Hi, this may seem like a daft question. Where is the best place to check if your caravan is level when you arrive on site? I normally use the spirit level on the floor just inside the door, but I've also been told the work surfaces or the A-frame. Could anyone please shed any light on this subject, many thanks.
Caravan Levelling
- Thread starter CRAIG_5077026
- Start date
Damian
Moderator
Craig, any of the places you mention are fine.
Personally I place the level on the floor just inside the door, as it is easier to see there.
The A frame has a cover over it which is not flat,and will not give a true level.
Personally I place the level on the floor just inside the door, as it is easier to see there.
The A frame has a cover over it which is not flat,and will not give a true level.
The "A" frame is probably the least accurate place as this does flex with weight distribution.
I use a 8" spirit level (free with screw fix) and place this under the window edge, to level front and side ways. As the windows are probably one of the most carefully fitted items they should be level.
The floor in the doorway is also an area most used by people and so might not be as level as it should after a few years of wear and tear.
Steve L
I use a 8" spirit level (free with screw fix) and place this under the window edge, to level front and side ways. As the windows are probably one of the most carefully fitted items they should be level.
The floor in the doorway is also an area most used by people and so might not be as level as it should after a few years of wear and tear.
Steve L
i level my caravan by using the ice box in the fridge as a surface as the fridge wont work unless its level (this is inntructions by the manufactor)
I dont rely on any "horizontal" surface but simply use the vertical vial of an 8" spirit level on the caravan side wall. Then for the front to back I use the same level in its horizontal mode on the awning skirt rail. No openning the van and everything easily accessible.
I don't bother to level at all. I take one look at the horizon behind the caravan and that's good enough for me as an indication so long as the doors inside stay put when they're off the catch.
Hi Craig, been caravaning from 1994, I always carry and use a three ft spirit level on the main floor by leaning in the door way to check long ways and side ways. simple and never had any bother. (floors bolted to the chassis and thats what you want level) cheers ww.
Hi Craig,
I picked up a good tip on this forum, some time ago, which works very well for me.
Hang a small plumb bob (or something with a little bit of weight) on a piece of string from the middle of the top of the door frame. Adjust the length of the string so that the plumb bob (or weight) is just clear of the bottom of the door step.
When the plumb bob is hanging exactly over the middle of the bottom of the door frame then the van is level in both directions.
If you are fortunate enough to have a mover fitted then adjustment can be made very easily.
I picked up a good tip on this forum, some time ago, which works very well for me.
Hang a small plumb bob (or something with a little bit of weight) on a piece of string from the middle of the top of the door frame. Adjust the length of the string so that the plumb bob (or weight) is just clear of the bottom of the door step.
When the plumb bob is hanging exactly over the middle of the bottom of the door frame then the van is level in both directions.
If you are fortunate enough to have a mover fitted then adjustment can be made very easily.
Most caravan shops have sell small cheap triangular level with a front to back level and a side to side level. We set a new van using a builders level and when level screw and adjust the cheap level inside front window with packing if needed to read same as main level.
You don't lose it and have no faffing around from then on. You don't even need to enter van to use it. Its a one off job for the life of the van.
You don't lose it and have no faffing around from then on. You don't even need to enter van to use it. Its a one off job for the life of the van.
A cupful of water on the worksurface. If the liquid is equi-distant all round the top of the cup, you're level both ways. It becomes dual purpose if you use Whisky. If you put enough in the cup, then drink it, who cares if it's level or not?
Now I like the whisky idea especially if single malt gives a more pleasant result.
But when we pull up on a wet and rainy pitch. Electric water and leveling is done without entering the van. I can do it single handed whilst my lovely wife checks out the facilities or entertains the grandchildren.
I think the level in the Bessacarr was 99p and does the job perfectly with no cups, water, scotch, string, plumb bob or test of eye V horizon levelling.
A gentleman caravanner pointed out his front window level on our first ever caravan trip. Have used the same in every van we've had since then.
But when we pull up on a wet and rainy pitch. Electric water and leveling is done without entering the van. I can do it single handed whilst my lovely wife checks out the facilities or entertains the grandchildren.
I think the level in the Bessacarr was 99p and does the job perfectly with no cups, water, scotch, string, plumb bob or test of eye V horizon levelling.
A gentleman caravanner pointed out his front window level on our first ever caravan trip. Have used the same in every van we've had since then.
Yes this is the method I use after it was suggested in a Caravan Club mag. Its much more accurate than any other I've tried, as the vertical surface of the van is one of the that can be relied upon.
There are obviously lots of ingenious ways of *measuring* how level a caravan is. But how do you *adjust* the level in the first place? OK, so the jockey wheel does it fore and aft, but what about side to side. Sure, there are planks and various ramps, but they all seem so hit and miss. After our twin axle was moved by a few of us on a French pitch (hedges prevented use of the car), I resorted to jacking the van and placing ramps, but this required several attempts after the suspension settled as the jack was lowered.
There has to be a better way....?
There has to be a better way....?
Chris
I see a add for some thick in the past that laves the caravan for you.
Cut and past this
http://www.ivan.co.nz/Caralevel.htm
Mark
I see a add for some thick in the past that laves the caravan for you.
Cut and past this
http://www.ivan.co.nz/Caralevel.htm
Mark
I had a look at the site that you mentioned, Mark, but it doesn't really give one very much information. It does appear, however, to be nothing more than electric motors used to power the existing steadies. As such, its ability to level from side to side is just as limited. It seems to be very similar to the ECS system that AlKo offer as a retrofit option.
The system is described as automatic but it doesn't tell you how this is achieved. At any rate it doesn't look very automatic to me. I know that there is a truly automatic system with a levelling sensor on the market but I can't find the website. If I remember rightly, the price is quite exotic, too, somewhere around
Hi, I have been caravanning for a fair few years now and find the best way is to put a level on the worksurface across and front to back by the sink which is normally very close to the fridge. Turn the level around in the opposite direction to confirm that the level is not out.Once this is done you can confirm the level by putting on a piece of trim that runs the length of the caravan but remember to turn the level around to confirm that the level is not out.
Regards
Nigel
Regards
Nigel
As caravanners we have limited space and weight restrictions + you have to stow the gear away and make sure its in the same place.
My one off process above never moves, is cheap and weighs a couple of grams and is spot on level and never has to be checked or adjusted after setup.
All this carrying spirit levels and swapping end to end and finding somewhere to store it is beyond me let alone filling cups or playing with string and plumb bobs.
What are you all on ?
My one off process above never moves, is cheap and weighs a couple of grams and is spot on level and never has to be checked or adjusted after setup.
All this carrying spirit levels and swapping end to end and finding somewhere to store it is beyond me let alone filling cups or playing with string and plumb bobs.
What are you all on ?
try a sizer jack between the wheels on the shassy and leave it there if it sinks just give it a few turns and ajust the stays
Thank you Mark, Lutz, Richard for responding. I was kind of hoping someone would come up with an interesting idea, since so many have ideas about measuring how level the van is...
This was essentially the method I used to raise the van, but even a twin axle was unstable (even without she who must be obeyed inside)when on the jack.
I had a similar experience in so much as I needed to put my van on the pitch forwards as three sides had hedges so could not drive into position, I am glad to say the motor mover did the trick of getting onto the pitch and also driving the van up the ramps for levelling, well worth the money in my opinion I don't think we would have been able to push the van up the ramps.
Martin
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