How to level a caravan
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- čas přidán 23. 11. 2016
- Levelling a caravan is an important job to complete when you arrive on site. An unlevel caravan can be an uncomfortable place to stay.
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Our Levelling block is :
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Thank you; really good video. A little tip for the spirit level usage: you can check if the level is true by rotating it end to end and seeing if the bubble goes to the same place as it did when it was the other way round. Doesn't matter if it's level or not, so long as the bubble isn't banging right up against the end of the tube. Say the bubble is right under the left mark on the spirit level. Rotate the level 180 degrees and the bubble should now be under the new left mark (was formerly the right mark). In other words, the bubble should be the same distance from the centre point as it was when the level was the other way round. Once you have checked this, continue with the caravan levelling operation.
Thanks you so much for a really simple but thorough explanation of what to do. New to caravanning and stayed on my first 'gentle slope' site last weekend and should have watched this beforehand!
We have just started caravaning this year and i don't think without your advice and videos it would have been as easy. thanks for all the information and tips.
Thankyou, we are also new to the world of caravanning and are eternally grateful for your excellent mentorship.
Thank you for your knowledge; before watching your videos, I had little to no clue! (New to caravanning April this year!) I am now competent when we rock up to any site with EHU, and get busy setting up ready to have a lovely break away. Just the motor mover to have installed, and life becomes very much easier 😊.
Thanks for going to trouble of sharing your knowledge, your videos have given us newbies a real helping hand in getting things right instead of making loads of mistakes
Excellent video as always Dan. I had one of those 3 step plastic levelling units from a well known manufacturer, but couldn't get on with it. The van always seemed to move down a notch even after pulling it up the ramp and applying the handbrake. As you suggested I bought a piece of decking for £5, cut it in to three different lengths, screwing it together, and adding an end stop, so the wheel doesn't drop off the top. It works great, never had any problem, because each section is level once the wheel is on to it, and therefore won't go anywhere. Simple, cheap, robust and easy to use. I still need the tea at the end of the excercise though!
Thinking about moving from tenting to 'tin-tenting' and I'm finding your channel very helpful and informative! Cheers mate keep up the good work
Legend! I have owned a motorhome for a short while, but we realised a caravan was best for us. Having never towed or used a caravan I came across your videos. You explained things fantastically, I have written out a check list from your videos. Your Son has the same eye rolling as my Son does 😆 🤣. You have made me feel more comfortable and confident about making sure things are correct. BRING ON THE HOLIDAY! 🥳
Brilliantly explained, thanks Dan. Dead right about the power drill. I did buy that attachment but today quickly realised it is only good for doing the majority of the work but then using the handle for the last few inches/centimetres otherwise there's a danger of going too far and as you say, damaging the floor. Much easier to judge by hand. I also find the various cabinets vary and give different spirit level readings. But important to have the 'van level for the fridge to work efficiently and the gas to flow to the appliances. Quite apart from falling out of bed in the night if too much tilt!
Hi Dan, Started late at this game, in my late 50s but have found you and your family plus Andrew Dittons Video's absolutely marvellous and inspiring on how to cope and set up plus places to go. Booked into my first show at NEC in October and really looking forward to it. Then off to do some winter caravaning which Mr Ditton has got me hooked on and this year will be doing something simple and on hook up but hope to advance next year and go to that wonderful Outer Herbradies that Andrew has been showing off. Anyway thanks again for all your hard work and I can assure you its really great stuff and has been helping me out big style. Take care and all the very best and I'm sure I speak for lots of fan's when I say please keep up your great work, we all look forwards to it so very much.
HI Jim,
Thats fantastic to hear, and good luck on your winter adventures. I love camping in the winter time, its a great time to be out & about.
take care
Dan
Blimey, thanks Dan. You’ve made a video covering one of the basics without talking down to us. On our first trip of the year in a couple of days, so looking forward to levelling properly (not how I spent all last year doing it!).
Thanks for this. We are picking up our first caravan next weekend and we are using your videos as a fast way of learning all of the basics. Really appreciate your help !
excellent, really glad to hear they are helping you.
Take care
Dan
Been caravanning now for quite a few years and I'm still learning from your videos. Well done sir, keep up the good work.
Thank you Stephen, thats very kind of you.
Take care
Dan
I'm totally new to this, planning on getting a caravan this year and this was a great tutorial on levelling up, thank you!
