New Caravan Levelling Question

SBos
SBos Forum Participant Posts: 33
edited February 2016 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

Hi

Picking up our new Bailey Pursuit 430/4 in two weeks and am having an Alko jack fitted as an extra. If I needed to level the van side to side could I raise it up with the jack and then once level lower the jack down so the wheel is on wooden blocks or a
levelling ramp?

Comments

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited February 2016 #2

    You could, but it'd be easier to drag your caravan onto the leveling block with your tow car. Doing it the way you suggest would lift the body of the caravan up way before the wheel lifted (like on your car) so you would have to guess what you needed under
    the wheel, lower it & check for level and do the same if it's not. Laughing

  • neveramsure
    neveramsure Forum Participant Posts: 712
    500 Comments
    edited February 2016 #3

    MM is spot on as usual. Levelling while towing or with the aid of a mover is the way to go and forward/aft levelling can be achieved with raising or lowering your jockey wheel (obviously after unhitching).

    I find it helpful to have a two way spirit level fitted to the a-frame cowl or inside on the windowsill.Wink

      

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,581 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #4

    Have to agree with MM. Not sure the jack is a good idea particularly if you are on wet grass. It was never designed for leveling the caravan so do not take risks.

  • twitch
    twitch Forum Participant Posts: 52
    edited February 2016 #5

    Easier still, buy an inflatable lifter Eg 'lock n level'

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #6

    Agree with all above, do you have a motor mover? if so just use that to push the van up the leveling ramp, you'll find you have to hold the ramp as the van will twist it as it goes up. Another option is to buy a Millenco or Bulldog metal leveling device.
    I wouldn't worry too much about side to side leveling, most club sites are pretty good in this respect, and you only have to do it on really un-even ground. Your caravan doesn't have to be exactlty level side to side but its a personal preference as to how
    much 'tilt' bothers you 

  • black caviar
    black caviar Forum Participant Posts: 242
    edited February 2016 #7

    Am i lucky that ive read this postingi was going to have an alko jack fitted ..... Because thats what i thought they were for :- levelling the caravan! So are they really only for changing a wheel?

    should i buy a milenco levelling jack instead cheers Mrs bc:)

  • ADP1963
    ADP1963 Forum Participant Posts: 1,280
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    edited February 2016 #8

    Don'the forget sink and shower drainage when setting your levels.  Undecided

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,303 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #9

    Black Caviar. The Millenco levelling device is just that, for levelling. You could not change a wheel using it, so you would need a jack for this as well.

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,427 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2016 #10

    Yes they are just for changing a wheel and I've heard that it is still very very hard work, a trolley jack is better but make sure it will fit under the van with a flat tyre and be careful where you place it.

    We have used a Bulldog device and if you want compete accuracy then it's the best way but it is very heavy to carry. Nowdays I just use the motor mover

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited February 2016 #11

    MM is spot on as usual.....

    Thanks! Kiss

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,681 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #12

    Lock 'n Level for me too - brilliant piece of kit.

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited March 2016 #13

    Having managed to bend an Alko jack I would just give one piece of advice. If you ever need to jack the caravan make sure it is attached to the car before you do it. 

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited March 2016 #14
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited March 2016 #15

    Buy a decent leveling ramp Much less faff than a milenco  leveller or using a jack.  As others have said you might find that slightly off level might aid drainage.  

  • Scottie2
    Scottie2 Forum Participant Posts: 226
    edited March 2016 #16

    Hi

    Picking up our new Bailey Pursuit 430/4 in two weeks and am having an Alko jack fitted as an extra. If I needed to level the van side to side could I raise it up with the jack and then once level lower the jack down so the wheel is on wooden blocks or a levelling ramp?

    Write your comments here...Personally I wouldn't ever use a side chassis jack for any form of levelling..Get yourself plastic Milenco wedges or make up a wooden wedge and carry a selection of square flat blocks for steadies..Pull the caravan up onto the wedge, get someone to place your spirit level at the door and watch in your wing mirror for a signal from them when side to side level is ok.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited March 2016 #17

    ........Pull the caravan up onto the wedge, ....

    I wish I could, but I have a mover in the way infront of my wheel Wink

  • ADP1963
    ADP1963 Forum Participant Posts: 1,280
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #18

    ........Pull the caravan up onto the wedge, ....

    I wish I could, but I have a mover in the way infront of my wheel Wink

    Write your comments here...Molly talking of levels.............dare I ask?.Undecided

  • Scottie2
    Scottie2 Forum Participant Posts: 226
    edited March 2016 #19

    ........Pull the caravan up onto the wedge, ....

    I wish I could, but I have a mover in the way infront of my wheel Wink

    Write your comments here...Don't understand what that has to do with pulling up onto a wedge...I have a motor mover with the motors and rollers in front of the caravan wheels. Putting a wedge in front of the wheel causes no problems whatsoever unless the
    motor mover you have is the model that is awfully low to the ground !.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,644 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #20

    ........Pull the caravan up onto the wedge, ....

    I wish I could, but I have a mover in the way infront of my wheel Wink

    Reverse onto the wedge then!Cool

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #21

    ... Molly talking of levels.............dare I ask?.Undecided

    You can .... but still not got it back Frown ..... see the thread in General chat

    FOA ....     Wink

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited March 2016 #22

     ......Don't understand what that has to do with pulling up onto a wedge...I have a motor mover with the motors and rollers in front of the caravan wheels. Putting a wedge in front of the wheel causes no problems
    whatsoever unless the motor mover you have is the model that is awfully low to the ground !.

    Obviously then my mover is closer to the ground than yours otherwise I'd pull my caravan up the wedges too. As it is, if I try too, I remove the top edge of my wedge with my mover ... I have the groove in mine to prove the point. Hence I push the 'van backwards
    up the wedges .... which obviously creates its own problems when you unhitch ie I've to pull forwards enough to take the weight off the towball/hitch.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited March 2016 #23

    ........Pull the caravan up onto the wedge, ....

    I wish I could, but I have a mover in the way infront of my wheel Wink

    Reverse onto the wedge then!Cool

    I do! Kiss

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,644 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2016 #24

    ........Pull the caravan up onto the wedge, ....

    I wish I could, but I have a mover in the way infront of my wheel Wink

    Reverse onto the wedge then!Cool

    I do! Kiss

    Of course you do! And of course have a large wedge ready to stop you rolling back when you unhitch.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited March 2016 #25
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Peter749
    Peter749 Forum Participant Posts: 72
    First Comment
    edited March 2016 #26

    I have a much better solution to leveling.  I got an automatic system fitted to the caravan.  The caravan is leveled in a couple of minutes and all I have to do is press a button.  It has the added advantage that I can use it as a jack to change a wheel
    and as a jack to rotate the wheel to fit the chassis wheel lock.  A bit pricy but to my mind well worth it.

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