When we bought our Lunar Clubman 500/4 it never entered my head about possible problems pitching it on a sloped site.
We recently had a 3 week trip to Cornwall, and to level the van on a pitch that wasn't THAT sloping, we had to lower the jockey wheel to the point where hitch was almost on the ground. This was only a gentle slope and had it been sloping much more we wouldn't have been able to level it.
I suppose it doesn't help that the wheels are only 13" though 14" wheels would have only raised the axle by 1/2".
Here we are on site .
Our caravan isn't that long by today's standards - but the back steadies were almost fully extended.
This wasn't the worst slope we encountered - at one site the hitch was almost on the ground.
Any suggestions to prevent us being caught out in the future with a greater slope - one of our wheels is on a ramp to level it crosswise.
Colin
Post last edited on 29/07/2011 01:09:33
------------- First outing : 6 - 8th June 2011 - Rivington nr Bolton.
27/6/11 - 15/7/11: Cornwall.
2/9/11 - 5/9/11: Tarporley, Cheshire.
08/10/11 - 13/10/11: Naburn Lock nr York.
19/3/12 - 22/3/12: Southport
Don't extend your steadies too far, use blocks of wood or jack pads underneath them to help. We've had a similar problem and that was with a small Esterel folding caravan!
I'm sure there's other things too that will be suggested.
Its a frequent problem with longer caravans as a slope can either put the hitch on the ground or the otherway round the back will hit the ground. Most sites get around the problems by getting you to pitch across the slope and level off with a ram or blocks. The theory is the distance between the wheels is much less than the length of the caravan and therefore the drop is less to level off.
------------- 'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'
Quote: Originally posted by jeff juke on 29/7/2011
As above but was just thinking about an awning it would have been to long a drop at one end and, short at the other.
Yes Jeff we did have a problem with the awning too - it was only erected when at St Ives for 8 days and that pitch sloped more than the one in the photo.
It had to be erected quite a bit off centre and that meant the outer roof poles were one above, and one below, the the aluminium hinge rail for the windows at opposite ends of the van.
It was the first time we have used the awning.
I guess there is not much can be done about that.
I will need to carry more wooden blocks in future to raise the axle both ends if needed, it was already quite a step up off our single step into the van though.
Cheers - Colin
------------- First outing : 6 - 8th June 2011 - Rivington nr Bolton.
27/6/11 - 15/7/11: Cornwall.
2/9/11 - 5/9/11: Tarporley, Cheshire.
08/10/11 - 13/10/11: Naburn Lock nr York.
19/3/12 - 22/3/12: Southport
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Caravan length and pitch slope.
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