Wheel chocks / levellers
Submitted: Saturday, Jan 17, 2015 at 02:06
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Munners5968
Hi guys, we (familiy of 4) are relativley new to caravanning only having done a few trips before with hired vans. Now we own a BT (2nd hand) and are excited to start travelling!. Whilst we have had millions of questions (and will for a while yet!) we often find the answer on the net after a bit of searching, without having to pose the question.
On this occasion I'm after what peopl e recommend we buy as the best way to chock the wheels / keep the van level? I see the Caravan parts suppliers have nice yellow ramps etc...are these worth buying? Not having had ANY experience with tandem axle indep suspension vans - anything I should know?
cheers
Reply By: NIK `N` OFF - Saturday, Jan 17, 2015 at 04:27
Saturday, Jan 17, 2015 at 04:27
We have got by with a long handle shovel, and two yellow ramps, I cut one ramp 100mm shorter to make it easier to fit between the wheels and get back out.
Shovel to dig a couple of holes for wheels to drop in ..(fill when leaving) . Or hard ground use the ramps.
Sometimes the ramps used under the tow vehicles back wheels is enough to raise the drawbar and get some angle for shower water draining. It all becomes simple after a while :-)
AnswerID:
588322
Reply By: The Hob - Saturday, Jan 17, 2015 at 05:50
Saturday, Jan 17, 2015 at 05:50
Just carry a few lumps of wood which I put under the wheels
Have large plastic chocks for when the van is unattached
Alan
AnswerID:
588323
Reply By: Theywent Thataway - Saturday, Jan 17, 2015 at 09:45
Saturday, Jan 17, 2015 at 09:45
As for chocks we use X-Chocks which fit between the wheels using a scissor type jack arrangement to press out on the tyres. Absolutely no movement of the van with these on. They also have provision for a padlock. If they are fitted tightly, even if the tyres were let down they would be hard to remove. Bought ours through AMAZON. For levelling we have a plank and a shovel - shovel for holes as above and the plank we store across the A-Frame and put rocks/logs under it to drive the van up. We also tried the yellow ramps (including cutting 1) and found them a pain to use and store.
Dave.
AnswerID:
588324
Follow Up By: Gone Bush - Saturday, Jan 17, 2015 at 10:04
Saturday, Jan 17, 2015 at 10:04
Dave, Bobrovin's got those as well. I've seen them in use, very effective.
But whenever I look at them on Amazon, they won't ship to Australia. How did you get them?
For the OP, Munners. I have the ramp style chocks which I only use for levelling. It's very rare that I can't find a level piece of ground but when I need to use them, I only use one under one wheel.. That seems to do the job. I have regular chocks to stop the van rolling away.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Bobrovin - Sunday, Jan 18, 2015 at 01:06
Sunday, Jan 18, 2015 at 01:06
Stephen
Try again with this link. I just ordered another set for a mate that should arrive next week.
chocks
You may need to be logged in.
FollowupID:
856351
Follow Up By: Gone Bush - Sunday, Jan 18, 2015 at 01:45
Sunday, Jan 18, 2015 at 01:45
Thanks Bob,
Just tried and I always get this message.
"This item does not ship to MANDURAH, Australia. Please check other sellers who may ship internationally."
Maybe I should sell up and move....
FollowupID:
856352
Follow Up By: Theywent Thataway - Sunday, Jan 18, 2015 at 17:42
Sunday, Jan 18, 2015 at 17:42
Try sending to someone you know in a capital city to on-forward them to you. Maybe they don't recognise Mandurah.
Dave
FollowupID:
856353
Reply By: Out4Fun - Saturday, Jan 17, 2015 at 11:38
Saturday, Jan 17, 2015 at 11:38
Hi
As for the x-chocks, I bought them off ebay in the USA. See item no 381107278953, they are Au$159 (US$126) delivered.
As levellers we are using the 2-part ones - black/red, like these ones on ebay: item no 301025507119 - they work ok with the dual axle set-up. We also got the matching transport bag which is very handy when you had to pack up after rain or when they were used on wet ground. The bag keeps the tunnel boot clean.
