those legs

[dredfern]

Bailey Phoenix 2023

I have been an engineer for over 40 yrs , can anyone tell me why the bolts to operate the legs are hidden away so you have to get on yours knees to operate them. Why are they not flush with the caravan surface enabling you to bend slightly to use. instead of going on to your knees to find the bolt brushing your head with the wet ground. Come on engineers/designers help us out.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Because they need to be inboard of the floors edge to minimise stresses on the floor/wall joint woukd be my guess!

 

[otherclive]

I could say “ what would you expect of a cottage industry”. But that’s disrespectful to those cottage industry businesses that do turn out well designed and manufactured products. I’ve had some where they are inboard within a cylindrical tube so you can locate the winder easily. Welcome to the Forum. What car do you tow with?

 

[Mel]

Welcome to Caravanning
Mel

 

[JTQ]

Because to keep the price down to levels where most people will or can buy, the van builder takes a standard mass produced item.
Tailoring products for what here with the run of a particular caravan model, is very small batch builds, so also inherently very expensive as production, stocking and target delivery all become unique.

I along with others here I suspect don't want to pay bespoke build caravan prices, so accept these minor issues of builders using mass produced componentry, to afford caravanning.

We used to be able to get guide tube extensions that could be tailor DIY.
As an engineer no doubt making ones own device to ease things is not too challenging, either via guide tubes or extensions added to the bolts.
I did plan doing so many years back, but concluded forcing myself to make the effort to bend down, along with the other physical activities this hobby can bring, was in mitigating my own aging, actually no bad thing.

 

[dredfern]

I could say “ what would you expect of a cottage industry”. But that’s disrespectful to those cottage industry businesses that do turn out well designed and manufactured products. I’ve had some where they are inboard within a cylindrical tube so you can locate the winder easily. Welcome to the Forum. What car do you tow with?

mercedes a200 sport line

 

[Buckman]

We simply used a drill with an extension to wind down or up the steadies.

 

[dredfern]

We simply used a drill with an extension to wind down or up the steadies.

could you elaborate, i do not understand the bit about using a drill. This is my first caravan I have not taken the van out yet.

 

[borderbilly]

could you elaborate, i do not understand the bit about using a drill. This is my first caravan I have not taken the van out yet.

Just google Caravan leg winder, then take your pick 👍

 

[otherclive]

You can use a cordless drill with an extension “driver” in its chuck. The extension fits the nut size of your steadies. But only set the drill to a slow speed and low torque to avoid damaging the steady mechanism.
Winder extension

 

[JTQ]

The OP could invest in an auto levelling system with integrated steady winding.
LINK

But not for me on several grounds, money, payload and as said I don't think as we age taking things physical out of life is necessarily that good for us. Clearly accepting those disabled in a way that they can't, have to go some other way.

 

[borderbilly]

You can get a 2 in 1 drill attachment which drives in the pegs for your awning.

 

[Buckman]

could you elaborate, i do not understand the bit about using a drill. This is my first caravan I have not taken the van out yet.

The extension fits into a drill. The extension is like a long drill bit except it has a socket on the end that fits over the winder bolt. Less than 2 minutes to lower the steadies however whatever you do, do not use the steadies to level the caravan as you will twist the chassis.

 

[toad a caravan]

On my rear steadies I've fitted waste pipe brackets up to the rear panel..they act as guides for the brace,,I suppose you could put two brackets on with a couple of inches of waste pipe between them if your steadies are a distance from the rear panel,,Gary

 

[Tux]

Is this thread a wind up?

 

[toad a caravan]

I keep the thread on the steadies coated by "Moly" grease

 

[toad a caravan]

Is there a crank on the handle🙂

 

[borderbilly]

Is there a crank on the handle🙂

What end?

 

[dredfern]

Just google Caravan leg winder, then take your pick 👍

amazon -- thanks

 

[Buckman]

Is there a crank on the handle🙂

Probably just some old cranky pensioner!

 

[Hutch]

Probably just some old cranky pensioner!

I haven't said anything. 🙉🙈🙊

 

[toad a caravan]

No but I did 😁😁

 

[Beachball]

We also use a caravan leg winder for our steadies on our caravan and welcome to the forum