Basics of setting up a Caravan

[Manuel_374563143]

I recently purchased a caravan but have no idea how to set it up, after making it fall backwards i've realised that the stablisers should be down I don't have any idea how to do this. Can anyone give me an idea on how to set up a carvan?

BTW i can not find any tools that seem to help me do this but they seem to be locked in place.

It's a Abi Monza 350/2 deluxe.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Parksy]

Hi Manuel

After you arrive at your pitch try to park the caravan so that it is fairly level from one side to the other. If the caravan is sloping to one side use Levelling Ramps to achieve a level caravan.

Unclamp the jockey wheel, lower it to ground level and re tighten the clamp, apply the caravan handbrake and then pull the hitch lever whilst winding down the jockey wheel to release the caravan from the towing vehicle.

Move the towcar and use the jockey wheel to level up the caravan lengthways. Many caravanners use a two way spirit level to ensure that their caravan is as level as possible.

Wind down the corner steadies using a Corner steady winder but dont be tempted to use the corner steadies to jack up the caravan, they are there simply as steadies.

After that, fetch your water in an Aquaroll, connect the submersible pump, deploy a suitable waste water container, connect the lpg (gas) and electric hook up lead, erect your awning if you have one then open a can of beer or a bottle of wine and relax!

 

[Parksy]

You might glean a bit more information from our Beginners Guide

 

[Manuel_374563143]

Thanks Parksy,

I'll think i found the submersible pump a while ago however the 12V has been ripped out of the Caravan so i'll have to work on that later.

I think i'll be grabing a two way spirt level later today, In regard to the steadies I assume that while they can't fully bare weight they can take some weight and stop the van tipping backwards?

Does most of the forward weight goes though the Jockey wheel? Do you need to use the forward steadies at all?

Just need to decide if i should get a drill based winder or a manual one. (I guess manual since you can never run out of arm power)

 

[Parksy]

All four corner steadies are used Manuel. Some people lift up the jockey wheel after the steadies are down and others, myself included, prefer to leave it down.

When you say that the 12v has been ripped out of the caravan does this mean that there are no interior lights,water pump or battery charger or are you simply missing a leisure battery?

 

[PhilFraeHowMill]

Hi Manuel I would reccomend you join the Caravan Club, they have some excellent literature to help you get started, and then keep for future reference. Most of all enjoy caravaning, theres a great world out there.

 

[RayS]

Manuel, good advice from Phil and my colleague Parksy. Join the Caravan Club www.caravanclub.co.uk and see what they have to offer on the website for the sort of assistance you are looking for. Also, look for the address and contact details of thier local section nearest to where you live. Establish a contact with the section, tell them what advice you need and it is very likely that there will be an experienced caravanner not all that far away who would be happy to talk to you directly.

Alternatively, walk round the neighbourhood and see who has a caravan parked on their land and whether this bears a CC badge. Politely ask if they could assist.

The problem we have is that - through absolutley no fault of your own - you don't know exactly which questions to ask and that we ( other forum members) may have some difficulty in pin-pointing exactly what it is you wish to know.

Several 'caravan' items may be referred to by different names by different people - e.g. some refer to the legs which support the caravan as steadies and some as stabilisers, whereas to the majority 'stabilisers' are things on the tow hitch which stop the caravan swaying when under tow (I simplify, but that's the general idea).

Basically, when on a pitch and disconnected from the car, the caravan should be level both fore and aft and side to side. Fore and aft is relatively easy. Unhitch the car and wind the jockey wheel either up or down until the van is level. Use a spirit level to check this, although slightly nose up or down is not a problem. Then wind down the steadies or legs found at each corner of the van to hold it there.

Side to side is a bit more tricky as you may need to use a ramp under one wheel or the other. Again you need the spirit level this time across the caravan, and you may need to pull or push the caravan up a ramp on one side or the other. These ramps or levelling boards are sold by dealers. It is better to lever side to side and then front to back.

I could have demonstrated this much faster than I have typed it, which make the point about direct contact with an experienced caravanner being the best way of finding out, after the advice contained in Beginners on this website and from the Caravan Club.

I hope I haven't confused you too much - it's a great hobby, pastime, way-of-life, obsession so stick with it and in a few months you will be right on track.

 

[Parksy]

The Camping & Caravanning Club also provide information for new caravanners and with your background of tent camping which you mentioned in your introductory post the C&CC might suit you best.

