Caravan leveling, is it that important? I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to leveling the van on site. I do this for 3 reasons firstly, I was always told its a must for proper operation of the fridge, secondly, I like my bed level, and thirdly it ensures a better position for the awning. Now, I've met quite a few people now who don't seem to bother to much about leveling. I don't criticise them at the time but I secretly think they either don't know how to level up properly or they just can't be bothered. Can someone convince me that it's not that important to get it right with a level or is by eye good enough?. Comments please.
Caravan leveling
- Thread starter David_374407854
- Start date
Purely personal choice, as long as the fridge works. I imagine (no data to back this up) that in Germany all caravans are perfectly level, while in Italy they are -er- not. We're in the middle I suspect.
Remember - sloping caravans have cleaner roofs...
Bry
Remember - sloping caravans have cleaner roofs...
Bry
I'm of the 'get it dead level' school of thought. However, a slight lean to the off-side helps the shower drain properly. I'm thinking of getting a Kojack Lite to help with my obsession. (with the benefit of making the job of fitting the alko wheel lock easier too).
to level fore and aft I use the door, ie open and give a little push both ways, side to side do it by eye.
I'm more Germanic than Latin! I level side to side with spirit level, then front to back with a slight lean down to the jockey wheel to ensure the shower fully drains.
Well, you got to have a hobby!
Well, you got to have a hobby!
My other half can tell if we are just a couple of mm out of true!!!
Maybe I will have to invest in one of these automatic levellers http://www.caravanmoverinstallations.com/ - she can even have the controller whilst I get a chilled beer out of the fridge and watch!!
Maybe I will have to invest in one of these automatic levellers http://www.caravanmoverinstallations.com/ - she can even have the controller whilst I get a chilled beer out of the fridge and watch!!
After a life time of installing, levelling by eye works for me.
I try if possible to allow some fall for the shower.
Not sure if you still have to have a fridge level, for it to work, in the old days you did.
The wife tried checking surfaces to get a level, with a six inch level, but it was a waste of time due to all the surfaces not being on the same level.
If the sink drainer works, and the shower dosn't pool, then everyone is happy.
I try if possible to allow some fall for the shower.
Not sure if you still have to have a fridge level, for it to work, in the old days you did.
The wife tried checking surfaces to get a level, with a six inch level, but it was a waste of time due to all the surfaces not being on the same level.
If the sink drainer works, and the shower dosn't pool, then everyone is happy.
I have previously answered this topic many times. Place a part full clear plastic bottle on the work top adjacent the sink unit so that it is visible from all windows. Liquid will always find its own level and once the job is completed there is always a drink waiting for you - better though if it is either beer or whisk(e)y. LOL. I have found that this is accurate enough for the sink/whb/shower water to run out, the fridge to work and more important SWMBO is happy.
I use a 3 foot level and level both ways. I use the a line that runs parallel with the van and is part of the caravans decoration this runs the lenght of the van for front to back levelling and then place the level under the rear of the van on the flat bodywork below the number plate to level side to side. I still think that a few mins setting up right initially works best all round. Its very difficult to set the van level on sloping ground by eye as you can get optical illusions. I like the comment on using a part filled clear bottle though.
When we bought our used caravan it had a very long pull cord on the bathroom light switch which the 'other half@ wanted to shorten. By opening the bathroom door I can tell immediately how near to level the caravan is as the cord acts as a plumb line in relation to the door frame. Simple but effective!
If you use on board shower, this needs to drain very well to avoid "domestics". Set up van at home - if possible - to get this and stick a couple of small spirit levels fore and aft and across to indicated the correct position. Fridge etc. will work well with this setting unless something is very out of line with your van. On site, level to these bubbles and everyone including HID will be happy.
(Has worked with different vans for 9 years long stay Spring in the sun)
(Has worked with different vans for 9 years long stay Spring in the sun)
A late friend of mine used to say that in order to get the shower to drain the van had to be half a bubble out
Jack RIP
Jack RIP
I too find that sligtly off level helps the shower to drain, why don't caravan showers have a bigger slope in them?!
My Mrs. can also tell if we are out of true, we used to sleep the other way round according to which way we were sloping
Now I use a raising clamp, its great but on soft ground the foot sinks in so i've got a 18 inch square of 1/4 inch steel plate. I park the caravan with the plate under the lower side wheel and put the clamp on this, very effective but a bit heavy!
Another advantage of being level is that i can leave the up-down angle of the sky dish set!
So yes its 100% nessasary to get the caravan level [how do motorhome owners manage??]
Cheers Gareth
My Mrs. can also tell if we are out of true, we used to sleep the other way round according to which way we were sloping
Now I use a raising clamp, its great but on soft ground the foot sinks in so i've got a 18 inch square of 1/4 inch steel plate. I park the caravan with the plate under the lower side wheel and put the clamp on this, very effective but a bit heavy!
Another advantage of being level is that i can leave the up-down angle of the sky dish set!
So yes its 100% nessasary to get the caravan level [how do motorhome owners manage??]
Cheers Gareth
Like you its the little things that seem to make a difference. Over the past few years I have had a slight problem with my balance, arriving on site the first thing I get sorted is levelling the van. I carry a two foot level to allow me to firstly set up front to back then side to side. forget the fridge think of your comfort.
Bob
How do you do that? I have to level transversely , side to side , first because of the Alko Whel locks, then longitudinally, front to back. I can't see how I could do it your way?
Cheers
Dustydog
How do you do that? I have to level transversely , side to side , first because of the Alko Whel locks, then longitudinally, front to back. I can't see how I could do it your way?
Cheers
Dustydog
"always a drink waiting for you - better though if it is either beer or whisk(e)y. LOL. I have found that this is accurate enough for the sink/whb/shower water to run out, the fridge to work and more important SWMBO is happy."
Especially if it's a pint glass of whiskey.
Mike
Especially if it's a pint glass of whiskey.
Mike
I agree with you Dustydog, you do have to first level tranversly mainly because you may have to run up a ramp to lift the van on one side. Then you can level longitudinaly with the jockey wheel. And finally after chocking your offside wheel you can then jack up the van to rotate the wheel inorder to line up the Alko wheel lock if you have one.
I have an old van / fridge which requires the van to be level.
Interesting thread as I was thinking of adding a shower. I good draining shower / warm beer!
More planning required
Interesting thread as I was thinking of adding a shower. I good draining shower / warm beer!
More planning required
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