Chocks away !

[peds]

My first question, are chocks really necessary? My van , when it arrives, is auto so no need to worry about it moving when parked, but how often do you actually need to use them otherwise?

 

[Janine]

Chocks or levelling blocks?

 

[Lenny HB]

In Germany if over 3500 kg chocks are required if parked on a slope.

 

[Jim]

Chocks are good if you are leaving a van over a long period of time (say a month or more over winter), or any time you are on a serious slope.

It's not good practice to leave the handbrake on for extended periods. All other times I just rely on a handbrake and or leaving it in gear.

 

[peds]

Thanks, I guess my question is really more about leveling blocks, how often are you parked up on an area that is so inclined that you need them?

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[M-J]

Can’t remember the last time we didn’t use our levelling ramps.

 

[TheBig1]

be very aware that the auto box fitted to fiat ducato vans up to last year are NOT REAL AUTOMATIC they are robotised manual. Therefore the gearbox does not hold the van when parked

 

[Andacami]

I've yet to find out as this is all new to us and we've not been able to get away much of course, and when we did, it was on level hardstanding. However, I do understand it can be important to get the outfit level for comfort (sleeping mainly) and for some fridges to work effectively/efficiently/at all...

 

[Mikey RV]

If we are parked up for more than a couple of days it’s handbrake off and wheels choked. Years ago I parked my camper up after a long drive in the rain. It stood there for a month and then when I went to go the wheels had locked up where the rain and heat and drying out had all fused together. Had to put in gear Rev up and slip clutch. A big bang as they unlocked.

 

[Ridgeway]

Can’t remember the last time we didn’t use our levelling ramps.

Can't remember the last time we did use our levelling ramps.....

And there in lies the problem, it's a very personal thing. To some people it's very important to level their van and others aren't too bothered about it. The only technical caveat is that your fridge does need it to be reasonably level in order for it to operate, a few degrees here are there are fine though.

I would try your van and then see if you need them, alternatively buy a set and you've always got them for those sods of pitches that are on the p1ss...

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[John Barrett]

The last time I stripped a Borg Warner auto box- it was a really simple thing although a long time ago - the 'Park' mechanism was a tiny ratchet type pawl which I wouldn't trust on any slope! I doubt that things have changed much over the years.
Leave it in 'Park' at your peril say I!

 

[Wikky]

I find they are needed most of the time. We had Fiamma yellow ones but I found they were usually not adequate as they didn't provide much height increase. I picked up a brand new pair of Millenco quattros on ebay last year for £10. They are the db's.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

I have never used levelling blocks. Would struggle finding somewhere to carry them.

Few sites are absolutely flat, but I've not found it a hassle to be slightly out of level, assuming you are not on a proper incline (when fridges aren't going to be happy, and the occupants probably uncomfortable). But then I've been used to a large tent and unless you are into landscaping it's like it or lump it.

If you were truly wildcamping you shouldn't really be on chocks, both for the quicker getaway if you found it necessary, but also that your spot is supposed to be temporary so you shouldn't have all your camping stuff strewn around. Most sites, even CLs are going to have been setup on flattish sites. The real nuisance of not being absolutely level, and which is probably hard to get perfect even if you are using levellers would be drainage from the shower tray (some MHs have at a couple of outlets to assist with that), for which I have a small squeegee thing for a quick clear up, and more seriously when you try and fry an egg and it all ends up on one side of the pan.

 

[carolyn]

Our PVC is quite nose down which wouldn’t bother me a jot for sleeping and it doesn’t trouble the 3 way fridge but it’s a real bother in the shower. There’s only one plug hole and it’s completely the wrong end so we always use ramps to try and raise the van so that the blasted shower drains. We hadn’t used chocks until last year when we were loaned some by Derek Emmit at Pershore but we’ve got our own now. I’m not a fan of the Comformatic gearbox for this bit, even with the manual override .

 

[teddybear]

Don't mind not being level, but, for sleeping find it better to have head higher than feet

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[RobbyMClark]

peds ive got two sets in the shed, thinking of selling on as surplus.
Two diff heights if you interested
Happy to drop of in Merseyside or west lance if that's any good.

 

[busby]

Thanks, I guess my question is really more about leveling blocks, how often are you parked up on an area that is so inclined that you need them?

Most times with my van..Rear is higher than the front...BUSBY.

 

[M-J]

Most times with my van..Rear is higher than the front...BUSBY.

+1

 

[Nanniemate]

I find them wonderful to fill up much needed boot space........................... Used once on a sight guess where Kannon Fodda

 

[Kannon Fodda]

I find them wonderful to fill up much needed boot space........................... Used once on a sight guess where Kannon Fodda

You must have had a dodgy pitch. Was the cliff already subsiding

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[westhamman]

I use on regular basis, not that I'm worried about being slightly off level, but same here with regards to shower. I had not thought about chocks, hand brake for short stays etc but have just found new storage for van which is on a slope.

 

[Alfie159]

2 sets of Thule and absolute belters for the job but most sites are pretty level so appear to only use 1 set and became an expert at driving on and levelling like a boss! I’m a few degrees out but a slope makes me queasy for sleep weirdly

 

[slowcoach65]

There is a view that you should still use the handbrake on automatics and that you should apply the handbrake before selecting 'P'. This helps relive the constant pressure on the parking pin in the automatic transmission - or so have have gleamed from Google! It makes send plus 2 independent forms of braking have to be better than one - even better with chocks!

 

[Lenny HB]

be very aware that the auto box fitted to fiat ducato vans up to last year are NOT REAL AUTOMATIC they are robotised manual. Therefore the gearbox does not hold the van when parked

It's the same as a manual when left in gear more secure than the pawl that holds an auto in park. Also it shouts at you if you stop it in neutral, you are supposed to stop it in gear.

 

[carolyn]

There is a view that you should still use the handbrake on automatics and that you should apply the handbrake before selecting 'P'. This helps relive the constant pressure on the parking pin in the automatic transmission - or so have have gleamed from Google! It makes send plus 2 independent forms of braking have to be better than one - even better with chocks!

Oh good as it hadn’t occurred to me not to have my handbrake on! Our drive’s on a slope so I tend to always leave all our vehicles in gear with the handbrake on at home. The cars are all manual mind.

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[ctc]

In North America where automatics are the norm the "handbrake" is called the emergency brake and is used as such.

 

[dipsie]

We just park facing into the slope, we have levellers on board just in case, we have not used them on this van yet. We had Airide rear air suspension fitted with the pump and guages so the rear end can be adjusted up or down, also helps if on a sideways slope. Plus we had a second plug hole fitted to the forward end of the shower floor.

 

[nicholsong]

In Germany if over 3500 kg chocks are required if parked on a slope.

Was ist 'slope' auf Deutsch - %?