Hi I have 2 questions regarding the stabiliser legs. On some sites, the ground isn't level, so I can't get the legs vertical. Not a problem as they lock in at different angles, but when I do this and it's at say 45 degrees, when I go to extend the leg by loosening the bolt, the leg simply slides along the ground because it's now at an angle. I was expecting the foot pad to hit the ground and stay there? What am I doing wrong??
2nd question - should I be raising the van off the wheels? I saw someone doing this. I just normally extend the legs down till they hit the ground.
1. Not sure what you mean. If they lock in at an angle then they cannot move. Might slide a wee bit but then do their job of stabilizing.
2. No - you'll bugger them. Why would you even want to lift it up that far unless maybe storing the van for ages? If that's the case then jack it up and put suitable devices in place to support the van's weight.
Hi I have 2 questions regarding the stabiliser legs. On some sites, the ground isn't level, so I can't get the legs vertical. Not a problem as they lock in at different angles, but when I do this and it's at say 45 degrees, when I go to extend the leg by loosening the bolt, the leg simply slides along the ground because it's now at an angle. I was expecting the foot pad to hit the ground and stay there? What am I doing wrong??
2nd question - should I be raising the van off the wheels? I saw someone doing this. I just normally extend the legs down till they hit the ground.
Thanks
Hi Zed, the legs are to stabilize only, they will take some weight but not serious weight.
The answer to your second question, is there is no answer, I find they slide until you give up. What I have done if I really need to get the leg down I will wind the jockey wheel down low so I can get the back ones straight up and down then wind the jockey wheel back up to level the caravan again. I seldom use the front legs as back legs seem to do the most work.
With our previous single axle caravan, I was fairly over it with the legs, it seemed the legs were to long and always going out at angle so I took them off, pull them to pieces, cut 40 mm off each one, never had a problem after that, sometimes I would put timber down to adjust but life was a lot easier from making them shorter. If you go this path, I did not work out how to stop them from unwinding and falling apart, I painted red marker so I would know how far not to go, in 3 years of travelling don't remember seeing the red mark.
My contribution may not be of much value, given that I have the older type that are on an angle & never vertical.
But .. when I first used them I tried to lift up a corner of the van. Bad move.
There is a little phosphor bronze shear pin in the knuckle that did its job & broke, protecting other parts of the assembly from damage.
Buggar of a job to replace the shear pin out in the bush but I managed with the assistance (tools & spare pin) from a great local mechanic .. on a sunday morning.
LESSON .. they are meant to stabilize NOT to act as a jack. (Stabilize = not wobble as you walk about in the van.)
If yours are slipping when on an angle why not just bash a tent peg or wedge in to hold them in place. But then I expect that they would slip if you continue to wind on too much pressure. Get them firm & then put in a peg & nip them up a little bit more.
My contribution may not be of much value, given that I have the older type that are on an angle & never vertical.
But .. when I first used them I tried to lift up a corner of the van. Bad move.
There is a little phosphor bronze shear pin in the knuckle that did its job & broke, protecting other parts of the assembly from damage.
Buggar of a job to replace the shear pin out in the bush but I managed with the assistance (tools & spare pin) from a great local mechanic .. on a sunday morning.
LESSON .. they are meant to stabilize NOT to act as a jack. (Stabilize = not wobble as you walk about in the van.)
If yours are slipping when on an angle why not just bash a tent peg or wedge in to hold them in place. But then I expect that they would slip if you continue to wind on too much pressure. Get them firm & then put in a peg & nip them up a little bit more.
Cupie, great post, I may use the peg idea myself. Good idea.
