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12-28-2016, 11:31 AM
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#21
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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and since weight is our nemesis, a couple of 2x8's under each wheel may weigh less than 2 levelers, power wrench, batteries for wrench. I know when I carried 2 of the B@ls they were heavy.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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12-28-2016, 11:34 AM
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#22
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Yes, but can you buy 2X10s on Amazon?
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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12-28-2016, 11:52 AM
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#23
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,213
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008
and since weight is our nemesis, a couple of 2x8's under each wheel may weigh less than 2 levelers, power wrench, batteries for wrench. I know when I carried 2 of the B@ls they were heavy.
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Not much of a nemesis when you have a Tundra or F150. The OP is planning on solo trips sounds like and in that event I can see the benefit of these BAL-type levelers. Personally I still prefer the ones you suggested- the slant levelers from Camping World, now for $19.77. They're compact, will stack together as a rectangle for when you need them as a tongue jack stand while hitched to remove a WDH.
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12-28-2016, 12:01 PM
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#24
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,824
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo
Yes, but can you buy 2X10s on Amazon?
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More importantly these days, are batteries included.
Ron
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12-28-2016, 01:55 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Middle, Tennessee
Trailer: 2017 Escape 19' #2
Posts: 1,441
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And when things get really hilly a couple of BAL chocks work great.
__________________
Tom
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12-28-2016, 01:57 PM
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#26
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Seatac, Washington
Trailer: "The Trailer", 2nd Gen 21' & a 2017 Tundra CrewMax in Blazing Blue Pearl
Posts: 2,888
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossue
Not much of a nemesis when you have a Tundra or F150. The OP is planning on solo trips sounds like and in that event I can see the benefit of these BAL-type levelers.
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Yep - already have 9 planned (some booked) and I know that's not all that I could/will do.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron in BC
More importantly these days, are batteries included.
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Hey, that's what the monster, super huge packs from Costco are for! Least for regular batteries. I have a surgical nurse friend that saves the unused AA batteries from surgery packs for me as I include one with every clock I sell. Yay for free stuff!
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12-28-2016, 03:16 PM
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#27
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowa Dave
On a related note I'm amazed that the Madison Avenue people can sell cars and trucks with emphasis on frivolous features like tailgate helper handles, foot operated rear hatch sensors and contrived driving situations all the while not mentioning horsepower, engine torque or power curves.
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While I find that annoying, too, I realize that it works this way because for most people every available vehicle has far more power than it needs. Power and torque curves are nearly irrelevant for people with a 8-speed to 10-speed automatic transmission, and if shown the data they wouldn't know what to make of it anyway.
People are interested in the features which make a difference to them. If the under-tire levelers do what a person wants, then they're desirable. If doing that is more important to the buyer than the weight or cost, then they're a rational choice.
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12-28-2016, 04:20 PM
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#28
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,263
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You're right about that Brian. They don't know
They don't care and 99% couldn't operate a standard transmission. There's the theft solution.
Hook your rig to a manual tranny vehicle. With no power steering and straight brakes. I believe she'd be there in the mornin'.
If it was gone, all the suspects would be over 60.
Dave
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12-28-2016, 05:40 PM
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#29
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Ceresco, Michigan
Trailer: 2015 escape 19
Posts: 134
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I agree, leveling blocks simple and look better.
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12-28-2016, 06:05 PM
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#30
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,554
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I think with many of these type systems, the key to the success of them in individuals hands, is first for folks to just get out and try things without the adding of technology. First try 2x6's, then Lynx Blocks if desired, maybe Andersen Levellers, and if none of this suits your fancy, move on to the bigger stuff like these levellers. To short circuit this process takes away a part of a potentially important learning phase.
If one was to go camp, hike, bike, paddle, etc, then at the end of the day hit the hay in a not perfectly levelled trailer, chances are you will sleep like a baby anyway. I know, I've tried it, many, many times.
What I am getting at has been discussed many times before, it is the going camping without all the doodads that are not necessary for camping, and figure out what best works for you. I know I have been sucked into the hype of things only to realize I did not need it, and have abandoned ideas. But most things we incorporate (as likely many others do to), is stuff that weeks/month/years of experience has taught us will be beneficial to our style, a style that is constantly evolving.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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12-28-2016, 06:38 PM
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#31
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,054
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There is a huge difference between "we" camping and "me" camping. For those with bumper pulls and have a mate to help guide you back over the ball good for you, but it's totally different for solos. Thank goodness for a camera aimed at the hitch. Otherwise it's in-out-pull forward, backup... 10 times. The same with leveling. I bet couples have a routine where the mate checks the bubble levels and determines where the trailer needs to be (forward or back) to be close to level. Solos have to get in and out of the tug. Need to back onto or drive up on blocks or the Anderson? Anyone tell you when to stop? Guess what... doesn't work so well for solos. I can (and have done it) when the blocks need to be on the drivers side. I can't see the tires on the passenger side because the step is in the way. For me certain technology reduces stress and helps along the way... without needing to be fed!
