Most useful trailering accessory you've bought?

[cpaharley2008]

I never had to extend my B@l, the scissors jack threw me off.

[Dave & Penny Smith]

Fox Hunt:
I did similar calculations to yours, and concluded (as you did) that the BAL should be capable of handling the weight of the 17B. It also fits the standard 15" tires my 17B came with fine. The issue I'm having is turning the screw to raise the leveler. My 19.2 volt Craftsman Cordless Drill (max. torque 340 in.lb.) nor my aging arms are able to generate the torque needed to lift the 17B. This was not the case with the T@B, although at 1320 lb. dry wt., it was less than half of the dry wt. of the 17B. My experience would suggest that 17 (A or B) owners hoping to use the BAL be sure they have access to (or be willing to buy) a professional grade cordless drill that generates significantly more torque than 340 in.lb.
Dave

[Dave & Penny Smith]

Santacruzer:
What wrench did you use to turn the screw on your BAL?
Dave

[cpaharley2008]

Get a bigger wrench for more leverage....

[BCnomad]

BAL user w the 21 chiming in. Thanks Donna!

Have no trouble w them lifting weight of 21. Armstrong wrenching works for now and have an extender on hand for reducing strain.

Would seriously consider getting a high spec (1200+ in-lb rated) brushless, cordless impact wrench if I relied on the BAL exclusively. I doubt you can get enough reliable torque out of even a 600 rated drill. I just about killed my brushed ~300 rated drill.

Keeping main screw clean and oiled is a trick not many mention.

[cpaharley2008]

When using my B@l I went to the local pizza shop and they gave me a used pizza delivery bag, the B@l fits perfectly and it keeps everything clean.

[BCnomad]

The ones I found on amazon.ca seemed too small by several inches. You have a product model?

[cpaharley2008]

Pizza Johns....extra large

[gocamp]

Donna gave a pizza box order link at FGRV forum.

[Mob2014]

My experience using a Bal leveler for the last year:
1. the ratchet that came with it was really difficult to raise so I started using a 1/2 inch craftsman socket & ratchet handle but still can be hard for me to raise.
2. If the ground under the tire is uneven and slants uphill underneath the trailer, the leveler is difficult to get under the tire so we often use one small block under the tire.
3. If you are traveling alone, I think it would be great.
4. After 1 1/2 years and 150 nights we are think of getting a set of blocks.

[cpaharley2008]

Originally Posted by gocamp

Donna gave a pizza box order link at FGRV forum.

I got mine free, just asked the manager what they do with old ones, which they throw away, I asked for them to save me one, she gave me 2.....

[Iowa Dave]

Wrenches are like boats, you can always get a bigger one. Then there's the time honored adapter kit, usually called a cheater, read that extension handle, or just, Pipe. Will the weight distributing hitch cheater fit over the ratchet handle? Double duty.
Iowa, he's been in a few tight spots, Dave

[thoer]

Originally Posted by Mob2014

My experience using a Bal leveler for the last year:
1. the ratchet that came with it was really difficult to raise so I started using a 1/2 inch craftsman socket & ratchet handle but still can be hard for me to raise.
2. If the ground under the tire is uneven and slants uphill underneath the trailer, the leveler is difficult to get under the tire so we often use one small block under the tire.
3. If you are traveling alone, I think it would be great.
4. After 1 1/2 years and 150 nights we are think of getting a set of blocks.

That kinda sums up all the thoughts I had looking at them. If I were traveling alone it would seem like a perfect solution. But with 2 of us, we've been fine with the "lego" blocks. For the new 21' I'm thinking of a pair of the Andersen levelers for the low side and still just my trusty plastic chocks, one front, one back on the opposite side.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Dave & Penny Smith

The issue I'm having is turning the screw to raise the leveler. My 19.2 volt Craftsman Cordless Drill (max. torque 340 in.lb.) nor my aging arms are able to generate the torque needed to lift the 17B.

As long as the leveler isn't jamming or otherwise failing, then it is just a torque issue. 340 in-lb is fine for the normal use of these tools, but that's only 28 ft-lbs... not a lot. Cordless impact wrenches can put out a lot more torque (I use mine for wheel nuts), but I'm not sure that I like the idea of a hammering on the leveler thread.

I agree that a longer wrench is the straightforward answer... still ratcheting like the one sold with the leveler, just longer. You would still need to do all of the work of lifting the trailer, but you could do it more gradually, applying less force for more difference.

An alternative is to use a torque multiplier, which is basically a gearbox for turning sockets, but those are normally for situations in which you need to apply very high torque so they are heavy and turn too slowly.

[santacruzer]

Originally Posted by Dave & Penny Smith

Santacruzer:
What wrench did you use to turn the screw on your BAL?
Dave

Don't recall the size, but it was the ratchet wrench that came with the leveler.

[BCnomad]

Originally Posted by santacruzer

Don't recall the size, but it was the ratchet wrench that came with the leveler.

Aka garbage.

At least mine was.