Axle stands

[LazyButcher]

Hello
I'm considering leaving my caravan on a seasonal pitch this year.
Could anyone advise whether I should use axle stands or not as I've been told by a neighbour that this would be a good idea. Have never noticed any on site like this before though!

Regards

LB

 

[TerryIvybridge]

Mmmm! not sure myself that this would be a good idea. Even if the 'van was parked on a really hard surface, there wouldn't be a lot of ground contact? You might want to consider concrete blocks under the axle perhaps. You can obtain those heavy plates that go on instead of the wheels I believe? then you would benefit by black bagging the flat tyres on wheels to prevent decomposing of the rubber. Hope this helps.

 

[Sproket]

I use a pair of these primary axle stands, over winter & when the van is not going to be used for some time, they are easy to use & you will be able to level the van side to side a lot easy-er than using concrete blocks.......

I jack my van up & then adjust them till the tyres are just clear of the ground, you do not get fine adjustment with concrete blocks but there again they are cheeper

 

[TerryIvybridge]

Hey, their good! the flat plate would be stable on just about any surface. There lies your answer.

 

[graham_somersham]

Something in the back of my muddled head tells me that Alko recommend 'relaxing' suspension rubbers in the axle by taking 60% of the weight off the wheels by means of axle stands if not moving the caravan for a long period of time. I can't find where I read it so the figure may be wrong. I would guess that taking most of the weight off the wheels would reduce the chance of distorting the tyres and at the same time maintaining the suspension in good condition. I suppose you could always use winter wheels or an old set of wheels and tyres and keep the good set locked away in a suitable place at home.