Thanks ,Were in process of buying our first caravan and I have no idea !! So CZcams is your friend.Learning so much from your videos. thank you
Thanks Dan really helpful. We have just started and all the beginners stuff is very helpful. We have made a few silly mistakes but I suppose it is the best way to learn. Last week we set everything up but had no gas or electric to the cooker. All the other appliances were working well. I scratched my head for quite a while then for some reason pushed the glass panel on the cooker very slightly and that was all that was needed the gas and electricity came on.
About to pick up our new caravan and your videos are simply awesome! Thank you
Hi, I’ve been caravanning a few years and wanted to say that your videos are most helpful. I’ve watched most, if not all of them and find them all very informative and well delivered. Well done to you folks.
Thank you, we are new to caravanning, and will be picking our caravan up next weekend, I’m confident with the notes I have taken that we will be successful.😊
Brilliant and informative, as always a pleasure to watch Mr T. he makes tasks look simple and explains his reasons for doing what he does !!!
Thank you Lorraine.
Take care
Dan
Hi, I have to say that this video has really helped me. My family and I have been caravanning for nearly 5yrs now and from watching this video I have found out that we have been levelling our caravan wrong. Thanks for the very helpful info once again. The Acquah family x
Glad to be of help Rebecca.
Take care
Dan
Hi guys .it's 2019 and I hv my very first Caravan in NZ (New Zealand ) I hv looked nd looked to try and find a video on helpful hints for first time caravanning. May I commend you on your "basic , to the point " videos and explanations. Thankyou , from the other side of the World . So very helpful .Cheers Brian
Thank you for this video. We are also new to caravaning and this has totally helped us, especially hubby and I have been trying to use the corner steadies to level the caravan.
HI Linda,
Really glad this video has helped you guys.
Take care
Dan
Brilliant video, thank you. Needed to watch this as I'm new to caravaning!
Thank you, very informative. We are just about to buy our 1st caravan and I always thought the legs were how you levelled the caravan.
Excellent instructions and so easy wish I had seen this years ago it would have saved me so many sore backs, cheers
Another great video.
Just a my thoughts on the jockey wheel handle for those with small kids. My son played with the jockey wheel handle and round the jockey wheel up, while the steadies were down and bent the steady arms. As the the whole front weight of the caravan was on the steadies. I now tie the handle with some rope to the jockey clamp handle, so it can't be moved. Saves fixing or replacing the steadies or pushing them thru the floor.
Hi, over here in New Zealand. Have been watching your very informative videos. This one about leveling is great. I have just purchased an unsold 2021 Sprite Alpine 2.
Thank you from a newbie. I though the corner steadies are for levelling. Will organise things before my big trip.
Thanks for that Dan,first trip in our caravan tomorrow and I’ll be a lot more confident now
Just going to pick up our new caravan, never vanned before. This was to the point and helpful. Thanks.
Hi , we are fairly new to caravaning been doing it about 6 months
and your videos are really helpful to us many thanks
Really glad to hear this Steve, thank you for commenting and really glad our videos have helped you along.
Take care
Dan
Great video's/tutorials. Also new to touring so thanks for all the great tips and advice, feel well prepared for our maiden voyage!
Very helpful, especially the bit about the steadies - have seen so many people 'jacking up' their van with the steadies (they are called steadies for a reason) and distorting the frame. Here's a helpful tip too, your 'cuppa' comment prompted me. If you don't have, or have forgotten your spirit level, get a glass of water and if you have a glass that has some decorated rings around it, that's even better and use the water level to just below the brim or the decorated 'rings' as your level. When the water is level in the glass, so is the 'van, noting that whatever cabinet you place it on, as per comments in the video, must also be level in the van. Cheers
Good advice as always! It's nice to actually see it put into practice rather than purely read about the method, thanks for sharing
Hi, I'm glad its helps.
Take care
Dan
Just getting into touring and your videos are the best, thank you so much.
Excellent - After 35 years I find I have been levelling our caravan incorrectly, I have previously always reversed onto the ramp! The tip about the motor mover being close to the ramp is also a very useful tip. - Many Thanks
Am I missing something here?.. also after 35 years iv always reversed the caravan up the levelling ramp with hand brake holding it firmly in place with choks just to be extra safe..
Thank you we are new to Caravanning and all your videos are spot on!!
as a newby this was a brilliant tutorial many thanks I will keep my eye out for more nuggets of wisdom
Re pulling the caravan onto a ramp. We don't have a motor mover and using your car can over stress the clutch so I use a small hand winch attached to the car towbar and the caravan jockey wheel. It allows me to pull the van up the ramp very precisely. Thanks for your videos. Very helpful.
