How to stop sea sickness

JimmyT1969
JimmyT1969 Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited June 2016 in Caravans #1

We are new to caravanning, having just returned from our second outing and on both occassions the caravan appeared to rock whenever one of us moved about in it - is this normal?

We bought a beand new Coachman Laser 650 as people said it was a sturdy caravan with sufficient room for the two of us.

From out first outing, a fellow caravanner on sire advised to over turn the legs with the manual spanner instead of just the drill fitment.   Having done this on our last stay, still the caravan seemed unstable when one of us moved around - leaving me feeling
a tad sea sick!!

Any advise our be appreciated so to stop the unsteadyness feeling.

 

Comments

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585
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    edited June 2016 #2

    The caravan can settle on the legs after a day or two sometimes and the legs needing tightened and there is always a little movement. It should not move to the extent there is a problem though but if the legs are down firmly only minimum movement should
    be possible.

  • jennyc
    jennyc Forum Participant Posts: 957
    500 Comments
    edited June 2016 #3

    It isn't normal for a caravan to move much when up on its legs. If you are winding the steadies via an electric drill, set the torque to screws at around 80 or 90% to get them tight but not straining.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited June 2016 #4

    As one of the most sea sick people I know  I suspect you havent got  the corner steadies as steady as may be.  Then again I only share my caravan with dogs but it should be pretty stable with the corners down.  I hope you get used to the slight movement..

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #5

    Caravans we never had a problem with but motorhome is another story, it bounces all over the place when OH moves around, when he goes out the door I always think its going to tip overSurprisedLaughing

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004 ✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #6

    Make sure your tyre pressures are correct and the jockey wheel is down.  If tyre pressures are too low then you'll get some 'wobble'.  Wind down the steadies until they feel tight, then wind another half wind to make sure they are completely down.  The following
    day check the resistance, and if they feel as if they should go down a bit more then wind them down.

    There certainly shouldn't be enought 'movement' to make you feel seasick.  If you have any doubt ask another caravanner on site how experienced they are, and if they say they've been caravanning for years, then ask if they'd be willing to check how you've
    set up and to make sure everything is OK as you feel some wobbling.

    If you really have problems with 'seasickness' then try Travella, which is a homoeopathic remedy for travel sickness, and can be bought from many independent chemists as well as 'health shops'..

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited June 2016 #7

    Caravans we never had a problem with but motorhome is another story, it bounces all over the place when OH moves around, when he goes out the door I always think its going to tip overSurprisedLaughing

    Write your comments here...Ugh another reason on my list to keep caravanning!  I only feel the movement when stopping for a break en route not when corner steadies are down.  

  • MrGarval
    MrGarval Forum Participant Posts: 120
    edited June 2016 #8

    The advise given so far is very sensible and should cure your problem. I would only add that pieces of wood or similar approx 20 cm x 10cm x 2 cm (this is what I use) placed under each foot might help. If the caravan is still 'rocking' that badly a trip
    back to the dealer could help. Good luck and enjoy your caravanning.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,155 ✭✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #9

    Caravans we never had a problem with but motorhome is another story, it bounces all over the place when OH moves around, when he goes out the door I always think its going to tip overSurprisedLaughing

    Goodness, TG, is there something wrong with your suspension? A MH will move on its suspension more than a cvan but it shouldn't be that extreme. Do you have rear corner steadies as they help?

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
    500 Comments
    edited June 2016 #10

    To add to above post, something like these spread the weight of the caravan steadies and stop them sinking in the grass/hard standing.

    http://www.towsure.com/bearpad-pro-jack-pads

     May help but the van shouldn't move much at all. Good luck.

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004 ✭✭
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    edited June 2016 #11

    To add to above post, something like these spread the weight of the caravan steadies and stop them sinking in the grass/hard standing.

    http://www.towsure.com/bearpad-pro-jack-pads

     May help but the van shouldn't move much at all. Good luck.

    We bought a set of steady pads in the sale at Aldi last weekend, for just £1.99!  They were apparently on offer a few weeks ago and obviously didn't sell well!

  • Jazzybaby
    Jazzybaby Forum Participant Posts: 109
    edited June 2016 #12

    Also make sure the handbrake is on. Lots of people dont seem to have theirs on including my brother in law!.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
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    edited June 2016 #13

    I don't use the handbrake unless on a sloping pitch.  Although if using a mover I leave that engaged for a couple of days at a time - not more. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #14

    I don't use the handbrake unless on a sloping pitch.  Although if using a mover I leave that engaged for a couple of days at a time - not more. 

    You'd better applying the handbrake and taking the mover off the tyres ...... your tyres will thank you for it. 

  • DavidN
    DavidN Forum Participant Posts: 90
    edited June 2016 #15

    We are new to caravanning, having just returned from our second outing and on both occassions the caravan appeared to rock whenever one of us moved about in it - is this normal?

    We bought a beand new Coachman Laser 650 as people said it was a sturdy caravan with sufficient room for the two of us.

    From out first outing, a fellow caravanner on sire advised to over turn the legs with the manual spanner instead of just the drill fitment.   Having done this on our last stay, still the caravan seemed unstable when one of us moved around - leaving me feeling
    a tad sea sick!!

    Any advise our be appreciated so to stop the unsteadyness feeling.

     

    Interesting! we have a new Coachman VIP 575 and we cannot get that to be stable and I have done exactly the same with the steadies as with my previous caravans over the last 25 years but the Coachman still rocks when someone moves inside the van. Looking
    under the van the front stadies are bolted to the floor and the rear ones are bolted to the floor and to a very flimsy looking chassis extension so i think the movement is due to the floor flexing.... and what can we do about that!

    Dave

  • DavidN
    DavidN Forum Participant Posts: 90
    edited June 2016 #16

    Further to my earlier post suggesting that the steadies are not secured to a solid part of the chassis but mainly to the floor which may be moving with movement in the caravan. I have now tried using axle stands under the chassis as near to the rear of the
    caravan but on a substantial part of the chassis and the caravan is now fairly solidly pitched just proving what I thought about the unsuitabiliy of mounting the steadies to the floor..... I don't fancy taking the axle stands away with me though!

    Dave