Newbie with twin axle levelling issues

Oakest replied on 09/08/2019 18:24

Posted on 09/08/2019 18:24

Hi 

As the title says I'm a newbie and currently on our first trip. Had some challenges getting the van level - not right to left but front to back. Having finally got onto a gravel pitch it turned out that the jockey wheel would not go high enough to level the van. Looking around the answer appears to be shove a load of wood under the jockey wheel. However is there an easy way to do this - could you put the steadies down, lift the jockey wheel, put the wood underneath and then raise the van using the jockey wheel? Slightly nervous as the dealership stressed that the steadies were for steadying not lifting, but wondered if it could support the weight for a couple of minutes?

Also when using the motor mover to get into the space allocation I had left the jockey wheel high - it dug a great channel through the gravel and looks under a bit of strain if I'm honest. I have added a picture - am I just being a sensitive newbie? Presumably the trick is keep the jockey wheel low when moving and then raise? Anyway of telling if I have damaged/weakened it? presumably they are fairly sturdy things?

Finally (and thanks for continuing to read) having now experienced the challenges with levelling I'm thinking about a Lock and Load for the right to left challenges I'll know doubt encounter at some point. Is everyone in agreement - easy to use and effective?

Thanks for considering

richardandros replied on 12/08/2019 14:10

Posted on 12/08/2019 14:10

I know we're getting a bit off topic - but when I was doing my engineering degree at the Royal Naval Engineering College in Plymouth, 50 years ago - one of our exercises was to make a small vice, which took you through every single engineering practice - cutting a perfectly flat surface with a chisel - lathe work  - thread cutting - case-hardening - milling, etc etc. 

It was very satisfying and I still have that vice in regular use in my home workshop - one of my treasured possessions!

EmilysDad replied on 12/08/2019 14:22

Posted on 12/08/2019 14:10 by richardandros

I know we're getting a bit off topic - but when I was doing my engineering degree at the Royal Naval Engineering College in Plymouth, 50 years ago - one of our exercises was to make a small vice, which took you through every single engineering practice - cutting a perfectly flat surface with a chisel - lathe work  - thread cutting - case-hardening - milling, etc etc. 

It was very satisfying and I still have that vice in regular use in my home workshop - one of my treasured possessions!

Posted on 12/08/2019 14:22

Not quite that long ago but I started my apprenticeship not far away at Fisgard, Torpoint. laughing

lornalou1 replied on 12/08/2019 15:14

Posted on 12/08/2019 14:10 by richardandros

I know we're getting a bit off topic - but when I was doing my engineering degree at the Royal Naval Engineering College in Plymouth, 50 years ago - one of our exercises was to make a small vice, which took you through every single engineering practice - cutting a perfectly flat surface with a chisel - lathe work  - thread cutting - case-hardening - milling, etc etc. 

It was very satisfying and I still have that vice in regular use in my home workshop - one of my treasured possessions!

Posted on 12/08/2019 15:14

Made the same at an engineering firm in warrington. Think it was part of the City and Guilds program used at the time. Standard across the UK. On the levelling of a twin axle I use the Alko on the front and a Nemisis Ultra on the rear and very easy to do and the insurance accepts this.

richardandros replied on 12/08/2019 15:37

Posted on 12/08/2019 14:22 by EmilysDad

Not quite that long ago but I started my apprenticeship not far away at Fisgard, Torpoint. laughing

Posted on 12/08/2019 15:37

Sadly, Manadon, has now long gone - turned it into a bloomin' housing estate - criminal!frown

Oakest replied on 13/08/2019 20:45

Posted on 10/08/2019 17:52 by richardandros

Well done Oakest. I am confident you won’t be disappointed. The back up from L ‘n L is excellent. I have always dealt with Derek Ibbotson who is most helpful if you have a query. I recently had to have my original one refurbished because of a leak in one of the airbags - after constant use for four and a half years and it was done for a fraction of the price of a new one.

I, too, have the combo kit but have only had to use both on a couple of occasions - just luck I suppose! Now, levelling to raise the off side needs a bit of thinking about but I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it😃

Another tip - invest in a small 12v battery - about 40 mAh - saves having to move the car near to the van to connect your pump. You may find that your pump draws more current than a 12v socket in your van or car allows.

Posted on 13/08/2019 20:45

Thanks - they arrived today. I already have a battery powered car pump (also acts as a jump start) but appreciate the tip. Bought some 6 mm rubber matting as well to protect them from the ground. How accurate do you need to be in lining it up between the yellow lines? Can see me being 5mm out and then having to re-position the caravan. Also the instructions say lower the steadies 'firmly' - what exactly does that mean? I was thinking of getting the steadies down and then two full rotations - does that sound about right or do you have another indicator?

 

Thanks again

richardandros replied on 14/08/2019 06:09

Posted on 14/08/2019 06:09

 The yellow lines are a recent addition - my original one didn't have them, so I wouldn't worry too much.  As long as the wheel is near the middle of the airbag - and isn't trying to roll off one end, you should be OK.

Again, the instruction about the steadies, seems to be new.  I just wind them down as normal - whatever that is - and don't worry about it.

The one other tip I would give you is to make sure that the transfer valve is closed after you have finished levelling the van.  That way, in the unlikely event of a puncture, at least one half of the bag will stay inflated (assuming both aren't punctured!), thereby avoiding any pressure on the steadies. The difficulty is that, if you have an awning up and wheel cover on, you are unlikely to notice there is a problem until you come to take the awning down.

This is what happened to me, earlier this year - but it was after almost five years constant use. ( I use the L 'n L all the time when the van is stored at home - but not inflated). Derek told me that after that length of time, they had experienced one or two examples of the air bag material delaminating, causing it to loose air.  As I said, it went back to them and was refurbished for not a lot of money compared to the cost of a new one, so I was pleased with the way they look after their customers.

 

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