've never used anything other than the scissor jacks installed on the TM to raise and level. Am I missing something?

I started using the Bal at home because my storage area is not level and I can not easily back onto some boards or leveler blocks and my first TM, a '97 2720 model developed a side to side set in the suspension after extended storage over the winter (such as it is in north Louisiana).

I find that there is less trouble with door alignment when the door is on the low side of the TM if I use some type of pre-leveling under the tire before final leveling with the sissors jacks.

Mike

Originally Posted by markandanne

Hi Lars, my 3 kids on the other end of the trailer make it wiggle a lot for me too (they probably say the same thing about us), and I've been looking into installing something like this: http://norcoind.com/bal/products/con.../lockarm.shtml
or this:http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...6-struts/35782

Is this similar to what you are thinking of doing? I'd like to install one of these over the winter if I can...

Yea that is what I was thinking. The idea idea of the bars is to stop sway. I'm not sure where mj implies that they level the unit. Maybe Bal makes other stuff. I was thinking of making my bars have a threaded lengthing design instead of needing another wrench to tighten the lock nut.

This might be what mjlaupp is referring too:
http://www.rvexit.com/details.asp?Pr...SubCategory=75

Chap

[Frenchy]

Dexter says not to jack up the camper using the axle because you can damage the rubber "springs" in the axle. It seems to me that you can damage the rubber "springs" using the Bal to level the camper for an extended period of time. My 2 cents.

What difference does it make whether the TM is sitting level on a concrete slab or sitting level on a Bal leveler? Either way the wheels and axle are supporting the same weight. My 3 cents.

Originally Posted by Frenchy

Dexter says not to jack up the camper using the axle because you can damage the rubber "springs" in the axle. It seems to me that you can damage the rubber "springs" using the Bal to level the camper for an extended period of time. My 2 cents.

Frency, I interrupt the Dexter statement to mean not placing a jack under the axle itself to lift the TM, as in the case of changing a tire.....you need to always lift by the frame if you need to get the wheels off of the ground. I don't believe the Bal leveler would cause any more stress than the tires sitting on the ground, or on leveling blocks.

chap