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No you can't use corner steadys as a jack ( said in a nice way although it doesn't seem like it when i read it back to myself ) , they are only to steady the caravan , you can ( and should ) use them to steady the caravan once you have jacked it up using a proper jack .

atb

Wizard

I would suggest you ignore that particular bit of professional advice from him, he should know he's wrong there.

They're stabilisers not jacks. I would also suggest an investment in a good trolley jack would be sound advice, it'll come in handy for levelling the van & changing wheels. A foot long length of 3x2 will come in handy as well. In the event of a flat tyre, you'll need to draw the flat tyre up on the length of timber so you can get the trolley jack under the chassi near the wheel.

Buy a good jack, some of the cheapies are too short & it's almost impossible to jack anything up. I bought a 2 tonne jack from Halfords years ago & it's very good.

Hope you enjoy your new van.

BB

What van have you got now?

Mr UM

We use a small bottle jack on our Pennine, which is less weight than a trolley jack and smaller too, though you do need to draw the trailer up onto a 3" thick piece of timber and then lie down on the floor in order to get the jack under the chassis. Leave it attached to the car too as it is possible that the trailer can tip backwards. Using the jacks to simply steady rather than lift is a good plan.

Quote: Originally posted by Ulti-Mates on 27/9/2009

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What van have you got now?

Mr UM

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Geist 565 (I updated my profile as soon as I paid my deposit, 'cos I was that excited!!  )...

Thanks for all the responses - I think he was just saying that to prevent me trying to haggle a jack off him...(I'm no good at haggling anyway...)

Is there any issue with using a normal car jack (scissor type)?

Quote: Originally posted by colinlob on 28/9/2009

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Leave it attached to the car too as it is possible that the trailer can tip backwards. Using the jacks to simply steady rather than lift is a good plan.

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I agree with leaving the van attached to the car - sounds sensible to me.  I have to admit, I normally leave changing the wheel to those who 'can do these things better than I', but then I always watch to make sure they don't use the steadies as a jack.

I am surprised to didn't get a jack with the van.  I thought this was standard equipment.

Quote: Originally posted by D S B on 28/9/2009

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I am surprised to didn't get a jack with the van.  I thought this was standard equipment.

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I got a huge discount off the price (the van is unused but 2 years old), which meant I got absolutely no frills - no jack, spare tyre, battery, water carriers etc - the lazy git didn't even CRIS-register it (it's a german van, so I've got to pay the £37 to register it)...

Quote: Originally posted by nelmo on 28/9/2009

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Quote: Originally posted by D S B on 28/9/2009

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I am surprised to didn't get a jack with the van.  I thought this was standard equipment.

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I got a huge discount off the price (the van is unused but 2 years old), which meant I got absolutely no frills - no jack, spare tyre, battery, water carriers etc - the lazy git didn't even CRIS-register it (it's a german van, so I've got to pay the £37 to register it)...

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Is there any issue with using a normal car jack (scissor type)?

Hmm , i'd say you should make sure that the jack can cope with lifting the weight of the caravan ( not the whole caravan LOL ) . You would probably be better off with a trolley jack or a purpose made jack .

atb

Wizard

Is there any issue with using a normal car jack (scissor type)?

i use one to lift for the bottle jack only.a scissor jack will slip very easy and if the wheels are not jacked and the handbrake on the caravan will turn itself and could cause damage.i know i did it.i was lucky to catch it before it hit the wall.you should always try to have the van hitched before changing a wheel.

We have the 2 ton trolley jack (from Halfords) and it does work well.

Only trouble is, its quite a heavy bit of kit to lug around with you, but it does the job.

Quote: Originally posted by wizard9956 on 28/9/2009

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Is there any issue with using a normal car jack (scissor type)?

Hmm , i'd say you should make sure that the jack can cope with lifting the weight of the caravan ( not the whole caravan LOL ) . You would probably be better off with a trolley jack or a purpose made jack .

atb

Wizard

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Surely the car jack designed to lift a 2-ton car is not going to have a problem with a 1200kg caravan?

Surely the car jack designed to lift a 2-ton car is not going to have a problem with a 1200kg caravan?

No it's probably not , but i don't what jack you are using , it could be your car one , one bought off ebay , or from a breakers .
My car has a bottle jack which won't fit under the axle , so i bought a heavy duty scissor jack from a car breakers for my caravan , and modified it by adding a bigger base and cup to the top, to cup the axle . 

atb

Wizard

Quote: Originally posted by nelmo on 29/9/2009

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Quote: Originally posted by wizard9956 on 28/9/2009

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Is there any issue with using a normal car jack (scissor type)?

Hmm , i'd say you should make sure that the jack can cope with lifting the weight of the caravan ( not the whole caravan LOL ) . You would probably be better off with a trolley jack or a purpose made jack .

atb

Wizard

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Surely the car jack designed to lift a 2-ton car is not going to have a problem with a 1200kg caravan?

 

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I checked the rating of my car scissor jack some time ago, and yes it was fine for our caravan. The max loading was printed on the jack. When I tried it out I even found the slot in the top of the jack was a good fit on the chassis. It would easily lift the wheel well clear of the ground, and would have fitted under the chassis with a flat tyre.

Its worth checking first before lugging a heavy extra jack around with you all the time. I presume your Santa Fe jack is just a stronger version of my Tucson jack.