Levelling your caravan
thinking of buying a lock(N)level for our twin axle, due to having to jack the caravan up every time we use it, just to apply the wheel locks! Its a nightmare every time, plus it makes it difficult for the other half, as hes had a knee replacement and
now cant kneel. Any caravaners out there purchased one? They are not cheap, so I want to get your take on them first
Comments
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I just use a hitch lock. All the rest are too much faffing around.
I've had no problems in 50 years.
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Some people swear by them - I personally couldn't stomach the risk from one deflating and then the cornersteady twisting the body of the van on the chassis and causing major damage.
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That sounds very Pessimistic? There have been some great recommendations for them. If or when i upgrade the caravan I have those on the list of wants I currently only bother with Hitchcock mostly and I suspect my insurance doesnt approve the wheel lock
I use occasionally.0 -
Get it !!! – you won’t regret It !!!.
Lock'n'Level is the easiest way by far to fit Alko Wheel Locks to a Twin Axle outfit, as required by Insurance Co.
As for corner-steadies and twisting chassis, well I would say the chance of a bag deflating under one axle is remote, so if you close the transfer valve, after completing the lock fitting & levelling process, the chances of both bags deflating is extremely remote.
Plus a lot of the time I have found that I am able sit on completely deflated bags after fitting the wheel locks, as many pitches are level enough from side to side. I and others place some form of matting under the device, if on hard-core, in order to reduce scuffing to the underside and it also leaves it cleaner when you come to stow it away after use.
So, Yes I do recommend Lock'n'Level.
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You stand 100% more chance of your tyre deflating than the Lock n level deflating.
LOL....100% ? How do you figure that Surfer?
One is purpose made, designed and tested to be installed on a caravan (the tyre) and is static when on site.
The other is a piece of 6" fire hose, designed to be used as ....fire hose, clamped at both ends (and in the middle for twin axle) with metal brackets and valves/hoses glued in.
Crimping any hose, introduces a concentration of stresses and I have lost count of the number of these 6" hoses I have had to replace when they develop pin hole leaks.
I can't see how a tyre in a static position can be more prone to a leak than a peice of fire bagging, let alone by 100%! (which would mean that you would never get a hose failure / always have a tyre failure).
I like the idea, its a great idea!....but for me, given the number of these hoses I have seen fail and the engineering principle of clamping a tube....its a risk too far for me!
Whilst I appreciate you are obviously a fan, all I was saying is...they are not for me!
I would ask, if one were to leak and the caravan dropped - would any damage to the body be covered by lock and level?
Also out of curiosity, does the centre of the van not bounce even more that usual than when just on tyres? You have kind of added an addition air bag which will surely add additional softness and bounce to the centre of the van.
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Not sure what your beef is with the Lock n Level, but at every chance you deride it even though you have never bought or used one. You probably have never seen one in real life.
Perhaps you should keep your very nagative attitude about the Lock n Level to yourself until you have actually used one. After all there are hundreds of people using the system with no ill effect.
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Not sure what your beef is with the Lock n Level, but at every chance you deride it even though you have never bought or used one. You probably have never seen one in real life.
Perhaps you should keep your very nagative attitude about the Lock n Level to yourself until you have actually used one. After all there are hundreds of people using the system with no ill effect.
Easy there Surfer.
I am allowed my opinions and they are based on my engineering experience.
Yes I have seen them in real life at the shows, that how I know what they are made of!
Are you involved in selling them or something?
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.....and you did not answer any of the 3 questions!
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In fact, thinking about it Surfer, I'm actually a little upset with those comments!
Is it not right that if you think there might be a flaw with a product that you point it out to a potential consumer who might not have seen that flaw - is that not an open, honest and friendly (club ethics) thing to do?
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We have a lock n level and think it a great bit of kit, I believe the company have sold thousands and never had an issue with deflating so used properly there is no problem.
We haveuse ours alot in the past 12 months mainly more recently and it is so easy to use. I would recommend to anyone.
