Message Forums

Quote: Originally posted by purplehat on 05/10/2006

---

Hi there.  Just got back from Derbyshire and whilst looking at hobby caravans, met a delightful pensioner who had been in caravan construction for almost all his working life.  We asked about wobbly caravans and he chuckled.  Baiscally, his view was that if anyone saw modern caravans being made then they wouldn't buy one.  He added that Hobby were better but he still wouldn't buy one,  He said that moving floors and wobbles were most likely due to insufficient adhesive being used in the floor construction ( basically a sandwich).  The sandwiches have also become thinner and there is less inherent strength. If the adhesive doesn't hold the ply then it can bend and flex and this would give the sensations described. Don't know if that's of any help.

---

Bit of a sweeping statement! We probably wouldn't buy a car either if we saw it being made.

Our caravan wobbles a bit when we are moving about. Never had one that didn't whatever the length. I do agree that the tyre pressures are important. I always put the front legs down first and then lift the jockey wheel and do the rear legs last leaving the jockey just off the ground. seems better when I do that.

Quote: Originally posted by leanne73 on 01/10/2006

---

I've noticed that our Lunar Solar is a lot more wobbly than our last van.  I have put it down to the fact that it's much longer than our old one.  I know our steadies are down properly and it can't be our tyre pressures as our wheels are off the ground so I assume it must be the length.  I am reading all the suggestions though just in case something comes up we haven't thought of.

 

Leanne

Can I ask why your wheels are off the ground?How do you level your van?I always thought that the steadies are just that.To steady the van.

---

Yes, I wondered that, also 2Kias comment about "I always put the front legs down first and then lift the jockey wheel and do the rear legs last leaving the jockey just off the ground."

The caravan should be levelled front to back using the jockey wheel and then the steadies should be lowered enough to support the 'van but not to lift it.

The weight is borne on the 3 (or 5 in the case of a twin axle) wheels - the steadies are there to steady the corners. 

Quote: Originally posted by bordercaz on 06/10/2006

---

Yes, I wondered that, also 2Kias comment about "I always put the front legs down first and then lift the jockey wheel and do the rear legs last leaving the jockey just off the ground."

The caravan should be levelled front to back using the jockey wheel and then the steadies should be lowered enough to support the 'van but not to lift it.

The weight is borne on the 3 (or 5 in the case of a twin axle) wheels - the steadies are there to steady the corners. 

 

---

I do level the caravan with the jockey wheel and then lower the front steadies taking the weight off the jockey wheel. I then lower the rear ones and lift the jockey off the ground. Sorry if it sounded the wrong way round.

The higher you lift the steadies the more of a wobble you get because the chassis starts to twist.

The thicker and bigger the platform under the steady the better on grass.

I think what Caz and Ron are trying to say is that the jockey wheel should be on the ground, not lifted off - by the corner steadies or otherwise. The jockey wheel and the wheels on the axle (be it two or four) take the weight of the van.  The corner steadies steady the van - they don't take the weight of it.

Nora

Quote: Originally posted by Max-and-Paddy on 06/10/2006

---

I think what Caz and Ron are trying to say is that the jockey wheel should be on the ground, not lifted off - by the corner steadies or otherwise. The jockey wheel and the wheels on the axle (be it two or four) take the weight of the van.  The corner steadies steady the van - they don't take the weight of it.

Nora

---

Hi

the reason my wheels are off the ground is that my van is on a seaonal pitch and dosn't move for 8 months of the year so to preserve the tyres they are raised.  The van is on axle stands and is leveled this way.

Leanne

Quote: Originally posted by leanne73 on 06/10/2006

---

Hi

the reason my wheels are off the ground is that my van is on a seaonal pitch and dosn't move for 8 months of the year so to preserve the tyres they are raised.  The van is on axle stands and is leveled this way.

Leanne

---

Would have thought that if your wheels are raised off the ground by axle stands then the steadies are dropping a long way to touch the ground. Perhaps you should put something solid and reasonably tall under the steadies as the more they are extended the more unsteady they become.

Can't see the point of having a touring caravan if it doesn't tour!!!!!!

2Kias is probably right.  Steadies can become a bit unstable at full stretch.

You say that your van is on block paving.  Could the ground beloe this be a little soft?

Bertie.

My caravan wobbles alot after a few pints...

 Netty

Thanks 2Kias for your advice.  We do have blocks under the steadies they are not at full stretch.  When we pitched the van we tried to rock it to make sure it was stable and there was little movement on the outside.  The wobble we feel is not a massive sway side to side or anything and in fact is becoming less noticible the more we get used to the van.  I'm sure it's just the fact we have a much longer caravan than we used to and it just feels different.

The point of having a touring caravan and not touring is we love it and it's much much cheaper than the alternatives.

Leanne 

hiya we thought about leaving our van on a pitch for a few months - can you recommend any good sites?