I am reading through this discussion as I am desperate to learn as much as possible and i noticed the comment about steadies.
Could you advise me about my second hand Transcamper.I was shown to lower the steadies when I am pitching camp. Is this correct?
Also when stored and parked, Do I lower the steadies or keep them up? I hadn't thought about it until I saw caravans parked in drives and their steadies were down on the ground. Then I read this thread and I realised I am in need of advice!
I`ve never put the steadies down on my Conway while it was just parked in the drive....unless I was opening it to pack it. Then I put them down because I`m climbing in and out of the trailer and don`t want it to tip. I assume caravans need them down because their owners go inside them to pack/unpack. I`m told that caravanners need to put the steadies down even if they want to make a cup of tea in a laybye. I should just add that my current TT has a jockey wheel, so together with the two main wheels, the unit is stable without the steadies if it`s just parked. My old TT did not have a jockey wheel, and we did put the steadies down when it was parked up, plus a block under the drawbar. I don`t think however it`s going to hurt a TT to be stored with the steadies down, as long as they`re not weight bearing.
You definately need to put the steadies down when you`re pitching the TT, of course, and then they basically need to make good contact with the ground while not bearing the weight. It`s best to put a flat plate of wood under each steady, btw, so they don`t sink into soft ground.
Also, it`s worth saying again...if your TT doesn`t have a parking brake, chock the wheels to immobilise it when being used. And even if it does have a brake, chock the wheels if it`s on any sort of slope.
Just returned back from a trip to Ireland where my daughter lives so just picked up your message. I do have a jockey wheel and usually park up without the steadies on my drive. thanks also for advice re wheel chocks I don't have any so I'll sort that before my summer trip away.
I didn't camp while in Ireland, I don't think I would have the nerve! My daughters house is exposed to the Atlantic weather, beautiful views but the wind and rain can be frightening. I did however pitch a two man tent for my grandchildren to play in and despite violent weather it stood for 3 days!! I bought the suggested pegs and pitched as you had advised on a previous thread and it worked! The whole family was amazed. I took the tent down as I felt sorry for it and I didn't want it to get damaged! You really can become emotionally attached to a tent, don't you think or am I just soft?
Well - I will now hold my hands up and admit that the vertical poles are adjustable.
However the adjusters were bent so there was no way of moving anything - after 20mins of bashing with a tent peg and mallet the poles lifted no problem.
Once up I found the big pliers I thought were at home and would have done the job in 5 mins !
No flapping and no leaking - it had a good leak test over the last few days.
Well I`m glad to hear you solved your problem, Trevor, without having to resort to slightly alarming sounding modifications. And that everything is now fine and weatherproof.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Raising a TT
