For many years i have leveled (side to side)the van reversing my twin axel van over the ramps, hopping in and out of the landrover to check the spirit level. Can anyone suggest a easier way?
Stephen
Stephen
Best way to level a caravan?
- Thread starter Stephen_374237964
- Start date
If you are even a bit "handy" make yourself a device that lights a bulb when level.
Envisage a rectangular trough, say 6" long, 4" high, 1" front-to-back.
Insert a wire at each end, 2" down into the trough, bare at the end.
Connect the 2 wires together through a small battery, such as a PP9, and a torch bulb.
A red bulb would probably be best (nail varnish), and a cheap torch would provide all the connectors and bulb holders required.
Now fill the trough with water so that when it is level it just touches both wires. A drop of ink makes the water easier to see. The bulb will light when the water touches both wires.
When ready to level, place the gadget on a level surface at the front of the van, reverse up the ramp until the bulb lights.
presto - you're level!
Envisage a rectangular trough, say 6" long, 4" high, 1" front-to-back.
Insert a wire at each end, 2" down into the trough, bare at the end.
Connect the 2 wires together through a small battery, such as a PP9, and a torch bulb.
A red bulb would probably be best (nail varnish), and a cheap torch would provide all the connectors and bulb holders required.
Now fill the trough with water so that when it is level it just touches both wires. A drop of ink makes the water easier to see. The bulb will light when the water touches both wires.
When ready to level, place the gadget on a level surface at the front of the van, reverse up the ramp until the bulb lights.
presto - you're level!
Far easier with a part drunk bottle of lemonade on a work top or other suitable surface - good enough for me and the wife. Why all this fuss of spirit levels, lights, etc. Get back to basics and use the old physics knowledge that a liquid level such as lemonade, water, etc. will always be horizontal when settled.
I think the objective was to be able to tell whether the van was level without leaving the car, when towing it onto the ramps. Hence the suggestion for a gadget that would light a lamp when level.
Stephen, I have not yet needed to level my T/A, but have always been ready to jack up between the wheels until the van is level, then place levelling ramps and chocks under both wheels (of the side that needs levelling) before releasing the jack. As for not getting out of the car, you could always try and educate the other half to do it, well maybe not but nice enough thought anyway,
best regards, Martin
best regards, Martin
Happy L,-your suggested method of levelling won't work. When you lower your van onto the ramps/blocks, the van will settle on its suspension, and still be out of level. The only way to make this work is firstly to measure from the wheel arch to a fixed point on the wheel. Then jack the van to level. If the wheel is still in contact with the ground, take the same measurement again, and deduct one from the other to calculate the correct packing. You will have to continue jacking to get this in place, but the van should settle to the desired height! If the wheel is clear of the ground, you will have to add a packing thickness for this as well....
Oldfogey-brilliant! This sort of gadget makes caravanning interesting even when not away. Does the phrase "its something your dad made" sound familiar? I suspect we've all got some favourite little gadget this...slight concern over SWMBO leaning forward to check gadget, then reeling back covered in ink as outfit lurches....
Oldfogey-brilliant! This sort of gadget makes caravanning interesting even when not away. Does the phrase "its something your dad made" sound familiar? I suspect we've all got some favourite little gadget this...slight concern over SWMBO leaning forward to check gadget, then reeling back covered in ink as outfit lurches....
The things I do ;O)
Hang string and weight to inside centre of middle window. Put a sticker on outside of window at the bottom dead centre. They will line up when the van is level.
Sorry about spelling on pics but I ain't doing this again ;O)
Hang string and weight to inside centre of middle window. Put a sticker on outside of window at the bottom dead centre. They will line up when the van is level.
Sorry about spelling on pics but I ain't doing this again ;O)
Why don't you just roll a marble down the centre of the van?The things I do ;O)
Hang string and weight to inside centre of middle window. Put a sticker on outside of window at the bottom dead centre. They will line up when the van is level.
Sorry about spelling on pics but I ain't doing this again ;O)
Lisa - Iam now getting a little worried - what if you lost your marbles? Hey ho funny farm here we come.
Not really a reply but how about this .My Brother in law in his motorcaravan would pull in next space with our caravan and whilest i am doing the business leveling they would be drinking the first cups of tea watching us.He would always say what are you doing so long, as he was on a level pitch,and do you know what , when we joined them you could not believe how level it was. I cannot remember them ever useing levels.
Years ago there was on the market a large "spirit" level called a Lambilellel or similar spelling. You fixed this permanently on the van front so you could view it in your rear view mirror from the driving seat as you towed slowly over undulating ground or up a ramp. It was very good and I had one but sold it with that van as it went to a friend.
I made two myself for friends using 10 mm glass tube, 180mm [7"] long that I bent just very slightly and sealed the ends in a blowtorch. I filled them with anti freeze.
It might be a lot easier these days or as an experiment to use a bit of clear plastic tube and two end plugs and cable clip this on a just bent batten.
I don't know why I have not got round to refitting mine to my present van as it was very effective.
I made two myself for friends using 10 mm glass tube, 180mm [7"] long that I bent just very slightly and sealed the ends in a blowtorch. I filled them with anti freeze.
It might be a lot easier these days or as an experiment to use a bit of clear plastic tube and two end plugs and cable clip this on a just bent batten.
I don't know why I have not got round to refitting mine to my present van as it was very effective.
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