Having read about the importance of not leaving the caravan in the same position for months on end because of the effect it has on the tyres, I have just bought an Alko side lift jack and brackets, so that I can jack the caravan up myself and put winter wheels on instead of the tyres.Reading the instructions, the caravan has to be hitched up to the towcar whilst using the jack. Because of the location of the caravan (nose facing house wall), there is no way I could put the winter wheels on with the van hitched to the car.has anyone out there got experience of using one of these jacks without being hitched up? our caravan has a single axle. Obviously I would ensure the caravan brake is engaged and would chock the wheels. The ground is level.i would appreciate any comments. Thanks.
Alko side lift jack safety
- Thread starter Baspegpet
- Start date
Yes - I've got experience of jacking a caravan without the car attached - it slewed round the chocked wheel and fell off the jack causing damage - so never, ever, again.
Yes I have done it regularly. First chock the opposite wheel then put a couple of heavy weights either side of the nose wheel. I use masonry blocks or bags of sand/ballast. Then slightly lift the steadies on the side opposite that which you are lifting. Before lifting slacken the nuts on both wheels. Start to lift but as the van comes up let down the steadies on the lift side and raise those on the opposite side. Try and keep them close to the ground as far as is practicable. When the wheel is clear of the ground adjust steadies just enough to make contact with the ground. Then remove wheel fit winter wheels. Reverse procedure to lower van and then do opposite side. I also use a 2 tonne trolley jack not to lift but to follow the van as it goes up using the sidelift jack. The trolley jack is positioned under the axle. Having two people helps as one can keep fit by running around the steadies!! Good lifting.
Thanks Otherclive and RogerL for your comments. I don't know if I trust myself to use the jack without being hitched to the car now (after all, I'm only a girl). Seriously though, I'm going to have to think about this one, especially as someone has pointed out to me that there may be insurance issues if I put winter wheels on.
I've never had a problem with insurers over winter wheels when the van was at the house. But on one storage site they were a bit funny until they looked at it sensibly and compared winter wheels with my two large Titan wheel clamps!! What you could do is carry out the procedure to fit winter wheels but just rotate the van wheel a quarter turn each month and use wheel covers. I do that these days and as the van is unloaded the tyres last okay. I also up their pressure too when it's in store but make sure you don't go over the maximum as shown on the tyre sidewall.
Hi again,
yes, I think it would probably be better moving the van every now and then, but because we have very limited manoeuvring space, it would mean a major move out onto the road and back again (our car is parked just behind the van) however that may be the best, if not most convenient, course of action.
yes, I think it would probably be better moving the van every now and then, but because we have very limited manoeuvring space, it would mean a major move out onto the road and back again (our car is parked just behind the van) however that may be the best, if not most convenient, course of action.
As my van is stored in the garden,& when it's not being used for quite a while i jack it up & put it on a pair of axle stands just like the ones in the link below, the tyres are off the ground & the suspension rubbers get a chance to relax, no need to move the van untill its taken off them some time next year
Caravan-chassis-support-stand
Caravan-chassis-support-stand
.........you could consider using a security post like the one in the link below to stop movement of your caravan when using your jack at your storage site.
They involve a fair amount of initial work in that they have to be set in concrete!
http://www.towsure.com/product/Hitching_Security_Post
They involve a fair amount of initial work in that they have to be set in concrete!
http://www.towsure.com/product/Hitching_Security_Post
Mel
Moderator
I think I have only once jacked a caravan up when it was attached to a car. Never had the slightest trouble, just did as sugested earlier and ensured the corner steadies followed the van up until I could get axle stands under (dependeing on why it was being jacked up.)
Thanks one and all or your comments. The "mooring" post would be a good idea, but we are trying to move house, so there wouldn't be really much point. Hopefully, when we do eventually move, we shall have the space to manoeuvre the van around to save the tyres. Yes, if it were just up to me, we would be doing some winter caravanning but the other half . . . .!
Hope you all have a good Christmas.
Hope you all have a good Christmas.
Hi Baspegpet,
As a tip, take a look at your car manual regarding long term storage. I am sure you will find that they recommend that you increase the tyre pressures. This will minimise the 'flattening' effect. If you look at your van tyres they should give a maximum pressure. Inflate them to this pressure for the term of storage. Do not forget to correct the pressure at the start of your season though!
As a tip, take a look at your car manual regarding long term storage. I am sure you will find that they recommend that you increase the tyre pressures. This will minimise the 'flattening' effect. If you look at your van tyres they should give a maximum pressure. Inflate them to this pressure for the term of storage. Do not forget to correct the pressure at the start of your season though!
Have to say that I am really baffled by all this.....
Had caravans many years but never worried about tyres/winter or otherwise and touch wood no tyre problems etc.
Where I store with hundereds of others never seen any on winter wheels yet whatever various ages/values of van.
Every spring I sit and watch my mobile fitters service my van in front of me. One guy works inside as his mate outside jacks each side up in turn to remove wheel and service brakes and hub, no messing about with steadies and bags of ballast etc job done no fuss .
Sometimes I think I should have gone into the caravan accessory business and perhaps make a fortune......
PS my last van came with an Alko side jack which I used only once before selling it on ebay and replacing with a bottle jack which works a treat and makes a better job of leveling on the pitch than my mover.
Had caravans many years but never worried about tyres/winter or otherwise and touch wood no tyre problems etc.
Where I store with hundereds of others never seen any on winter wheels yet whatever various ages/values of van.
Every spring I sit and watch my mobile fitters service my van in front of me. One guy works inside as his mate outside jacks each side up in turn to remove wheel and service brakes and hub, no messing about with steadies and bags of ballast etc job done no fuss .
Sometimes I think I should have gone into the caravan accessory business and perhaps make a fortune......
PS my last van came with an Alko side jack which I used only once before selling it on ebay and replacing with a bottle jack which works a treat and makes a better job of leveling on the pitch than my mover.
We once stayed at a site near to Calais and a long stay UK caravan had the tyres marked at 90 deg intervals with Jan,Mar,June and Sept so not all people dismiss tyre rotation
Facebook
Twitter