Levelling a twin axle caravan

[Jeff_374555694]

I've just bought a 2009 Coachman Atlantia 640/6 and it will be my first twin axle. I've read lots about towing and manouvering them, but could find nothing about levelling them. I'm guessing the principles will be the same as a single axle, but would be interested in any tips, especially when the van is not level across the axles rather than front to back.
Hope you can help.
Jeff

 

[John_374564913]

Jeff

I have a twin axle and as yet have not had to use any form of lever however just in case I have the following

2 off Milenco levels with built in ratchet for levelling across the axle
2 off wedge levels for levelling up and down back to front

John

 

[Delt1c]

I have a plank approx 6inx2in x4ft, rarely have to use it but when I do I just pul the van on to it with the car. In 4 years have never needed anything else

 

[Jeff_374555694]

Cheers John,
I'm hoping not to have any problems with the leveling. I've got some milenco ramps that worked well with the old van, but don't know if I'll be able to use them with the new van. I've been at some CC rallies and one of the fields was so horrendous, we had to resort to 3 concrete blocks under the steadies at the front. I guess I'll have to select the rallies carefully for the ones on flat fields. I'll have a look at Towsure as well and see what's available.
Thanks again.
Jeff

 

[Parksy]

Hi Jeff
We regularly attend rallies with our t/a Abbey 620 on all sorts of rally fields and all that I use are a couple of levelling ramps
http://www.towsure.com/product/2149-Level_Up_Blocks

and some chocks to prevent the caravan from moving back off the ramps.

http://www.towsure.com/product/2151-Fiamma_Wheel_Chocks
My levelling equipment is robust but lightweight and fits easily in the front locker.

When I enter a rally field I try to identify a reasonably flat well draind pitch. Fore and aft levelling is no problem and is done by the jockey wheel.
After finding the most reasonable part of the pitch I stop the unit in the place where I will pitch.
I place my ramps at the sides of the wheels to be raised with the lower part of the ramps in line with each hub.
I then reverse the unit in a straight line until the front axle is behind the rear ramp but to the side of it.
I move the ramps across keeping the same distances between each ramp until they are in line with the track of the wheels when the unit is moved forwards once more. Often the track is indicated by the tyre marks in the grass.
I place my two way spirit level

http://www.towsure.com/product/895-2_Way_Spirit_Levelling_Device
onto a flat worktop such as the front chest.
I then draw forwards until the forward wheel has climbed over the rear ramp and is starting to climb the forward ramp.
The rearmost wheel will climb the rear ramp by the same amount.
When the bubble indicates that the caravan is level apply the car and caravan handbrake, chock the caravan wheels and unhitch.
Then level fore and aft using the jockey wheel.
I always try to draw forward over the ramps rather than reverse to avoid the caravan brake engaging and also because it is much easier to unhitch after towing forwards.
When moving off after the rally I find that it's best to tow forward over the ramps but take care that the ramps don't kick up and dislodge the caravan waste pipes.

 

[Steve L]

Hi Jeff.

I used to have a twin axle van and used the following method very successfully. I've posted the method for a few years now but don't mind sharing it again.

If you can drive on to the pitch forward, do so, it is much easier than reversing. But if you have to reverse that isn't a problem.

Stop the outfit priferably in a straight line, about 3 ft behind where you want to end up.
Place the first ramp at the front of the front wheel of the caravan at the side to be raised.
Place the second ramp infront of the first.
Set the ramps apart the same distance as the center to center pitch of the caravan axles.
Now drive up and over the first ramp and then up both ramps to get the van level.
Apply the caravan brake, and place chocks behind all four wheels to prevent roll back when you unhook.
Now level the van fore and aft as normal.
On leaving your pitch just drive forward over the ramps and retrieve them and thechocks after leaving the pitch.
One safety tip.
Only remove the chocks to the two front wheels and leave the ones at the rear behind the wheels. Do this with an awning pole to avoid pinched fingers or worse.

If you are on a soft pitch use a long plank under both ramps and have enough length of plank to allow the first wheel to sit on the plank at the first ramp, otherwise it might tip the plank up as it tries to climb the ramp at the tip of the plank. Idealy the plank should be about 5ft long.

Atb Steve L.