Clever technology that can quickly get you level – and maybe out of trouble as well…
We recently upgraded our 20′ Kedron ‘van with some new BOS stabiliser legs. The original stabiliser legs were not only looking a bit ordinary, but also getting really stiff and difficult to swing down into place. Even worse, they had a habit of getting stuck while they were down, and needing a lot of effort, and a LOT of grunting and swearing to get back up into a safe position under the van. It’s important to have stabilisers that work properly and are easy to use, because if they do get stuck when they’re down, well, you aren’t going anywhere.
These older style stabilisers have a tendency to get very stiff with age and the inevitable bulldust and dirt that they get covered in when you take your van on the dirt. We’ve heard that some people even remove them completely, because they’re so fed up with having to get them un-jammed when on the tracks.
The new BOS stabiliser legs not only look good, but have several key advantages.
- Unlike traditional stabiliser legs, BOS legs are designed from the get-go to be used with a cordless drill
- BOS legs contain very clever gearing which is extremely strong, strong enough to enable the legs to be used, in series, to lift one side of the van clear enough to enable you to even change a tyre – and how handy would that be, when you’re stuck with a flat someplace out in the middle of the desert
- BOS legs are strong enough to be able to very capably level a van on uneven ground – traditional stabilisers simply don’t have the strength to do this, they’re simply for stopping the van from rocking around when it is parked
- BOS legs are tough, designed by an Australian firm for Australian conditions.
These BOS legs aren’t cheap though. However, these days, you pay for what you get, and what you’re paying for here is a quality build, quality materials, and great quality assurance. We were lucky enough to get a look around the BOS factory in Sydney when we went to collect the legs, and the factory set-up, and the people involved were certainly very impressive. BOS have hit on a great product and they seem to have a great future.
You don’t need to support BOS just because they’re an Australian firm (which they are), you should support them because of their innovation and clever design.
We didn’t just lash out out on the BOS legs as an impulse buy. I like to do a LOT of research before I reach into my pocket. And the best type of research is to talk directly to people who have fitted BOS legs and see how they actually perform in real life. That’s exactly what I did, traveling around Queensland and outback NSW on the most recent of our big trips. Travelers usually love to stop and have a yarn and they’re always keen to give you a run-down on the gear they have and how it’s working out. Everyone we spoke to who had the BOS legs told us they were fantastic, a really great upgrade. And that’s why we ended up dropping into the factory and picking up a set of BOS legs.
Installing the legs is easy. On many ‘vans they’ll simply bolt on, replacing the old legs, and using the same fittings.
And using the legs is easy, too. I have two left hands when it comes to tech or tools, but even I was able to quickly use the legs to level our van. That was something we never able to do with the old style stabilisers.
BOS legs aren’t cheap, but they’re probably a lot less expensive (and a lot less finicky) than fitting a fancy airbag leveling system. We picked up our BOS legs directly from their factory in Western Sydney, and saved a package in shipping costs, but they are available all over Australia – and now going gang-busters in the U.S. now, too.
We’ll be taking our BOS legs far, far, into the wilderness, and getting them to grips with some real rough country. I’m really keen to see how we get on.
I’ll be giving an update to our progress, here on Slow Camping; so watch this space…
Note: we’re not affiliated with BOS in any way and this is not an advertorial or a paid-for review. Just our honest thoughts on some brilliant Australian industrial design
Check out the BOS website for full details: https://bos370.com.au/
