Leaving van on chocks?

[Heebson]

Hi folks,
Just gave my AS Nuevo a long overdue clean at the weekend and by far the worst was the roof, where there had been a lot of standing water.

Whilst we cleaned it, we put it on the chocks on the passenger front & back wheels, so the crap drained away from the mounted awning.

This could be monumentally stupid, please be kind, but I did then wonder if we should perhaps leave it on the ramps, so the water drains whilst it sits on our drive during winter (we still intend to use the van once or twice a month).

We could also do both front wheels, to drain off the back. It’s a Luton at the front.

Thoughts?

Thnx,
Heeb

 

[Davecrawf]

Hi folks,
Just gave my AS Nuevo a long overdue clean at the weekend and by far the worst was the roof, where there had been a lot of standing water.

Whilst we cleaned it, we put it on the chocks on the passenger front & back wheels, so the crap drained away from the mounted awning.

This could be monumentally stupid, please be kind, but I did then wonder if we should perhaps leave it on the ramps, so the water drains whilst it sits on our drive during winter (we still intend to use the van once or twice a month).

We could also do both front wheels, to drain off the back. It’s a Luton at the front.

Thoughts?

Thnx,
Heeb

Hi folks,
Just gave my AS Nuevo a long overdue clean at the weekend and by far the worst was the roof, where there had been a lot of standing water.

Whilst we cleaned it, we put it on the chocks on the passenger front & back wheels, so the crap drained away from the mounted awning.

This could be monumentally stupid, please be kind, but I did then wonder if we should perhaps leave it on the ramps, so the water drains whilst it sits on our drive during winter (we still intend to use the van once or twice a month).

We could also do both front wheels, to drain off the back. It’s a Luton at the front.

Thoughts?

Thnx,
Heeb

I use Maguiars waterless cleaner. It's very good and saves all the usual hosepipe/water problems.

 

[Johnthebike50]

Hi folks,
Just gave my AS Nuevo a long overdue clean at the weekend and by far the worst was the roof, where there had been a lot of standing water.

Whilst we cleaned it, we put it on the chocks on the passenger front & back wheels, so the crap drained away from the mounted awning.

This could be monumentally stupid, please be kind, but I did then wonder if we should perhaps leave it on the ramps, so the water drains whilst it sits on our drive during winter (we still intend to use the van once or twice a month).

We could also do both front wheels, to drain off the back. It’s a Luton at the front.

Thoughts?

Thnx,
Heeb

I put our Pilote on chocks on the passenger side for the same reason, it keeps any rainwater well drained of, if not when it starts to run off it seems to flow on and around the side windows,
our last one used to puddle on the roof quite badly, if it rained I just had to remember to shut the cab window before driving off to prevent a cool shower!

 

[grasscutter]

A few years ago on a previous van that was fitted with mid range commercial tyres it failed an mot because the rears had distorted after being stored on stepped ramps.

 

[Landy Andy]

Store mine on long planks, rather than ramps, so no different to being parked on the ground. Wan‘t water off the roof as the roof raises at the front causing a puddle. I also drop the rear air assist.

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[Lenny HB]

I have a ducato chausson, it is normaly slightly nose down but was amazed to discover that when I leveled it at campsites, the roof was also level, rolling down off the ramps one morning, a torrent of water came from the roof, surely that cannot be good for the van to have a pool of water on its roof for long periods.

Thats normal on most vans we level with the air suspension so the van is dead level if its rained always get a cascade of the roof when reset to driving position.

Reverse it on
Bill

Not a good idea on modern vans as reverse gear is higher than first & clutch no like it.

A few years ago on a previous van that was fitted with mid range commercial tyres it failed an mot because the rears had distorted after being stored on stepped ramps.

For more than a few days best to make some ramps from timber so they have a nice flat surface & wide enough to support the tyre properly.

 

[ChrisAndEmma]

Another vote for wood sleeper blocks set up to let water run off the back. I use a brick to raise one end of the block to stop the block sitting in water.
Ours is an old Ducato chassis and I’ve realised that water getting into the engine compartment has been a cause of unseen rust. I think I’ve got the bonnet seal and scuttle drain sorted out now but I’m thinking of making a cab cover to be sure. For the roof run off water, I need to make a wall vent cover for the rear oven - when it’s raining and windy, the run off gets blown through the vent.
Also second the comments about standing damage to the tyres - I think regular drives are best but I’m considering axle stands and wheels off for long layups.

 

[Tasng4]

Hi folks,
Just gave my AS Nuevo a long overdue clean at the weekend and by far the worst was the roof, where there had been a lot of standing water.