Oh and NO I don't sell them or have anything to do with the company just a very satisfied customer
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We have a lock n level and think it a great bit of kit, I believe the company have sold thousands and never had an issue with deflating so used properly there is no problem.
We haveuse ours alot in the past 12 months mainly more recently and it is so easy to use. I would recommend to anyone.
Oh and NO I don't sell them or have anything to do with the company just a very satisfied customer
Sounds good Kevin....and LOL!
As a satisfied customer (and I ask this in a open way from a point of curiosity, not in any leading or derogatory way), if the van is on the device, do you notice any change in bounce in the centre of the van?
(I ask as I have a long van and get quite a bit of bounce in the centre of the van from the tyres and suspension already).
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We have a lock n level and think it a great bit of kit, I believe the company have sold thousands and never had an issue with deflating so used properly there is no problem.
We haveuse ours alot in the past 12 months mainly more recently and it is so easy to use. I would recommend to anyone.
Oh and NO I don't sell them or have anything to do with the company just a very satisfied customer
Sounds good Kevin....and LOL!
As a satisfied customer (and I ask this in a open way from a point of curiosity, not in any leading or derogatory way), if the van is on the device, do you notice any change in bounce in the centre of the van?
(I ask as I have a long van and get quite a bit of bounce in the centre of the van from the tyres and suspension already).
The van sits as solid on the bags as it does if on the ground.
I was a bit sceptical before I bought it but needed something to fit locks and have a jack in case of puncture. This does both those things and also levels if you want it to.
My scepticism was unfounded.
Kev
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As I have posted before, I am another Lock 'n Level fan. Mine has been in constant use for the last 18 months on our TA Barcelona. (I use it at home to fit the twin wheel locks as well as when away) and I haven't had a problem. I am also aware that Derek
at L 'n L has only had one unit fail since they started selling them and this, in his opinion, was probably due to misuse. I accept that there is a small chance of a puncture, thereby putting pressure on the steadies, but providing the transfer valve is closed,
the chances of both sections failing at the same time is so minimal, it's not worth bothering about.Since I have an AWD motor mover fitted, there is no other option for me to jack up the van as there simply isn't room to get a jack underneath the jacking points. It's also far safer than using a jack, especially on soft ground.
Last year, I damaged a tyre and had to change the wheel. With the van settled on the deflated tyre, there wasn't even room to get a jack under the chassis - let alone the jacking points - and the air bag was the only way I could jack the van.
No - I am not involved with the company - like many others - just another totally satisfied customer - both with the product and their service.
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As I have posted before, I am another Lock 'n Level fan. Mine has been in constant use for the last 18 months on our TA Barcelona. (I use it at home to fit the twin wheel locks as well as when away) and I haven't had a problem. I am also aware that Derek
at L 'n L has only had one unit fail since they started selling them and this, in his opinion, was probably due to misuse. I accept that there is a small chance of a puncture, thereby putting pressure on the steadies, but providing the transfer valve is closed,
the chances of both sections failing at the same time is so minimal, it's not worth bothering about.Since I have an AWD motor mover fitted, there is no other option for me to jack up the van as there simply isn't room to get a jack underneath the jacking points. It's also far safer than using a jack, especially on soft ground.
Last year, I damaged a tyre and had to change the wheel. With the van settled on the deflated tyre, there wasn't even room to get a jack under the chassis - let alone the jacking points - and the air bag was the only way I could jack the van.
No - I am not involved with the company - like many others - just another totally satisfied customer - both with the product and their service.
Always carry a few pieces of decking (I use them for levelling) and if you get a puncture just pull the flat tyre up on these and you will get your jack underneath OK.
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“The van sits as solid on the bags as it does if on the ground”.
This claim simply can't be true, the science does not allow it to be in that the ground is largely non compliant but air is compliant, the reason tyres are pneumatic. The bag/s has to add an amount of compliance to that already there from the tyre/s and suspension.
