Backward or forward onto ramps with mover?

[Patpar]

Hi, I have a small caravan with a motor mover and having my first outing this weekend. Could somebody advise whether it is best to put the ramps behind the wheel and go backwards onto them or infront and go forwards? Or doesnt it make a difference?

Thanks Pat

 

[Parksy]

Hi Pat
A lot depends on the direction of the slope because if you are moving downhill there is less strain on the mover.
When I tow my caravan up onto levelling ramps (I don't have a mover) I drive over them rather than reverse which helps when un-hitching and offers less chance of brake slip.

 

[DaveA1]

Hi Pat
After years and years of caravanning I fitted a mover to my van just a fortnight ago, have not used it yet, I personaly will reverse up, then van brake on full.

 

[Rick1]

Duplicate Post

 

[Rick1]

Hi Pat been using our current van with mover for the past 8 years I tend to reverse van up the ramp if needed and then use wheel chocks and hand brake, never had a problem and its easy using the mover to come off the ramps.

 

[RayS]

It really depends upon the slope. However, if I am using the ramp to level the van side to side on level ground, I now try to go forward onto the ramp, not to reverse onto it. The reason for this is not high-tech. We did an overnight on a French site en route to Spain in the winter and left before dawn. Having reversed onto the ramp, there was not thump when we came off it as there would have been if I had driven forward onto it. Hence one ramp forgotten and not missed until 400 miles later.
If you happen to have been to the site at Moulin de Avergne at Pons and found a ramp, please accept it with my compliments !

 

[Paul_5041263]

I always had problems leveling my single axle Senator 5 when using my mover. Whether I take the van forward to the ramp, or reverse on one side only the van rear always swings out one direction or the other. Have tried clocking the problem wheel but then this also prevents the van from moving forward or back evenly on the pitch. So now, if I need lifting one wheel to level laterally, I use my hydraulic jack to chock to the required height and with practice I find its just as quick as putting the mover on. Job done!

 

[otherclive]

I have never been able to use the mover to level the van as it skews each time I have tried. So I tow the van up the ramp and sometimes use mover to get it off or just a good shove.

 

[RayS]

Put the ramp in at an angle, not directly in front of the tyre. Sorry I can't tell you which way to angle the ramp, but it will be intuative when you do it. the problem is lessened by reversing up the ramp i.e. with the jockey wheel trailing.