Just wondering how YOU level your dual axle van on one side only when parking up at a camp spot.. My new van comes with a TRAIL A MATE JACK so that may help me but would like your ideas etc. What equipment do you carry or recommend etc....
Lance
Possum3 said
01:06 PM Oct 22, 2016
I carry four timber blocks/plates; 2 X 50mm thick, 2 X 100mm thick (300mm X150mm) that allows me to vary up to 150mm if I stack if I need more that that I will either move van or dig a hole/trench on high side.
PeterD said
03:02 PM Oct 22, 2016
Crazy Dog wrote:Just wondering how YOU level your dual axle van on one side only when parking up at a camp spot..
The only time you lift the side of your van with a Trail-A-Mate is for tyre changing (and then only when you have your van coupled to the tug.) For side to side levelling you use the tug to provide the effort. Get yourself some blocks or ramps. There is a selection here - Caravan Levelling & Jacks Category - Scroll down to the headings - Level Ramps & Chocks Suit Single Axle - Ramps & Chocks Suit Tandem Axles and Extra Heavy Duty. You may even like to look at the Kojack Leveller.
For those of us on pensioners budgets, we make our own out of timber (preferably scrounged.) In the past I have used a 1200 mm piece of 125 x 25 mm that I placed suitable blocks of timber under one end and backed the van up onto it, drive till the side on the ramp is a little high, place a block (chock) in front of the wheel and allow the van to settle forward onto the block. I currently use three lengths of 125 x 35 mm section timber that I can stack and drive the van up onto the required number of them.
Sparkster said
03:54 PM Oct 22, 2016
I've previously carried 100 X 100 blocks about 600 long with a ramp type taper on them, they were scraps from a pergola build and they worked well.
At one of the shows I bought a pair of the wide plastic ramps which I have found easier to use.
The method of use, which I think you are also asking about, is that I just drive one of the wheels up onto the ramp which effectively lifts that low side of the van.
I don't see any need, safety or otherwise, to put a ramp (or block) under both wheels but I do chock all wheels that could move not just rely on the handbrake.
Definitely agree I can't see any use for any jack use you're only introducing unwanted problems.
macka17 said
04:05 PM Oct 22, 2016
You try a few ways over the yrs.
The best, and easiest I found, was a trolley jack.
with a pce of ply to sit it on.
Ply t'ween wheels. Roll jack in. pump up to level.
take handle out.
Done it for 30 odd yrs. never had one knocked off.
Takes 2 min's.
I usually carry an axle stand too for longer term.
Trolley jack is primary for Ute wheel changing too.
one item, two jobs. simple.
and sooo easy.
The Trailamate is really only good for/as, a jockey wheel jack
Had one of them too. Gave away to mate when sold van.
Then bought another van and priced them. Whoooops. Dave! ! !
kezngaz said
02:02 PM Oct 23, 2016
Airbag suspention.
No extra stuff needs to be carried. Can be used to lift axles to change a puncture, can level a van leftmto right and front to back and provides a much better ride and is kinder on the van.
Yes comes at a price but if your having your van built its a one off expence and overall it weighs less than coils/rocker boxes/ leaves. Meaning a little extra payload.
Everyones a winner id say!!!
Hi guys,
Just wondering how YOU level your dual axle van on one side only when parking up at a camp spot.. My new van comes with a TRAIL A MATE JACK so that may help me but would like your ideas etc. What equipment do you carry or recommend etc....
Lance
The only time you lift the side of your van with a Trail-A-Mate is for tyre changing (and then only when you have your van coupled to the tug.) For side to side levelling you use the tug to provide the effort. Get yourself some blocks or ramps. There is a selection here - Caravan Levelling & Jacks Category - Scroll down to the headings - Level Ramps & Chocks Suit Single Axle - Ramps & Chocks Suit Tandem Axles and Extra Heavy Duty. You may even like to look at the Kojack Leveller.
For those of us on pensioners budgets, we make our own out of timber (preferably scrounged.) In the past I have used a 1200 mm piece of 125 x 25 mm that I placed suitable blocks of timber under one end and backed the van up onto it, drive till the side on the ramp is a little high, place a block (chock) in front of the wheel and allow the van to settle forward onto the block. I currently use three lengths of 125 x 35 mm section timber that I can stack and drive the van up onto the required number of them.
I've previously carried 100 X 100 blocks about 600 long with a ramp type taper on them, they were scraps from a pergola build and they worked well.
At one of the shows I bought a pair of the wide plastic ramps which I have found easier to use.
The method of use, which I think you are also asking about, is that I just drive one of the wheels up onto the ramp which effectively lifts that low side of the van.
I don't see any need, safety or otherwise, to put a ramp (or block) under both wheels but I do chock all wheels that could move not just rely on the handbrake.
Definitely agree I can't see any use for any jack use you're only introducing unwanted problems.
The best, and easiest I found, was a trolley jack.
with a pce of ply to sit it on.
Ply t'ween wheels. Roll jack in. pump up to level.
take handle out.
Done it for 30 odd yrs. never had one knocked off.
Takes 2 min's.
I usually carry an axle stand too for longer term.
Trolley jack is primary for Ute wheel changing too.
one item, two jobs. simple.
and sooo easy.
The Trailamate is really only good for/as, a jockey wheel jack
Had one of them too. Gave away to mate when sold van.
Then bought another van and priced them. Whoooops. Dave! ! !
No extra stuff needs to be carried. Can be used to lift axles to change a puncture, can level a van leftmto right and front to back and provides a much better ride and is kinder on the van.
Yes comes at a price but if your having your van built its a one off expence and overall it weighs less than coils/rocker boxes/ leaves. Meaning a little extra payload.
Everyones a winner id say!!!