Manhole Covers (1 Viewer)

Oct 29, 2013
206
185
Dorset
Funster No
28,801
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
1 year motorhomer after 21 years caravanning
We've just moved into our new home which has a driveway alongside the property - ideal for parking our MH.... or so we thought - problems arise with 2 awkwardly placed manhole covers which I'm not sure are safe to drive over in Ruby (3.65 ton Autotrail FB) Does anyone out there have experience of similar problems and if so, how did you a) work out the max weight the cover takes or b) manage to upgrade the cover to make it safe to drive over?. thanks in advance for all suggestions.
 
Jul 29, 2007
6,527
39,296
Ipswich
Funster No
32
MH
RV and PVC
Exp
30 years
If its pressed steel I doubt it will take the weight, if its cast iron then probably ok.

Ian

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TheBig1

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Nov 27, 2011
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many many years! since I was a kid
as a rule of thumb, if the manhole is pressed steel its barely suitable for a small car to drive over. changing for 5 tonne rated cast iron covers and frames is a heavy but straight forward job. a friend of mine damaged his work van when a manhole on his drive gave way and the wheel dropped down.
 
Feb 16, 2013
19,512
51,205
uttoxeter
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24,713
MH
ambulance conversion
Exp
50 years
If it's the oblong tin looking thing , no, if it's round or triangle cast iron ones , same as in the road , should be ok
 
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MuddyPuddle
Oct 29, 2013
206
185
Dorset
Funster No
28,801
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
1 year motorhomer after 21 years caravanning
as a rule of thumb, if the manhole is pressed steel its barely suitable for a small car to drive over. changing for 5 tonne rated cast iron covers and frames is a heavy but straight forward job. a friend of mine damaged his work van when a manhole on his drive gave way and the wheel dropped down.

Thanks Big1 It is pressed steel and the last thing we want is to damage the MH so replacement to a higher rated cast iron cover seems to be the way to go.....or maybe just lay a heavy metal plate over the existing cover while we park up or move off the drive?
 

TheBig1

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Nov 27, 2011
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Thanks Big1 It is pressed steel and the last thing we want is to damage the MH so replacement to a higher rated cast iron cover seems to be the way to go.....or maybe just lay a heavy metal plate over the existing cover while we park up or move off the drive?
A metal spreader plate will cost as much as a new manhole cover and will need to be 300 -400mm wider and longer than the manhole its covering so using 6mm plate would be very heavy. plus flat plate steel tends to be slippery too
 

cruiser

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Sep 12, 2012
4,209
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northampton
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I would change the cover . it is just as cheap. and some might think that a large metal plate would look better with them.

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MuddyPuddle
Oct 29, 2013
206
185
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Coachbuilt
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1 year motorhomer after 21 years caravanning
A metal spreader plate will cost as much as a new manhole cover and will need to be 300 -400mm wider and longer than the manhole its covering so using 6mm plate would be very heavy. plus flat plate steel tends to be slippery too
Thanks Big1 - V grateful for your replies....will go with the suggested replacement 5t manhole frame and cover... Just have to find a man who can fit it now for a reasonable price :)
 

TheBig1

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Nov 27, 2011
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Thanks Big1 - V grateful for your replies....will go with the suggested replacement 5t manhole frame and cover... Just have to find a man who can fit it now for a reasonable price :)
If your near Bournemouth I might know a reliable man who could do it for you

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chrisgreen

Funster
Jul 26, 2009
5,980
12,332
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c class
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since 2004
my job involves changing manhole covers in the road and domestic property's for thames water.if the covers are damaged and your manhole serves another property as well as your own,thames water will replace the cover free of charge.or any other water authority will do the same.
 
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MuddyPuddle
Oct 29, 2013
206
185
Dorset
Funster No
28,801
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
1 year motorhomer after 21 years caravanning
my job involves changing manhole covers in the road and domestic property's for thames water.if the covers are damaged and your manhole serves another property as well as your own,thames water will replace the cover free of charge.or any other water authority will do the same.
Thanks but the cover isn't damaged and only serves our house :-(

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Apr 13, 2012
5,504
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20,541
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Mobilvetta Euroyacht
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Broken Link Removed
Clark-Drain 5 Ton Steel Manhole Cover & Frame 450x600
Product Code: 240730

  • Depth: 30 mm
  • Width: 450 mm
  • Length: 600 mm
  • Material: Galvanised Steel
  • Brand Name: Clark-Drain
Standard solid top galvanised steel access cover complete with Polypropylene frame.

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22 Reviews
Wickes £18.29

The only problem with these covers is that they rust from below. I have had one on my drive for over 10 years


(y)
 

BwB

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Apr 3, 2011
917
1,171
Suffolk UK
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Resting b'twix vans
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Since 1990
my job involves changing manhole covers in the road and domestic property's for thames water.if the covers are damaged and your manhole serves another property as well as your own,thames water will replace the cover free of charge.or any other water authority will do the same.
Thank you for that tip, Chris. You might have just saved me a job I've been putting off :)

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sdc77

Free Member
Jan 28, 2013
3,244
4,550
Weardale, Co Durham
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24,456
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
since 2011
Put our vans front wheel down a manhole cover on the drive a couple of years ago.. It was a small round cover.. But was cheap garbage and just shattered. Luckily no damage to the van or tyre.
 

