Caravan levelling

HarveyTheRabbit replied on 30/05/2019 22:45

Posted on 30/05/2019 22:45

We are very new to caravanning. Please can anyone advise us. We have a single axle with a motor mover. 

When trying to level the caravan side to side, is it necessary only to use a level on one side or do we need to use one on each wheel ? 

 

Hedgehurst replied on 10/06/2019 18:59

Posted on 10/06/2019 18:21 by Wherenext

We once saw a Motorhomer be a bit too heavy footed and go over the top of his ramped leveller. It then got stuck tight, wedged between the wheel and the wheel arch. Luckily someone jacked his van up, took the wheel off, dislodged the ramp, put everything back together and even did his levelling for him. So be careful out there.

Posted on 10/06/2019 18:59

That's always a fear with our caravan! It's only little, but the motor mover is quite old and not really man enough to climb up the wedges in a straight line, so it's a case of careful inching up with the car while my wife shouts out when we're reaching danger level.

 

replied on 10/06/2019 19:08

Posted on 10/06/2019 19:08

I prefer my method above.

eurortraveller replied on 14/06/2019 08:51

Posted on 14/06/2019 08:51

I have two off cuts of floor boards - sometimes I tow forward with one under the lower wheel, and sometimes on to both of them together. Rocket science ! 

Navigateur replied on 14/06/2019 09:12

Posted on 14/06/2019 09:12

To answer the original question - Yes, it can be necessary to put a leveling device under both sides at the same time.

On a pitch that has a slope along the longitudinal axis of the caravan it may not be possible to level fore and aft because one end of the caravan comes into contact with the ground. So both sides need raising, and not necessarily by the same amount. But wooden blocks are cheap so no great hassle.

To help an aged motor mover cope with the slope onto the blocks, make a special long block with a very gentle slope that gets used to move the wheel up onto the other blocks. Cutting a block to a slope provides two matching blocks which can then be used under corner steadies, so no need to carry anything extra.

The possibility of driving the caravan right off the far end of the blocks can be prevented by fitting a vertical upstand to the end of the block used on top.

Anyone wanting to try out these ideas could book a pitch at Old Hartley!

johndailey replied on 21/06/2019 21:00

Posted on 06/06/2019 14:18 by EmilysDad

I once had to build a small wall under one side when on a CL 😲😁

Posted on 21/06/2019 21:00

Did you get planning permission?

jennyc replied on 29/06/2019 21:31

Posted on 09/06/2019 15:21 by Trini

When on a hard standing I generally find that scrapping away the top gravel from just in from or behind the high side and then letting the wheel sit in the scoop works very well. 

Then when leaving just scrape the gravel back.

Posted on 29/06/2019 21:31

Although we have a couple of stacking boards, like you Trini, we scrape out a trough in the gravel if there is any, possibly heaping some up on the opposite side. A garden trowel is resident in the front locker, for just such occasions. The prospect of boards stacked 6.5” high, as suggested earlier, might be considered rather too precarious for many of us. 4” feels like plenty.

Rocky 2 buckets replied on 30/06/2019 07:13

Posted on 06/06/2019 18:06 by Cornersteady

just use a spirit level across the van (or go hi tech and use a phone app), and on the side that needs raising (which surprisingly for me is mostly the nearside) place a plastic ramp next to the wheel, and get the mover to move it up the ramp till it is level. You will find the mover will try and turn the ramp so either you hold the ramp and do a double act with OH watching the level (Optional is shouting at OH while doing it). 

Or there is a lock and level device (google it) where you drive over a (very durable) inflatable bag and use an electric pump to raise it. Useful if you are using an Alko wheel lock. Or buy a Milenco Aluminium Leveller. Ramps or blocks of wood are the cheapest option.

Posted on 30/06/2019 07:13

+1, ‘bubble level’ app👍🏻

You can get one that has a tone depending how far from the centre you are, when completely in the centre(level all ways) there’s a permanent tone. That enables solo set up.

Cornersteady replied on 30/06/2019 08:32

Posted on 30/06/2019 07:13 by Rocky 2 buckets

+1, ‘bubble level’ app👍🏻

You can get one that has a tone depending how far from the centre you are, when completely in the centre(level all ways) there’s a permanent tone. That enables solo set up.

Posted on 30/06/2019 08:32

thanks Rocky, I am going to get one smile

 

Merve replied on 30/06/2019 14:37

Posted on 30/06/2019 07:13 by Rocky 2 buckets

+1, ‘bubble level’ app👍🏻

You can get one that has a tone depending how far from the centre you are, when completely in the centre(level all ways) there’s a permanent tone. That enables solo set up.

Posted on 30/06/2019 14:37

Useful to know that Rocky- thanks mate. My OH still struggles as to where the bubble should be after 25 yrs of levelling !!

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