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Old 01-13-2018, 01:58 AM   #1
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Chocking and stabilizing

What brand of X chocks does ETI sell? I've seen BAL highly recommended. If this is not what ETI sells, which do you recommend?

ETI sells a 4 wheel chock accessory, but the starter pack includes 2 tandem chocks. Can someone help me understand what we need?
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Old 01-13-2018, 05:51 AM   #2
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What brand of X chocks does ETI sell? I've seen BAL highly recommended. If this is not what ETI sells, which do you recommend?

ETI sells a 4 wheel chock accessory, but the starter pack includes 2 tandem chocks. Can someone help me understand what we need?
First off, an X chock is not a necessity, regular chocks do the trick but leave you with some wobble and sway. The X takes care of that.

There are the metal X chocks from Bal which some have, like me.
Some have plastic ones, some have home made, they all work so it's your choice.

Having a 5.0TA, as mentioned I have one Bal X, and a pair of rubber chocks from Tractor Supply. I only use the X when I notice the trailer moving or I'm on a hill. The X chocks will make more of a difference with a non fifth wheel, may want 2 of them.

The picture on the ETI website shows the metal Bal X chocks for $90.
The green plastic chocks are okay although I like the rubber ones better, I have both but don't carry the plastic, but they do work. The rubber doesn't slide like the plastic ones.

I would think the starter package would be plastic wedges like the green ones. Walmart has them in yellow last I noticed.

For a 21, if it were me I'd get a pair of X's, which depends on how much you want to spend, and a set of the wedge chocks. You do need them when you pickup the trailer so either get what ETI carries or get your own before hand.
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Old 01-13-2018, 05:57 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SouthernCamper View Post
What brand of X chocks does ETI sell? I've seen BAL highly recommended. If this is not what ETI sells, which do you recommend?

ETI sells a 4 wheel chock accessory, but the starter pack includes 2 tandem chocks. Can someone help me understand what we need?
You need to chock the wheels (basically a wedge) to keep the Trailer from unintentionally rolling after it has been disconnected from the tow. You do not really need to use X chocks although they may serve to eliminate much “boat rocking” when someone “heavy footed” walks around in the trailer. I have them but do not use them unless I am staying in a location for an extended period, and even then not all the time. However, I cannot comment on the stability differences between an Escape bumper pull trailer and the 5.0TA, which I have. Before buying X chocks, I would use the trailer for a few days to see if rocking is truly a problem for you. If it is, X chocks are readily available at most RV dealerships, Amazon, and Camping World.
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Old 01-13-2018, 06:18 AM   #4
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If you are not aware, besides chocking you need to level the trailer. Something else to look into. Normal steps.. Level side to side, install wedge chocks, disconnect, level front to back, drop stabilizers, install X chock if you wish.
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Old 01-13-2018, 07:49 AM   #5
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I was one of the early adopters of the BAL X-Chocks, using them on my 19. I know at rallies lots of people came into my trailer and were amazed how much better it was than theirs, we were already used to it. It makes a huge difference in the stability of the trailer, mostly eliminating that shimmying feeling which is just a small amount of forward and back movement.

We use them everywhere. If on level ground I do not even bother with wedge type wheel chocks which I use only if there is a concern of the trailer moving when disconnected. Now with the 5.0TA it is still an automatic part of our setup. If we are disconnecting from the vehicle (which is almost all the time) part of our setup routine is to install the X-Chocks.

There are other types of between the wheel chocks that would likely do just as good, but I have not tried any.
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Old 01-13-2018, 09:07 AM   #6
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Stability

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I was one of the early adopters of the BAL X-Chocks, using them on my 19. I know at rallies lots of people came into my trailer and were amazed how much better it was than theirs, we were already used to it. It makes a huge difference in the stability of the trailer, mostly eliminating that shimmying feeling which is just a small amount of forward and back movement.

We use them everywhere. If on level ground I do not even bother with wedge type wheel chocks which I use only if there is a concern of the trailer moving when disconnected. Now with the 5.0TA it is still an automatic part of our setup. If we are disconnecting from the vehicle (which is almost all the time) part of our setup routine is to install the X-Chocks.

