Rear Steadies
We are thinking of buying a different caravan which will be longer than our current one. If we did make the purchase I would not be able to get to the rear steadies down once the caravan was in its undercover storage space. Is it essential that all the steadies
are down? The storage space is flat concrete. I realise of course I should not get in the caravan if these are not down.
Comments
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If you have a motor mover fitted, are you able to store it front end in first and then you can put the rear steadies down. The jockey wheel will keep the front steady.
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I would put the steadies down just before you reach the wall and then lower the front using the jockey wheel to get them clear of the ground and then push it the last couple of feet into position. You can then raise the jockey wheel to put the caravan back
onto the steadies.0 -
I would put the steadies down just before you reach the wall and then lower the front using the jockey wheel to get them clear of the ground and then push it the last couple of feet into position. You can then raise the jockey wheel to put the caravan back
onto the steadies.Excellent thinking !!!
well done, that man!!!
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As you are unlikely to be in the van for very long while it is in storage I'd just forget about steadies. Will save a lot of faffing about replacing themwhen you forget they are down and tow away.
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I questioned a Dealer about steadies - as I was looking round a whole lot of vans without steadies down - they were not in the least concerned and said it didn't matter. Mind you that is a dealership I wouldn't trust with a wheelbarrow so possibly not relevant here.
I don't bother with steadies when I stop on a journey but perhaps that is wrong too.0 -
I would put the steadies down just before you reach the wall and then lower the front using the jockey wheel to get them clear of the ground and then push it the last couple of feet into position. You can then raise the jockey wheel to put the caravan back
onto the steadies.Excellent thinking !!!
well done, that man!!!Just remember to lower the Jock wheel again before pulling forward and then widing up the rear steadies.
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As you are unlikely to be in the van for very long while it is in storage I'd just forget about steadies. Will save a lot of faffing about replacing themwhen you forget they are down and tow away.
Write your comments here...with only about 70 or 80 kg noseweight in a caravan it would only take slightly more than that weight at the back end of the caravan to make it tip backwards, ie if two people found themselves towards the back of the caravan
at the same time.0 -
My girlfriend and I must be both much lighter than the bathroom sensor indicates!
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I can't think of anything to do with caravaning (or motoring in general) that could be described as a "problem". There have been in the past many decades plenty of things that needed to be worked out, but that is what makes and keeps it interesting.
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I really don’t know where I ever got the idea that caravanning was an enjoyable hobby.
Reading these posts has just made me realise it’s just, one @#% #@~ problem after another.
Write your comments here...it may be a learning curve but its not that bad!
And the that forgetting thing,
whatever its name is, doesn’t help either.0 -
I never bother putting steadies down. I can go right to the back of the van with no problem.
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I would put the steadies down just before you reach the wall and then lower the front using the jockey wheel to get them clear of the ground and then push it the last couple of feet into position. You can then raise the jockey wheel to put the caravan back
onto the steadies.Exactly what I would do. In many respects the rear steadies are more important than the front ones. At the front you have the jockey wheel. The rear steadies are often attached to the chassis, but the front ones are sometimes attached to the floor - the
back are generally 'stronger'.David
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Not sure justwhat weight is needed to tip the caravan back if the steadies are not down and it probably varies between models. It has however happened to us twice when viewing them at dealers who had not bothered or forgotten. However in both cases no damage
was done but if their is a wall there I am not sure I would risk it.0 -
May 'van regularly tips backwards when being powered by the motor mover - yet remains stable when we walk to the rear when stationary. Gravity is a variable!
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If the caravan is to be reversed into a dedicated storage place with no access to rear steady winders, then a couple of wedge shaped blocks (perhaps a pair of cheap plastic levelling ramps) would do nicely. Simply reverse until the feet of the steadies are
in contact with the ramps and raise the jockey wheel a tad.0 -
Not sure justwhat weight is needed to tip the caravan back if the steadies are not down and it probably varies between models. It has however happened to us twice when viewing them at dealers who had not bothered or forgotten. However in both cases no damage
was done but if their is a wall there I am not sure I would risk it.I have seen it happen at my dealers on pick up of a new van. One of the staff backed the caravan into place, opened the door and placed step outside ready to demonstrate. Popped into workshop to pick up his leg winder. He was not gone long when the couple
had finished their cups of tea walked out and saw their caravan and promply went inside to look at the bathroom. He returned in time to put his weight on the drawbar as it started to tip and a scream was heard from inside.
No
damage. It was the same model van as mine and when unladen mine has under 65kg nosewight. I am confident that if mine was laden for travel my weight would not tip it. Unladen I would not like to risk it.0 -
Steadies down ! High winds can move the van , twisting on its axis , if close to a wall a rear corner can be expensive to repair , let alone the inconvenience. Legs down firmly all round , so take Wildwood's advice .
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I agree with Back2Sorento, steadies down. In storage I reverse in using mover, a few feet from wall I lower rear steadies then lower front a little using jockey wheel. Finish reversing, raise front until rear steadies 'ground' and then lower front steadies.
I can then leave handbreak off during period of storage. Reminds me; must get a new 'big foot' one of mine came off and is cluttering up a French road, must be all those sleeping policemen, 30 kph limits or roundabouts which have grown there over the past
few years.0 -
Steadies down ! High winds can move the van , twisting on its axis , if close to a wall a rear corner can be expensive to repair , let alone the inconvenience. Legs down firmly all round , so take Wildwood's advice .
Even with legs down (no wheel clamp) I have had our caravan move 12'' in exceptionally high winds on our bit macadam drive. Alway chock at home now even though we use a wheel lock.
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