Whilst we cleaned it, we put it on the chocks on the passenger front & back wheels, so the crap drained away from the mounted awning.

This could be monumentally stupid, please be kind, but I did then wonder if we should perhaps leave it on the ramps, so the water drains whilst it sits on our drive during winter (we still intend to use the van once or twice a month).

We could also do both front wheels, to drain off the back. It’s a Luton at the front.

Thoughts?

Thnx,
Heeb

We just bought a new Burstner and the salesman told us to do just that when we picked it up.

 

[Wildbill]

Thats normal on most vans we level with the air suspension so the van is dead level if its rained always get a cascade of the roof when reset to driving position.

Not a good idea on modern vans as reverse gear is higher than first & clutch no like it.

For more than a few days best to make some ramps from timber so they have a nice flat surface & wide enough to support the tyre properly.

Reverse gear has always been a stronger gear in my humble opinion if you can't reverse time to hand licence in
Bill

 

[Lenny HB]

Reverse gear has always been a stronger gear in my humble opinion if you can't reverse time to hand licence in
Bill

Problem is with the 6 speed boxes reverse is higher than first and Motorhomes are nearly always fully loaded to the max, so it puts a lot more strain on the clutch trying to feather it up a ramp.

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[Platelet]

If you are chocking from side to side, if it is left for long periods there is the possibility of tyre wall damage on the lowest set.

 

[Monty777]

Regarding chocking up or not, i dont know what is best. But our camper had new tyres in 2019 but due to health the previous owners hardly used it in the last two years they had it, all was fine until we had done about 800km then started to get a vibration that soon got so bad I wouldn't do more that 50km/h when i took it to the garage, it turned out to be all the tyres had distorted.

They were a cheap brand but i was told that tyres harden up when not used for long periods, when you use them again the rubber gets softer again, but if a tyre has been left in one position for a long time this dosent happen evenly hence the distortion.

I have heard of several options including blocking up and increasing the tyre pressure whilst it is standing, but i guess the best solution is to regularly take it for a drive.

I drive our Hymer at least once every week which should stop the tyres from deteriorating-but always get a load of water cascading off the roof as I move it-it seems to pool around the main raising roof window-if it’s not one thing it’s another………

 

[CazPaul]

Just spend a couple of grand on your garage

View attachment 683845

Yes agree, now ours is in the garage it’s in neutral with handbrake off.

 

[Tony50]

Let it drane off the back as long as you get on with your nabors
As previously mentioned pooled water frezes and can cause seem damage best to keep it as dry as you can.
Bill

My neighbour doesn't know I've ordered a Motorhome ,she didn't like the small fence I put up to give us and her privacy instead of putting up 3 cheap panels and posts for about £200 I put some panels with curved trellis at the top 1 panel 5 foot high 2 others 4 foot high nearly £500 . So watch this space !

 

[Wildbill]

My neighbour doesn't know I've ordered a Motorhome ,she didn't like the small fence I put up to give us and her privacy instead of putting up 3 cheap panels and posts for about £200 I put some panels with curved trellis at the top 1 panel 5 foot high 2 others 4 foot high nearly £500 . So watch this space !

Can you not reverse it in so hab door is on your side
Bill

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[Tony50]

Can you not reverse it in so hab door is on your side
Bill

I will do thanks, when I get it !! To be honest I live and let live unless something is really out of order ,
but, as we have only lived here about 18 months , change is difficult for some

 

[roadwarrior]

Regarding chocking up or not, i dont know what is best. But our camper had new tyres in 2019 but due to health the previous owners hardly used it in the last two years they had it, all was fine until we had done about 800km then started to get a vibration that soon got so bad I wouldn't do more that 50km/h when i took it to the garage, it turned out to be all the tyres had distorted.

They were a cheap brand but i was told that tyres harden up when not used for long periods, when you use them again the rubber gets softer again, but if a tyre has been left in one position for a long time this dosent happen evenly hence the distortion.

I have heard of several options including blocking up and increasing the tyre pressure whilst it is standing, but i guess the best solution is to regularly take it for a drive.

tyres go oval if not used = a flat spot develops where it makes contact - a couple of thousand miles usually fixes it

 

[Wildbill]

tyres go oval if not used = a flat spot develops where it makes contact - a couple of thousand miles usually fixes it

I just blow them up to test pressure every now and then.
But my van is used all year round so don't really have a flat spot problem.
My van sat for two years during coved no flat spots or problem's
Bill

 

[Richard n Ann]

Our van has always sat for 6 months a year on it's tyres in the garage, I don't run the engine either usually.
Over 8 years old now, original Continental tyres with 40 odd thousand miles on them... Original engine too

There's about 3mm still on the front tyres, I'm not wasting that rubber, we paid for that

 

[Tony50]

A few years ago I purchased 4 tyre savers, they were difficult to drive on and difficult to drive off, sold them

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[Widge]

tyres go oval if not used = a flat spot develops where it makes contact - a couple of thousand miles usually fixes it

In my case it was fine for the first 800km then the vibration got realy bad over the next 100km to the point it was frightning to drive over about 60kph, have you ever driven on a corrugated dirt road? Well it wasn't quite as bad but close. These were budget tyres, maybe a good make wouldn’t have had the problem.

