Which levels?
Sorry all, me again!
So we are slowly getting our little caravan ready for its first trip and am very conscious of our limited payload. I invested in the Milenco Quattro ramps as I found the smaller Fiamma ramps never seemed sufficient for getting level. Worked a treat and as they aren't cheap I decided to transfer them over to the caravan. However, they aren't very lightweight and I am wondering whether we are likely to need such a large option in a caravan? Previously in the m'home we opted for hard standing pitches where possible and I suspect this preference will continue. We generally stay on club (either CMC or CCC) sites. We do have a motormover fitted and I need to see if its going to interfere with ramps at all.
So, wondering how much height you generally need for caravan levelling, do you often need ramps on both sides to enable room for jockey wheel/steadies to be put down and what levels do most caravanners use? I'm wondering whether just taking one of our current levels would work as that would cut down the weight. Or should I look at getting something else?
Thanks as always
Daisy
Comments
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It is rare on a Caravan Club site to need to level across the way at all, and if one does have to it is only ever an inch or so. Unless the pitch is very sloping the leveling front to back is easily taken up by the jockey wheel, and the steadies do just that - steady. It is really quite different geometery from a motor caravan where the four points of contact with the ground need to be all at the same height. As long as the axle is level the ends sort themselves out.
There is considerable travel on a corner steady, but it is sometimes easier to stick a block underneath than keep winding. Only difficulty can be if your caravan has waste outlets at the rear, and it is pointed downhill. The Wastemaster won't fit underneath and you will have to make water (etc) flow uphill into it. Raising the whole caravan some 6" on blocks is not the most elegant solution. A long length of waste hose is simpler, faster and cheaper - and can be used on a full facility pitch as well.
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Never found the need to have anything on more than just the one side.
We find the easiest things to use are decking boards, I angle the ends to make getting up onto them easier, we also have a mover.
We have never needed more than 2 boards. We also carry some short bits to use under the steadies if necessary.
These sort of heavy things we carry in the car.
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KjelNN needs longer boards as he has a twin axle. I carry 4 sections of 3'' x 4'' fence post and also several 1.5'' boards. Each are just over 12'' long.As I use an Alko wheel lock a ramp is useless.
I position the caravan to align the wheel lock. place a block alongside the wheel to mark position. Move caravan forwards and slide the block into position. Reverse van onto block. Rarely use the 1.5'' block other than to place in front of a 3'' block to make it smoother to climb onto 3''.
If I want more lift I place a 3'' and 1.5'' block in front of the blocked up wheel and move 'van forwards, add block on top of the cleared block and reverse again. If the wheel lock does not quite line up then a slight skew by spinning the caravan very slightly will re-align. Sounds a faff but really quite simple.
When one side of the caravan is raised it is likely that one of the steady legs will require a block under it - hence 4 of each blocks.
As above, it is unusual to need to use a block but I did need to raise one side by 6' or more' at Sandringham CC site.
I a;ways avoid any pitch that involves any significant lift on the door side as this makes the last step into the caravan a potential trip hazard.
If no Alko wheel lock to align a single ramp is fine but a couple of blocks are useful to put under steady legs on occasion.
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"As above, it is unusual to need to use a block but I did need to raise one side by 6' or more' at Sandringham CC site."
I hope that's a typo ET - 'cos we're there next week and I don't fancy lifting one side of my van by six feet!
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I have bright yellow ones and on club sites occasionally have to use them, usually about half to two thirds of the way up one ramp and only on one side, so a few inches maybe?.
You ask about using catching the motor mover, well I always use the opposite side to where your mover is (unless you have a mover each side of the wheel) but as the ramp moves the tyre upwards it will move the mover up the same vertical distance won't it?
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Some good practical advice from members. Personally, I try to avoid pitches where significant levelling is required on the awning side because it can be a pain to close the gaps between the caravan and the ground. Thankfully, these days it seems the pitches on caravan club sites are improving with respect to level. So it is usually a case of adjustment as opposed to radical jacking.
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not sure but I remember seeing a ramp under each wheel, so I assume there is space between two wheels to put a ramp?
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Hi
If using wedge shaped ramps arrange them back to back with the highest part of the ramp together, then drive up and over until level.
JK
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Many thanks all, as always! Fingers crossed I can get our friction pads replaced this week ready for our first trip at the weekend. If we make it that far, and its a success, it will be down in large part thanks to the support and advice you've all been giving me!
Daisy
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Lornalou - have a look at the 'Lock 'n Level' air bag. I've been using one on our Barcelona for the last three years. I know it's an expensive solution but it makes both levelling and the fitting of the wheel locks an absolute doddle. We have an AWD motor mover fitted and it's impossible to get at the jacking points. It's also safe on whatever type of ground you're on.
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Agree. We toured Europe for 20 years with two boards. Simpler than ramps because you drive onto them rather than “up” them and no need to chock the wheels.
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