I bought an expensive Milenco 3 tier ramp, which I found didn't work very well, the van was always trying to move down the ramp even after I had put on the handbrake. The plastic ramp finally broke and I threw it away. I then decided to make my own ramp using a length of decking board. I cut it in to 3 different lengths, screwed and glued it together after chamferring the lead edge of each piece so the tyre would go up smoothly. I put a stop on the top tier to prevent the tyre "dropping off the cliff" Using my trusty level as you described, I place the ramp in front of the wheel that needs to be raised and pull the van forward on to which ever of the three levels is correct. This is now even simpler since I have had a motor mover fitted, as I can stand by the wheel and watch it myself using the remote control after the van has been unhitched from the car. The advantage of this method is that once the wheel is on the relevant piece of the ramp, its actually sitting on a level surface, so there is no chance of it moving forwards or backwards, unlike a sloping ramp. Total cost? £5 for the decking board, plus a few screws and some wood glue from my garage. I've used it for 3 years now, and never had a problem getting the van level. Its also useful (once the van is level) to find a place outside the van where your level works, without having to put it inside the van. I found placing the level on top of the central front window is accurate and placing it just inside the open door for the front to back measurement is accurate on my van. Hope this helps somebody?
Hi David, I made the very same decking board levers with 3 levels on our first van. Mine wasn’t as posh as yours with chamfered edges and a stop on the top one! I now have plastic ramps, which I must add are a pain. once the van is level I have to chock the wheels then it doesn’t move, due to the fact I never put the handbrake on when on site. The last time I used said plastic ramps there was a crack noise as I moved it on. Your method points out several advantages, one being the the wheel is sat on a flat surface. I only changed them to save weight as the decking ramps felt heavy, I will be making some more decking ramps up over summer though! I may even video the job. Thanks for comments and feedback, Martin 🙂
I'm glad I'm not the only one who has made their own ramp Martin! I agree its not as light as the plastic one and its quite long as well. As there is just myself and my wife, we fold the back seats of our Qashqai +2 down and put the ramp in the car along with our sunchairs, aquaroll and waste containers whilst travelling. The awning & poles go in the van over the axle. Works well. Thanks for some excellent videos, very enjoyable!
Hi ya good video useful tips for new caravaners out there u would be surprised how many new caravaners just starting up don't think about leveling up all the best .kev
Great video thanks. Walkie talkies are a fab idea. I guess levelling the van is one of those tasks that is ugly at the start and is honed to near perfection the more you do it.
Get yourself a pitch perfect £40 all problems solved! No radios, no running backwards and forwards in the rain to check the level. The level can be left where it should be - on a building site!
I bought an expensive Milenco 3 tier ramp, which I found didn't work very well, the van was always trying to move down the ramp even after I had put on the handbrake. The plastic ramp finally broke and I threw it away. I then decided to make my own ramp using a length of decking board. I cut it in to 3 different lengths, screwed and glued it together after chamferring the lead edge of each piece so the tyre would go up smoothly. I put a stop on the top tier to prevent the tyre "dropping off the cliff" Using my trusty level as you described, I place the ramp in front of the wheel that needs to be raised and pull the van forward on to which ever of the three levels is correct. This is now even simpler since I have had a motor mover fitted, as I can stand by the wheel and watch it myself using the remote control after the van has been unhitched from the car. The advantage of this method is that once the wheel is on the relevant piece of the ramp, its actually sitting on a level surface, so there is no chance of it moving forwards or backwards, unlike a sloping ramp. Total cost? £5 for the decking board, plus a few screws and some wood glue from my garage. I've used it for 3 years now, and never had a problem getting the van level. Its also useful (once the van is level) to find a place outside the van where your level works, without having to put it inside the van. I found placing the level on top of the central front window is accurate and placing it just inside the open door for the front to back measurement is accurate on my van. Hope this helps somebody?
Hi David, I made the very same decking board levers with 3 levels on our first van. Mine wasn’t as posh as yours with chamfered edges and a stop on the top one! I now have plastic ramps, which I must add are a pain. once the van is level I have to chock the wheels then it doesn’t move, due to the fact I never put the handbrake on when on site. The last time I used said plastic ramps there was a crack noise as I moved it on. Your method points out several advantages, one being the the wheel is sat on a flat surface. I only changed them to save weight as the decking ramps felt heavy, I will be making some more decking ramps up over summer though! I may even video the job. Thanks for comments and feedback, Martin 🙂
I'm glad I'm not the only one who has made their own ramp Martin! I agree its not as light as the plastic one and its quite long as well. As there is just myself and my wife, we fold the back seats of our Qashqai +2 down and put the ramp in the car along with our sunchairs, aquaroll and waste containers whilst travelling. The awning & poles go in the van over the axle. Works well. Thanks for some excellent videos, very enjoyable!
We always take too much with us, I’m slowly reducing stuff! Thanks for the support, Martin 😊
Straight forward no hassle and no drama brilliant !
Cheers 👍
Hi ya good video useful tips for new caravaners out there u would be surprised how many new caravaners just starting up don't think about leveling up all the best .kev
Thanks for the explanation. I'm new to caravaning and you answered my question just perfect. Thanks a lot 😁
Glad the vlog helped, Happy caravanning 🙂
Thanks mate, off to Silverdale soon
Great site, enjoy 👍😊
Great video thanks. Walkie talkies are a fab idea. I guess levelling the van is one of those tasks that is ugly at the start and is honed to near perfection the more you do it.
They were ok when both children came with us but rarely get used now. Levelling gets easier. cheers
Get yourself a pitch perfect £40 all problems solved! No radios, no running backwards and forwards in the rain to check the level. The level can be left where it should be - on a building site!
Cheers, will have a look at that 👍
Thanks very much for taking the time to show & explain, very helpful 👍
Come on England 👍