Leveling ramps. How often should I use them?

[Stealaway]

This last few weeks we have been In France we have noticed almost everybody uses their ramps every time they stop.
Even when they have only stoping for an hour or two or just for a drink .
I can almost understand it when are staying a day or two or overnight.
Plus
Very few campsites or Aires over here are never much less than flat - ever. But they just can't help trying to get them even flatter .

In ten years I have only felt the need to be bit flatter about six time's

What am I doing wrong?

 

[JJ]

Hobbyists love to use the toys they buy...

JJ

 

[chatteris]

have only used a single ramp twice in 3 years, as long as its fairly level thats good enough

 

[BillyKontiki]

Each to there own.

 

[poppycamper]

A lot of folk are more prone to the effects of unlevelness than others.
Me as long as my wine does not topple over I happy.
Saying that i get lots of entertainment watching folk on ramps, off ramps, on ramps etc to get their van spirit level level.
In addition fridges don't need to be as level as some think to continue working satisfactorily.

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[BikerGraham]

Did 4 weeks in France recently and the ramps came out twice.

Generally as long as the fridge works then it’s ok

 

[Phill D]

if we are on a slope that rolls me out of bed or the shower does not drain then the ramps come out. otherwise they stay in the locker.

 

[Spriddler]

I don't like the sensation of sleeping with my feet higher than my head, even if only slightly out of level. Fortunately because my bed is lengthways I can choose which end to have my head.

 

[Guigsy]

Our van has quite a strong nose down rake. If we're on an open campsite and stopping for a few days, we'll park where we like to get nice views or the best angle for and canopy and use ramps to level.

We just spent 2 weeks in Europe, mostly on Aires. So we picked spots with a slight slope and pointed the van uphill.

We're finding we're not as sensitive to lean as we thought.

 

[Carpmart]

Get hydraulics. Never use a ramp again!

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[SomeoneElse]

Can't remember when I last used the ramps, must be years. I ask myself why do I carry them around for
miles and miles. If its so bad a slope I'll move elsewhere, but can't remember the last time I did that.

 

[poppycamper]

Get hydraulics. Never use a ramp again!

Or use ramps and spend money saved on loads n loads of wine

 

[Carpmart]

Or use ramps and spend money saved on loads n loads of wine

And not worry about how level either you or the MH is!

 

[Guigsy]

Or use ramps and spend money saved on loads n loads of wine

And payload.

 

[Wildbill]

As long as the fridge works we don't bother we just try to find levilis ground as long as the beer stay coald were ok
Bill

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[PaulC70]

I don't like the sensation of sleeping with my feet higher than my head, even if only slightly out of level. Fortunately because my bed is lengthways I can choose which end to have my head.

Same, can't stand it head down dont mind if it's a little foot down though if too much it makes my hips and back sore. Also, cant have it too much down on driver side as it's the Mrs' side of the bed and she feels like she'll roll out.
I don't use the ramps too often though to be fair, but when I need them, I need them.

Get hydraulics. Never use a ramp again!

Or use ramps and spend money saved on loads n loads of wine

And payload.

This^^^^

 

[Vic]

Ramps used most nights. Now have hydraulic levellers, used most stops. One button = level van. Each to their own.

 

[Stealaway]

So most of you think just as I do - it's all just too much trouble.
But over here no matter what the ground is like they must get out the ramps -- if only for an inch or two! - weird .
There is a French van parked across from me now on the same flat Aire.
He has two ramps on the right hand two wheels and further one on the left hand rear.

 

[BikerGraham]

So most of you think just as I do - it's all just too much trouble.
But over here no matter what the ground is like they must get out the ramps -- if only for an inch or two! - weird .
There is a French van parked across from me now on the same flat Aire.
He has two ramps on the right hand two wheels and further one on the left hand rear.

Just think he’s sad

 

[Tonks]

I’ve used them twice in 9 years. Only carry them if I’m certain I’ll need them.

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[Imala615]

Very rarely use mine ,sometimes just turning the van round does the trick.

 

[Phill D]

i use mine more at home than any other time , our van has a nose down attitude and rain collects on the roof join between the overcab section and main body so i strick the front end up to make the water drain off when we are home for more than a week.

 

[Brains]

I guess we use ramps on about a third of the sites.
We have a smartphone app that tells us how level the van is.

Anything much over 1% is noticeable and causes minor issues like the sink/shower not draining properly, or items rolling off the table and kitchen counter.

It takes seconds to put them under a couple of wheels, so I don't see what the issue is.

 

[poppycamper]

Anything much over 1% is noticeable and causes minor issues like the sink/shower not draining properly, or items rolling off the table and kitchen counter.

But it is advantageous when frying your scrummy breakfast egg... it means you don't need much oil in pan and it will all pool at one side and give a nice puddle of hot oil to crack your egg into.

 

[Brains]

But it is advantageous when frying your scrummy breakfast egg... it means you don't need much oil in pan and it will all pool at one side and give a nice puddle of hot oil to crack your egg into.

I have a Cadac with a wobbly leg to deal with that problem!

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[Lenny HB]

Since having full air suspension we can get level over 90% of the time. Now we really notice if the van is not dead level very annoying if the fridge door closes itself or when you open a draw it doesn't stay where you put.
Occasionally when we can't get level will only use the ramps if stopping more than one night.

Wheel base makes a difference this van has a long 4.4m wheelbase so it's much more noticeable when not level.

 

[Badknee]

Ramps used most nights. Now have hydraulic levellers, used most stops. One button = level van. Each to their own.

And it stabilises the van too. Win win.

 

[Southdowners]

I hate not being level and so level up every time.

 

[Madmag]

So many times we just pull on to a pitch and never even consider the level. Only realised today we weren’t quite level when fridge door shut itself. Have to be staying a long time or it be very obvious for us to even consider the ramps. Must just be a “ park and kettle on “ attitude.

 

[Guigsy]

Wheel base makes a difference this van has a long 4.4m wheelbase so it's much more noticeable when not level.

Yes. When we had the 5.4m van, I could level a reasonable amount with just the semi air on the rear. If we ever used the ramps, we could find a level on even quite hilly spots. Stumpy wheel bases are easier to level.