When preparing my caravan for winter do members on here put their caravans on axle stands with legs down ? I thought maybe I should do this to protect the tyres ?
Thanks for your reply . Yeah that’s what I was thinking , if you get a flat and don’t visit the storage place for months in the winter the tyre would be ruinedI always did. Lots will say it is unnecessary, but I felt it would be best for the tyres. Also. If a tyre went down, that would put too great a strain on the steadies.
John
Thanks for your reply . Yeah that’s what I was thinking , if you get a flat and don’t visit the storage place for months in the winter the tyre would be ruined
Totally agree with you, its like when you park your car, do you jack it up to take tension of the springs?In all the years we have been caravanning, we have never bothered with axle stands. Do people on seasonal sites use axle stands? I doubt it.
Thanks for your reply . Yeah that’s what I was thinking , if you get a flat and don’t visit the storage place for months in the winter the tyre would be ruined
Thanks for all the info I like the scissor Jack ideaNot just the tyre but the extra strain on the steadies and floor which is not designed to take.
I knew not many would do this, I think there were only a couple of us on our storage site that did so. But It was an easy enough job with possible benefits and zero negatives, so I considered it best.
I used to use these things, but I had mine made at work. I somehow managed to loose them!
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In my later years of caravanning I just got two scissor jacks under the chassis, behind the wheels. Dead easy to put in place. Just level the van and put these in last. They only need to just start to lift, not even raise the wheel. My reason for doing this on site was to make the floor feel more solid by taking the bounce out caused by the tyres and suspension.
John
Some storage companies for their own unknown reasons do not allow axle stands? I must admit it is the one security device we would never consider as too much hassle.Not just the tyre but the extra strain on the steadies and floor which is not designed to take.
I knew not many would do this, I think there were only a couple of us on our storage site that did so. But It was an easy enough job with possible benefits and zero negatives, so I considered it best.
I used to use these things, but I had mine made at work. I somehow managed to loose them!
View attachment 7103
In my later years of caravanning I just got two scissor jacks under the chassis, behind the wheels. Dead easy to put in place. Just level the van and put these in last. They only need to just start to lift, not even raise the wheel. My reason for doing this on site was to make the floor feel more solid by taking the bounce out caused by the tyres and suspension.
John
Thanks for the infoSome storage companies for their own unknown reasons do not allow axle stands? I must admit it is the one security device we would never consider as too much hassle.
Some storage companies for their own unknown reasons do not allow axle stands? I must admit it is the one security device we would never consider as too much hassle.
With a tractor plus some chains around the A frame anything will move🙈I believe it's to do with avoiding the spread of fire between stored 'vans in the event that one breaks out. Though that of course raises the question of other security devices preventing them being moved.
I guess theoretically some could be removed easier than conjuring up a set of suitable wheels.
With a tractor plus some chains around the A frame anything will move🙈
We don’t leave ours for long; but there are several vans at our storage compound that are a lurid shade of green, overlaid with grey, and look like they haven’t been touched in years, never mind months. Sad.Surely you don't just leave your van for months unchecked? We visit at least once a month particularly after strong winds or rain for a quick check for things like tyres, damage from flying debris, damp, hatches that have opened (yes it happened once)...
I dare say their quadractor used around the site might make a decent fist of it. But anyway I wasn’t stating that all sites would have a tractor. Just making an observation.Indeed, but how many storage sites have a tractor available? I don't believe our CAMHC storage site does. Possibly if on a farm operated site, maybe.
I dare say their quadractor used around the site might make a decent fist of it. But anyway I wasn’t stating that all sites would have a tractor. Just making an observation.
Might be if you never had to tow on salted roads, we found salt did extensive corrosion damage to lightly galvanised Al-KO chassis componentry.Best way to look after a caravan in winter is to use it.
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We don’t leave ours for long; but there are several vans at our storage compound that are a lurid shade of green, overlaid with grey, and look like they haven’t been touched in years, never mind months. Sad.
Mel
Might be if you never had to tow on salted roads, we found salt did extensive corrosion damage to lightly galvanised Al-KO chassis componentry.
The rusting and pitting might be just cosmetic if dumping the van after a few years but we look at way longer ownership.
After the once, the following van, from new I treated before it ever ventured out in the winter.
Further, I am not convinced that winter usage with the inevitable odd incidences of condensation from living in it, actually did the vans we had any favours.
They look like a fairly good idea but must be a far to fit when using an Alko wheel lock, I suppose you jack up the wheel fit the lock and drop the wheel down again.I use these plastic tyres savers and cover the tyres all the time to protect from UV damage.
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