We bought a second hand sterling europa 540 last year and have used it about 8 times. Tommorow will be the third time that it has had to go back because the jacking legs keep bending! It would apear that they are not man enough for the van although the dealer seems to think that they are. Has any one else had this sort of problem? and could someone please explain to me how to level a caravan. Perhaps its my fault and im not doing it correctly!
jacking legs
- Thread starter gary_374572954
- Start date
Sounds like you might be putting to much weight on them
Go read here
http://www.practicalcaravan.com/beginners/levelling.html
Go read here
http://www.practicalcaravan.com/beginners/levelling.html
The very fact that you are referring to them as jacking legs and not as steadies suggests that you are trying to lift the caravan with them, and that is a complete "no-no".
This poss says it better
The first thing to do is to position your caravan, so that it is level side to side.
Probably the most important things that have to be level are the fridge and the sink, especially the *** as this will either not work or at best, not work correctly, if it isn't level. Use the ice tray in the freezer part of the fridge as this is a crucial part to get level, once that's level then find a work surface that matches it for level.
If the site owner doesn't care which way your caravan is pointing, then put a block under the uphill wheel and rotate the caravan by hand until it is level across the axle. Use a spirit level on a flat shelf or work surface in the van, if your not sure what is flat, use the base of the freezer part of the fridge.
If you have to pitch the van facing in a specific direction, then either place a pieces of old floorboard or a wedge under the 'downhill' wheel of the van or dig a trench under the uphill wheel (not recommended by me!) increasing each until the van is level.
Once you've got it flat across the axle (side for side) then you can unhitch it from the car (having firmly applied the hand-brake and level the caravan front to rear. Do this by raising or lowering the jockey wheel.
Once you are level in both directions, then you can lower the corner jacks.
NOTE: The corner jacks are not designed to carry the weight of the van. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LIFT THE VAN ON THEM.
The first thing to do is to position your caravan, so that it is level side to side.
Probably the most important things that have to be level are the fridge and the sink, especially the *** as this will either not work or at best, not work correctly, if it isn't level. Use the ice tray in the freezer part of the fridge as this is a crucial part to get level, once that's level then find a work surface that matches it for level.
If the site owner doesn't care which way your caravan is pointing, then put a block under the uphill wheel and rotate the caravan by hand until it is level across the axle. Use a spirit level on a flat shelf or work surface in the van, if your not sure what is flat, use the base of the freezer part of the fridge.
If you have to pitch the van facing in a specific direction, then either place a pieces of old floorboard or a wedge under the 'downhill' wheel of the van or dig a trench under the uphill wheel (not recommended by me!) increasing each until the van is level.
Once you've got it flat across the axle (side for side) then you can unhitch it from the car (having firmly applied the hand-brake and level the caravan front to rear. Do this by raising or lowering the jockey wheel.
Once you are level in both directions, then you can lower the corner jacks.
NOTE: The corner jacks are not designed to carry the weight of the van. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LIFT THE VAN ON THEM.
Thanks for the advice. this is basically what we have been doing but with a final adjustment to get level this is what apears to be the problem. Although, we watched at least 3 people level their vans out just using the legs and one was a lot bigger van than ours, I dont understand why we should have a problem and they dont.
Damian
Moderator
Quote "but with a final adjustment to get level "
That is where you are putting too much strain on the legs.
They are steadies, not to be used for levelling, or jacking, but just to stop the van moving about once level.
That is where you are putting too much strain on the legs.
They are steadies, not to be used for levelling, or jacking, but just to stop the van moving about once level.
If you are not putting too much weight on the steadies it is possible that the previous owner has, and this has weakened the steadies.
Once a steady has been bent it will always be weaker.
Once a steady has been bent it will always be weaker.
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