When we bought the levellers we also got the chocks in the pack. Once I get the x-chocks I don't think we will use them any more.
Ralph
AnswerID:
588325
Reply By: Toyman - Saturday, Jan 17, 2015 at 18:48
Saturday, Jan 17, 2015 at 18:48
The "X" Chocks are the way to go, simple and very effective.
Like Stephen, we only ever use one of the yellow chocks on the rear wheel.
Not sure why you would need two.
Cheers
John
AnswerID:
588326
Reply By: SMICK - Saturday, Jan 17, 2015 at 18:49
Saturday, Jan 17, 2015 at 18:49
We have a set of red and black ramps. The black part separates from the red part which allows you to put the red part between the 2 wheels, drive up, then if you need extra height, fit the black part back. Sorry dont know the brand name.
Michael
AnswerID:
588327
Reply By: MarkB - Sunday, Jan 18, 2015 at 07:37
Sunday, Jan 18, 2015 at 07:37
Hi
We bought a set of Anderson Wheel levellers.
http://youtu.be/b4JQV15VzBc
We are very happy with them and find them easy to use. Can also use the wedge part as a chock if the ground is level.
Good piece of gear!
Cheers
Mark
AnswerID:
588328
Follow Up By: Cargra - Sunday, Jan 18, 2015 at 17:33
Sunday, Jan 18, 2015 at 17:33
Agree, these are brilliant, forget about the yellow/red/black ones. Although the X wedges look great, we haven't felt the need for anything other than the usual chocks/rocks or whatever is handy. By the way I don't use the handbrake as have found the mechanism (actuator shaft in the backing plate) seizes on and you have to crawl under the van to release them. Have tried lubricating same but gave up after a few episodes.
cheers graham
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856354
Reply By: Motherhen & Rooster - Monday, Jan 19, 2015 at 23:58
Monday, Jan 19, 2015 at 23:58
Hi Munners
Unless the pots slide off the stove, or I am in danger of falling out of bed, level does not worry me. The previous owner have made a metal foldable triangular ramp which we have used, BUT with the Simplicity suspension you really need two as the second wheel just drops to take over.
In this photo we did not get level, and I was not game to come any further forward for fear of going too far and driving off the ramp. The jack at the front was at is maximum and this is usually enough to level the van, but is was a very sloping site.
Image Could Not Be Found
Once in Tasmania and here at Dunns Swamp in New South Wales are the only two times I can recall us needing the triangle.
Perhaps a bigger jack on the a-frame would give a greater lift. We do not have any corner stabilisers to worry about.
If the van needs something to stop it running down the mountain, there are usually some stones around the area.
Mick mentions shower draining, and front down like this photo means I have to make the shower drain up hill :O. It often happens for us and it is not a major problem.
| Motherhen
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AnswerID:
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Reply By: Munners5968 - Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 at 00:22
Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 at 00:22
Thanks everyone :) very helpful!
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Bushmann - Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 at 09:06
Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 at 09:06
Stephen,
I live in Mandurah and ordered a pair of the X-Chocks (cost AUD150.47 delivered) from Amazon on 13/11/2014, and when they hadn’t arrived by 23/12/2014, I informed Amazon accordingly. They emailed back the same day to advise a replacement pair had been priority shipped – they were received about 4 working days later. Impressive service from Amazon!
Cheers, Peter
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Gone Bush - Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 at 09:18
Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 at 09:18
Peter, did you have that message on the screen before ordering?
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Follow Up By: Bushmann - Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 at 09:34
Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 at 09:34
No, the Amazon screen I was on said that the item in question was able to be shipped to Mandurah. Having said that, I have tried to order other items from Amazon and received the same message as you.
FollowupID:
856356
Reply By: Bob Bushwacker - Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 at 17:22
Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 at 17:22
x Chock available here
www.gorving.com.au
Newcastle RVs
AnswerID:
588332
Follow Up By: Gone Bush - Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 at 20:41
Tuesday, Jan 20, 2015 at 20:41
Thanks for that info Bob.
It seems they are charging $120 for ONE chock.
X Chock
$240 a pair from a site in Australia, $150 a pair from Amazon.
I'm not sure if I want them that much. I'll work on getting them from the US.
FollowupID:
856357