Don't reverse on to levelers (1 Viewer)

[JJ]

i am always surprised when i read of people that wont use ramps to level off a bit when needed. fact is, if youre out of level the fridge wont work properly. its not like a fridge at home

Sorry to reveal the pedant that lies within me but whilst what you say is true for absorption fridges, motorhome compressor fridges ARE like the one you have at home and do not need the van to be absolutely level to work perfectly well.

That is probably why most rufty tufty, off site, fulltimers that I know have compressor fridges and don't have levellers.

JJ :Cool:

 

[juwlz]

I tend to take the opposite view - I always want the levellers at the front if possible, otherwise the steadies won't reach the ground without extra packing (block of wood or similar) underneath them.

Also, in the unlikely event of handbrake failure, I'd rather not have the ramps contributing to the speed at which the MH rolls downhill. By driving downhill and forwards onto them, "downhill" is between the ramps and the natural slope, so it shouldn't go anywhere.

 

[Hamish the highland hymer]

Whilst away on continent (Just avoiding Switzerland Brian) I noticed several people reversing on to their levellers. I also seemed to remember a thread about the benefits of reversing on to levellers, though can't remember what the benefits were?

But having given it some thought I considered there may be an advantage if the ground were a little wet coming off the leveller forwards would give better momentum and perhaps reduce the possibilities of being stuck on wet slidy grass or in the mud.
So I reversed onto the levellers................................

The mh went back perfectly over shot the leveller firing it forward and upwards under the front bumper and as the mh lost height it fell on the leveller jamming it and causing it to act as a lever to prise the front bumper from the side fairing.
With the leveller now suitabley jammed into the soft grass and under the bumper we had to drive on to the other leveller to gain height in order to remove the previous leveller.

Lesson learned = Don't reverse on to levellers

There is a plus side to this. John who was in the mh next to mine knew a guy at Falkirk who could repair the bumper for me! Paid the said man a visit and he says no problem at all. He will manage the repair and repaint the bumper for me, when we get back from Lincoln; a job I was wanting done anyway. So my unfortunate incident will turn out OK (This time):thumb::thumb:

Norman

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[Hamish the highland hymer]

Whos the guy in falkirk i live in cumbernauld and need my bumper painted

 

[Spriddler]

Whos the guy in falkirk i live in cumbernauld and need my bumper painted

@normanandsue
Hmm. If they are still around. This thread is more than 5 years old!

 

[Lenny HB]

Just had to give it a funny.

Reverse is a lower gear so less clutch required buttttt can have its draw backs

Afraid you are wrong 1st is the lowest gear, On nearly all modern vehicles reverse is higher than 1st.

If you value your clutch on a Ducato, never, ever reverse onto leveling ramps.

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[Reallyretired]

Have to echo @JJ. Ramps not permitted most places including French aires, something for sites only.
You have to be a long way off level before it effects the fridge main problem I find is the kitchen sink won't drain if nose down.

 

[Tinker2]

I always reverse onto mine, have the door open so I can see exactly where I am, clutch control.

 

[Fletton]

Plain and simple - operator error

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[pappajohn]

Also, in the unlikely event of handbrake failure, I'd rather not have the ramps contributing to the speed at which the MH rolls downhill. By driving downhill and forwards onto them, "downhill" is between the ramps and the natural slope, so it shouldn't go anywhere.

That's what 1st or reverse gears for.
NEVER rely on a handbrake alone, put it in gear as well. Handbrake cables can and do break.
Applies to all gradients, uphill or downhill, not just levellers.

 

[PeteH]

i am always surprised when i read of people that wont use ramps to level off a bit when needed. fact is, if youre out of level the fridge wont work properly. its not like a fridge at home

You have to actually be quite a long way out of level to affect the working of the fridge. Before the advent of AC Power as opposed to the then D-C sets then in use in Merchant ships MOST refrigerators in the accommodation where "Absorption" type, and where good for a fair bit of inclination before they stopped working. When they did, it usually involved turning a very large unit in all 4 positions to encourage the gasses to return to the absorber.