GWAYGWAY

Free Member
Sep 6, 2014
4,213
3,305
Dover
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Hymer ML I 580
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Should that not be a personhole cover?



:cooler:
No it is definitely MANHOLE as most women wouldn't go near it with your bargepole let alone theirs.

The proper material for a cover is DUCTILE IRON,, Elkington Gatic etc. but they are a bit pricey though.

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Minxy

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 22, 2007
32,489
66,025
E Yorks
Funster No
149
MH
Carthago Compactline
Exp
Since 1996, had Elddis/Swift/Rapido/Rimor/Chausson MHs. Autocruise/Globecar PVCs/Compactline i-138
been out today,and fitted 9 domestic manholes.
we often knock on the door and if a nice lady answers the door we say,"me and my mate have come to look at your manhole":LOL:,sometimes it raises a smile(y)
... and the rest of the time?????
 

rapido convert

Free Member
Feb 26, 2015
57
109
knutsford cheshire
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A class rapido 996m
Exp
since 07
Were in sitges in spain at the moment, i bet that there are alot of man holes being smashed ,broken and caving in at the moment as its gay pride week :)
Obviously because there is an awful lot of motorhomes about lol
Andy.
 
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MuddyPuddle
Oct 29, 2013
206
185
Dorset
Funster No
28,801
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
1 year motorhomer after 21 years caravanning
Broken Link Removed
Clark-Drain 5 Ton Steel Manhole Cover & Frame 450x600
Product Code: 240730

  • Depth: 30 mm
  • Width: 450 mm
  • Length: 600 mm
  • Material: Galvanised Steel
  • Brand Name: Clark-Drain
Standard solid top galvanised steel access cover complete with Polypropylene frame.

rating.gif


openRatingsHistogram.gif

22 Reviews
Wickes £18.29

The only problem with these covers is that they rust from below. I have had one on my drive for over 10 years


(y)
Thanks BarclayBasher :)
 
Jul 24, 2009
4,324
103,231
South Yorkshire
Funster No
7,631
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
Since 1999
My son drove his Vivaro over the manhole on his drive and it collapsed. Called me just as I was leaving to visit the meet at Misterton so I chucked the trolley jack on the bike and did a detour.
Jacked the van up, board underneath and drove off. Unfortunately some bits dropped down into the manhole and as son is too large to go down it was left to me. Just as I get in the bottom somebody in the house decides to use the toilet and flushes it.

A word of warning, when I tried to buy a replacement I discovered that his was a "bastard" imperial size and non of the new ones would fit. A new frame was also required.

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TheBig1

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 27, 2011
17,509
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Dorset
Funster No
19,048
MH
A class
Exp
many many years! since I was a kid
My son drove his Vivaro over the manhole on his drive and it collapsed. Called me just as I was leaving to visit the meet at Misterton so I chucked the trolley jack on the bike and did a detour.
Jacked the van up, board underneath and drove off. Unfortunately some bits dropped down into the manhole and as son is too large to go down it was left to me. Just as I get in the bottom somebody in the house decides to use the toilet and flushes it.

A word of warning, when I tried to buy a replacement I discovered that his was a "bastard" imperial size and non of the new ones would fit. A new frame was also required.
as they say $#it happens....especially when youre down an inspection chamber
 

GeebeeJaybee

Free Member
May 28, 2015
293
349
St Helens
Funster No
36,586
MH
A Class - Adria Vision
Exp
newbie
As a woman who is very familiar with manholes, any manhole located on your drive or garden will only be rated for cars to pass over.

As previously stated you will need to replace with a heavy duty cover but beware as even with the same size cover the grate it sits in may be unsuitable as well, both in strength and due to some frames and covers being "notched" to fit.

It is safer to change both. The frame should be bedded on a lean mix concrete.

Even with a heavy duty cover don't park up with a wheel on the cover as they are designed for loads passing over not being on them permanently.

Jen &Glyn
(Building inspector & civil engineer respectively)

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BwB

LIFE MEMBER
Apr 3, 2011
917
1,171
Suffolk UK
Funster No
15,893
MH
Resting b'twix vans
Exp
Since 1990
my job involves changing manhole covers in the road and domestic property's for thames water.if the covers are damaged and your manhole serves another property as well as your own,thames water will replace the cover free of charge.or any other water authority will do the same.
Phoned anglia water yesterday, asked about the manky cover and they said it was theirs so would come today and have a looksee. He's just been, painted a big X on it and booked us in for a new one expected to be done in a couple of weeks.

So thank you Chris! Saved me a job :)
 

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