Levelling Van

Submitted: Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 14:14
ThreadID: 90956 Views:2614 Replies:11 FollowUps:9
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Hi Everyone and a Happy New Year to you all.
At the moment I use blocks of wood and a jack to level our van when needed. Has anyone made levelling ramps from steel? If so how did you make them? I'm trying to steer away from wood ramps. Thanks in advance for your replies. Brian
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Reply By: landseka - Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 14:44

Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 14:44
Hi Brian

I suggest go to a caravan parts store or any van retailer and buy a set of plastic ramps, nice & light, bright yellow so not to get lost. No problem.

Cheers Neil
AnswerID: 473865

Follow Up By: spudseamus - Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 15:15

Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 15:15
There was a time if you only had a single axle you could buy just one leveller ramp!! but now you have to buy a pair ??? at more than twice the price of one GGGGGRRR!
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FollowupID: 748717

Follow Up By: Fatso - Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 15:30

Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 15:30
It's all optional Spudseamus.
You can always go back to 1 axle & 1 block if you choose.

I don't use them, but I would think those plastic ones would have it all over metal ones. One would imagine they would be easier to clean, less likely to bruise or dint anything they are bumped into & should be fairly light.
You could always save a few dollars & make a set out of ply. That's if you could get the ply for the right price. Just paint them yellow to make them look expensive when you finish them.
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 15:18

Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 15:18
Hi Brian

I have seen these used many times in Caravan Parks, with great success.

Caravan Levelling Blocks

They are the last item at the bottom of the page.



Cheers




Stephen
Smile like a Crocodile

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AnswerID: 473871

Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 18:18

Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 18:18
AND... there is no disclaimer about the girl not being included!

Cheers
Allan

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Reply By: racinrob - Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 15:20

Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 15:20
Brian. I'm a bush camper with a single axle van, I just dig a hole to drop the offending high wheel in. Steel ramps ..........never (and I'm a welder)

rr


AnswerID: 473872

Reply By: Andrew & Jen - Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 15:36

Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 15:36
Hullo Brian
While I note your aversion to wood ramps, I use wood with no problems.
I have two 50mm thick x 200mm wide pieces of wood, one slightly longer than the other, both chamfered at 45 degrees at one end and dowelled with steel pins (interference fit on the bottom of the smaller one and loose fit on the top of the larger) so that I can use one or both depending on the need.
In line with my policy to maximise multiple uses of anything I carry, they are also used under jacks to spread the load, to wedge things in the back to stop movement and for many other situations as they occur to me.
Cheers
Andrew
AnswerID: 473873

Follow Up By: Graham & Lynne - Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 21:41

Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 21:41
Andrew & Jen
I have two wood ones thanks for the tip to pin two together for extra lift ,to stop slipping.
thanks Graham
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Follow Up By: HGMonaro - Tuesday, Jan 03, 2012 at 22:20

Tuesday, Jan 03, 2012 at 22:20
I use a similar system but just sit one on top of the other, works fine.
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Reply By: The Bantam - Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 15:54

Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 15:54
What ever happened to couple of jack stands and a decent strong jockey wheel of jack

chock wheels
unhook van.
lower jockey wheel.
stick jack stands under the rear.
test for level., by winding up the jockey wheel or better jack
fiddle till right..usually adjust 1 jack stand
stick third jack stand under drawbar if you are keen or the jockey wheel isn't up to scratch.

Jack absalom did an excelent demo on this in one of his vids way back in the 80's



rock solid most of weight still supported by the wheels.

Jack stands have several other advantages..they are load rated, generally handy, and they don't have the word "caravan" or "motorhome" written on them, so the price isn't inflated.

cheers
AnswerID: 473875

Follow Up By: landseka - Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 18:00

Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 18:00
I prefer to...


Put ramps in front of wheels
Drive up ramps
Chock wheels
Unhook van
open beer.

Cheers Neil
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FollowupID: 748732

Follow Up By: vk1dx - Tuesday, Jan 03, 2012 at 08:07

Tuesday, Jan 03, 2012 at 08:07
I agree with Bantam We do not tow anymore but it used to take a few seconds to level the van.

Chocks, lumps of wood and digging holes do not have the fine adjustment that the jockey wheel does.

Phil
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FollowupID: 748758

Reply By: Member - Brian P (SA) - Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 16:07

Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 16:07
Thanks for the replys. Judging by the replys steel ramps might not be the go. The plastic ones are my next option but I suppose asking for opinions does not hurt. Thats what I love about this forum. And the advice comes FREE. Have a great year. Brian
AnswerID: 473877

Follow Up By: Member - OnYaBike - Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 17:37

Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 17:37
I've seen plastic ones at Supercheap.
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Reply By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 16:21

Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 16:21
Plastic ones have advantages as already posted, but unless the ground/base is even and compacted they can break when van load is applied. I have broken a couple when bush camping. Also if you have tandem wheels they may be too long to fit between the wheels. I think I will go for the wood ones.
AnswerID: 473878

Follow Up By: landseka - Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 17:56

Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 17:56
"Also if you have tandem wheels they may be too long to fit between the wheels. I think I will go for the wood ones. "

If they are too long just cut an inch or two off the low end, you don't need that bit anyway.....or, run up over one & it is now between the wheels.

Cheers Neil
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FollowupID: 748731

Reply By: lancie49 - Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 18:00

Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 18:00
You don't actually need a ramp made of wood.
Just grab a few lengths of scrap timber from a local building site and use the bits necessary to raise to level.
Park on site, guestimate the height required, place blocks in front of the wheels, pull the van onto them and job's done.
AnswerID: 473889

Reply By: DesF - Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 18:49

Monday, Jan 02, 2012 at 18:49
Hi, we gave the blocks away years ago, just get a couple of aluminium stacker jacks, ( about $25.00) one will do.
place it under the low side between the wheel and rear of van and wind up, then adjust with jockey wheel (or second Stacker) and Bob's your uncle.
One will work for a tandem as well, may need a ply base plate if ground soft .
Takes about 3 mins and you don't get dirty either, they stack good with the screw part inside.
Cheers Des
AnswerID: 473891

Reply By: Pete Jackman (SA) - Tuesday, Jan 03, 2012 at 17:52

Tuesday, Jan 03, 2012 at 17:52
On our last trip I just aired down the tyre on the high side till all was level then wound down the jacks.

Worked a treat and a van Tyre doesn't take much time to blow up.

Cheers

Pete
Any mug can be uncomfortable out bush

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AnswerID: 473961

Reply By: Robtbob NSW - Tuesday, Jan 03, 2012 at 21:12

Tuesday, Jan 03, 2012 at 21:12
I use various sizes of thickness timber that fit under my dual axle van.When I get to the site I look at the spirit level on the draw-bar and place the right size timber block at the wheels and drive onto them before I unhitch the van. So easy and you don't have to use a jack.
AnswerID: 473993

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