BAL trailer leveler long term use?
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Topic: BAL trailer leveler long term use?
Posted By: thegrandpoohbah
Subject: BAL trailer leveler long term use?
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2015 at 9:37pm
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Just discovered the BAL leveler. Is it safe for long term use? Any risk of damage to the tire? Where I park my R-pod for the summer is not level side to side, with the passenger side being a fair bit lower. I want to be able to keep the power plugged in during the week so that the fridge is always on and ready to go. That way I can keep food and condiments in there and be ready to hitch up and go every Friday afternoon. Conventional wisdom says that the trailer should be level before I use the fridge so would the BAL be a good idea for this scenario? ------------- 2013 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 Double Cab V6 TRD Sport 2009 R-Pod 171 |
Replies:
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2015 at 8:25am
Can't say I've ever heard of anyone discuss using one long term like you're saying but I can't fathom why it would be an issue. When you're discussing not level side to side how far off are you talking. The fridge operates in an approximate 3 degree range. That's actually quite a lot. Not sure how much your "fair bit" takes into consideration of that. Also were you just going to leave the fridge empty? Yes it will still keep it cooled and semi ready to go but it will be it's coldest and stay it's coldest if there are things inside there to help it hold it's temperature. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2015 at 11:52am
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I don't believe the BAL will have any less contact area then the tire on the ground.. so if anything.. it's better than leaving it sitting on the ground. ------------- |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2015 at 12:35pm
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I'll make the opposite argument. I would worry about the small contact areas of the BAL causing permanent deformation of the belts if used semi-permanently. Since the pod will be in the same location most of the time and it is at your own house, I would go with building up the area where the passenger side tire rests, if it is dirt. If it is paved, then cut a few treated boards to raise it. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2015 at 5:05pm
See when I look at the BAL, and compare the "square inches" of the two tire pads, it looks to me like more area then the contact patch spot left where a tire has sat on the concrete for any length of time.. eyeball SWAG only.. But I agree a level spot is best to begin with. ------------- |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2015 at 6:55pm
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I will have to take another look at it. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: thegrandpoohbah
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2015 at 8:14pm
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It is a grassy spot next to my driveway. I suppose I could just lay down a few boards to build it up some. The BAL just seems like it would be easier. ------------- 2013 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 Double Cab V6 TRD Sport 2009 R-Pod 171 |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2015 at 8:48pm
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It's been a long time since I have used our BAL leveler. I think it would be easier to build up the ground or use boards than use the BAL leveler sense the raised height will always be the same. ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 02 May 2015 at 8:20pm
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I looked up a pic of the BAL, I guess it would be ok for long-term use on the tire. But, I would still do something more permanent since it is at home. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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