 

[Lenny HB]

@normanandsue
Hmm. If they are still around. This thread is more than 5 years old!

Oh boy, I've just spent a fortune at Specsavers, better go and ask for my money back.

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[thebriars]

We have a pair of the large Milenco Ramps and I frequently reverse onto them, I have on occasion used the old Fiama yellow ones on the back side of the Milencos if we need to get near the top and risk going over the top. With an Auto box it is not quite as easy to creep up as using a manual box.

Yes it is, right foot on the accelerator, left foot on the brake.

 

[Lenny HB]

Yes it is, right foot on the accelerator, left foot on the brake.

Can't do that engine will cut out if brake & accelerator operated at the same time.

 

[Barclaybasher]

If I cant find a level spot I find one that's near enough.....love to see the MHs behaving like tuggers

Park up, sleep, move on....

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[Spriddler]

Oh boy, I've just spent a fortune at Specsavers, better go and ask for my money back.

Funny you should mention that. Last week I got my first pair of bifocals. First time I went for a pee I looked down and saw a big one and a little one. Well I knew the big one wasn't mine so I put it away.

 

[thebriars]

Can't do that engine will cut out if brake & accelerator operated at the same time.

Doesn't on my Ford motorhome or on my Mitsubishi car.

 

[Lenny HB]

Doesn't on my Ford motorhome or on my Mitsubishi car.

Does on a Ducato Comformatic. I assume the have traditional auto boxes.

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[Hamish the highland hymer]

@normanandsue
Hmm. If they are still around. This thread is more than 5 years old!

Doh i didnt notice sorry

 

[Mrsambulancekidd]

By reversing on the front -

Why would you do that! If your using them on the front, drive on.

 

[Spriddler]

Doh i didnt notice sorry

No sorry necessary - I posted my reply mainly to be able to include a 'flag' for your enquiry like this: @normanandsue to bring it to their attention. (They get a notification of the mention if they are still Funsters). Hope you get it sorted.

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[2657]

If I cant find a level spot I find one that's near enough.....love to see the MHs behaving like tuggers

Park up, sleep, move on....

I need my very narrow bed to be slightly inclined to the wall side so that i do not roll out, do not get a good sleep otherwise.......fussy or what

Of course this means that my good lady wife's bed is slightly inclined the other way........fortunately she does not roll out and thus we are both happy

 

[thebriars]

Does on a Ducato Comformatic. I assume the have traditional auto boxes.

The joys of torque converter gearboxes. One reason I went for the Ford chassis.

 

[Lenny HB]

The joys of torque converter gearboxes. One reason I went for the Ford chassis.

I thought it was so you could have a new van every time it got nicked.

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[pandas]

I have always worked on basis of driving into the ramp so we’re anything to fail (brakes) you would hold your position not throw you downhill.

 

[thebriars]

I thought it was so you could have a new van every time it got nicked.

Somehow I don't think mine is all that easy to nick!

 

[autorouter]

If the front end is low, placing the ramp behind the wheel makes the slope steeper. In front of the wheel makes it less steep. So always drive forwards onto them.

If the back end is low, placing the ramp in front of the wheel makes the slope steeper. Behind the wheel makes it less steep. So always reverse onto them.

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[Northernraider]

Just like Spain then. You can park but do not camp!

Not always the case , I'm never camped only parked. But if plod doesn't want you there he will tell you to move .....and there's no point arguing with him.

 

[Northernraider]

I'd love to know why people pay to park on unlevel spots ...

All my parking spots are free ....and mostly level.

My fridge works great, I dint fall out of bed , my sink and my shower drains perfectly.

I think I've used one ramp on maybe 3 occasions now

Ahhhh freedom.

 

[tonyidle]

Can't do that engine will cut out if brake & accelerator operated at the same time.

Use handbrake? I've always done it to avoid left/right foot coordination issues .

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