From all reports so far from users the van sits adequately firmly for them and the bag brings its own attributes, but lets keep claims for it to facts. Users clearly feel it is a good bit of kit.0 -
Always carry a few pieces of decking (I use them for levelling) and if you get a puncture just pull the flat tyre up on these and you will get your jack underneath OK.
I have used this technique more than once with good effect on single axle vans. But with a twin it should be possible to use it to effect a wheel change without needing to jack at all, if the lift from the air bag as claimed achieves this? Pull or push the “good” wheel of the stricken pair up onto a ramp then it ought just as with the air bag provide adequate lift to change the punctured wheel.
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Yes I do that when servicing my caravan and my goods trailers.
Another reason for having a twin axle.
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As I have posted before, I am another Lock 'n Level fan. Mine has been in constant use for the last 18 months on our TA Barcelona. (I use it at home to fit the twin wheel locks as well as when away) and I haven't had a problem. I am also aware that Derek
at L 'n L has only had one unit fail since they started selling them and this, in his opinion, was probably due to misuse. I accept that there is a small chance of a puncture, thereby putting pressure on the steadies, but providing the transfer valve is closed,
the chances of both sections failing at the same time is so minimal, it's not worth bothering about.Since I have an AWD motor mover fitted, there is no other option for me to jack up the van as there simply isn't room to get a jack underneath the jacking points. It's also far safer than using a jack, especially on soft ground.
Last year, I damaged a tyre and had to change the wheel. With the van settled on the deflated tyre, there wasn't even room to get a jack under the chassis - let alone the jacking points - and the air bag was the only way I could jack the van.
No - I am not involved with the company - like many others - just another totally satisfied customer - both with the product and their service.
Always carry a few pieces of decking (I use them for levelling) and if you get a puncture just pull the flat tyre up on these and you will get your jack underneath OK.
That's fine if you can get at the jacking points, but because of my motor movers, I can't. Now please correct me if I'm wrong but I thought that you were only supposed to put a jack on the jacking points and not any other part of the chassis for fear of
damaging it.0 -
As I have posted before, I am another Lock 'n Level fan. Mine has been in constant use for the last 18 months on our TA Barcelona. (I use it at home to fit the twin wheel locks as well as when away) and I haven't had a problem. I am also aware that Derek
at L 'n L has only had one unit fail since they started selling them and this, in his opinion, was probably due to misuse. I accept that there is a small chance of a puncture, thereby putting pressure on the steadies, but providing the transfer valve is closed,
the chances of both sections failing at the same time is so minimal, it's not worth bothering about.Since I have an AWD motor mover fitted, there is no other option for me to jack up the van as there simply isn't room to get a jack underneath the jacking points. It's also far safer than using a jack, especially on soft ground.
Last year, I damaged a tyre and had to change the wheel. With the van settled on the deflated tyre, there wasn't even room to get a jack under the chassis - let alone the jacking points - and the air bag was the only way I could jack the van.
No - I am not involved with the company - like many others - just another totally satisfied customer - both with the product and their service.
Always carry a few pieces of decking (I use them for levelling) and if you get a puncture just pull the flat tyre up on these and you will get your jack underneath OK.
That's fine if you can get at the jacking points, but because of my motor movers, I can't. Now please correct me if I'm wrong but I thought that you were only supposed to put a jack on the jacking points and not any other part of the chassis for fear of
damaging it.I guess it depends on your level of knowledge and competence but a motor mover wouldn't prevent me from jacking up. I haven't got one. I think that is also to do with knowledge and competence.
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As I have posted before, I am another Lock 'n Level fan. Mine has been in constant use for the last 18 months on our TA Barcelona. (I use it at home to fit the twin wheel locks as well as when away) and I haven't had a problem. I am also aware that Derek
at L 'n L has only had one unit fail since they started selling them and this, in his opinion, was probably due to misuse. I accept that there is a small chance of a puncture, thereby putting pressure on the steadies, but providing the transfer valve is closed,
the chances of both sections failing at the same time is so minimal, it's not worth bothering about.Since I have an AWD motor mover fitted, there is no other option for me to jack up the van as there simply isn't room to get a jack underneath the jacking points. It's also far safer than using a jack, especially on soft ground.
