Wheel Ramps for a Tandem Van with Rocker Suspension
PeterInSa said
03:36 PM Nov 5, 2017
Mostly we Freedom camp and I can choose our van resting place, however on a recent interstate trip to Tassie our self contained sites at CMCA Discounted CP's showed me the need for a set of Ramps (1 set) for our Tandem Caravan.
A fellow RV'er mentioned that he had to cut 20mm of a set of ramps he purchased ( 1 only), because the ramp would not fit between the tandem wheels. Our Van has the Rocker Suspension with 15" wheels. I cannot get to our van for another 4 weeks or so for any measurements, but would appreciate your input ( brand/model) of any suitable ramps you have purchased for a Rocker suspension Tandem van.
Oeter
Tony Bev said
04:35 PM Nov 5, 2017
Peter I do not have a tandem axle caravan
I have seen tandem axle caravans with, (as you say), a bit cut off their levellers
I have also very recently seen a tandem axle caravan, using using something like in the picture
The picture is from the current Supercheap catalogue
The description mentions Tandem Axle Caravan Leveller
Hope that this info is useful to you
STRETCH ARMSTRONG said
04:55 PM Nov 5, 2017
I just use 4 bits of wood about the size of the tyre footprint. 2 at 20mm and 2x40mm thick. Good thing is they pack flat, stretch
macka17 said
05:55 PM Nov 5, 2017
Van under 2 ton or so.
I just use my Ute trolley jack , (Which I have in ute ALL the time.) t'ween wheels.
Much easier to use than any other type.
Crank it up take handle out. let it down in morn.
I never park van more than O'Night stop. on uneven ground.
Just move. There's always somewhere else.
Traway said
06:36 PM Nov 5, 2017
We use Lynx levellers with our tandem van. They are square and stack so you can have them at different lengths.
Traway said
06:38 PM Nov 5, 2017
We use Lynx levellers with our tandem van. They are square and stack so you can have them at different lengths.
Sparkster said
07:16 PM Nov 5, 2017
I presume what you are trying to do is put both wheels on the same side on ramps to get level?
i only put the front or rear wheel on a ramp to bring the low side up as I can't see that putting the second wheel up on another ramp gains any extra height.
I have the split set as shown that I bought from one of the online caravan outlets but have only ever used the one on the low side, never been wanting to use the second ramp.
This way you don't need to put the ramp between the wheels but either in front of the front wheel or behind the rear wheel.
Does that make sense?
Camp Oven Nerd said
07:31 PM Nov 5, 2017
Peter we have a tandem axel van with 15" wheels and the rocker roller suspension and use ramps the same as in the photo above. They work well and the red piece fits between the wheels no problems.
Jeff
Camp Oven Nerd said
07:33 PM Nov 5, 2017
Peter we have a tandem axel van with 15" wheels and the rocker roller suspension and also use ramps the same as in the photo above. They work well and the red piece fits between the wheels no problems.
Jeff
PeterInSa said
07:43 PM Nov 5, 2017
Thanks for the info.
Need to do the measurement prior to purchase, the Lynx levellers are interesting, If I went ahead would need an additional block then cut 2 blocks in half for a 13.5mm height rise over 60mm distance of 3 half blocks. But to me from memory I only have around 45cm at the most to fit a ramp between the wheels.
Macka, Have a trolley Jack, prefer not to take around 1/2 the weight of the van on the main rocker point when ramps could carry out the same function. The Jack can go missing in CP's.
Peter
Stephcott said
07:47 PM Nov 5, 2017
I use the ones in the 2nd post, they work well but did have to trim one a little bit to fit between the wheels
PeterInSa said
07:55 PM Nov 5, 2017
Re the Supa Cheap Ramp above, I like the idea that you can insert the black section as you move up the ramp to give you more height. Of course you need to remember to take the blck section out when you are 1/2 way down the ramp as well. ( SC uses this as a selling point in the description)
I take it that this is the ramp ( red section) that you had to trim Stephcott?.
Peter
macka17 said
01:13 AM Nov 6, 2017
Pete.
I never stay in a park if they don't supply a level block. Go elswhere.
Uneven ground. Usually is one night standers only, Away from others mostly, on way through.
Jack holds van up Handle inside. YOU inside.
Somebody tries to pilfer. You'll feel it lower..
Baseball bat inside usually deters most.
It's hard to run carrying one of them for long.
Dougwe said
08:32 AM Nov 6, 2017
Good to see others have this problem, I thought I was alone. You would think the ramps would be a little shorter to allow for narrower gaps between wheels. But NO. Too easy.
I also cut about 50mm off but still more is needed, about another 20mm really.
Craig1 said
03:52 PM Nov 6, 2017
Mine fit, Roller rock, on 2014 Paramount Pop Top Tandem, 15" Alloy Wheels. Could be different versions of Suspension?
Dick0 said
05:55 PM Nov 6, 2017
Tony Bev wrote:
Peter I do not have a tandem axle caravan
I have seen tandem axle caravans with, (as you say), a bit cut off their levellers
I have also very recently seen a tandem axle caravan, using using something like in the picture
The picture is from the current Supercheap catalogue
The description mentions Tandem Axle Caravan Leveller
Hope that this info is useful to you
Yep, these 2 piece are the ones to use for tandems.
