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Topic: Corner steadies.

smiler701

01/5/2017 at 3:45pm
Location: Weymouth
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I just read a forum that talked about corner steadies and just wanted to check something. When we stump up at a site we use plastic yellow chocks under the wheels to get almost level then I use corner stacking blocks under the steadies as it just gives me a bit more play. they allow about 4 - 10 cm of play. Am I ding this right? I get very stressed that the way right roll away, or am I being a bit over the top.....

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Smiler

checkley1973

01/5/2017 at 4:03pm
Location: Sheffield
Outfit: Sterling Eccles Sport 636

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When levelling you can you should level side to side first using a ramp or similar under the wheels. Then put your handbrake on to stop the van moving. Then level front to back using the jockey wheel to lift or lower the front of the van. Once level you then drop the steadies down to steady the van. These should only be used to keep the van from moving about and never to attempt to lift the van. You should wind the steady to the ground and then give it another half turn.

Hope this helps.

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blueexpo97

01/5/2017 at 4:04pm
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Everything is correct, of course though if you don't need the stacking blocks then no need to use them.

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XVI yes?

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smiler701

01/5/2017 at 4:58pm
Location: Weymouth
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Right no one explained he side to side rule and back and front. Next time we are levelling off I will do that. I think I am being over anxious about the steadies, although I did know about not using them to support the van. Thanks a lot for that information. Good to know. I have only been caravanning for 6 years so not expert yet. I reckon when we turn up, were the people the rest of the site laugh at trying to get level etc.

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Smiler

664DaveS

01/5/2017 at 5:05pm
Location: Shropshire
Outfit: Bailey Phoenix GT 75

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Can be worth checking side to side before unhitching,then you can pull or reverse onto a ramp.
Of course if you have a motor mover life is easier!

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DS-There's more to life than football!!!

peterws

01/5/2017 at 9:55pm
Location: Morecambe
Outfit: Daystar `91 + Berlingo

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open a wardrobe door. You'll know how level it is then . . . .

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Peripheral people don`t have as much excitement but they sure live longer

Rob Johns

01/5/2017 at 10:05pm
Location: Portsmouth
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Er, you should not reverse onto a ramp as the brake may not correctly operate due to the reverse over run mechanism. Pull the van onto the ramp or indeed use a motor mover.

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babycake

01/5/2017 at 10:24pm
Location: Manchesterish
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its scary how many people (caravaners) don't get that the steadies are just that. Messaged a bloke on ebay about a porch awning and when I asked him what the awning drop was (height) he told me it didn't matter as I could drop the van using the legs. he didn't like it when I questioned this pearl of wisdom ( ok I might not have been diplomatic about it) but I nearly dropped my phone when he messaged back that he'd probably been caravanning longer then I had and I should learn more about caravanning before I made a fool of myself!!!!.

we have a few wooden blocks in the front locker as we have encountered a few pitches where the drop has exceeded the length of the steady on one of the corners. A neighbour has to use his step under one steady as the drop on the front offside on his drive is horrific

664DaveS

02/5/2017 at 9:05am
Location: Shropshire
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Mover makes life easy, but its inevitable that the offside needs a ramp and thats the side the al ko wheel lock goes! Grrr!

Must be Murphy's law of levelling!
I agree a selection of wooden blocks can be useful,we also have the bigfeet on the steadies, which are useful on soft ground.

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DS-There's more to life than football!!!

Mike3003

02/5/2017 at 9:20am
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Murpheys law indeed Dave, but I will always pick a pitch where the OS of the van needs the ramp due to SWMBO having a hip problem. Makes it easier for her to get in and out of the van to get my glass of red wine. 😀👍

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Opensauce

02/5/2017 at 10:01am
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Use a small spirit level. Place it on any level exterior trim on sides/front/rear exterior. Takes away the guess work. Handbrake can be left applied if op is worried although I prefer to release it once caravan is set up with steadies down on reasonably level ground.

shaggy2000

02/5/2017 at 1:04pm
Location: County Durham
Outfit: Explore 304

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Quote: Originally posted by babycake on 01/5/2017
its scary how many people (caravaners) don't get that the steadies are just that. Messaged a bloke on ebay about a porch awning and when I asked him what the awning drop was (height) he told me it didn't matter as I could drop the van using the legs. he didn't like it when I questioned this pearl of wisdom ( ok I might not have been diplomatic about it) but I nearly dropped my phone when he messaged back that he'd probably been caravanning longer then I had and I should learn more about caravanning before I made a fool of myself!!!!.

we have a few wooden blocks in the front locker as we have encountered a few pitches where the drop has exceeded the length of the steady on one of the corners. A neighbour has to use his step under one steady as the drop on the front offside on his drive is horrific

The only time corner support legs can ever be used to level a van is when they have been upgraded to those really fancy auto-levelling steadies. But getting that done costs an arm and a couple of legs.

Mick S.

02/5/2017 at 3:39pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 02/5/2017
Use a small spirit level. Place it on any level exterior trim on sides/front/rear exterior. Takes away the guess work.

I used to go by this, until i found i had 3 different 'level' surfaces in the one van! I now go by the shower door. If it opens on its own, i know the shower wont drain. If it shuts on its own, i know its leaning too far to the access side. If it stands still, i know i'm bang on. If its missing altogether, i know i've been burgled.

Ray Clayton

02/5/2017 at 5:37pm
Location: Ilkeston. Derbyshire
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Tin of beans lol for fore and aft and side by side.
Done me well for years

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Cheers
Ray

Discovery 4 & Bailey Barcelona 4

shaggy2000

04/5/2017 at 1:02pm
Location: County Durham
Outfit: Explore 304

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Quote: Originally posted by Ray Clayton on 02/5/2017
Tin of beans lol for fore and aft and side by side.
Done me well for years

Plus you have an emergency source of food, win win

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