Last year, I damaged a tyre and had to change the wheel. With the van settled on the deflated tyre, there wasn't even room to get a jack under the chassis - let alone the jacking points - and the air bag was the only way I could jack the van.
No - I am not involved with the company - like many others - just another totally satisfied customer - both with the product and their service.
Always carry a few pieces of decking (I use them for levelling) and if you get a puncture just pull the flat tyre up on these and you will get your jack underneath OK.
That's fine if you can get at the jacking points, but because of my motor movers, I can't. Now please correct me if I'm wrong but I thought that you were only supposed to put a jack on the jacking points and not any other part of the chassis for fear of
damaging it.I guess it depends on your level of knowledge and competence but a motor mover wouldn't prevent me from jacking up. I haven't got one. I think that is also to do with knowledge and competence.
Errr - I'll bow to your obviously superior knowledge then, recognising that since you haven't got a motor mover fitted, you haven't even come across the problem.
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That's a bit dismissive Range Rover ..... I have an all wheel mover on my twin axle and am able to use a trolley jack placed between both wheels. But as for lack of competence in needing a mover in the first place, if someone parks across the road from your
house and is in the way, no amount of skill or competence is going to give you the room to reverse your caravan down your drive. ..... as happened to me the other week.0 -
MM - agree. Firstly, there isn't room to get a trolley jack between the wheels on my van. Secondly, because of the layout of our house, there is no way it is possible to get it down the drive, I have to bring it over the gravel garden at the front and
since the road is only just over one car's width. the only way I could reverse it in with the car would be by driving over the front lawn of the house opposite! The only realistic way I can park it at home is with a motor mover.0 -
MM - agree. Firstly, there isn't room to get a trolley jack between the wheels on my van. Secondly, because of the layout of our house, there is no way it is possible to get it down the drive, I have to bring it over the gravel garden at the front and since the road is only just over one car's width. the only way I could reverse it in with the car would be by driving over the front lawn of the house opposite! The only realistic way I can park it at home is with a motor mover.
I am interested to know what happens when you drive car & caravan out. Do you have to use your mover and then couple up in the road or can you drive straight Out?
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well, the folk opposite should not have bought a house there if their lawn is needed for moving things.
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.....
I am interested to know what happens when you drive car & caravan out. Do you have to use your mover and then couple up in the road or can you drive straight Out?
I can hitch up & drive out ..... provided there's not a car parked opposite my house ..... as I can reverse the caravan down the side of the house, but 45' of car & caravan needs room to do so
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MM - agree. Firstly, there isn't room to get a trolley jack between the wheels on my van. Secondly, because of the layout of our house, there is no way it is possible to get it down the drive, I have to bring it over the gravel garden at the front and since the road is only just over one car's width. the only way I could reverse it in with the car would be by driving over the front lawn of the house opposite! The only realistic way I can park it at home is with a motor mover.
I am interested to know what happens when you drive car & caravan out. Do you have to use your mover and then couple up in the road or can you drive straight Out?
I don't really see what this has got to do with the OP, but since you ask - yes - I have to use the mm in both directions and hitch up on the road.
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“The van sits as solid on the bags as it does if on the ground”.
This claim simply can't be true, the science does not allow it to be in that the ground is largely non compliant but air is compliant, the reason tyres are pneumatic. The bag/s has to add an amount of compliance to that already there from the tyre/s and suspension.
From all reports so far from users the van sits adequately firmly for them and the bag brings its own attributes, but lets keep claims for it to facts. Users clearly feel it is a good bit of kit.So if the statement can't be true I must be telling lies!!
I don't know who you think you are, you don't even know me.
Why don't you buy one and see for yourself rather than call someone who is just trying to give someone some information a lier
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Shouldn't that post have been under a plain cover please 
?? 
