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10-26-2019, 07:26 PM
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#1
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,692
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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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Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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10-26-2019, 09:50 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 708
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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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10-26-2019, 10:27 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,692
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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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Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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10-26-2019, 10:36 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,692
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Scott,
Here's a link to what I installed;
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Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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10-27-2019, 06:03 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,398
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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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Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana High Country 305RL
2015 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 DRW
Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
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10-27-2019, 06:15 AM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,752
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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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Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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10-27-2019, 09:10 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,692
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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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Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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10-27-2019, 10:05 AM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,752
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I'll have to remember that if we ever upgrade from the pleated cloth ones!
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Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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10-27-2019, 06:34 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Des Moines
Posts: 366
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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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Brant
2020 Ford F-350 CCLB, 7.3 gas
2022 Arcadia 3940LT
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10-27-2019, 07:37 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,996
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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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John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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10-27-2019, 09:14 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WA
Posts: 384
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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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2018 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7L Diesel Cummins Turbo
2019 Jayco Eagle 321RSTS 5th Wheel
Retired Army MSG
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01-04-2020, 03:36 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: El Paso
Posts: 157
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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!
Andy
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01-04-2020, 11:07 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WA
Posts: 384
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I finally got around on installing the JT's Strong Arm.
__________________
2018 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7L Diesel Cummins Turbo
2019 Jayco Eagle 321RSTS 5th Wheel
Retired Army MSG
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01-05-2020, 06:28 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,223
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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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Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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01-06-2020, 10:32 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WA
Posts: 384
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I guess that is something that I should look at doing to my bolts for my Strong Arm.
__________________
2018 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7L Diesel Cummins Turbo
2019 Jayco Eagle 321RSTS 5th Wheel
Retired Army MSG
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