A recent thread discussed turning the caravan wheels during the winter. Now I know you're not supposed to up the caravan using the steadies as they are not jacks, and are attached to the bottom of the caravan, not the chassis.
So why aren't they attached to the chassis? Surely this would make more sense and be a better arrangement than attaching them to the floor of the caravan.
'Scuse the daft question, there's probably a very good answer, but I just wondered!
Because it would cause the chassis to distort if used as jack. A caravan is not designed to be jacked on the corners either on body or chassis. It should only be jacked near the axle.
So why aren't they attached to the chassis? Surely this would make more sense and be a better arrangement than attaching them to the floor of the caravan.
I suppose it keeps the weight down, if the corner steadies were part of the chassis and able to support the van as you suggested it would be a fair chunk of metal and very heavy.
Thanks for your answers, guys! It's a typical blond question, isn't it? LOL...
I have heard of a small number of reports of steadies that have pushed up through the floor of the caravans where there has been delamination/damp... and I just wondered why they had to be attached to the caravan, when this can happen. Surely if they were attached to the chassis it would be more sensible?
I'm still not advocating their use as jacks, I just thought it would be a better idea if the steadies were attached to the chassis, rather than the floor. If as Tony says, the chassis doesn't extend right to the corners, then perhaps I have my answer!
Or would it be a better idea to have them on the chassis, but they are attached to the floor because that's the way it's always been done?
Pickled Onion - I wasn't suggesting that we should all have jack-weight steadies attached to the chassis, just what's already there, but attached to the chassis, which could be more practical?
Some German caravans do have the steadies attached to the chassis - I'm pretty sure our Burstner does. But as Pickled Onion says, it's quite a heavy van. Very solid, though!
------------- Il vaut mieux vivre ses reves que rever sa vie
When is a jack not a jack?
Call them what you like, but they are still bearing weight. Its time the chassis was altered to accommodate these steadies to my mind. Having them just fastened to the underside of the van isnt very bright when you think about it. As the rear ones in particular are still 'holding' the van up after the axle when folk are in that area of the van. Which means all the combined weight is bearing on that bit of floor.
Quote: Originally posted by Mick S. on 19/2/2013
When is a jack not a jack?
Call them what you like, but they are still bearing weight. Its time the chassis was altered to accommodate these steadies to my mind. Having them just fastened to the underside of the van isnt very bright when you think about it. As the rear ones in particular are still 'holding' the van up after the axle when folk are in that area of the van. Which means all the combined weight is bearing on that bit of floor.
If you built a caravan strong enough to be jacked up at the corners then it would be too heavy, the chassis would have to be like a truck. The trend is for lighter caravans regardless of size & so it should be. Corner steadies have never been there for jacking purposes, the clue is in the name. Provided all 4 are firmly on the ground once caravan has been levelled then together they will do their job as intended. If you attempt to use one singly as a jack then you will distort & stress caravan & possibly cause joint failure & water ingress.
as well as the chassis twisted it is not unknown for the side panels to be buckled as well when force is used on the steadies.mainly round the door area which is weakest.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
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Topic: caravan steadies, a daft question!
