Levelling your caravan

Never thought I'd see the day that the humble 'lock n level' would stir up emotions as much as the Brexit debate.

I'm a twin axle lock and leveller and think it is a superb piece of kit. We left our caravan on a site for 3 months and it didn't lose any air but to be on the safe side we put old awning skirt underneath and on top to reduce the already low risk of a puncture. None of the alternatives can compete with it and I've tried them all. My one and only complaint is the stuff sack that comes with it. You would have to spend hours squeezing every drop of air out of it, to fit it in the bag so that now gets used to hold the Christmas lights. Nothing's wasted

Totally agree with all your comments.  I just fold ours up and put it inside the upturned step, just inside the door, when we are travelling.

For me, the lock and level is the easiest, and most convenient levelling system I have ever used. I was one of the first to purchase one and in 2 days time it will be with me as we travel to the IOW.

Galileo had this problem.

What problem??

Write your comments here...

His problem was having a new idea. But he soon changed his mind - when his detractors showed him the rack. Does the CC have a rack to rent, an hour should be enough, whatever your initial opinion.

For me, the lock and level is the easiest, and most convenient levelling system I have ever used. I was one of the first to purchase one and in 2 days time it will be with me as we travel to the IOW.

It can always be a standby lifejacket if the ferry sinks, Merve.

Galileo had this problem.

What problem??

Write your comments here...

His problem was having a new idea. But he soon changed his mind - when his detractors showed him the rack. Does the CC have a rack to rent, an hour should be enough, whatever your initial opinion.

Could you repeat that Please! .

For me, the lock and level is the easiest, and most convenient levelling system I have ever used. I was one of the first to purchase one and in 2 days time it will be with me as we travel to the IOW.

It can always be a standby lifejacket if the ferry sinks, Merve.

Write your comments here...It was like a mill pond Cyber! 

has galileo tried the l and l under the leaning tower of pisa, or should that be pizza

I'm picking up my caravan on the 10th september.  So I've had plenty of time to research.  The upshot of my research is that the lock 'n level is the solution for "my" problem, but it's not for everyone. 

Here's why it's the solution for me.  Firstly, the caravan that I'm picking up next week is my first caravan.  So, needless to say I have no experience, other than the CC driving course that I completed last week.

I'm going to be using my caravan alone, so am not likely to have much help when it comes to pitching everything.

I will be using an excalibeur wheel lock, which for insurance purposes does need to be fitted.  (Hopefully, this will fit to either wheel, to make things really easy).

I'm one of those people that are really pedantic about getting things set right. 

So, I said that I looked at lots of solutions.  Here's what I considered.

1. piece of pipe and plank of wood.

This is the home made approach that some use to make a ramp, you can use bricks etc to increase the height.   For me this feels like a Heath Robinson solution. 

2. Wheel ramps.

There are several kinds - the flat ramp (fiamma) and the ones with steps (milenco) I personally have an issue with driving my caravan up onto a ramp that is the same width as the tyre.  Just feels to me that the tolerance is very small.  The stepped version that I saw when researching put me off as this means that the caravan could roll back.

I've since seen that you can easily chock the wheel whilst on a flat ramp, but even so, I didn't really like that he wheel would be on a ramp to start with.

The stepped versions made me wonder about the safety, also as you can only use one of three heights, would it be possible to miss the height needed for levelling and go too far in one step? 

3. Lock 'n level.

As I said, this the solution that I ended up with.

Firstly, I can drive on to the bag, check that it's straight before I start to level.  Can set 28 psi on my pump to ensure that it'll never overfil the bag.  Next, all that I'd need to do is turn on the pump and weight for the van to level out.

I can chock the other wheel front and back, so there's no danger of the van rolling.  Also if the van isn't fully inflated, the wheel does sit in a natural chock anyway so I'm sure that wheel won't roll off (I tried it last weekend at a course, using a caravan shell)

The bag looks to be make of very thick material, and the construction makes me feel confident that it's not likely to puncture under my use - especially if I pick up a door mat from pound stretcher to put under it.  Don't think I'd need anything on top, but it won't hurt to do that as well.  

I'm picking up my caravan on the 10th september.  So I've had plenty of time to research.  The upshot of my research is that the lock 'n level is the solution for "my" problem, but it's not for everyone. 

Here's why it's the solution for me.  Firstly, the caravan that I'm picking up next week is my first caravan.  So, needless to say I have no experience, other than the CC driving course that I completed last week.

I'm going to be using my caravan alone, so am not likely to have much help when it comes to pitching everything.

I will be using an excalibeur wheel lock, which for insurance purposes does need to be fitted.  (Hopefully, this will fit to either wheel, to make things really easy).

I'm one of those people that are really pedantic about getting things set right. 

So, I said that I looked at lots of solutions.  Here's what I considered.

1. piece of pipe and plank of wood.

This is the home made approach that some use to make a ramp, you can use bricks etc to increase the height.   For me this feels like a Heath Robinson solution. 

2. Wheel ramps.

There are several kinds - the flat ramp (fiamma) and the ones with steps (milenco) I personally have an issue with driving my caravan up onto a ramp that is the same width as the tyre.  Just feels to me that the tolerance is very small.  The stepped version that I saw when researching put me off as this means that the caravan could roll back.

I've since seen that you can easily chock the wheel whilst on a flat ramp, but even so, I didn't really like that he wheel would be on a ramp to start with.

The stepped versions made me wonder about the safety, also as you can only use one of three heights, would it be possible to miss the height needed for levelling and go too far in one step? 

3. Lock 'n level.

As I said, this the solution that I ended up with.

Firstly, I can drive on to the bag, check that it's straight before I start to level.  Can set 28 psi on my pump to ensure that it'll never overfil the bag.  Next, all that I'd need to do is turn on the pump and weight for the van to level out.

I can chock the other wheel front and back, so there's no danger of the van rolling.  Also if the van isn't fully inflated, the wheel does sit in a natural chock anyway so I'm sure that wheel won't roll off (I tried it last weekend at a course, using a caravan shell)

The bag looks to be make of very thick material, and the construction makes me feel confident that it's not likely to puncture under my use - especially if I pick up a door mat from pound stretcher to put under it.  Don't think I'd need anything on top, but it won't hurt to do that as well.  

Personally as a solo caravanner I would invest in a motor mover & a pair of decent plastic ramps. Much easier than reversing the caravan wheel onto a bag, which you will need to do on most pitches. But each to thier own.

I have managed with the same two bits of board - one thick, one thin - for the last 40 years. Sometimes I use one, sometimes the other, and sometimes both. But complicated wheel clamps on a campsite  as well?  No need surely?