Driving on to Levelling Ramps
I bought the three stage Milenco ramps and in about 5 weeks of touring have only needed to use them about three times but being a complete novice I seem to make a hash of it every time. Handbrake on, first gear, lots of revs followed by burning smell (clutch
plates?) and eventually up to second level. Top level seems too precarious and the ramps need to be VERY secure with no twisting etc. to risk it. Also some of the plastic is already breaking away so they are not as tough as they are made out to be.
Am I doing anything wrong? Is there a better system?
Comments
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Probably not doing a lot wrong.
We have the same type of ramp and it does need a bit of practice.
We have SWMBO directing the MH up the ramp and a curt hand signal when we are at the top, if we need to go that far, or where we consider the right height.
Then it's foot brake hard down, handbrake on and put in first gear before releasing the foot brake.
We found 'backing' on the blocks better than going forward as they can shoot forward by themselves at high speed depending on the surface beneath them – tarmac seems worst.
Having said all that we only used them twice in a month in France recently and they are deteriorating fast despite the minimal use they get.
Some people use wooden wedges, obviously cheaper, but they usually have less grip to the surface, especially grass, beneath them than the plastic blocks.
Unless the wine glass, and it's contents, are a a dangerous angle we try not to use blocks if possible.
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I gave up on the sloping ramps and the three section ramps as I found them difficult to use effectively. I went to B&Q and got a couple of scaffold planks and cut them to size. I don't think they are more bulky and the beauty of them is the wheel is always
on a flat surface. Might seem a bit Heath Robinson to some!David
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I never had any problems using the Milenco ramps. The only drawback I had was I always had to drive onto the front wheels forwards. Two years ago I had hydraulic leveling fitted, wished I had done it sooner. Expensive, yes, but wow does it make leveling
on even the roughest of fields so easy.peedee
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I gave up on the sloping ramps and the three section ramps as I found them difficult to use effectively. I went to B&Q and got a couple of scaffold planks and cut them to size. I don't think they are more bulky and the beauty of them is the wheel is always
on a flat surface. Might seem a bit Heath Robinson to some!David
I have some of these David, inherited from the caravan. May have to revert! Off to Italy for three weeks so will see how it goes.
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I agree that reversing on is easier. I can leave the drivers door open and sit so I can see the ramp and tyre whilst backing up. Saves all the worry about falling off the edge or driving off the top. Once that concern has gone the revs and clutch burning issues fade away.
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I gave up on the sloping ramps and the three section ramps as I found them difficult to use effectively. I went to B&Q and got a couple of scaffold planks and cut them to size. I don't think they are more bulky and the beauty of them is the
wheel is always on a flat surface. Might seem a bit Heath Robinson to some!David
I use this system but yours are posh, they have a strip at the back for the tyre to rest against
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Place the ramp(s) up to the wheels, reverse (move forward) about 3 feet. Drive slowly up the ramps.
If one ramp is on the drivers side open door and lean out to see when to stop.....otherwise SWMBO indicates.
So, a gentle run-up rather than a hill-start?
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i have two sets of Fiamma ramps. i just place them (end on) back to back, so two on the left side and two on the right, and just drive up on until the wheel drops slightly into the 'well' between the far end of one ramp and the near edge of the other. wheel
sits, effectively, as if its on flat ground...no need to have any one watching or yelling 'stop'.
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Instead of towing a Smart/Yaris etc, what about one of those mini diggers. You could landscape your pitch to taste.
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I use Fiamma ramps which have a continual slope. Wife places them where I say, I drive up with one hand ready to pull on the handbrake. Wife signals when I have gone far enough. Hanbrake on, job done. I don't like backing on. Allows the wife to be involved
in motorhoming!I have a Comfort-matic Fiat so that makes life easier.
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We have these ramps, I jump out and line them up with the wheels that need a lift. Guide OH onto them just past the height that we need (this allows a little settling) then its handbrake on, into first gear engine off. I have a small spirit level that I
sit on the floor of the van I can see it from outside the van so know when we are ok. Sometimes we reverse onto them but not always it depends on the pitch.DK, the ones you made look good but are they bulky and heavy we don't have anywhere to store them in our van, the ones we have fit into the custom made bag and sit on the floor of the van between cab and habitation.
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DK, the ones you made look good but are they bulky and heavy we don't have anywhere to store them in our van, the ones we have fit into the custom made bag and sit on the floor of the van between cab and habitation.
TG
Thats a good question. Having had both the Milenco and a Fiamma set in the van I would say no they don't take up more room but then we have underbed storage and they are immediately accessable from the side locker along with the electric lead. I am not sure
we have used all three on one wheel yet but certainly two. I was never happy with using the sloping ones and the stepped ones I broke when I went off the end once. As I said the advantage on the planks is that the wheel is always on the level. Just a tip for
anyone making their own. You have to have a slight step between each plank otherwise its difficult to get the wheels up onto them.David
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Tammygirl, I have a similar arrangement. I suggest you make the first ramp as long as you can manage as it will be much easier to drive up. The height is not as much as a custom made ramp unfortunately. They worked well on my caravan but not perfect on the
motorhome which of course is far more difficult to get perfectly level than a caravan.0 -
TG
I think I got two of the shorter planks as that was the longest I could get in my Kia Venga!!! See
Here I don't have the exact lengths but I would reckon the longer ones are about 30inches long and the shorter on about 15 inches but that is guesswork on my part. I will try and measure them tomorrow for you.David
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Many thanks guys, will pass this onto OH, I think he will get the ramps out and look at the dimensions of those first and see how the wood ones would (no pun) measure up. we haven't had to use the top bit that often which is good as it feels a bit precarious,
on the rare occasion we have used the top ones we put the axel stands under the cab aswell.0 -
Only if you have two of them.
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These ramps are good but if you have mudflaps on the front wheels, then you have to drive up them, a word of warning, DO NOT go over the top as they get jammed inbetween the front wheel and the bodywork and the ramps need to be cut free.
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