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david8858

11/9/2016 at 3:30pm
Location: Teesside
Outfit: Lunar Clubman SI H

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Watching a chap setting up on the next pitch but one to us in the week I was horrified to see how he went about it. He wound the steadies down then wound the jockey wheel up and set about levelling side to side and front to back just using the steadies.

It was a Bailey Unicorn so just the rear ones were heavy duty. When someone buys that van second hand they won't have any idea that the chassis has been subjected to such strains as I'm sure it will appear in Prestine condition otherwise!

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David

kenles

11/9/2016 at 4:01pm
Location: Gloucestershie
Outfit: Fiat Ducato campervan

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That is the way to do it.if not you could have helped him to do the best way

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david8858

11/9/2016 at 10:30pm
Location: Teesside
Outfit: Lunar Clubman SI H

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I think if that was the way to do it they would be called jacks instead of steadies. The clue might be in the name?

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David

Wibsey

11/9/2016 at 10:44pm
Location: West Yorkshire
Outfit: Swift Challenger 570 kia Sportage

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I noticed a few people with the Jockey wheel in the air and steadies taking all the nose weight when we were on site a couple of weeks ago.

When we picked up our van from the dealer, on hand over we were told that the steadies are just that and that the jockey wheel must be used to level the caravan front to back, and levelers used under the wheels if needed to level it side to side.

Glamcamping

11/9/2016 at 10:56pm
Location: Surrey
Outfit: Adria Adora Thames platinum 613 UT

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As above,

The jockey wheel and wheels take the weight. The legs are just to stabilise and should not be used to level the van.

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Bailey Pegasus Ancona 2016
Adria adora Thames platinum 2018 👍
Happy vanning all 😎

iank01

12/9/2016 at 12:22pm
Location: Worcestershire
Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser

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Quote: Originally posted by Wibsey on 11/9/2016
I noticed a few people with the Jockey wheel in the air and steadies taking all the nose weight when we were on site a couple of weeks ago.

When we picked up our van from the dealer, on hand over we were told that the steadies are just that and that the jockey wheel must be used to level the caravan front to back, and levelers used under the wheels if needed to level it side to side.

On our caravan the steadies are used to level the caravan front to back and the jacks level it side to side. Our jockey wheel is in the air as no need for it.

Ray Clayton

12/9/2016 at 3:41pm
Location: Ilkeston. Derbyshire
Outfit: Disco 4 Unicorn Barcelona 4

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my jockey wheel is always in the air when set up, and parked up on the front of the house.
Once the legs have the weight no need for it to be down.
Others may disagree !

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Cheers
Ray

Discovery 4 & Bailey Barcelona 4

GCMS2012

12/9/2016 at 8:26pm
Location: Northumberland
Outfit: Knaus Sudwind 550 TK

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And that's another reason I won't buy a Bailey....

Or make that a UK built van any way....

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Damned if I do...

Damned if I don't!!!!

millermicm

12/9/2016 at 8:42pm
Location: west country
Outfit: None Entered

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I know some people might not take advice well but some folks don't offer it.

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Steve

david8858

12/9/2016 at 8:54pm
Location: Teesside
Outfit: Lunar Clubman SI H

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.Under no circumstances should the corner steadies be used as a jack as they are only a means of stabilising the caravan.

The above is taken directly from section 23 of the Bailey owners manual. On both the handover for our last van (Bailey) and this one (Lunar) it was stressed to us weight is taken by wheels and jockey wheel and steadies are not to be used for levelling.

Seems the manufacturer view is jockey down steadies not for load bearing.

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David

Mike3003

13/9/2016 at 8:19am
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David is absolutely right, if you are using your steadies to level your van you ARE doing it WRONG.

The only time the jockey wheel is off the ground is when you are towing. Use it for front to back levelling.

Use Fiamma type ramps and your jockey wheel to level your van, I can level my van in a couple of minutes, then drop the steadies so they just touch the ground then a little to steady the van. It is far, far easier anyway. 👍

Never, never store your van with all the weight on the steadies, jockey wheel and wheels taking the weight not the steadies, they and the chassis are not designed for it.

Take the advice or leave it, your choice.........But it is right. Have a look on YouTube.

Oh, it is not just Bailey either.

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Not ALL Newts get p**sed.

“Semper Fidelis”

Mike3003

13/9/2016 at 9:08am
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Quote: Originally posted by Ray Clayton on 12/9/2016
my jockey wheel is always in the air when set up, and parked up on the front of the house.
Once the legs have the weight no need for it to be down.
Others may disagree !

Ray, you should change the way you do this my friend, the legs, steadies, are not designed to take the weight of the van and your jockey wheel should be down bearing the load along with your wheels.

I mean this as very friendly advice as I would hate to see you ruin the floor of your van or twist the chassis. Please look into this Ray, I urge you. 👍😀

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Not ALL Newts get p**sed.

“Semper Fidelis”

iank01

13/9/2016 at 9:30am
Location: Worcestershire
Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser

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Quote: Originally posted by Mike3003 on 13/9/2016
David is absolutely right, if you are using your steadies to level your van you ARE doing it WRONG.

The only time the jockey wheel is off the ground is when you are towing. Use it for front to back levelling.

Use Fiamma type ramps and your jockey wheel to level your van, I can level my van in a couple of minutes, then drop the steadies so they just touch the ground then a little to steady the van. It is far, far easier anyway. 👍

Never, never store your van with all the weight on the steadies, jockey wheel and wheels taking the weight not the steadies, they and the chassis are not designed for it.

Take the advice or leave it, your choice.........But it is right. Have a look on YouTube.

Oh, it is not just Bailey either.

The above does not apply to some caravans like ours where the steadies are used for levelling as it has the E&P system fitted.

Mike3003

13/9/2016 at 11:18am
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What is an E&P system Ian? Sorry for being an old fart!

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Not ALL Newts get p**sed.

“Semper Fidelis”

Mike3003

13/9/2016 at 11:28am
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Ahhhhh, just found it on you tube, and yes I have nothing better to do, it is rain here near Biarritz at the moment! A hydraulic levelling system, but even with that the main weight of the van is taken by two hydraulic jacks on the axle..........£2500 fitted, I will stick with my ramps and jockey wheel. 👍. I never have a problem.😀

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Not ALL Newts get p**sed.

“Semper Fidelis”

iank01

13/9/2016 at 11:31am
Location: Worcestershire
Outfit: Buccaneer Cruiser

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Quote: Originally posted by Mike3003 on 13/9/2016
What is an E&P system Ian? Sorry for being an old fart!

Looking at your profile you have South Africa on your list. Any place in particular as I lived there for 34 years? My son and step daughter still live there. If you prefer not to answer I understand.

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