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Subject Topic: Leveling Post Reply Post New Topic
22/2/2009 at 2:29pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Coachman 460 2 VIP
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Hi Guys,

We have just put our caravan on a permanant pitch, and the pitch isn't level. As a result when we use the draining board, the water collects in the far left corner instead of draining into the sink.

We were told not to use the jack up steadies to level the caravan as it could twist the chassis? Is this true? and if so, how do I level the caravan?

Thanks Guys

Tony the Novice Caravanner


22/2/2009 at 2:36pm
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Avondale Avocet & Saab 9-5 Auto-Trail
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Level your van sideways with blocks under one wheel.

Now level it front to back with the jockey wheel.

'Van now level....next..... wind down legs to keep it there!



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Ted


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22/2/2009 at 2:42pm
 Location: Coventry
 Outfit: Ford Explorer(Dora)& Abbey Spectrum520
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We bought a worktop drainer tray from betterware.it goes over our draining board(its bigger) and if we're unlevel(as in October when we kept sinking in the mud) we just put something under the end to drain the water towards the sink!!

  View Worktop Drainer Tray (Silver)



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...as long as it's dry.....
Lisa xx
count your rainbows not your thunderstorms.....
Easter-York
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Xmas-still looking...


22/2/2009 at 3:09pm
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If your caravan is sited & you dont want to reconnect it to your car, bring a jack & plenty of short planks of wood, you also need a small spirit level. Jack up caravan & slide plank of wood under wheel, drop the jack & check caravan is level with spirit level.

Obviously you will have to experiment with different thicknesses, you can also use paving slabs or breeze blocks. You will probabley have to put blocks under corner steadies on one side as well to prevent them being too vertical.

As previously stated level fore/aft with jockey wheel & leave down on a block if you like. Once van is level then wind down corner steadies firmly, as stated, never use corner steadies for levelling, you can put blocks under all 4 if you want & the van should stay level all season.

If you want to spend money you can of course buy plastic leveling ramps & drag 'van up onto them with you car & you can also buy a windup device that goes under the wheel & jacks it up. this is your best option but expensive.



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Sell my camper? I'd rather eat school semolina!


22/2/2009 at 5:23pm
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As someone has suggested, if all you are worried about is the water collecting up the corner of the draining board, then put something under the end of it!



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"If I let go of what I am, I can become what I might be".


              
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22/2/2009 at 9:18pm
 Location: Doncaster Yorkshire
 Outfit: Autotrail Delaware
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It is better to have the van level if you are using it for the season, and not at a site just for a day or two.

We find putting a little spirit level device inside the centre of the front window on the ledge (stuck with a sticky tab) is useful as you can see the level from outside and know if you need a ramp under one wheel, then once level sideways you can easily see when you are level front to back as you wind the jockey wheel up or down.

On your seasonal pitch, one possible alternative to using ramps or wood bits is to scrape out a little of the earth/pebbles/chippings on the high side and roll down into the dip so the wheel is a bit lower?



22/2/2009 at 11:53pm
 Location: West Cumbria
 Outfit: Ace Aristocrat caravan & Campervan
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You can use jack pads they are cheap from any good caravan shop.

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Jan:Braids Gretna, Feb Stanwix Park Silloth & Braids Gretna,


23/2/2009 at 12:25pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Nissan X-Trail & Bailey Ranger
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Quote: Originally posted by Magicman1960 on 22/2/2009
We were told not to use the jack up steadies to level the caravan as it could twist the chassis? Is this true?

Yes. The steadies are just that - there to steady the van. They are not for levelling it. Get it level first, then lower the steadies. You may need to check that the steadies are "tight" (properly in contact with the ground, to stop excessive rocking) every few days as the van will "settle" into position.

For lots of expert advice, download this great free info-sheet:

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/nr/rdonlyres/6797e246-1576-4ea5-99cb-0633d535831c/0/gettingstarted.pdf



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* You never know where you're going 'til you get there...



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