BAL leveler and cordless hammer drill? |
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furpod
Moderator Group - pHp Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
Topic: BAL leveler and cordless hammer drill? Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 12:55pm |
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Been there a couple times myself.. agreed, not fun. Luckily, it isn't often. |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 1:00pm | |
While on campsites, I haven't had to raise the BAL but a few twists to tweak the leveling. However, in my driveway, it is a different story. There I have to raise it most of the way. I still use the wrench that came with it. Neither my 16V nor my 20V drills are strong enough to raise the BAL leveler. It isn't something I have to do every day. If it were, I might be looking for a power alternative also.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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ToolmanJohn
Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2014 Location: Connecticut Online Status: Offline Posts: 451 |
Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 4:29pm | |
The BAL acme screw is not designed to handle that kind of impact. If it was a smooth and continuous torque, it would be OK, but I have personally witnessed a friends BAL get ruined because he used a hammer drill, and I warned him not too (It took about 6 camping trips to ruin it). The acme screw thread is NOT hardened. It will gall and become damaged, requiring a new screw and nut.
Make certain to put some grease on the screw!!!! I know it's messy, but it will make it work so much easier. And even then, it may become worn out. Maybe they have quality problems at BAL. Check out the one star reviews on AMAZON for the BAL leveler. A lot of damage from using power tools. And, I own one, and it does work. But I find that I almost always have to pull the trailer forward onto a leveling block in order to raise tire on the low side slightly. This is so I can actually slide the BAL leveler under the tire. On a soft surface it can be impossible to get the BAL under the tire, so I put the yellow lego block pad in front, pull forward to raise the tire a bit, then put the BAL under the tire and level the camper.
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2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler
2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 9:07pm | |
Use of power tools does not mean that the BAL has quality problems. If it was not designed for them, then they should not be used. If a power tool is used, BAL cannot be blamed when it damages the leveler. Using some grease on the threads is common sense. I can see where if it is overloaded or not greased, the jack screw can quickly fail. That being said, I am not sure about the durability of the design. The concept is good, but it is exposed to weather and dirt, both of which are not good for the sliding surfaces of the threads and will contribute to wear.
I like the idea of using one block to elevate the tire a little in order to make sliding the BAL leveler under and removing it easier. I'll have to try that when I get ready to lower it in my driveway and when I raise and lower it in the future. |
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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birderdiane526
Senior Member Joined: 08 May 2016 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 320 |
Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 9:41pm | |
So, what is a BAL? 😊
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Diane and Michael
2016 179 "PIP" (PODDING IN PARADISE) 2007 Toyota Tundra BLOG:Podding in Paradise, birderdiane526.blogspot.com |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 9:58pm | |
This is a BAL.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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birderdiane526
Senior Member Joined: 08 May 2016 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 320 |
Posted: 08 Jun 2016 at 10:01pm | |
Ahhh! Now I understand! Thanks!
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Diane and Michael
2016 179 "PIP" (PODDING IN PARADISE) 2007 Toyota Tundra BLOG:Podding in Paradise, birderdiane526.blogspot.com |
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TheBum
Senior Member Joined: 26 Feb 2016 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 1407 |
Posted: 09 Jun 2016 at 11:01am | |
The impact wrench I bought has three speeds. The lowest speed should put the least stress on the worm gear; the only question is whether it will provide enough torque.
I hadn't though about greasing it, but it's a good idea. I'll probably use the same red sticky grease I use for balls and WDH bars. I also saw where someone suggested putting a quarter under the end of the worm gear to save wear and tear on the BAL frame. |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Posted: 09 Jun 2016 at 11:45am | |
I would be very leery about putting a quarter in the ring under the jack screw. The ring is meant to keep the end in place. Putting a quarter in there reduces the amount of wall there is to keep it from slipping. I would think that just putting some grease there also would help to reduce wear.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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ron/roscoe
Groupie Joined: 13 May 2016 Location: Hanahan, SC Online Status: Offline Posts: 84 |
Posted: 10 Jun 2016 at 2:38pm | |
Impact cordless drill will do the trick.
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Ron Rowland
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