You guys got me worried now.
I thought that the legs on my caravan would just wind down and lift the wheel off the ground.
My leg winder fits my wheel nuts so i have taken out my heavy old wheel brace and just thought that i wouldn't need a jack because the caravan has four corner legs.
What's the reason for carrying an extra jack? Are the legs too weak or something?
------------- Dave, Erin and Emily May
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Yes! Also most parts of the chassis are not suitable for jacking. Both Alko and Kojack brackets are available which fit onto strong points. With regard to previous comments about the jacking points fouling motor movers, this only happens on twin axles where 4 motors are fitted and there is insufficient clearance. Not sure if it applies to all 4 motor systems though.
------------- 'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'
i went to a car breakers and got a jack out of a iveco van, its 3.5 ton lift, its only 5 inch high, that will lift any caravan you want for a £10 that ok
Quote: Originally posted by Pickled Onion on 03/5/2012
I bought the Kojack lite bottle jack that was on offer at Argos, it also came with brackets that fit the Alko chassis.
Dave
Very good, but MOST IMPORTANT - although described as "designed to fit AL-KO caravan chassis from 1992 onwards", this is not so - pre-drilled holes are necessary, and my 1995 van did not have them. Fortunately, I was able to get a full refund from Argos, but if considering buying one, download the manual, read, and check your chassis - in case you can't get a refund later....
Gram
------------- What's the difference between a chicken?
Interesting stuff. With the `van down to it`s rim virtually (blowout as opposed to a slow puncture) I have all of 120mm clearance - between the axle and the ground, nearest the hub. And only around 90mm on the frame where ordinary jacking is permitted. That`s 4.8 and 3.6 inches respectively. A scissor jack of maybe 1.5 tons capability would squeeze in there maybe, but it`d be hell to wind it up!
A bloody long crowbar and a brick might work (not serious ha ha)
------------- Peripheral people don`t have as much excitement but they sure live longer
The Kojack and I believe the Alko bolt on jacking points are on the side of the chassis member and about 30mm or so from the base of it. My understanding is that they are designed to enable the appropriate jacks to fit even if wheel rim is on the ground. I am never too sure about the strength of the tubular axles used on caravans and nervous about using them as a jacking point.
------------- 'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'
I share your concern about the axle. But I did try it on a hydraulic jack with hardboard cushion and there was no problem. This is recommended by the carvan manual. On my van, one of the jacking holes is taken up with the shock absorber . . . .Isn`t life tough?
I`m gonna get a 1 ton scissor jack which`ll get underneath the frame. Comes down to 85 mm which should be fine. . . . Hope I never need it!
------------- Peripheral people don`t have as much excitement but they sure live longer