Most useful trailering accessory you've bought?

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

I would only add to the answers already given Charlie, that I want both the front and rear axle leveled evenly - so I use both of the levelers.

Just curious. I use the leveler on one axle but Xs on both sides; works fine for us. Less to pack. The BALs on the corners take the load.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Just curious. I use the leveler on one axle but Xs on both sides; works fine for us. Less to pack. The BALs on the corners take the load.

When you say the BALs on the corners I assume you mean the stabilizers? They're not really part of leveling, and should only be snugged to the ground - not used to affect level either way. They just stabilize the corners to reduce rocking.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by rbryan4

When you say the BALs on the corners I assume you mean the stabilizers? They're not really part of leveling, and should only be snugged to the ground - not used to affect level either way. They just stabilize the corners to reduce rocking.

The models of jack which Escape has used include ones (such as the C-Jack) which can be used for fine leveling (that is, small height adjustments); however, there are structural implications for the trailer and Escape does not endorse this type of use.

[Ian G]

I didn't buy this accessory, but without doubt the best item I bring camping is Joan, the best camp hand, reminds me of everything I forget, best drinking buddy and best friend. Not many trailering accessories are so versatile.

[Greg A]

Originally Posted by Ian G

I didn't buy this accessory, but without doubt the best item I bring camping is Joan, the best camp hand, reminds me of everything I forget, best drinking buddy and best friend. Not many trailering accessories are so versatile.

Very nice, u should make sure Joan sees the post. Might be in for some good poutine!

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by Ian G

I didn't buy this accessory, but without doubt the best item I bring camping is Joan, the best camp hand, reminds me of everything I forget, best drinking buddy and best friend. Not many trailering accessories are so versatile.

Ian, I can well appreciate your comment.
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Iowa Dave

[gocamp]

Originally Posted by Dave & Penny Smith

We enjoyed the BAL for several years (using it with our T@B), and were disappointed that it wouldn't work with the 17B.

How would BAL levelers not work for a single axle 17 trailer? They have been used by many single axle trailer owners for years. Thanks in advance.

[cpaharley2008]

I'm not sure what the issue is with the 17 Escape, but I used my B@l with several other trailers and bought another one to use with the tandem Escape 19 with success.

[Fox hunt]

yes i thought of buying the BAL levelers for my 17. Did someone tell you they don't work for a 17? or did you try them and they did not fit?

[gocamp]

Maybe they mean that some folks have to bend the bal leveler a bit to fit around the tire. Example attached.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gocamp

How would BAL levelers not work for a single axle 17 trailer?

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I'm not sure what the issue is with the 17 Escape...

Originally Posted by Fox hunt

Did someone tell you they don't work for a 17?

I guess this topic has been going for a while... too long to look back? This is the issue:

Originally Posted by Dave & Penny Smith

We used the BAL Leveler with our T@B and loved it. Our Craftsman Cordless Drill was able to turn the BAL and it made leveling easy. Our experience with our new (last fall) 17B is not so positive. Apparently, the 17B is enough heavier that the BAL will not lift it--with either the Cordless Drill or with the BAL supplied ratcheting wrench.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gocamp

Maybe they mean that some folks have to bend the bal leveler a bit to fit around the tire. Example attached.

Interesting. I can see how that could be an issue with much larger tires, although this bending approach would only be good for a small adjustment.

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I'm not sure what the issue is with the 17 Escape, but I used my [BAL] with several other trailers and bought another one to use with the tandem Escape 19 with success.

So apparently Jim finds the BAL able to handle the size of the tires on 19', which are the same as all current Escapes. Smaller Escape models did use smaller tires in the past; I think the 17' started with ST205/75R14.

[Fox hunt]

this is what I found on another site-If I have the numbers right, the Bal Leveler should work comfortably on a camper that weights a maximum of 3,900 lbs.
3,900 lbs camper has an average 390 tongue weight (10%). split the remaining 3,510 lbs by 2 tires leaves the wheel for the leveler at 1,755 lbs. So it seems like it should work for the weight of a 17B

[Fox hunt]

it looks like one of the issue is it doesn't fit our tires. Are 17 tires 14 or 15 " ?

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Fox hunt

it looks like one of the issue is it doesn't fit our tires. Are 17 tires 14 or 15 " ?

All Escapes - including the 17' - have had 15" wheels for years. They even have the same size of tire (ST205/75R15), although I think at one point the original 5.0 had ST215/75R15. Only older 17's would have 14" wheels; I don't know offhand what year this changed.

The more load on a tire, the more it flattens out on the bottom. The softer the ground, the further the tire sinks in. Individual conditions of the trailer (axle load, tire size, tire inflation pressure, ground condition) will affect how easily this sort of device will fit around the tire.

[cpaharley2008]

the picture shown on prior page is not the B@l leveler I had

[Donna D.]

I've used the BAL leveler on both trailers. The 2,300# Scamp with ST205/75R15 tires and now on Ten Forward... 2 BAL levelers. I've never had to spread the arms out. Only got the BAL stuck once around the tire on the Scamp. My fault, soft ground... parked in a cow pasture. Should have run the trailer up on a leveler block first. One big, hard jerk and it came... unstuck.

[santacruzer]

I used the BAL leveler on my 17 and had no problem, except it was a tight fit.

[Brian B-P]

This is the BAL Light Trailer Tire Leveler:

Originally Posted by gocamp

Maybe they mean that some folks have to bend the bal leveler a bit to fit around the tire. Example attached.

... but it has a scissors jack across the open end, extended to spread the legs of the Leveler.

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

the picture shown on prior page is not the B@l leveler I had

Okay Jim, what did you have... and is it from BAL (not B@l)? Is it the same Leveler shown above... if you picture it without that scissor jack stuck in it?

[Ian G]

I use 2 BAL levelers on our 19". On hard ground they work fine on the 15" wheels. If the ground is soft and the tires sink in some the levellers are difficult to get around the tires. A simple solution is to use a 1/2" thick rubber mat under the tires as you back in, the mat holds the tires above the ground level and you can slip the BAL levellers into position