You need ramps, Milenco are a good brand.They are not corner jacks, they are corner steadys. If you use them to level the caravan, you could twist the caravan classis.
Quote: Originally posted by Octavia4x4 on 23/7/2022
You need ramps, Milenco are a good brand.They are not corner jacks, they are corner steadys. If you use them to level the caravan, you could twist the caravan classis.
The levelling ramps are used to level up side to side under one of the caravan wheels then the jockey wheel is used to level the caravan length ways. The corner steadies are there and intended to do exactly what they say and that is to steady the caravan and eliminate any rocking movement.
I'm afraid that anyone who has told you to use the corner steadies as jacks to level the caravan needs to be somewhat educated by experienced caravaners and there are a lot on this forum. It's a good job you asked on here otherwise permanent damage could have resulted in twisting the caravan chassis.
Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 23/7/2022
The levelling ramps are used to level up side to side under one of the caravan wheels then the jockey wheel is used to level the caravan length ways. The corner steadies are there and intended to do exactly what they say and that is to steady the caravan and eliminate any rocking movement.
I'm afraid that anyone who has told you to use the corner steadies as jacks to level the caravan needs to be somewhat educated by experienced caravaners and there are a lot on this forum. It's a good job you asked on here otherwise permanent damage could have resulted in twisting the caravan chassis.
I love this forum. I've had so much help. Thank you so much, I appreciate it. I want to make sure I do it right
Just buy a 1.8M length of decking board and cut it into 500mm, 600mm and 700mm lengths
It is more versatile than a ramp, especially if you have an Al-Ko wheel lock
Quote: Originally posted by Andy Higham on 23/7/2022
Just buy a 1.8M length of decking board and cut it into 500mm, 600mm and 700mm lengths
It is more versatile than a ramp, especially if you have an Al-Ko wheel lock
Timber maybe more versatile but it rots over time plus it's not weatherproof either whereas plastic is. For a long term investment I would opt for the latter.
Quote: Originally posted by Andy Higham on 23/7/2022
Just buy a 1.8M length of decking board and cut it into 500mm, 600mm and 700mm lengths
It is more versatile than a ramp, especially if you have an Al-Ko wheel lock
Timber maybe more versatile but it rots over time plus it's not weatherproof either whereas plastic is. For a long term investment I would opt for the latter.
Also, it retains damp which can transfer to your motorhome/caravan/whatever, personally, I would be avoiding timber wherever I could.
Timber for levelling ramps is no problem whatsoever. I made my own using scrap wood I had laying around, and that was 8 years ago. My ramps don't look any different now to when I made them, and they have been used in all weathers. Of course some timber rots more quickly than some others, but none rots overnight. When/if my timber ramps show signs of rotting I will simply make some more, I often have off-cuts lying around. I also use off-cuts of timber as pads under my corner steadies. It helps to protect the ground and stops them sinking in. Damp is not going to transfer to your caravan unless you do something really stupid. When in use they are between your rubber tyre and the ground. When they are not in use they are in a locker, which are usually fibreglass. If you are in any way concerned about putting them in a locker when they are wet, put them in a plastic bag first.
I quite agree with what others have said though, NEVER use your corner steadies as jacks. They are not designed for that purpose.
I use a number of old boards too, I chamfered the ends to make the transition up to the next one easier. I rarely have to use more than two and as already mentioned it makes fitting the Alko lock easy as you are generally then on the top of a flat surface.
I once was next to a guy in the Cotswolds who levelled his fairly new van up using the streddies, so much so that one wheel was actually lifted off the ground, he wouldn't be told and turned quite nasty at my interference. God help the person who buys that second-hand.
Dave.
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.
Quote: Originally posted by Castle Rocks on 24/7/2022
Thank you everyone. One thing I do know...I'll be using ramps. What material I use... that I have yet to decide
Simple choice really. If you use a plastic one you will have to buy it, and if you use wooden ones there may be a bit of work involved in shaping the wood. Personally I enjoy a bit of woodwork so I got bit of pleasure out of making mine exactly how I wanted them.
Quote: Originally posted by Castle Rocks on 24/7/2022
Thank you everyone. One thing I do know...I'll be using ramps. What material I use... that I have yet to decide
Simple choice really. If you use a plastic one you will have to buy it, and if you use wooden ones there may be a bit of work involved in shaping the wood. Personally I enjoy a bit of woodwork so I got bit of pleasure out of making mine exactly how I wanted them.
Exactly my thoughts. I think I already know that they'll be plastic because I am not good at DIY stuff.
Quote: Originally posted by jim oldham on 24/7/2022
Keep an eye on the free adverts on here, or on other sites, for a plastic ramp.
They are lighter than wood and do not rot.
I got one because ramps and Alko secure wheel locks (as fitted to my van) are a real pain to get both raised height and correct orientation of wheel anything like both right!
On my van the wedge won't slide around the tyre if it has sunk even the slightest into the ground! If you do get it fitted, cranking the thing up is just plain hard work and very slow, and the lift available is not that great! Now swapped it for a 'LocknLevel' air bag, which is complete very expensive overkill unless you have a Alko Secure wheel lock, so probably not for you!
In 5 years I've only seriously needed to level the van side to side once, and ideally needed to on another occasion, I gave up on the levelling wedge device, and the 'LocknLevel has never been used in anger, and I've also never yet used my ramps! Pick your pitch well, and try by correct positioning to get any slope dealt with by the fore-aft adjustment of van (jockey wheel/corner steadies), rather than side to side adjustment with ramps!
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Topic: Levelling ramps???
via mobile 23/7/2022 at 3:11pm
