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 Topic: Caravan levelling
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16/1/2020 at 6:37pm
Location: London
Outfit: Lunar Cosmos 524
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If you are thinking of the Kojack type devices, and assuming you mean on a caravan, there is one huge problem, as soon as you lift one wheel (2 if twin axle) on one side off the ground, you lose the braking action of the wheel(s), the caravan can then pivot around the opposite side wheel(s) and fall off the jack, the un-braked castoring jockey wheel offering no resistance to the movement. All caravan jacks, including Kojack instruct that the caravan MUST be hitched to the car when using to avoid this pivoting action, to that end, the Kojack marketing as a 'leveller' is misleading.
Locknlevel provides a reasonable secure interface between braked wheel(s) and ground, so there is no risk of pivoting.
You could use a jack to lift van BEFORE unhitching to align wheel/lock AND place suitable ramps under the braked wheel(s), lower down and then unhitch car.
I sympathise with your problem, the AlKo (and similar types) are very poorly designed, requiring absolute precision in the rotation of the wheel, and woe betide anyone using them on a twin axle! I've got one, the real problem is on the storage pitch where there is not the latitude to roll the van back or forwards about a foot to align the wheel slot! I've got a motor mover that makes alignment easy(ish), but how anyone using the tow vehicle or pushing and pulling van does it is beyond me.
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16/1/2020 at 9:31pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
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If you have a motor mover fitted you can move the caravan up a ramp whereby the tyre circumference travels in millimeters which will make the alignment for the wheel lock possible without all the hassle involved regarding the use of a lifting jack. It's far much safer too which the post by 'Monty15' has offered good advice.
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17/1/2020 at 9:27am
Location: Bolton Lancs
Outfit: Bailey Orion 430-4 & Mitsubishi PHEV
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I bought a 2.4M length of decking board from B&Q and they sawed it into 700mm, 800mm, and 900mm pieces. I just select how many pieces to level the caravan and trundle it on with the mover. 700mm is plenty to line up the lock. An added bonus is if parked on wet grass I can put one under each wheel to stop the wheel sinking
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17/1/2020 at 7:56pm
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Sterckeman Alize Concept CP480
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We have a mover and lock and level .... brilliant combination.
Problem with solid ramps is that you have a choice of 3/4 levels .... lock and level gives you infinite and precise positions.
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20/1/2020 at 8:57pm
Location: Glasgow
Outfit: Elddis Avante 454
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Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 16/1/2020
the real problem is on the storage pitch where there is not the latitude to roll the van back or forwards about a foot to align the wheel slot!
I agree, I park my caravan about 1cm from a fence at the rear and the tow hitch is hard against the gate. I am paying more on my insurance because I can't use the alco lock at home. I am sure there is a better way of making a caravan secure.
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We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.
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21/1/2020 at 7:08pm
Location: Cumbria
Outfit: Coachman VIP 520
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Mover and lock n level for us too - so straightforward and hassle free.
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22/1/2020 at 10:16am
Location: Near Alton Towers
Outfit: Bailey Burgundy S7 H
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I have a similar combo to Andy Highman, I used some old planking of suitable width and thickness. First job is to work out where I need to be with the receiver for the Alko clamp to be aligned, them place the first board parallel to the wheel at that point. I then move the van forward or back and when it clears the end of the board I slip it across and run the wheel up onto it, simple. As it’s flat I then have some wriggle room to fit the alko Secure clamp into the receiver. Should I need more lift, I use more boards but will place the first board slightly farther forward to make sure the end result is in the right spot, the leading edge of each is chamfered for ease of transition. They weigh, cost substantially less and take up less room than ramps or levellers.
Dave.
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Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day,
Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.
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22/1/2020 at 7:50pm
Location: Glasgow
Outfit: Elddis Avante 454
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Does it matter? I mean does it matter if the caravan is not perfectly level. I sleep fine with my head a few inches higher or lower than my feet.
I know that water will not drain from the waste pipes if the caravan is higher on the outlet side but the water still leaves the caravan once the pipes are full to the level of the outlet. The fridge works on 12v while being towed so works at all sorts of odd angles.
I am not suggesting some crazy off level situation but the majority of pitches are close enough to suit me and I'd think most people.
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We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.
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25/1/2020 at 10:19am
Location: West Yorkshire
Outfit: Sterling Eccles 590
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we also have a lock n level and its brilliant. wouldn't be without it
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keep on caravanning, life is too short
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07/2/2020 at 4:57pm
Location: Bucks
Outfit: Sun Living S70SC
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John4703, I totally agree, you can over think these things!
If it is not pitching you out of bed or you can't walk uphill does it really matter!
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08/2/2020 at 9:28am
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Sterckeman Alize Concept CP480
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Some of the pitches I've been on ... you really do need a level changer .... especially if you particularly want to be 'facing' one specific direction.
A (say) 5 inch lift can make quite a difference ...
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via mobile 16/1/2020 at 5:41pm