Sparkster said
09:15 PM Nov 6, 2017
What am I missing here????
Why the need to put the ramps between the tandem wheels???
Not sure how much I will use these ramps, I do not want to keep them in the Caravan Boot, or in the rear of the LCruiser, maybe on the Caravan A frame behind the gas bottles or on the LCruiser roof. Your thoughts on storage appreciated.
Peter
Sparkster said
09:32 AM Nov 7, 2017
As I posted previously I only lift ONE wheel of my tandem wheel van by using the ramps as shown because by lifting one you have lifted that side of the van the same height as you will lifting both wheels.
Keith.
rockylizard said
09:33 AM Nov 7, 2017
Gday...
Yep - heard ya da first time Keith
Cheers - John
Sparkster said
10:18 AM Nov 7, 2017
Thanks John.
Admittedly after towing vans for over 40 years I've only towed three different tandem vans in the last 15 years but it's so quick and simple using one ramp.
To me if it's SAFE, quick, simple and effective that's what life on the road is all about.
Keith.
PeterInSa said
06:23 PM Nov 7, 2017
Keith re (As I posted previously I only lift ONE wheel of my tandem wheel van by using the ramps as shown because by lifting one you have lifted that side of the van the same height as you will lifting both wheels.)
I have not made a study of this, (and have never used Ramps on our Tandem) but I thought ramping one wheel ( say the front) will only raise the van less than the full height of the ramp, this is because the end of the front spring is bolted to the rocker that rises up and tries to force the rear tyre down. If there was no rocker, the van would rise to the full height of the ramp similar to a single axle caravan.
Peter
Sparkster said
08:15 PM Nov 7, 2017
Interesting thoughts Peter.
I can say, fiddling around in my yard a few years ago I found little or no difference in lifting one or both.
I'm on the road for three weeks as from tomorrow so unlikely to do any measuring but I'll give it a go when I get back as I now have more level ground to work with.
Keith.
-- Edited by Sparkster on Tuesday 7th of November 2017 08:15:57 PM
PeterD said
12:45 PM Nov 11, 2017
Keith, I see you do not understand the principles of levers. If you have a van wit load levelling suspension then you have a lever that lifts the balance point (the fulcrum) half the height that the handle end of the lever (the lifted wheel) rises. Therefore your van will only rise half the height that you raised the lifted wheel. This may be OK if lifting one wheel will give you sufficient lift.
If you have a van with independent suspension (ie non load sharing) then the suspension of wheel on the ramp will compress more than the suspension of the other wheel. You may get a little more lift than you would with a van with load sharing suspension. However the lifted wheel will be under much more stress than the other wheel. This may be acceptable to some but I would be happier with both wheels raised. The only way you will get the van to raise the same height as the lifted wheel is if the suspension is so stiff that the unsupported wheel raises the same height as the supported one. With most vans the only way you will get the second wheel up that height is to use a second ramp or block.
I can however agree with you that in the majority of cases you can get sufficient height with one ramp.
meetoo said
10:45 PM Nov 11, 2017
PeterInSa wrote:
Keith re (As I posted previously I only lift ONE wheel of my tandem wheel van by using the ramps as shown because by lifting one you have lifted that side of the van the same height as you will lifting both wheels.)
I have not made a study of this, (and have never used Ramps on our Tandem) but I thought ramping one wheel ( say the front) will only raise the van less than the full height of the ramp, this is because the end of the front spring is bolted to the rocker that rises up and tries to force the rear tyre down. If there was no rocker, the van would rise to the full height of the ramp similar to a single axle caravan.
Peter
On my roller rocker suspension using a ramp on just one wheel, lifts the side of the van only half the distance of using a ramp on both wheels. Sparkster must have some different type of tandem suspension.
Cheers, John.
blissonwheels said
01:07 PM Nov 12, 2017
Gooday,
You could always buy one of these, made of Aluminium can also be used to get one wheel high enough off the ground to change it works a treat and is light but really durable compared to plastic. Once off cost.
Called an Ezi Jack, made by Baylock in the US, available from I think it is Trailer Spares here at a very large increase in price, I paid $60-00 for mine in US and brought it home on a visit.
Re (Called an Ezi Jack, made by Baylock in the US) and other ramps without a higher stop section. When using ramps on a Campervan/motorhome and driving up on your own, I like the higher Bump stop section to minimise the chance of driving up the ramp and going over the top, with the ramp then flipping up and damaging a mud flap or 2.
Mostly we Freedom camp and I can choose our van resting place, however on a recent interstate trip to Tassie our self contained sites at CMCA Discounted CP's showed me the need for a set of Ramps (1 set) for our Tandem Caravan.
A fellow RV'er mentioned that he had to cut 20mm of a set of ramps he purchased ( 1 only), because the ramp would not fit between the tandem wheels. Our Van has the Rocker Suspension with 15" wheels. I cannot get to our van for another 4 weeks or so for any measurements, but would appreciate your input ( brand/model) of any suitable ramps you have purchased for a Rocker suspension Tandem van.
