As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
I keep a spirit level in the caravan and place it on the floor. I made a wooden ramp which is in 3 sections dowelled together. I select one, two, or three sections depending on how uneven the ground is, place the ramp behind the appropriate wheel and use the movers to "drive" the caravan up onto it. Fore and aft is easy, I just use the jockey wheel in conjunction with my spirit level, then once it's level put the steadies down. Takes minutes.
Quote: Originally posted by AndyDW on 02/6/2021
Have a look at the Milenco or Lockloy leveller, I couldnt put up with the faff of ramps. They are a useful bit of kit.
...........
Andy
Ooo...
I bought a set of wedge type levellers and have yet to use them.
Not sure if the aluminium ones would be sufficiently practical for me as I intend to take the van out and about near the sites during my stay.
Nice bit of kit though.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
First a question before any suggestions, do you use an 'ALKO Secure Wheel Lock'?
If yes, then 'ramps', whether they be commercial plastic ones, or home made stepped wooden ones inevitable make for (extreme!) difficulty in trying to align lock and get wheel height right! Better to look at one of the systems that allows fitting of lock first, then raising wheel to level van.
Basically three choices, ramps, screw adjusted wheel lift (Lockloy type), or air bag (Lock n Level).
I've got the cursed ALKO lock to contend with, and I've ramps (don't think I've ever used them) and a Lockloy, now the Lockloy works OK EXCEPT if the tyre has sunk slightly into soft ground which prevents me from getting it around the tyre as it's a tight fit at best on my 14" wheels! Seriously looking at the Lock n Level air bag.
It's not always an option, but when I've been faced with a sloping pitch, I've often oriented the van so the slope can be compensated for by the fore-aft adjustment of jockey wheel height, rather than side to side adjustment with 'lifting' devices.
The 'two way - 2 tubes at 90 degrees' or 'bubble in a ring' type spirit levels are almost essential, the eye can deceive! You can also get 'spirit level' Apps for a mobile phone if it has the right sensors. No spirit level! - water in a glass makes a good substitute when placed on worktop or floor (not carpet!). Also worth bearing in mind, 3-way (Absorption) type fridges typically fitted to caravans are very sensitive to operating angle, with only a few degrees tolerance, enough of a deviation from perfectly level and they can become less effective right up to refusing to work at all!
Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 02/6/2021
First a question before any suggestions, do you use an 'ALKO Secure Wheel Lock'?
If yes, then 'ramps', whether they be commercial plastic ones, or home made stepped wooden ones inevitable make for (extreme!) difficulty in trying to align lock and get wheel height right! Better to look at one of the systems that allows fitting of lock first, then raising wheel to level van.
Basically three choices, ramps, screw adjusted wheel lift (Lockloy type), or air bag (Lock n Level).
I've got the cursed ALKO lock to contend with, and I've ramps (don't think I've ever used them) and a Lockloy, now the Lockloy works OK EXCEPT if the tyre has sunk slightly into soft ground which prevents me from getting it around the tyre as it's a tight fit at best on my 14" wheels! Seriously looking at the Lock n Level air bag.
It's not always an option, but when I've been faced with a sloping pitch, I've often oriented the van so the slope can be compensated for by the fore-aft adjustment of jockey wheel height, rather than side to side adjustment with 'lifting' devices.
The 'two way - 2 tubes at 90 degrees' or 'bubble in a ring' type spirit levels are almost essential, the eye can deceive! You can also get 'spirit level' Apps for a mobile phone if it has the right sensors. No spirit level! - water in a glass makes a good substitute when placed on worktop or floor (not carpet!). Also worth bearing in mind, 3-way (Absorption) type fridges typically fitted to caravans are very sensitive to operating angle, with only a few degrees tolerance, enough of a deviation from perfectly level and they can become less effective right up to refusing to work at all!
So much to consider and learn!
I find a little bit of oil in a frying pan works well as a level indicator when I was setting up a camp kitchen in my days as a tenter.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
You can get a "Spirit Level" app free for your smart phone which you use by laying the phone flat on the floor of the van. There are also Compass and Satellite finders available.
------------- Some days you are the dog,
some days you are the tree.
Levelling up is one of those things that I’ve never completely conquered. The best indicator I’ve found is the tendency to swing of the bathroom door!
This season, I’m trying out an inclinometer glued to the bulkhead in the gas box, to do the sideways levelling (using ramps). A few quid off eBay.
These are used by yachtsmen to gauge how far over their boats are heeling; the smaller of the dials is more useful to the vanner. I’ve also got a cheap app called Level Remote, which is supposed to show the level, in both directions, from one device on another; I haven’t been able to link them on-site yet, but the level is very accurate.
Then for longitudinal levelling I simply move it onto the awning skirt rail.
None of this having to unlock the door and finding some item to use as a datum.
The levelling "wedge" for our single axle van, is a stack of decking plank off cuts, used so the lifted van can move level, back and forth enough to fit the Alko Secure. This doubles as a load spreader, so the wheel does not sink into the ground.
I don't get making what can be a simple task into a challenge.
Then for longitudinal levelling I simply move it onto the awning skirt rail.
None of this having to unlock the door and finding some item to use as a datum.
The levelling "wedge" for our single axle van, is a stack of decking plank off cuts, used so the lifted van can move level, back and forth enough to fit the Alko Secure. This doubles as a load spreader, so the wheel does not sink into the ground.
I don't get making what can be a simple task into a challenge.
Similar to the level I use, but I just open the door and place it on the floor inside. Always gets it plenty level enough for me, and I agree about the planks for spreading the load. I can't use one of those Alko wheel locks on my ancient caravan, they wouldn't fit on my wheels.
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: Level
via mobile 02/6/2021 at 12:11pm