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
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12-28-2016, 07:29 PM
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#32
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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I can see wheels on both sides of my 17, in my mirrors. I do plan to put another level on driver side and on the front of the trailer so I don't have to walk around the trailer. I'll get to it one day.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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12-28-2016, 08:47 PM
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#33
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,554
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With the OEM trailer mirrors on my F150, I could see the tires on my 8' wide temp fifth wheel. Maybe not on the Escape though? Regardless, most of the time backing in the trailer I just do it solo, as it helps maintain peace in the marriage. Yes, sometimes it means getting in or out of the truck 2 or 3 times, but I am very used to that. Backup cameras do help with hitching, making it a one shot deal.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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12-28-2016, 09:00 PM
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#34
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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If a solo traveler's main concern with leveling side-to-side is knowing when it is level from the driver's seat, the straightforward solution is a big level mounted on the front of the trailer (and visible to the driver directly or via the inside rearview mirror). This is not always the only concern with using leveling ramps, but at least this one can be addressed.
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12-28-2016, 09:09 PM
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#35
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett
With the OEM trailer mirrors on my F150, I could see the tires on my 8' wide temp fifth wheel. Maybe not on the Escape though?
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With the classic Escape shape, the tires are tucked in significantly; not necessarily so on a square-box trailer. I see that on Jim's Rustler the fenders actually stick out beyond the wall surface.
Of course, Jim's new 5.0TA is the 2017 style, so the wheels are a couple of inches further out on each side than the classic style... but so is the body, and the tires are still recessed from the wall face.
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12-28-2016, 09:13 PM
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#36
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Seatac, Washington
Trailer: "The Trailer", 2nd Gen 21' & a 2017 Tundra CrewMax in Blazing Blue Pearl
Posts: 2,888
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian B-P
People are interested in the features which make a difference to them. If the under-tire levelers do what a person wants, then they're desirable. If doing that is more important to the buyer than the weight or cost, then they're a rational choice.
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Well said, thanks Brian!
And the weight of the KoJacks is minor compared to what else I'll be hauling around when I vend at shows. One small black plastic container (from the Container Store in their garage storage section) filled with tile coasters is over 20#. And I haul more than one of those with me.
Dirk knows how much I haul around to shows. He's a mechanical engineer and knows far more about this stuff than I do. When he tells me I'll be fine with The Trailer hitched up and with everything added for myself, trailer usage, plus show stuff - I believe him.
Thanks Donna for your comments as well.
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12-28-2016, 09:56 PM
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#37
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Ponoka, Alberta
Trailer: 2016 19 classic "outta sight", jeep rubicon unlimited
Posts: 1,645
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Donna D.
There is a huge difference between "we" camping and "me" camping. For those with bumper pulls and have a mate to help guide you back over the ball good for you, but it's totally different for solos. Thank goodness for a camera aimed at the hitch. Otherwise it's in-out-pull forward, backup... 10 times. The same with leveling. I bet couples have a routine where the mate checks the bubble levels and determines where the trailer needs to be (forward or back) to be close to level. Solos have to get in and out of the tug. Need to back onto or drive up on blocks or the Anderson? Anyone tell you when to stop? Guess what... doesn't work so well for solos. I can (and have done it) when the blocks need to be on the drivers side. I can't see the tires on the passenger side because the step is in the way. For me certain technology reduces stress and helps along the way... without needing to be fed!
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At least, when solo, you don't get yelled at like me
__________________
"never lose hope, never lose faith"
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12-28-2016, 11:07 PM
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#38
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossue
Not much of a nemesis when you have a Tundra or F150. The OP is planning on solo trips sounds like and in that event I can see the benefit of these BAL-type levelers. Personally I still prefer the ones you suggested- the slant levelers from Camping World, now for $19.77. They're compact, will stack together as a rectangle for when you need them as a tongue jack stand while hitched to remove a WDH.
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That is what we have Ross . Love them . Pat
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12-28-2016, 11:17 PM
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#39
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner
Well said, thanks Brian!
And the weight of the KoJacks is minor compared to what else I'll be hauling around when I vend at shows. One small black plastic container (from the Container Store in their garage storage section) filled with tile coasters is over 20#. And I haul more than one of those with me.
Dirk knows how much I haul around to shows. He's a mechanical engineer and knows far more about this stuff than I do. When he tells me I'll be fine with The Trailer hitched up and with everything added for myself, trailer usage, plus show stuff - I believe him.
Thanks Donna for your comments as well.
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Having your Tundra Laura ,there is no reason to not get what will make it easier for you . I have a spotter so I don't need your levelers . Linda yells stop before I back off our level blocks , going too far . . I would have to rethink things too if I was trailering solo. Pat
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12-28-2016, 11:20 PM
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#40
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,054
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian B-P
If a solo traveler's main concern with leveling side-to-side is knowing when it is level from the driver's seat, the straightforward solution is a big level mounted on the front of the trailer (and visible to the driver directly or via the inside rearview mirror). This is not always the only concern with using leveling ramps, but at least this one can be addressed.
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Those things are Fugly, not putting one on my b e a u t i f u l trailer
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
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