How high is it safe to have self levellers up

[Gina M]

I ask because recently on a CL the van next to us had his levellers so high at the front of his van it looked like it was on stilts. We parked up and I was not happy as we would have had to do the same so we moved to another pitch. What do others think, was I overthinking and worrying about nothing

 

[David and Sally]

We used to have our jacks up so that the wheels were off the ground quite often depending on the slope. Never a problem.

 

[Steve N Tracy]

Just spent the new year on top of hill in Cornwall with the front wheels 4 inches off the ground, the rams are bolted to the chassis same as the suspension so not worried.

 

[AdrianChen]

We tend to pop a few boards under the rams if its a long way up, but if its a short stay don't bother. Much prefer a flat pitch though, unless it means no view etc etc (wife has full and extensive list of pitch requirements)

 

[Gina M]

I am sure I read somewhere that you had to keep the wheels of the van on the ground when using self levellers.

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[Hettie's Crew]

I am sure I read somewhere that you had to keep the wheels of the van on the ground when using self levellers.

I’ve never heard or read that anywhere, I suspect it may someone’s opinion regarding jacks.
We sometimes have the front up several inches and it can look like we are high at the front but are perfectly level. It’s only when you look at the van from a distance, taking in the slope of the land and how neighbouring vans are positioned that you see we are level, not front high, though we do often see others remarking on the front wheels being off the ground. Yet no one comments on the vans with front wheels on the top of the Quattro plastic ramps.
We sometimes turn the van around, if possible as the front is generally lower than the rear so requires more levelling.

 

[Mikey RV]

I have never had my wheels hanging in the air but have seen a few that do. To me it’s just not right because in my head I am thinking that it’s putting pressure on the driveshafts just hanging there for days. Different if it’s in a garage for a few minutes to have work done. It might all be ok but not for me.

 

[CutThroatJake]

This is the highest we have ever been at a site in Cromer…

All because of the selfish woman on the pitch next to us but that’s another story

 

[Gina M]

I wish I had taken a photo of the van I saw they were much higher than that !!

 

[Kups]

Our auto levelling setting can sometimes raise the wheels high. If it looks too high or if the hab step is too high, I manually lower the legs whilst keeping level. there's usually a few inches tolerance.

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[Hettie's Crew]

I can’t see any problem with how high the front maybe up, though I did question one Funsters van I saw at a show that had all four wheels off the ground with the E&P jacks at full extent for the whole four nights on relatively flat ground. Ours was levelled the wheels in contact.

 

[Guigsy]

When they wheels are on the ground, they are still providing a bit of resistance to shear forces. Your suspension is also anchored at several points, whereas the jack is pretty much all one point. I suspect jacking until your wheels are in the air is fine or the system wouldn't let you do it, but there are going to be more loads.

 

[Carpmart]

So, my take on it is this…

I’d rather be level than not. If that means one end is off the ground, so be it!

If it’s an awkward situation for the auto level and or I’m on a pitch for an extended stay, then I make sure all the air is out of the rear airbags before levelling and I manually level, not auto (level) so as to achieve the lowest possible height when level.

 

[Carpmart]

I have never had my wheels hanging in the air but have seen a few that do. To me it’s just not right because in my head I am thinking that it’s putting pressure on the driveshafts just hanging there for days. Different if it’s in a garage for a few minutes to have work done. It might all be ok but not for me.

I’m rear wheel drive, so it’s a live axle, hence no hanging driveshafts. Does that make it okay for me?

 

[funflair]

I have never had my wheels hanging in the air but have seen a few that do. To me it’s just not right because in my head I am thinking that it’s putting pressure on the driveshafts just hanging there for days. Different if it’s in a garage for a few minutes to have work done. It might all be ok but not for me.

The CV joint on the drive shaft will be designed to operate at the maximum angle the suspension droop allows so I wouldn't worry, we are rear wheel drive anyway and try to park with the front wheels up rather than the back as it's heavier on the rear.

EDIT I will also add that if it means the rams are near the end of their stroke I use blocks so that there is a bit more ram inside the cylinders.

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[AlunandFelicie]

Saw a German van at the Cambridge site ,full extension plus 10-12” of various wooden blocks ,he was facing out ,no view .l just drove in nose first ended up more or less level (nose down van)

 

[PaulW2]

I ask because recently on a CL the van next to us had his levellers so high at the front of his van it looked like it was on stilts. We parked up and I was not happy as we would have had to do the same so we moved to another pitch. What do others think, was I overthinking and worrying about nothing

Had my previous van on 'stilts' at times, sometimes for weeks on end. No problem as long as the ground underfoot is firm enough!

Tried to only raise the 1,900 kg front rather than the 3,700 twin wheel rear off the ground. Though when parked up at home the levellers significantly lightened to load on the rear tyres too. (I expect it was probably good for the tyres for the van to be kept this way.)

 

[Gina M]

Had my previous van on 'stilts' at times, sometimes for weeks on end. No problem as long as the ground underfoot is firm enough!

Tried to only raise the 1,900 kg front rather than the 3,700 twin wheel rear off the ground. Though when parked up at home the levellers significantly lightened to load on the rear tyres too. (I expect it was probably good for the tyres for the van to be kept this way.)

That's what we do when the van is on the drive at home.

 

[two]

If you have air suspension, the bags should deflate before extending the legs to give an even better range of lift. Much less chance of a wheel needing to leave the ground under normal circumstances. I'd never try to increase height by popping a brick underneath, though.
I used to lift my wheels off the ground at home (in a garage) to prevent 'square tyres' but I wouldn't do so on the drive for fear of the wheels disappearing...

 

[tonyidle]

My take on all of this is that if you're levelling on sloping (as opposed to uneven) ground with the braked wheels light or off the ground the the jack's have to resist the vans attempt to move down the slope. That will put more stress on the jack's than anything else.

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[Steve and Denise]

If you have air suspension, the bags should deflate before extending the legs to give an even better range of lift. Much less chance of a wheel needing to leave the ground under normal circumstances. I'd never try to increase height by popping a brick underneath, though.
I used to lift my wheels off the ground at home (in a garage) to prevent 'square tyres' but I wouldn't do so on the drive for fear of the wheels disappearing...

I never think that someone is going to nick my wheels as being an Iveco with two different stud patterns they would be a very small market

 

[two]

Agree ...
... I'd take the lot!

But some dim thief may not know until after they'd taken them (wheels).

 

[cyberyacht]

All these vans in the sit-up and beg position. Do you give them a biscuit?

 

[Folkranger]

It did the job but was never too happy like this on a slope down to the river.

 

[Offagaingr8]

On the limit, as Marvao aire in Portugal

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[Nanniemate]

Depends on how short your legs are . What's point of having a level van you can't get into without a ladder

 

[Revolvor]

When I had my VW camper, I had a jack that was originally used for levelling PortaCabins. Once on a site in Devon, overlooking the River Dart, with a very steep slope, I attached the jack centrally under the front bumper and lifted the front wheels about 18" off the ground to get it level. It felt surprisingly stable inside.

 

[Beltie]

I queried this with Mick at SAP, he said it was a perfectly normal situation and the rams and fixings are designed for it. I am inclined to respect his advice.
Having said that, I have very occasionally had three wheels off the ground, four is a total 'no - no' and I would never have both braked wheels off.

 

[Henry Walpole]

When ours was installed by Mick at SAP he said you should always have at least two wheels on the ground. So elevated front end off the ground is fine as long as rear wheels are on the ground.

 

[nicholsong]

Why do planning people not insist that the pitches are levelled before granting a licence? Simples!

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