 

[Manuel_374563143]

Thanks for all your help guys,

I'm currently using my drive as a bit of a testbed (and it's going to be stored here also) so i think i'm getting the hang of setting it up. I'll take a walk round the block and see if i can see any Caravans so i can ask the owners for some advice.

Regarding the 12V, While the lights are in place the wiring looks to have been cut i can't find a battery or battery charger and the only 12V socket has also been cut. thier are a number of random wires lying about. Luckly I know a fair bit about electrics Gas however may be a different subject.

 

[jacky3]

You might glean a bit more information from our Beginners Guide

parksy.......manuel....manual?????

 

[Manuel_374563143]

parksy.......manuel....manual?????

Yes my name is rather similar.. I blame the parents!

 

[Manuel_374563143]

Well i lowered one corner steady with a spanner, I can see why people use drills, hopefully a proper hand tool will make it quicker. Been round the block and only found one caravan (down a cul-de-sac) might be hard trying to bump into him but i'll do my best.

I got a two way level and saw how not level my caravan was, I lowered the jocky wheel but will have to buy a ramp for one side.

A couple of questions:

Do people attach the two way level to their caravan? I'm a little worried if the heat may affect it if left out in the sun permenantly?

If they do leave it out where should I attach it? The best place looks to be next to the handbreak on the A-frame, is this a level point?

How do I attach it? It has screw holes but don't want to split the fibreglass.

Regarding the leveling? why do block come in pairs? it must be a case of doing either the left or the right wheel how can you level both.

Reading another thread there is some debate about taking the handbrake off whats to stop the Caravan moving if you do take it off?

Last one is chocks no-one meantioned them originally should you always chock the wheels? both sides? (as in infront and behind each wheel)

Hopefully then my setup and takedown routine should be complete

 

[Manuel_374563143]

I'm hoping that my last set of questions were misses rather than ignored, If they were ignored please continue to ignore this message also.

 

[Sproket]

Cheap option to lower the steadies is to buy a winding handle.

If you don't want to use screws, use araldite to fix it to the fibreglass.....

BUT MAKE SURE THAT YOU LEVEL THE VAN side to side & back to front on level ground before you fit it in place.....

I use a 1' spirit level half way up on the side of the van when i am cross leveling the axle

I don't know why blocks come in pairs.

The van wont move if you chock the wheels, if you are using a leveling wedge you will have to use a chock to stop it coming back down, some of them come with the wedges as a pair....

The debate about leaving the handbrake off, is because if its left on for a long period of time the inside of the brake drums start to rust & with that process

the brake shoes will fuse to the drum & they will not release, you will then have a big problem (

If you are on a level site with the wheels chocked & the steadies down, where can it go ?

Yes chock the wheels when you release the handbrake...

 

[Rick1]

Well i lowered one corner steady with a spanner, I can see why people use drills, hopefully a proper hand tool will make it quicker. Been round the block and only found one caravan (down a cul-de-sac) might be hard trying to bump into him but i'll do my best.

I got a two way level and saw how not level my caravan was, I lowered the jocky wheel but will have to buy a ramp for one side.

A couple of questions:

Do people attach the two way level to their caravan? I'm a little worried if the heat may affect it if left out in the sun permenantly?

If they do leave it out where should I attach it? The best place looks to be next to the handbreak on the A-frame, is this a level point?

How do I attach it? It has screw holes but don't want to split the fibreglass.

Regarding the leveling? why do block come in pairs? it must be a case of doing either the left or the right wheel how can you level both.

Reading another thread there is some debate about taking the handbrake off whats to stop the Caravan moving if you do take it off?

Last one is chocks no-one meantioned them originally should you always chock the wheels? both sides? (as in infront and behind each wheel)

Hopefully then my setup and takedown routine should be complete

Hi Manuel where abouts do you live? If its near by I would come round and help you out, or maybe some other forum member lives nearby and could help

 

[Morganic]

You might glean a bit more information from our Beginners Guide

Just had a look at link.

Good but under "Stabilizers" advises to clean tow ball with "brake fluid" Should it not be brake cleaning fluid as brake fluid will contaminate friction pads?

 

[Manuel_374563143]

Hi Manuel where abouts do you live? If its near by I would come round and help you out, or maybe some other forum member lives nearby and could help

Based In Reading - Southcote to be more precise.