Jacking up the caravan

The AA will come out if it's just the caravan - I've had them out twice. Once for a flat tyre and the other time when one of the hitch pads had broken and I couldn't get the hitch off the tow ball.

All sorted by them, no questions asked.

Roxy.

Hi Andy,

We had ALKO jacking points fitted to our Coachman Laser 575 (MTPLM 1800kg) which we use with the ALKO 2000kg jack. This system is fine for emergencies. I've used the system once (on level hardstanding) and its fine. Preference couple to the car as an anchor point or at least chock the opposite wheel on level ground. When jacking (or when lowering a Lock and Level airbag) on sloping ground a single axle caravan will pivot around the wheel which is in contact with the ground hence its best couple to the tow car before lifting the wheel.

Hope that helps,

Roger

At home I use a 2 ton Halfords trolley jack. For emergency use in the van I carry a Coram bottle jack and a piece of plywood to sit it on. I raise the van by the axle. Not many bottle jacks will fit under the axle but the Coram, as used in Land/Range Rover will do the job. It is short and stubby but has a double lift piston and a cradle type top that fits nicely under the axle.

I have considered the Kojack system, but by van has an Alko M chassis with rear mounted motor mover. This means access to fit or use the jacking points is questionable.

Colin

🤔 Looks to me as if they cover both the vehicle and caravan for breakdowns.  Whether they now insure caravans is a different matter.   

Caravan breakdown cover
We’ll come to your rescue whether it’s a problem with the vehicle you’re driving or the one you’re towing.
Our standard breakdown cover includes caravans, trailers, motorhomes and campervans
With 24/7 roadside assistance, we’ll try to fix your vehicle on the spot
We cover caravans or motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes (3,500kg) and 8ft 3in (2.55m) wide
Unlimited callouts each year, as long as it's not a recurring problem with your vehicle

What is caravan breakdown cover?
Our standard roadside assistance includes caravan breakdown cover. If you break down, we’ll try to fix the problem on the spot or tow you to a garage for repairs.

We cover the car you’re driving as well as the caravan being towed.
Call us out for a problem with your caravan, even if your car’s fine.
Recovery for both your caravan and your car if we can’t fix them at the roadside.

We can also cover campervans and motorhomes under our standard roadside assistance. Just choose personal cover or take out a specific vehicle policy for your motorhome.

Caravan breakdown cover
We’ll come to your rescue whether it’s a problem with the vehicle you’re driving or the one you’re towing.

Our standard breakdown cover includes caravans, trailers, motorhomes and campervans
With 24/7 roadside assistance, we’ll try to fix your vehicle on the spot
We cover caravans or motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes (3,500kg) and 8ft 3in (2.55m) wide
Unlimited callouts each year, as long as it's not a recurring problem with your vehicle

I've been thinking, done a bit of research and had a surprise.

The Kojack system and similar Alko look good, but a trolley jack under the axle is the best way to lift the caravan..

A bit of basic research shows a basic 2 ton trolley jack from the likes of Halfords and Clarkes weighs in at about 10kg. This is only a couple of kg more than the Kojack and Alko systems, so it looks like I'll be carrying my trolley jack in future.

Colin

A 2 tonne trolley jack was included as part of the basic equipment that came with our Knaus when we got it.  It's never been used and now that I've had E&P fitted, it's never likely to be!

What is E&P?

edit - I've just Googled it and I'm guessing it is the automatic levelling system.

This then made me think, if it's using corner steadies then these areas on a caravan are not really designed as lifting points, but levelling points. The website for EP Hydraulics does say you can use the system for changing a wheel, but that would concern me.

Colin

Any attempt to lift a caravan is best preceeded by running it up onto the levelling ramps that most of us carry.  Makes it a lot easier to get a jack underneath, or to use the spare wheel carrier.

I use the trolley jack that I carry in the the Land Rover anyway, and the big piece of plyboard that allows the jack to move as it goes up - especially when on grass.

Colin - you guessed correctly! Couple of points though......Alko - whom I believe now own E&P - say that using the steadies in the hydraulic system puts no more strain on the van than if they were used 'normally'.  However - mainly for financial / convenience reasons, I have the Compact system fitted which means it only levels side to side using the hydraulic rams and levelling fore and aft is done manually (with the jockey wheel) and the steadies are deployed manually as normal.  So your concerns don't apply.

Don't understand your concern about changing a wheel using E&P - in effect, it's no different from using a massive trolley jack - but much more stable and it's being lifted in the right places.  I jack the nearside wheels clear of the ground every time I set up - to fit the twin Alko locks which takes just a few minutes using E&P.

This a new concept to me.

I have always been under the impression that the steadies are so named as they steady the van. Good practice is to level the vehicle across the axle using a ramp etc and let this take the weight of the caravan. The location/mounting areas of the steadies may not have been designed for lifting, in fact they may not have all fixing points attached to the load bearing chassis.

Colin