I Installed BAL Lock-Arm Stabilizer Bars on my RV

LeeMedic · 09-23-2011, 08:57 AM

It took about 15-20 minutes for each one. What a difference it makes.

After installing the first stabilizer it made a HUGE difference in the stabilization of the Sprinter trailer.

All in all I installed 6; four in the back, and a pair in the front. This is one of the best upgrades we have made on our RV.

Here are two pictures of them installed.

Rowdy51 · 09-23-2011, 04:21 PM

Glad too hear you like them. I just ordered 3 sets from PPL here in Houston for our 312BH and hope I am pleased when I install. PPL had a great on-line price @ $67/set and after seeing your post I decided to go for it. Thanks for the pictures!

Safe Travels,
Tom

Jay D · 09-23-2011, 04:28 PM

think they would work on the electric stabilizers

LeeMedic · 09-23-2011, 05:20 PM

The instructions states to use the same bolts in the foot of your jacks. I found those bolts to be too short, so I went to Ace hardware and replaced those bolts with stainless steel bolts that are 1/4 inch longer.

I just love the stabilizers!!!

kingji · 09-25-2011, 04:36 PM

I heard about a guy that got in a hurry to get hooked up and back on the road that he forgot to loosen the 1/2" lock down bolts. He couldn't figure out what all the popping noise was for a while. Seems as though the landing gear motor actually blew it's fuse also. Then this dummy started using the manual crank to raise the fifth wheel with a couple of more pops and pings. He finally took all of 10 seconds to look under the unit toward the landing and saw one of the stabilizer laying on the ground and a couple of others barely hanging by a couple of screws. Boy did he feel stupid...As soon as he got home and back to work he made a label to stick just below the landing gear switch that says "Loosen the Bolts". Maybe he learned his lesson???

jk

LeeMedic · 09-26-2011, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingji

I heard about a guy that got in a hurry to get hooked up and back on the road that he forgot to loosen the 1/2" lock down bolts. He couldn't figure out what all the popping noise was for a while. Seems as though the landing gear motor actually blew it's fuse also. Then this dummy started using the manual crank to raise the fifth wheel with a couple of more pops and pings. He finally took all of 10 seconds to look under the unit toward the landing and saw one of the stabilizer laying on the ground and a couple of others barely hanging by a couple of screws. Boy did he feel stupid...As soon as he got home and back to work he made a label to stick just below the landing gear switch that says "Loosen the Bolts". Maybe he learned his lesson???

jk

That is funny!

Rowdy51 · 09-27-2011, 08:04 AM

My 3 sets arrived this morning. I plan on going down to Tiki Island this afternoon and install. Hopefully, I will be as pleased as you. I am planning on mounting them the same as you per your photos.

Safe travels,
Tom

LeeMedic · 09-27-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowdy51

My 3 sets arrived this morning. I plan on going down to Tiki Island this afternoon and install. Hopefully, I will be as pleased as you. I am planning on mounting them the same as you per your photos.

Safe travels,
Tom

Great! Let us know what you think of them. Before installing them, go outside your RV and give it a little push from side to side just to see how easily it moves. Once you install them, then try and push it!

LeeMedic · 10-04-2011, 04:23 AM

Well we are on our first camping trip since installing the stabilzer bars. What a difference. It is definately worth installing them! Even though it does not removed all movement, it has stopped 95% of the movement.

jq1031 · 10-04-2011, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay D

think they would work on the electric stabilizers

Unfortunatly Jay, I don't think so. I too, have electric stabilizers and after doing some online research I've come to that conclusion. Our jacks do not land in the same place every time. As you know they do not lower straight down but rather swing out from a mid pivot point untill they touch down always in a different space, depending on the terrain under the RV. Once the BAL's are installed they must function the same every time, meaning when they come down all the operatives must function the same way always. I too am suffering from the "shake" & upon reading the initial post & seeing the pictures I thought problem solved! Well guess I must continue looking!...........Joe

jq1031 · 10-04-2011, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay D

think they would work on the electric stabilizers

Unfortunatly Jay, I don't think so. I too, have electric stabilizers and after doing some online research I've come to that conclusion. Our jacks do not land in the same place every time. As you know they do not lower straight down but rather swing out from a mid pivot point untill they touch down always in a different space, depending on the terrain under the RV. Once the BAL's are installed they must function the same every time, meaning when they come down all the operatives must function the same way always. I too am suffering from the "shake" & upon reading the initial post & seeing the pictures I thought problem solved! Well guess I must continue looking!...........Joe