These videos are invaluable for beginners. Thanks guys!
Very informative thank you. We now use an inflatable pad for side to side. You drive onto it on the downhill side, make sure it’s positioned correctly then inflate it. We use an electric tyre pump for this. Front to back is as you suggest. I have also found that an app on my phone works well, it bleeps in a certain way when it’s not level and the bleep changes when it’s level. Otherwise our fridge door will tell us quits accurately too. If you open the fridge door and it stays where it is, we’re level!! We also find that an electric drill works on the steadies for us. We use one with a sensor like a clutch. When it reaches the desired torque it disconnects from the drive. That way you don’t over torque the corner steadies. Hope this helps.
Thanks for clearly explaining to us newbies, your help is gratefully appreciated! What we would we do without the internet.
Excellent advice Dan. Have seen caravans perched soley on steadies on one side too many times and cringed at what that is doing to the chassis. TBH I've always reversed onto the ramp but always used the mover, but what you are suggesting is good practice particularly for beginners. Another great video.
Thank you Rich, I know exactly what you mean about the cringe factor. makes me shudder...
Take care
Dan
Thank you for making this video ,as a new caravaner I found it very helpful.
I have been caravanning for over 40yrs and have always done side to side with the legs. I have now just bought a levelling ramp after watching your video. Also checked the floor on my caravan, thankfully no damage. I didn't realise the front legs don't fit onto the chassis. Thanks for the tip.
Thank You, simple,straight forward information, easy to understand, I think I will be able to level my old Caravan too 👍👏
Very helpful thank you as I’m very excited I’ve just bought my first caravan. Really enjoying your videos - very informative
Thanks, as newbies to caravanning this was very useful information simply presented.
Brilliant video again helped me so much as a caravanning newbie!!
Thank you Adam,
Im glad this has helped. Im adding a few more videos on basic topics this year, so stay tuned.
Take care
Dan
Great video mate. We are total newbies and find your videos really helpful. Keep up the good work
Thank you Mark,
Glad they have been of help to you.
Take care
Dan
Very helpful video, just the problem of lining up for the alko wheel lock
watched many of your videos now and your son just reminds me of our grandson who's around the same age, its like yeah whatever, just get on with it lol. hope you're well
Thanks that was a really great informative video! Thanks for putting it out there for us newbies!
As a novice caravanner these tips and tricks are very helpful, thanks.
Really glad they are helping you Tony.
Take care
Dan
I’m just starting out and your videos are brilliant thank you for the advice
Very informative, thank you. We have just purchased our first caravan, I have made notes and found this video very useful :o)
Thank you for this, New to caravanning and your videos are excellent.
Excellent, thank you - i hope your new caravan is providing you some fund and adventures!
Hi Dan, good advice, what I do is to recheck after a day or two, mite find the water in shower or sink not drain all, cheers Cobus.
Brilliant video, thank you for your advice, I'll be putting it into practice this weekend.. 👍
Very informative. Well explained and easy to take in. Simple clear information, thank you
Thank you very much Mr Trudgian. Helped me out a right treat.
thanks I am brand new to caravaning and your videos really help
Thank you Nathan,
thats very kind, and I'm glad our content has been useful !
Take care
Dan
Nathan Webb thank you Ken and I helena find it very helpfull
Great Tips Dan, I have found that after time our van settles a bit and we need to rechecked levels and re adjust.
Regards Jon
Hi Jon, I do find this is also the case especially after walking through the van a few times.
Thanks for popping by.
Dan
Excellent video, basic and to the point....from New Zealand
Pretty good advice, I would have thought you would show how you did all the corner steadies, as you know as soon as you start lifting one corner IE front it throw out the level of the caravan both front and back as well as side to side, and that means your van is not level as you tighten down the corner steadies, you will still need to make adjustment to each corner steady.
Hi Dan,,
Thank you for your advice it was very helpful.
Thanks for this - knew it was wrong to put the corners down first.... husband will now have to listen!
haha, Glad to be of service.
Take care,
Dan
I heard of a chap who did this (put the steadies down first) and then used his motor-mover and ended up pushing a steady up into the van floor - nasty!
@@MrStarb777 j
New to caravaning your videos are really helpful
Thank you.
Glad they are helping.
Take care
Dan
Thank you.
Very reassuring video.