There are other types of between the wheel chocks that would likely do just as good, but I have not tried any.
We camped in S.E. Colorado one night. We were on a nice level thick pea gravel pad. I did not bother to put the bal x chocks in. A storm came up rapidly with 70 mph winds. We rode
It out in the 19 and felt the trailer tip up and drop back down several times. After the storm we checked everything outside. The rocking trailer had mushed the pea gravel out from under the stabilizers so they were all about an inch and a half off the ground. They had sand pads too. So, after that, I put chocks in every night, put x chocks in every night, put 2x10s by 10” under the stabilizers if on soft ground and if storm clouds gather I often back up to the trailer and set it on the ball. Using the electric jack (4500 lb.) I can level the trailer and reset the stabilizers if necessary. Yes it’s probably overkill however wind caused damage if preventable will ruin your day too. Put your awning away when you go to bed, you don’t look that good in your underwear at 2 AM. If your trailer is rocking there has got to be a better reason than the wind.
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Old 01-13-2018, 10:21 AM   #7
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I like using the BAL leveler because it also acts as a non-moveable chock.
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Old 01-13-2018, 11:12 AM   #8
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You may want to clarify with ETI what is in the starter kit. I ordered the kit thinking it would include plastic wedge chocks and also ordered the Bal x-chocks ($90). During orientation I noticed two pairs of x-chocks in our trailer, the Bal and a little cheaper looking brand I can't remember, and was told I could return the Bal for a credit, which we did but spent it in their store. Found out at our first campground that we had no wedge chocks so purchased a couple from KOA. I always use the wedge chocks and usually add the x-chocks which simply require flipping down the handles to engage.
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Old 01-13-2018, 12:19 PM   #9
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There is a difference between wheel chocks and the B@L X chock. With the rubber torsion suspension, chocking the wheels will keep the trailer wheels from moving, but with the spongy suspension the trailer will still rock and forth with the wheel chocked. To stop that spongy motion you need to lock the wheels together via a "X" type chock which results in a solid feel.
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Old 01-13-2018, 12:20 PM   #10
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We decided to use the X chocks from ETI because in addition to effectively applying the brakes on all four wheels on our 5.0 TA they also provide a locking mechanism for trailer security by using a coupe of padlocks. Also incredibly stable.
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Old 01-13-2018, 12:50 PM   #11
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We decided to use the X chocks from ETI because in addition to effectively applying the brakes on all four wheels on our 5.0 TA they also provide a locking mechanism for trailer security by using a coupe of padlocks. Also incredibly stable.
This will only stop theft of the X-Chock. Pulling away will dislodge the chock.

I know. [emoji17]
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Old 01-13-2018, 02:08 PM   #12
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We decided to use the X chocks from ETI because in addition to effectively applying the brakes on all four wheels on our 5.0 TA they also provide a locking mechanism for trailer security by using a coupe of padlocks. Also incredibly stable.

All the thief needs to do is let the air out of one wheel on each side and he can wiggle the x-chock out.
We could not find the keys to the x-chocks when we first used them on the trailer and that is how I removed them. Found the keys later on in the back seat of the truck . So I made 2 key sets for the trailer a his and a hers with all keys needed on both.

Also you need to update your trailer since a 17B is single axle.
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Old 01-13-2018, 05:57 PM   #13
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As for chocks, I've never liked the plastic ones because they tend to slide around on asphalt and slick concrete pads. I much prefer heavy rubber ones like these that get a better grip, but you'll want four of them.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...w?cm_vc=-10005
Had they had them in stock at the time I was looking, I probably would have gotten two of these instead, just one for each side placed between the tires.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...w?cm_vc=-10005
Just my two cents worth....
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Old 01-13-2018, 06:01 PM   #14
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Thanks Jim and WETZK - I guess I will never make it as a thief.LOL
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Old 01-13-2018, 06:07 PM   #15
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Thanks Jim and WETZK - I guess I will never make it as a thief.LOL

NO thieves usually look for the easy mark. So you still have a shot at it.
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Old 01-13-2018, 06:09 PM   #16
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If you don't have a close by Tractor Supply, but do have a Harbor Freight:
https://www.harborfreight.com/rubber...olt-69828.html

or maybe these would work for you? https://www.harborfreight.com/solid-...ock-96479.html
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Old 01-13-2018, 06:26 PM   #17
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I use the same rubber ones from Princess Auto.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/deta...ck/A-p8192114e

They have these ones too, but I really don't think they would work too well, not wedge shaped enough.
https://www.princessauto.com/en/deta...ck/A-p8095887e

I have a bunch of the cheaper plastic ones, which do not do a bad job, they just break easily in cold weather.
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Old 01-13-2018, 06:37 PM   #18
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I'm getting a blank page on those links Jim.
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Old 01-13-2018, 06:40 PM   #19
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I'm getting a blank page on those links Jim.
They work for me. Doncha hate that! Windows 10, Firefox.
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Old 01-13-2018, 06:46 PM   #20
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Well, the first link worked on the second go. Still a blank page on the second. I'm blaming Princess.
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