Oeter
Peter
I do not have a tandem axle caravan
I have seen tandem axle caravans with, (as you say), a bit cut off their levellers
I have also very recently seen a tandem axle caravan, using using something like in the picture
The picture is from the current Supercheap catalogue
The description mentions Tandem Axle Caravan Leveller
Hope that this info is useful to you
I just use my Ute trolley jack , (Which I have in ute ALL the time.) t'ween wheels.
Much easier to use than any other type.
Crank it up take handle out. let it down in morn.
I never park van more than O'Night stop. on uneven ground.
Just move. There's always somewhere else.
We use Lynx levellers with our tandem van. They are square and stack so you can have them at different lengths.
We use Lynx levellers with our tandem van. They are square and stack so you can have them at different lengths.
I presume what you are trying to do is put both wheels on the same side on ramps to get level?
i only put the front or rear wheel on a ramp to bring the low side up as I can't see that putting the second wheel up on another ramp gains any extra height.
I have the split set as shown that I bought from one of the online caravan outlets but have only ever used the one on the low side, never been wanting to use the second ramp.
This way you don't need to put the ramp between the wheels but either in front of the front wheel or behind the rear wheel.
Does that make sense?
Jeff
Peter we have a tandem axel van with 15" wheels and the rocker roller suspension and also use ramps the same as in the photo above. They work well and the red piece fits between the wheels no problems.
Jeff
Need to do the measurement prior to purchase, the Lynx levellers are interesting, If I went ahead would need an additional block then cut 2 blocks in half for a 13.5mm height rise over 60mm distance of 3 half blocks. But to me from memory I only have around 45cm at the most to fit a ramp between the wheels.
Macka, Have a trolley Jack, prefer not to take around 1/2 the weight of the van on the main rocker point when ramps could carry out the same function. The Jack can go missing in CP's.
Peter
www.supercheapauto.com.au/Product/Explore-Caravan-Leveller-Tandem-Pair/326651
I take it that this is the ramp ( red section) that you had to trim Stephcott?.
Peter
I never stay in a park if they don't supply a level block. Go elswhere.
Uneven ground. Usually is one night standers only, Away from others mostly, on way through.
Jack holds van up Handle inside. YOU inside.
Somebody tries to pilfer. You'll feel it lower..
Baseball bat inside usually deters most.
It's hard to run carrying one of them for long.
I also cut about 50mm off but still more is needed, about another 20mm really.
Yep, these 2 piece are the ones to use for tandems.
What am I missing here????
Why the need to put the ramps between the tandem wheels???
Please see my previous post!!
Keith.
Gday...
have a read - https://www.caravansplus.com.au/guides/how-to-level-your-caravan-or-trailer-a-52.html
scroll down to this ...
cheers - John
Peter
As I posted previously I only lift ONE wheel of my tandem wheel van by using the ramps as shown because by lifting one you have lifted that side of the van the same height as you will lifting both wheels.
Keith.
Gday...
Cheers - John
Thanks John.
Admittedly after towing vans for over 40 years I've only towed three different tandem vans in the last 15 years but it's so quick and simple using one ramp.
To me if it's SAFE, quick, simple and effective that's what life on the road is all about.
Keith.
I have not made a study of this, (and have never used Ramps on our Tandem) but I thought ramping one wheel ( say the front) will only raise the van less than the full height of the ramp, this is because the end of the front spring is bolted to the rocker that rises up and tries to force the rear tyre down. If there was no rocker, the van would rise to the full height of the ramp similar to a single axle caravan.
Peter
Interesting thoughts Peter.
I can say, fiddling around in my yard a few years ago I found little or no difference in lifting one or both.
I'm on the road for three weeks as from tomorrow so unlikely to do any measuring but I'll give it a go when I get back as I now have more level ground to work with.
Keith.
-- Edited by Sparkster on Tuesday 7th of November 2017 08:15:57 PM
If you have a van with independent suspension (ie non load sharing) then the suspension of wheel on the ramp will compress more than the suspension of the other wheel. You may get a little more lift than you would with a van with load sharing suspension. However the lifted wheel will be under much more stress than the other wheel. This may be acceptable to some but I would be happier with both wheels raised. The only way you will get the van to raise the same height as the lifted wheel is if the suspension is so stiff that the unsupported wheel raises the same height as the supported one. With most vans the only way you will get the second wheel up that height is to use a second ramp or block.
I can however agree with you that in the majority of cases you can get sufficient height with one ramp.
On my roller rocker suspension using a ramp on just one wheel, lifts the side of the van only half the distance of using a ramp on both wheels. Sparkster must have some different type of tandem suspension.
Cheers, John.
Gooday,
You could always buy one of these, made of Aluminium can also be used to get one wheel high enough off the ground to change it works a treat and is light but really durable compared to plastic. Once off cost.
Called an Ezi Jack, made by Baylock in the US, available from I think it is Trailer Spares here at a very large increase in price, I paid $60-00 for mine in US and brought it home on a visit.
Cheers,
Thanks for your Ramp comments.
Peter