Using Levelling Ramps on Your Own

[Lenny HB]

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

Is it a Euro 6?
I think it's only the Euro 6 Comformatics that do it.

 

[mikebeaches]

Is it a Euro 6?
I think it's only the Euro 6 Comformatics that do it.

That's a possibility, and I did wonder when you said yours was 2017.

Ours is a, so called, Euro 5+ (presumably just 'Euro 5' to everybody apart from the Fiat marketing department ), rather than Euro 6.

 

[Lenny HB]

That's a possibility, and I did wonder when you said yours was 2017.

Ours is a, so called, Euro 5+ (presumably just 'Euro 5' to everybody apart from the Fiat marketing department ), rather than Euro 6.

My last van was Euro 5+ that didn't do it.
1st time I came across it on this van I thought the gearbox had gone wrong it had only done 2 miles. ?

 

[Wellington]

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

You can’t level them, either!

I don’t understand why there isn’t some sort of manual built in levelling system. People do it all the time with caravans. Motorhomes must have existing jacking points, and jacks are not exactly new or expensive technology. I know it’s moatly couples, but it’s a royal pita to do in your own, especially if you don’t have the ‘feel’ of it from doing it many times before with guidance.

 

[JohnH]

I did see someone with a very slender pole with a small flag on top that was placed six inches from the front bumper. Stop when the flag moves.

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[cornish boy]

My last van was Euro 5+ that didn't do it.
1st time I came across it on this van I thought the gearbox had gone wrong it had only done 2 miles. ?

Euro 5+. so it sounds like you have hit the nail on the head with it being Euro 6 vans onwards.

 

[autorouter]

Why all the complicated methods? Simply put a camera above each wheel, and a four-way split screen. Simples

 

[GPW]

You can’t level them, either!

I don’t understand why there isn’t some sort of manual built in levelling system. People do it all the time with caravans. Motorhomes must have existing jacking points, and jacks are not exactly new or expensive technology. I know it’s moatly couples, but it’s a royal pita to do in your own, especially if you don’t have the ‘feel’ of it from doing it many times before with guidance.

I wonder if it's easy to weld up a couple of steel pipe sections to make an adapter: to allow a standard £15 lidl bottle jack (etc.) to slot safely into the jacking points.

Then one would just put a jack under the 1 or 2 lowest jacking points and securely pump them up a bit to make it all level. The rigid connection to earth would stop swaying in the wind etc. and if a jack were to fail and sink overnight it wouldn't ever matter.

One could then throw away the scissor jack so the weight added would be minimal. And put a reminder on the steering wheel..

 

[ABZSteve]

Euro 5+. so it sounds like you have hit the nail on the head with it being Euro 6 vans onwards.

Just this very minute checked mine. 2018 X290 Euro 6, reversed with the door open no problem.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

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.

This calls for a little 'out of the box thinking'. Everyone is using ramps to get the low wheel higher. Why not dig holes under the high wheels to make them lower ..... sorted

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[Kannon Fodda]

This calls for a little 'out of the box thinking'. Everyone is using ramps to get the low wheel higher. Why not dig holes under the high wheels to make them lower ..... sorted

You will be very popular on some campsites

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

You will be very popular on some campsites

I am, but don't tell anyone

 

[CazPaul]

A bit of practice and you will get used to it after the first couple of times, don't use a sledgehammer to crack a nut, does it really have to be perfectly level anyway? No.

 

[robnchris]

I am often parking up on my own, if I need to level the motorhome with a ramp under the near side wheels I just position the ramp, leaving the driving door open I mark a spot on the ground which is the same length as the ramp, I drive towards the marked spot but never past it and presto there you are.

 

[Viennese]

[QUOTE

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?
[/QUOTE]

Yes - do without them. I'm in that school. I don't want to find the room for them. I have been camper vanning for 11 years without using levellers and it's done me no harm. If there is a slight slope we opt for nose up so we are sleeping at the right angle. We avoid steep slopes and mountainsides.

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[lorger]

This calls for a little 'out of the box thinking'. Everyone is using ramps to get the low wheel higher. Why not dig holes under the high wheels to make them lower ..... sorted

To save you digging a hole just turn the ramps round and drive down them ??

 

[Lenny HB]

Just this very minute checked mine. 2018 X290 Euro 6, reversed with the door open no problem.

It's not supposed to, quote from the manual:-

Also if you start it in gear it should automatically select neutral.

I wondering when your chassis was built, you can check on the Fiat C of C.

 

[tonyidle]

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.

I can't breathe nose down .

 

[Minxy]

I can't breathe nose down .

... dig a hole in your pillow! ?

 

[Chris51]

I have a bubble level set on the dash and move until its within the 2 outer circles I am happy as the fridge will be OK.

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[ABZSteve]

It's not supposed to, quote from the manual:-

View attachment 311304
Also if you start it in gear it should automatically select neutral.

I wondering when your chassis was built, you can check on the Fiat C of C.

Don't think I will check Lenny; probably built in 2004 and sold as a 2017/2018 model

 

[TR5]

I know this is an old post, but why not work out the distance you travel to the top of the ramps, then use something to put chocks in front of the rear wheels at the right distance. Simple solution.

 

[DBK]

I know this is an old post, but why not work out the distance you travel to the top of the ramps, then use something to put chocks in front of the rear wheels at the right distance. Simple solution.

I confess I didn't at first understand what you were suggesting but I've got it now - and it's clever and might well work.

 

[Brains]

I know this is an old post, but why not work out the distance you travel to the top of the ramps, then use something to put chocks in front of the rear wheels at the right distance. Simple solution.

That is how I do it, I put down a twig or a bit of litter to mark how far I have to go, usually lined up with the open door.
You can easily be accurate to within an inch or two

 

[glenn2926]

I just either hang out of the window or open the door whilst driving up the ramps. This is for the front wheels. Back wheels can be fun.

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[Tea Bag]

it's under the passenger side front wheel.

Hi.
Move it to your side.................... .
Tea Bag

 

[Tea Bag]

.. dig a hole in your pillow! ?

Hi.
That's SO yesterday ..... Buy a " Bang good Hemorroid pillow ". This would kill two birds with one stone.................
Tea Bag

 

[Minxy]

Hi.
That's SO yesterday ..... Buy a " Bang good Hemorroid pillow ". This would kill two birds with one stone.................
Tea Bag

Well it was 2 years ago!