Manual Levelling Guide for Caravans
While you may not mind if your caravan looks a little ‘wonky’ on site, there are many reasons why you should persevere and get your tourer totally level:
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Your fridge may not function properly as it needs to be completely level for the fluids to circulate correctly.
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A sloping van will also make it difficult for water to escape from sinks, draining boards and shower trays.
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Sleeping with your head below your legs can also be an issue, and you certainly won’t want to be levelling the van in the dark.
HOW TO DO IT![caravan leveller](/images/image/Caravan/Leveller-2.jpg)
Here’s one tried-and-tested method for using levelling ramps. It works for both single or twin-axle caravans.
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Assess the pitch before you drive onto it, choosing the flattest/ the driest area available.
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Manoeuvre approximately into position (18in behind where you want to end up, for a single-axle van, and 40in behind for twin-axles).
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Check if the van is level laterally. Don’t raise the door side of the caravan so much it’s difficult to get inside. ‘End-door’ caravans will suffer most.
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Position the ramp in front of the lower-side wheel. For twin axles, position a second ramp 40in in front of the first ramp (or the length between the two wheel centres).
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Always pull forward up the ramp, as, otherwise, your van’s automatic reversing system may kick in and allow it to roll.
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Drive up the ramp in first gear until the van is level. With twin axles, tow up and over the first ramp and then up both ramps until level.
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Once level, apply the caravan handbrake and chock all the wheels on the van to prevent it rolling backwards.
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Now, uncouple and level the caravan front to back using the jockey wheel.
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To leave your pitch, tow slowly forward over the ramps, then go back to collect them.
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