LeeMedic · 10-04-2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jq1031

Unfortunatly Jay, I don't think so. I too, have electric stabilizers and after doing some online research I've come to that conclusion. Our jacks do not land in the same place every time. As you know they do not lower straight down but rather swing out from a mid pivot point untill they touch down always in a different space, depending on the terrain under the RV. Once the BAL's are installed they must function the same every time, meaning when they come down all the operatives must function the same way always. I too am suffering from the "shake" & upon reading the initial post & seeing the pictures I thought problem solved! Well guess I must continue looking!...........Joe

Joe, I had electric stabilizers on my last trailer, although I did not install the BAL bars, I think they would work just fine. The portion of the BAL that mounts to the frame is on a swivel ball. It allows it to move in all directions.

Maybe call PPL at For questions or phone ordering, our telephone lines ( Toll Free 1-800-755-4775 ) are Open 7am to 7:30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Sat, (Central Time) Sale Prices Shown are Valid Until 10/07/11.

Let us know what they tell you.

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/r...stabilizer.htm

jq1031 · 10-04-2011, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeMedic

Joe, I had electric stabilizers on my last trailer, although I did not install the BAL bars, I think they would work just fine. The portion of the BAL that mounts to the frame is on a swivel ball. It allows it to move in all directions.

Maybe call PPL at For questions or phone ordering, our telephone lines ( Toll Free 1-800-755-4775 ) are Open 7am to 7:30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Sat, (Central Time) Sale Prices Shown are Valid Until 10/07/11.

Let us know what they tell you.

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/r...stabilizer.htm

Thanks Lee, I'll call tomorrow!

Tikitim · 10-04-2011, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay D

think they would work on the electric stabilizers

I have 3 sets on my Cougar @99RKS with electric stabilizer and they work great. Two sets on front landing gear, one set on rear stabilizers (electric).

skystak · 10-04-2011, 06:34 PM

I have 2012 303TG Laredo. It has the electric gear that basically drops one leg down and the other side catches up. It think that is standard. Mine shakes when people walk, mostly from side to side. I tried BAL chocks to lock the wheels. It helps, but still get a lot of "swag". I tried to add the CW Wayne locks, but they are pretty clunky to use and lock in. They didn't really help much more. Soooooo, now down to third attempt. But once they are deployed, I assume you need to somehow "lock" the thing in place. A screw that holds it locked? Has anyone deployed with this configuration?

Sky

jq1031 · 10-05-2011, 11:30 AM

As Lee suggested, I did call PPL regarding the electric stabelizer issue & they confermed my theory that Bal Stabelizer Bar is not compatible with electric jacks!

Rowdy51 · 10-05-2011, 01:52 PM

I installed my 3 sets on the 312BH and it made a world of difference. Installed 2 sets on the rear and 1 in the front. Like you said, it took about 15 minutes per set.

I have some pictures but can't load from my Iphone onto site since the site does not have Tapatalk.

LeeMedic · 10-06-2011, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jq1031

As Lee suggested, I did call PPL regarding the electric stabelizer issue & they confermed my theory that Bal Stabelizer Bar is not compatible with electric jacks!

That is a bummer!

jq1031 · 10-06-2011, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeMedic

That is a bummer!

There is light at the end of the tunnel as the company that manufactures the Eliminator Bar (similar to BAL only much more costly) has an adaptor for it's product that solves the problem, however even CW has is not aware of it. Wait & see!!

You may also like: