Using Levelling Ramps on Your Own

[DBK]

A recent post on a thread about hydraulic jacks mentioned they would be useful for someone on their own. This is because of the risk of driving over the top of a ramp which might make it tip up and cause damage under the wheel arch.

My Thule ramps have a lip at the top but without Mrs DBK'S guidance I suspect I could drive over them.

A MH parked next to me at the moment could be demonstrating a possible solution.

Two ramps, without lips, back to back. I can't work out the make but they look like Milenco Triples.

Another option is to use inflatable pads. They are not cheap but are a lot cheaper then hydraulic levellers or full air suspension. I've seen these being used a few times.




Alternatives might include a mirror on a stick or training your dog to bark when the wheel reaches the top of the ramp.

Of course there is a "not bothering to level" school of thought but sinks and showers not draining can be an annoyance and if we are heavily nose down the sliding door on our PVC can be a struggle to open - but on the plus side it does close itself very easily.

Any other options Funsters can suggest for solo levellers?

 

[Lenny HB]

I've done it a few times on my own without a problem but I've also driven right over the top of them with the boss watching.

 

[Masman]

I do it all the time.Door open and I can see front wheel. make sure door won't hit anything. Drive up to top then if too high just drop down ramp a bit

 

[TheAleMan]

I do it all the time.Door open and I can see front wheel. make sure door won't hit anything. Drive up to top then if too high just drop down ramp a bit

That's exactly how I do it. Doddle.

 

[catspyjamas]

I find levelling a right pain especially as I don't have a door on the driver's side. One of those annoyances of travelling on my own. The other is unlocking and going through gates which looks a breeze for couples.

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[DBK]

I do it all the time.Door open and I can see front wheel. make sure door won't hit anything. Drive up to top then if too high just drop down ramp a bit

That's exactly how I do it. Doddle.

OK if you are using two ramps but we've only got one down at the moment and it's under the passenger side front wheel.

 

[Janine]

I don’t have a banksman either but have been driving up my little orange wedges for so many years, I sort of know when to stop.

I used to have the Milenco stepped ones and did find them easy to use but too big to store in my teeny weeny van.

 

[Lenny HB]

I do it all the time.Door open and I can see front wheel. make sure door won't hit anything. Drive up to top then if too high just drop down ramp a bit

That's exactly how I do it. Doddle.

Don't buy a Comformatic then, it selects neutral if the driver's door is open.

 

[Masman]

OK if you are using two ramps but we've only got one down at the moment and it's under the passenger side front wheel.

Quite easy really.put ramp under nearside wheel. Then put the other one the other way round on the off side as you drive up it will act as a marker

 

[Landy Andy]

If on drivers side only you can see it, if on passenger only side only, put the other ramp on the back, so if you go too far, you would just go down the other ramp.

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[TheAleMan]

Don't buy a Comformatic then, it selects neutral if the driver's door is open.

Head out of the window then in that case. Many modern cars have that built in too.

 

[ShaKen]

A recent post on a thread about hydraulic jacks mentioned they would be useful for someone on their own. This is because of the risk of driving over the top of a ramp which might make it tip up and cause damage under the wheel arch.

My Thule ramps have a lip at the top but without Mrs DBK'S guidance I suspect I could drive over them.

View attachment 310662

A MH parked next to me at the moment could be demonstrating a possible solution.

View attachment 310663

Two ramps, without lips, back to back. I can't work out the make but they look like Milenco Triples.

Another option is to use inflatable pads. They are not cheap but are a lot cheaper then hydraulic levellers or full air suspension. I've seen these being used a few times.




Alternatives might include a mirror on a stick or training your dog to bark when the wheel reaches the top of the ramp.

Of course there is a "not bothering to level" school of thought but sinks and showers not draining can be an annoyance and if we are heavily nose down the sliding door on our PVC can be a struggle to open - but on the plus side it does close itself very easily.

Any other options Funsters can suggest for solo levellers?

I like the look of them (the inflatable levellers).

I’m guessing in the video they are using 2 on top of each other?

 

[bigtwin]

I like the look of them (the inflatable levellers).

Can’t imagine that they aid stability though?

Ian

 

[DBK]

I like the look of them (the inflatable levellers).

I’m guessing in the video they are using 2 on top of each other?

I'm not sure, they may be made a bit like bellows? In this very bad photo, if you zoom in on the front left wheel of the MH in the distance you might see it is using one but perhaps of a different make. A UK company makes one called Lock n Level but only for caravans I think, MHs too heavy I expect.

Can’t imagine that they aid stability though?

Ian

I suspect they could move sideways in a wind but we need someone to buy a pair and tell us.

 

[DBK]

If on drivers side only you can see it, if on passenger only side only, put the other ramp on the back, so if you go too far, you would just go down the other ramp.

Which is what the MH in my OP picture did and what got me thinking about this.

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[Mr B]

1. I’ve got milenco Quattro ramps. So drive up three bumps, easy ?
2. I’m never lucky enough to get away by myself, so MrsB is always on the side ???? looking out for me...... sometimes.

 

[GPW]

I'm detecting a gap between having to use ramps and the £3.5k + weight on a fully dancing hydraulic system.
Is there no half-way house - i.e. Lidl bottle jacks held on upsidedown with tyraps or just two stable bottle type jacks that one can slide under the low side and play about with for a few minutes that hook into the jacking points?

 

[Glandwr]

I shall never forget the verbal abuse I saw a female partner get when her OH drove over the top of one of the big ones in Donesta and damaged his wheel arch. He was a Brit. I am ashamed I didn't intervene when I look back. It was disgusting the poor woman's life must have been hell, it was his poor clutch control! Sorry for hijacking thread.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

I'm beginning to wonder if it's easier to pitch a tent than park a MH

 

[DBK]

I'm beginning to wonder if it's easier to pitch a tent than park a MH

You can indeed just stop and park. Reading the ground and using any available humps and bumps is an essential skill and if we can avoid using ramps we will. We can sleep either way round in our van so if we are nose up or down then we just adjust accordingly.

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[GWAYGWAY]

I just push a button on the controller and it goes up, if too steep for the automatics I do it manually,, Cost a bomb but sometimes it is worth it.

 

[hilldweller]

A recent post on a thread about hydraulic jacks mentioned they would be useful for someone on their own.

A man of your talents should be able to source a loud self powered buzzer off ebay and equip it with the simplest of switches made from kitchen foil to sound as you hit the top.

 

[mikebeaches]

Don't buy a Comformatic then, it selects neutral if the driver's door is open.

Are you sure that's right?

I've got a comfortmatic and reverse up our drive at home and frequently open the driver's door on our pvc while maneuvering?

And I sometimes open the driver's door to go up the ramps.

Before I got the auto box 3 years ago, wondered how the comfortmatic (and driver ) would manage up the ramps. In the event, piece of cake!

 

[mikebeaches]

Just as an aside, talking of ramps - remember being on an Aire in the middle of France, near Macon, once and put one of the back wheels a single step up a ramp.

Come morning, completely forgot and just drove off. Three miles down the road suddenly remembered...

Turned round and shot back - thankfully one lonely ramp still there!!

 

[Lenny HB]

Are you sure that's right?

I've got a comfortmatic and reverse up our drive at home and frequently open the driver's door on our pvc while maneuvering?

And I sometimes open the driver's door to go up the ramps.

Before I got the auto box 3 years ago, wondered how the comfortmatic (and driver ) would manage up the ramps. In the event, piece of cake!

I take you have an x250 doesn't do on those but it does on an X 290.
We had a 2014 X250 didn't do it on that but it does on our 2017 X290

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[Minxy]

I take you have an x250 doesn't do on those but it does on an X 290.
We had a 2014 X250 didn't do it on that but it does on our 2017 X290

Looking at his avatar photo I think he's got an X290.

 

[Fletton]

I use level ramps ( I always level the moho ) I have two sets Fiamma? for small lift and Millenco for high lift.

I have done it solo for over two years without issue.

If raising the front - it’s just a case of leaning out of the window ( A class - no driver door ) and watching .

If rear or passenger side - I use a marker ( usually my rubber mat ) set against my LPG filler ( which is below my window - the black thing in the pics ) and drive from one end of mat to other...

Before ......

After ?

 

[mikebeaches]

I take you have an x250 doesn't do on those but it does on an X 290.
We had a 2014 X250 didn't do it on that but it does on our 2017 X290

No, we've got a 2016 x290.

 

[cornish boy]

I take you have an x250 doesn't do on those but it does on an X 290.
We had a 2014 X250 didn't do it on that but it does on our 2017 X290

No, we've got a 2016 x290.

Same as mikebeaches, I too have driven our 2016 x290 onto ramps with the drivers door open

 

[42208]

Drive solo so have no choice, however, never given it a second thought until your post, hope it doesn't make me nervous now I know its a problem!

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