 

[roadwarrior]

In my case it was fine for the first 800km then the vibration got realy bad over the next 100km to the point it was frightning to drive over about 60kph, have you ever driven on a corrugated dirt road? Well it wasn't quite as bad but close. These were budget tyres, maybe a good make wouldn’t have had the problem.

possibly, thing is , tyres will last many years as we use them so little, and so in my personal opinion you should just buy the best - 600 quid over say 7 years is bugger all and you dont feel as if your driving a cement mixer. Tyres for a motorhome really is one of those things where you reap what you sow and cutting this particular corner is unwise - i always buy continental vanco camper personally.

 

[Widge]

I have now put a set of kleber Transpro 40 which were recomended as a good all season tyre, the garagist that recomended them also has had campers for many years and uses them so hopefully they will be fine.

Athough for various reasons, sadly we will probably be selling in the spring, my wifes health is not brilliant and although we had a good three weeks travelling in spain in October she did find it very difficult, we will try a couple of shorter trips during the winter to but ultimately I think it is on the cards.

 

[roadwarrior]

I have now put a set of kleber Transpro 40 which were recomended as a good all season tyre, the garagist that recomended them also has had campers for many years and uses them so hopefully they will be fine.

Athough for various reasons, sadly we will probably be selling in the spring, my wifes health is not brilliant and although we had a good three weeks travelling in spain in October she did find it very difficult, we will try a couple of shorter trips during the winter to but ultimately I think it is on the cards.

I know what you mean, i think many of us are wondering if the end is in sight, poor old buggers we are..

 

[Magwich]

I bought some of these, the ramp part detaches. I have the water running off the back. These also help when I want to work underneath the van safely and they make the van higher. There are different ones depending on the weight of the van.

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Amazon product ASIN B07MBXRSXV

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[gwyntaxi]

Hi folks,
Just gave my AS Nuevo a long overdue clean at the weekend and by far the worst was the roof, where there had been a lot of standing water.

Whilst we cleaned it, we put it on the chocks on the passenger front & back wheels, so the crap drained away from the mounted awning.

This could be monumentally stupid, please be kind, but I did then wonder if we should perhaps leave it on the ramps, so the water drains whilst it sits on our drive during winter (we still intend to use the van once or twice a month).

We could also do both front wheels, to drain off the back. It’s a Luton at the front.

Thoughts?

Thnx,
Heeb

Personally I always keep the front a little higher than the rear when not in use helps to prevent rainwater pooling on the roof around roof lights etc, causing water ingress, and the rear is easier to wash the water run marks off than the Luton.....just sayin....

 

[gwyntaxi]

I find the same, massive amount of water pools on the roof when the van is level. In fact, if there is enough it will start to drip down the winding handle mechanism on the main roof light. I think the O ring has perrished
Parked up at home it's slightly nose down and never had a problem

I had exactly the same problem last March in Benidorm it dripped down thru the same handle raised the front...sorted...... I don’t think the O ring is perished the outside shaft tube is only protruding approximately 1/4” in. above the roof level but is inside the dome but when van is nice and level the rainwater pools around that big rooflight and it soon builds up to a depth.......just my experience....

 

[Figaro]

I've not looked to see how far my shaft tube protudes.
That'll be my mission for a dry day.
I probably have the same problem.
I wonder if it can be extended ?

 

[Tony50]

As a post said some time ago safest way to protect tyres from miss shaping if not using vehicle for some time is to jack it up and put on stands ,if you know what you are doing you can also have front higher than rear or vica versa, but I'll reiterate you need to know what you are doing, also fit tyre covers on to protect deterioration, I do particularly when in hot weather

 

[Hymerboy]

If I jack the van up with the hydraulics so that the wheels are off the ground does that damage the suspension?

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[Tony50]

If I jack the van up with the hydraulics so that the wheels are off the ground does that damage the suspension?

Can't answer that question, I have always put stands under suspension as if vehicle suspension is still on ground, only difference then is as wheels off ground no weight on tyres