Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Camping and Caravanning Equipment

Topic: setting up/lowering legs

carioca

31/3/2016 at 10:01am
Location: worcestershire
Outfit: Sterling emerald 4 berth tourer

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 13/10/2003

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 8

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Hi,
pardon my ignorance,totally new to tourers.
I have read setting up in "arrival on site".
RE: spirit level on van floor then lowering legs.
is there any particular sequence to which leg is lowered first?
carioca

Opensauce

31/3/2016 at 10:15am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4530

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Best way I find is level caravan sideways first using levelling wedge under one wheel if required. If you do not have a mover fitted then do this while still attached to car. Then uncouple & level caravan fore/aft using jockey wheel.

Then wind rear legs onto ground firmly followed by front legs. Note that all levelling should be done before winding down legs which are only used to steady caravan. They are not jacks to raise caravan.

AL53HX

31/3/2016 at 10:20am
Location: BLACK((gods)) COUNTRY
Outfit: Pi;ote Reference 740

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 08/10/2007

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 594

Site Reviews Total:	23

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	2
Site Reviews 2020:	2
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	4
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	6
Site Nights 2020:	4
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

as above,remember that if the van needs to be on a ramp,place a chock in front of the wheel,sometimes they roll back down the ramp.

Post last edited on 31/03/2016 10:24:07

-------------
Whippets,you cant have just one

freeatlast

31/3/2016 at 4:06pm
Location: Teesside
Outfit: Mitsubishi ASX4

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 23/3/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 2135

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Get the van level at home, then glue a small level to the front "A" frame somewhere. That way you can check fore to aft level as you raise and lower the jockey wheel.

Hairywol

31/3/2016 at 6:18pm
Location: Teesside
Outfit: Challenger Sport 524 + Volvo V90 D5

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 02/6/2005

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 1430
Tent Reviews: 6

Site Reviews Total:	29

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

It's very important that, if using a ramp, you place the ramp in front of the caravan wheels so that you can level while driving forwards.

This means the caravan brakes won't disconnect, and you won't risk bruising your car when releasing the hitch (if reversing it may spring forward and damage the car).

-------------
Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.

baddon

01/4/2016 at 12:15am
Location: Near Belfast
Outfit: Ranger & Hymer Nova

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 19/2/2016

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 275
Tent Reviews: 2

Site Reviews Total:	7

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	1
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	1

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	1
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	2

good question and great answers. I am heading with new van to a very sloping site so may need all of the above. I have several large bits of blocks in case the legs don't reach ground as I recall seeing some vans on the site with hitch on the conc when I was there with trailer tent.

I just hope the levelling ramps I have ordered arrive in time...or its more timber under wheels.

-------------
if your not living life on the edge your taking up tooo much room

Taylor56

01/4/2016 at 8:39am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 19/11/2013

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 384

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Quote: Originally posted by Hairywol on 31/3/2016
It's very important that, if using a ramp, you place the ramp in front of the caravan wheels so that you can level while driving forwards.

This means the caravan brakes won't disconnect, and you won't risk bruising your car when releasing the hitch (if reversing it may spring forward and damage the car).

In my experience the van is more likely to roll backwards when unhitched and was always told to reverse up a ramp then set the handbrake then roll the car forewords to release the hitch.

bobmel

01/4/2016 at 11:12pm
Location: Aberdeen
Outfit: Coachman Pastiche 460 VW Tiguan Moti

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 26/8/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1593

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	1
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	7
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

one of the many forums on here re this subject.

-------------
Robert (BoB)

Andy Higham

02/4/2016 at 8:09am
Location: Bolton Lancs
Outfit: Bailey Orion 430-4 & Mitsubishi PHEV

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/12/2012

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 876

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Instead of a ramp I use (up to) 3 pieces of decking board. I can then move caravan to the correct position to fit the wheel lock.

SGThomas

02/4/2016 at 9:07am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 16/10/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 6707
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	116

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	4
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	15

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	40
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	98

The "legs" should correctly called "steadies" and for the vast amount of caravans taken no part in the levelling process.

As others have said, the sideway levelling is done using ramps/blocks/wedges under one of the wheels.

Fore and aft levelling is done using the jockey wheel.

Once level, the legs are wound down to steady the van in its level position.

bobmel

02/4/2016 at 10:23pm
Location: Aberdeen
Outfit: Coachman Pastiche 460 VW Tiguan Moti

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 26/8/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 1593

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	1
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	7
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I have noticed on a few occasions that some caravaners retract the jockey wheel to the transit position once the steadies are down. Is this wise ? or does it make any difference ? I always leave the jockey down once i've leveled back to front.

-------------
Robert (BoB)

RTS5

03/4/2016 at 9:53pm
Location: North Wiltshire
Outfit: Elddis & 3 tents

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/8/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3410
Tent Reviews: 4

Site Reviews Total:	15

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Quote: Originally posted by bobmel on 02/4/2016
I have noticed on a few occasions that some caravaners retract the jockey wheel to the transit position once the steadies are down. Is this wise ? or does it make any difference ? I always leave the jockey down once i've leveled back to front.

No, you use the jockey wheel to level the van back to front, so that would mean they are either on an absolutely flat pitch, or their van is almost certainly unlevel.

carioca

04/4/2016 at 5:46pm
Location: worcestershire
Outfit: Sterling emerald 4 berth tourer

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 13/10/2003

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 8

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

many thanks to all.very useful info from all.

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Camping and Caravanning Equipment - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

6079 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder