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Old 10-26-2019, 07:26 PM   #1
sourdough
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BAL Lock Arm Stabilizers

We've had a lot of new folks coming on and lots of questions pertaining to most anything related to upgrades.

I have always used my trailers as "a trailer". With that came bouncing and movement. Never thought about it much because it was so much better than rocks in the back. As time has gone on, and we spend more time in the trailer in one sitting AND as I get older and value my sleep more, I decided to get some kind of stabilizer to stop the jumping around caused by DW and puppy at 6am every day (no, I'm not that 5am guy anymore since I retired).

There are several options out there and I looked at/considered them all. I bought 2 boxes of the BAL lock arm stabilizers and looked at them for a year on a shelf. Decided I wanted to put them on before we left for FL in a few days. Today was the first time I deployed them.....EXCELLENT!

I've always just used the stabilizers and BAL chocks between the tires and been happy. These stabilizers were cheaper than some other options () and easy to install. The result was better than I had hoped. I talked to the BAL expert and he advised to install them in line with the outside frame rails instead of to the inside like I had seen in one video.

Just wanted to throw that out as many are sidelining the trailers and making repairs/mods; I am happy.
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Old 10-26-2019, 09:50 PM   #2
FlyingAroundRV
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Hi Danny:
I just looked up the "lock arm stabilizers" and what I saw were what looked like the scissors type car jacks that came with my trailer. Is that what you were referencing?
I didn't realize they weren't standard on all trailers.
As you say, we wouldn't be without them and the DW still complains about the trailer moving when I walk around while she's in bed.
Another thing that made a big difference to the trailer stability was the BAL X Chocks. Well worth the investment IMO.
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Old 10-26-2019, 10:27 PM   #3
sourdough
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I have the electric stabilizers that just come down when I hit the remote. You just mount the base for the lock arm to the frame and on mine, I put the bolt for the stabilizer mount right through the foot plate for the stabilizer. I think for the scissor kind you do pretty much of the same thing. Very, very much better.
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Old 10-26-2019, 10:36 PM   #4
sourdough
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Scott,

Here's a link to what I installed;

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Old 10-27-2019, 06:03 AM   #5
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I've had the Strong Arm stabilzers on 2 rigs now. Basically the same thing. Totally agree that they do wonders for reducing movement.
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Old 10-27-2019, 06:15 AM   #6
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They are a solution well worth the money in my opinion. Coming from many years of boating before RV's the DW & I are used to "stepping lightly", a must on fiberglass decks on boats. Our daughter's cockerpoo however, which weighs all of 18 lbs, will move the floor more than I will or dog (45 lbs.)
Point is, while the addition of the stabilizer locks do a great job of controlling movement, they will not turn your campers floor into a concrete slab if you run on it like your playing basketball.
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Old 10-27-2019, 09:10 AM   #7
sourdough
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^^^^Agreed. What I really like is the fact that the wooden slats in the blinds don't shake and rattle every time I shift my weight - that's a nice change.
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Old 10-27-2019, 10:05 AM   #8
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I'll have to remember that if we ever upgrade from the pleated cloth ones!
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Old 10-27-2019, 06:34 PM   #9
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These are on my list of upgrades. Not sure what brand. Probably will be whichever has the better Black Friday sale.
I’m contemplating making my own over the winter. Lots of down time at work over the winter and they are not exactly complex.
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Old 10-27-2019, 07:37 PM   #10
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I installed the BAL locking arms on my Cougar the first year we had it (2013). They still function well and provide as much stability now as they did when new. I'm definitely satisfied with them and their longevity and performance.

The one comment I'd make is that I got tired of needing a 3/4" socket to tighten the bolt to lock them in place. Granted, it's the same size socket that's needed to raise or lower the stabilizers, but still.... So, to solve the issue, I removed the 6 bolts, welded a steel 6" x 5/16" bolt on top of each to serve as a handle. Now I don't need a socket to tighten my locking arms.
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Old 10-27-2019, 09:14 PM   #11
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I have a set of the Strong Arm stabilizers setting in the storage compartment just waiting for me to install, can't wait but it's no hurry now.
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Old 01-04-2020, 03:36 PM   #12
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Sourdough et al. - I've been looking at those for a long time and as a result of your post and everyone's positive responses, we finally bought a set to put on the front of our '15 Outback 316RL. Wow! These things really do make a world of difference in reducing motion.

Thanks to everybody for the honest feedback- it's things like this that makes this forum a great resource!

Cheers!
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Old 01-04-2020, 11:07 PM   #13
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I finally got around on installing the JT's Strong Arm.
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Old 01-05-2020, 06:28 AM   #14
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We have had our strong arms for about four years now. In that four years we have spent about a total of 18 months on the Oregon Coast. Well our Strong Arms were looking and working a bit the worst for wear. Tube ends were a little rusty the locking bolts were getting hard to turn, and the attaching bolts were totally corroded. Well about $20.00 worth of stainless bolts, washers, and nylon washers and nylock nuts from the local ACE Hardware and a can of good spray paint, they are better than when installed. I also chased the threads on the locking bolts with a tap and die, then used a small amount of copper Never-seize on the threads and they are soooo easy to use.
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Old 01-06-2020, 10:32 PM   #15
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I guess that is something that I should look at doing to my bolts for my Strong Arm.
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