getting your van level on site

peejay · Campsite DB Admin

When we arrive at our destination we have a small side-to-side, end-to-end spirit level screwed inside the glove box. Its then just a case of lining up the bubbles for a perfectly 'true' motorhome. I cant think of any easier way to do it, but would luv to hear about the way you 'level up' on site, or dont you bother? cyclops_ani

pete

twooks · Last edited by twooks on Tue Mar 09, 2004 10:59 pm; edited 1 time in total

when we first started we had an Aclass and used to mess on getting it level, an advantage of a smaller van is that gradients are not so marked.
I like to be level across the van but can live with head to tail discrepancies. - easier to sleep that way.
previous van allowed for transverse and lengthway sleeping, so it was a doddle!.
Most ingenious levelling device I've seen was two blocks made up of lots of thin slats of wood - allowed for infinite variations.
but since we only generally stay anywhere for one night at a time . . . .
not a problem. Laughing

we also have the spirit level you mention, but prefer it freestanding, I check for middle of van, kitchen worksurface [vast area that it is Wink

] and if its looking really bad - check the beds. Rolling Eyes

Anonymous

I have 2 circular bubbles, one mounted by the fridge. The fridge in the camper is the camping type chest fridge which has to be within 3º of level forward & aft. The bubble is accurate enough for this & we use it when we are stopping for overnight. I have another mounted on bluetack on the dashboard not as accurate but is somewhere close.
Its just a case I had these lying around, I also have a digital & mechanical clinometer but I decided that I would have to replace the blocks of wood I use under the wheels with feeler gauges Confused

EOR

Getting the van level can be so easy, it just needs a little preparation.

First of all, in a lot of diy places you can buy a tiny two way spirit level (I found its better than the fish eye job) where on a small plastic base, usually red! There is two spirit levels about 40mm long, they are mounted 90 degrees to one another in a ‘T’ shape. So it can show tilt side to side and up and down front to back. Cost, about £1.99

On my drivers door there is a removable plastic cap where widow switches are sometimes fitted, take it out and put it to one side. Shape a bit of timber to fit exposed hole with a flat area on the top the same size (or as near as) as your new two way level. Pre drill the block to hole the level, remove and paint it black (or a desirable colour of your choice).

This is the bit that takes the time. Using a full size spirit level, spend some time getting the inside of the back of your van level. Use your levelling blocks, jack or what ever. Remember this operation only has to be done once.

Now mix up a very small quantity of car body filler (perhaps a good teaspoon full). Sit in the drivers seat with the door closed. Carefully place your gob of filler on top of your block of wood. Carefully place your spirit level on top and loosely fit the screws, but don’t tighten. Now carefully settle the spirit level down on to the gob of filler so the bubbles are precisely in the middle of their respective tubes. Tidy up any excess filler, allow to fully harden and then carefully screw in the screws to lightly retain the spirit level in place. Touch up with paint over the exposed filler. Job done.

Now you’ll be able to see how level the van is without leaving the drivers seat. With practice you’ll know exactly where to put your block to drive the van on to them. I tend to go up too high, then slowly back to the desired position. It makes life so easy and quick.

Obviously you may not be able to fix your spirit level to the door handle like me, but I’m sure you’ll find somewhere handy to the drivers seat.

I took the photo below some time ago, but was going to take another before putting it on my website, so you’ll have to excuse the quality. I’ll replace it in due course.

[img:bc728591c1]http://www.motorhomefacts.com/albums/Post ingPhotos-1/aspirit.gif[/img:bc728591c1]

__________________________ __________________________
[b:bc728591c1]Steve
aka A very wild....wild camper[/b:bc728591c1]
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[URL=http://tinyurl.co.uk/lpak]Click here for my van website![/URL]
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[img:bc728591c1]http://www.motorhomefacts.com/alb ums/PostingPhotos-1/VanThumbnail01.gif[/img:bc728591c1]

[i:bc728591c1]I do like a bit of feed back to my posts please[/i:bc728591c1]
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chuggalugs

We use simplisity itself - a plastic pint glass filled to a ridge about half way up with water placed on the work surface, Debs in the back watching and me positioning.

I know there are 'easier' ways but it gets us involved and adds to the fun!!

The water then goes into the kettle for the first cuppa Razz

A

bsb2000

We use the same 'T' leveller as Steve with two spirit levels, we level on site using the traditional 'She shouts I drive' method, but when I get a minute I'll look at mounting it in the cab.

Ian

twooks

[quote:dce54a6863="apasher"]We use simplisity itself - a plastic pint glass filled to a ridge about half way up with water placed on the work surface, Debs in the back watching and me positioning.

I know there are 'easier' ways but it gets us involved and adds to the fun!!

The water then goes into the kettle for the first cuppa Razz

A[/quote:dce54a6863]

we did think about doing that only our choices were bacardi and coke or red wine, Laughing

but . . . . . I think it's probably illegal - Rolling Eyes

and didn't do much for levelling the van Confused

chuggalugs · Last edited by chuggalugs on Wed Mar 10, 2004 5:12 pm; edited 1 time in total

Any Van is level using that system Twooks Wink

A

autostratus · Moderator

We like to be level side to side, not too worried about along the length as we sleep on the 2 six foot berths that way and can always swap ends.

I just hate to fall out of bed when I [b:cc1f75c9d3]haven't[/b:cc1f75c9d3] had a G&T. Smile