Caravan leveling ramps

[clarkes2001]

what is the best way to use caravan leveling ramps?

 

[AlfromYC]

I always put them behind the caravan wheels and reverse the outfit up them. Dont forget to chock the wheels before disconnecting the tow car though.

 

[Paul_374295069]

Hi Christopher I find driving forward up the ramp is much easier,I suppose it,s whatever way you find the easiest.

 

[Rubix]

What, you mean you don't un-hitch and push the 'Van on by hand.

You lot are Lightweights !

 

[RogerL]

I get the wife to lift up one side while I put blocks under the wheel.

Actually, I always reverse up the ramp, apply the handbrake, chock the wheel and unhitch the car - if you go up forwards and apply the brake, the caravan can run backwards up to 30cm because of the auto-reverse mechanism.

 

[Tram]

Hi Roger.

What you say is true but are you sure you have it the correct way round?

The brake shoes dislocate when you reverse and won't relocate 'til you go forward again. But i may be wrong.

 

[RogerL]

Tram, I always apply the handbrake fully, ie vertically, and never had a problem reversing but if going forwards the wheel has to roll back up to 30 cm for the brake to engage.

 

[Ken_5040834]

Park by pitch, engage Reich mover, position and reverse onto ramp with spirit level in caravan, when how we want it, wife puts chocks under one wheel while I do the other one, then level front to back with jockey wheel.

Works for us!

 

[artfulbodger]

Great info on levelling...............however, can anybody tell me how they do it on a twin axle van? When I bought my van it came with yellow Fiamma levelling wedges, my problem is I can't fit a wedge between the axles and consequently if you level using them then all the weight is on one axle. Is there a way around this or do I need to invest in planks of wood that I have observed under other vans?? Any help greatly appreciated.

AB

 

[sparkes]

Measure the distance between the wheels

Place ramps this distance apart behind the van

reverse van over the first ramp and then up the both of them to level

 

[artfulbodger]

So obvious when you see the answer, I shall find a hillside in France in a fortnight and give it a go! Thanks Steve

 

[sparkes]

You do know that now you have the solution, there will only be level pitches?

 

[ThePlotter]

We have had this debate before and I have to disagree with those that say reverse up onto the ramps to do this means your brakes will be ineffective as the reverse overide will have come into play.The correct way and only safe way is to drive onto the ramps,apply the handbrake which will now work,chock the wheels for extra safety and unhitch the van.

 

[RogerL]

We have had this debate before and I have to disagree with those that say reverse up onto the ramps to do this means your brakes will be ineffective as the reverse overide will have come into play.The correct way and only safe way is to drive onto the ramps,apply the handbrake which will now work,chock the wheels for extra safety and unhitch the van.

Tried this a few times - it doesn't work, the caravan rolls back a little before the reversing brake engages so it's still not level.

I've never had a problem reversing up, applying the handbrake which is effective forwards without any movement.

 

[pappajohn]

Great info on levelling...............however, can anybody tell me how they do it on a twin axle van? When I bought my van it came with yellow Fiamma levelling wedges, my problem is I can't fit a wedge between the axles and consequently if you level using them then all the weight is on one axle. Is there a way around this or do I need to invest in planks of wood that I have observed under other vans?? Any help greatly appreciated.

AB

i had this very same problem. i bought a hydraulic scissor jack, no problem!!! john.

 

[pappajohn]

i tried reversing up ramps but found i couldn't un-hitch as i wasn't in a straight line and the over-run was not going to pull back out at an angle(hand brake full on and wheels chocked).if it had un-hitched the coupling would have shot out into the back of the car. it was ok at the second attempt. it WAS my first time trying to pitch. you soon learn.......john.

 

[ThePlotter]

Tried this a few times - it doesn't work, the caravan rolls back a little before the reversing brake engages so it's still not level.

I've never had a problem reversing up, applying the handbrake which is effective forwards without any movement.

I suggest you get your van serviced.

 

[Martin_E]

Put the ramps back to back drive up one and drop onto the other one that way the handbrake should work no problem, is space permits.

Martin "E"

 

[allen1]

The simplist way ive found is to pull the van onto single planks. I have three lenghts of decking each four inches longer than the next so the wheels can ride up with ease,I pull my t/a rather than reverse,its easier on the car.When its level I then chock it,apply the brakes and unhitch the car then with the jockey wheel level front to rear.With both wheels on the same level plank they are not fighting to roll off,so the handbrake is not so much of an issue in fact I use chocks on all the wheels so the handbrake becomes redundant.