I think I will be OK on my first trip next week ☺️
Thanks for this video Dan, excellent, easy to follow and understand guide, saved to brain-ache for future :)
Very new to this stuff & worried about winding the steadys too far down, think I geddit now :)
As all before have posted this is excellent advice thank you from a beginner
Brilliant. Just bought our first tourer and was confused as to levelling up. Put my mind at rest. Ta
Good video, thanks. Regarding the mover being in the way: why not put the ramp on the other side of the wheel and drive the caravan up backwards?
Hi Dan, glad to see you posting videos regularly again. We’ve always enjoyed your content. Revisited this video as we’ve just purchased our first Alko wheel lock. We’ve been using a Nemisis Ultra up till now, but insurance company is stipulating an Alko….. So now to my question, are you still using the lock and level system, any advice after owning one, do you still think they are a good system? Ever thought of doing an update on some of your earlier content?
Very comprehensive as usual. Sometimes we have a problem getting the front low enough and have to resort to moving the jockey wheel in its holder. Even then we have been on pitches that I have given up on.
Hi Steve, yep we have also given up on a site too. The van was level, but the space between the step & van was just too far. So we packed up and moved to another pitch.
Take care
Dan
The Trudgians We stopped at a small campsite in France. Couldn't level it on one pitch. Tried a second pitch and spent ages trying to get it level. Finally did, plugged in the electric to find no earth. At this point we left the site.
blimey. that sounds like a sitcom in the making there Steve...
Hope the 2nd site was better
Speak soon
Dan
Had this once too, ended up putting the 'van up on ramps to get enough height. Problem with that is the awning was a bit high at the back-end!
Iv alwaus used the steadys but will useca ramp ftom now however it would seem to be a right pain if the side which fits the alco wheel lock needs raising as its a juggle between lining up for the wheel lock and leveling off the van
Well done, a great video, I am happy with levelling now👍👍🏴
Good job. Great tips and easy to follow.
Hi Dan
Excellent videos
We use a lock'n'level inflatable unit for levelling. We have the twin axle version which allows you to get the 2 alko units on as per insurance requirements. you can also use it as a jack as well!! There is a youtube video of it. By Delter Culson. Excellent piece of kit and quick to use. Also excellent support from them.
Robert Stevenson yes the Lock n level system is fabulous. I have some here that I have reviewed, those videos will be coming out very soon.
You were such a help when we started caravanning we new nothing.
That made perfect sense even to a novice like me. Thank you
I always leave my motor mover engaged, so it works as a brake as well. Is this wrong ? Not in storage, only on holiday.
Great idea with the cup of tea cheers 👍🏻
Always loved your videos. Cheers 👍 Here comes the summer 😀
Hello, we are new to caravanning and find your videos very informative. Yesterday we delivered our brand new Lunar Venus 570/4 to storage yard which we discovered needs a lot of attention. We went back today to move the van to firmer ground that is a bit more level (until we find alternative storage solution) my question is how do you use the leveller and line up your Al-Ko wheel lock at the same time. Is there a handy trick for this?
Great video - I am new and found this very useful. Cheers
Awesome instruction however I am new to vanning nd hv a tandem wheels .how do you level them ?
Great video for a touring first timer like me. Really like your ramps, could you tell me what make they are please?
Great vid 👏 has anyone got any advice on how to remove the choc and the ramp when going home, particularly on a van without a motor mover? Last twice we’ve ended up driving off it with it pinging out/up with a danger of it damaging something :(
Thanks for the video. You showed that you used one corner foot, do you need all four? And if only one, then which one?
that was really helpful. Just bought a caravan and it was explained in a down to earth way. let's go and try it lol
Excellent stuff Mark,
Glad this helped you.
Take care
Dan
Hey great video thanks. We haven’t got a caravan yet. Is it fair to say that the process would take about 15’ if you have
motor movers?
Cheers Dan. Really useful guide.
Thanks very much, has helped this novice a great deal.
Excellent demonstration. Thanks
Some great tips. Thank you.
Hi. Enjoy your posts on all caravanning subjects. Have a question. We have a caravan with motor mover. When levelling sideways and moving the van forward up the levelling ramp with the motor mover the van skews to one side … but not falling off the ramp … I adjust the mover in the opposite direction and continue up the ramp… but still wants to skew ….. any advice would be much appreciated…. Thank you in advance 👍
Thank you an awesome video just what I needed in simple terms for a newby
fantastic was expecting a massive ballache job..quick easy and thanks for doing the video
Glad to have been of some help.
Take care
Dan