Alternative levelling

[GeorgeandAnne]

Does there exist an alternative to levelling blocks? I’m about to go away with my 10 year old, and I’m fairly sure we won’t be able to level the van together. I’d love it if there were a machine that could just jack up the van for me at the press of a button.

PS. Having just discovered that “levelling (up)” is the buzzword of the day, should I Trade Mark “alternative levelling”, do you think? Feels like it has just the right nonsensical ring to pass into a political manifesto.


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[Ch1pbutty]

Air suspension will do it…at a cost!

https://solarsolutionsltd.co.uk/product/vb-fullair-4c-vw-t6-1-california/

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Does there exist an alternative to levelling blocks? I’m about to go away with my 10 year old, and I’m fairly sure we won’t be able to level the van together. I’d love it if there were a machine that could just jack up the van for me at the press of a button.

PS. Having just discovered that “levelling (up)” is the buzzword of the day, should I Trade Mark “alternative levelling”, do you think? Feels like it has just the right nonsensical ring to pass into a political manifesto.


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Got to say that it sound to me like a perfect challenge for a 10 year old. Even if the first go takes a long time. An almost perfect science ‘practical’: at that age I liked spirit levels but never got to use one in the field.

 

[Corradobrit]

flat-jack camper

Reifen-Luftkissen flat-jack camper bis Reifenbreit e 255mm

www.gausmann-camping.de

More expensive

Emuk Air Lift Ausgleichskissen

Emuk Air Lift Ausgleichskissen in Wagenheber & Stützen

www.fritz-berger.de

And for the budget conscious I saw a plastic 1.5L bottle used to similar effect.

 

[WelshGas]

Does there exist an alternative to levelling blocks? I’m about to go away with my 10 year old, and I’m fairly sure we won’t be able to level the van together. I’d love it if there were a machine that could just jack up the van for me at the press of a button.

PS. Having just discovered that “levelling (up)” is the buzzword of the day, should I Trade Mark “alternative levelling”, do you think? Feels like it has just the right nonsensical ring to pass into a political manifesto.


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How level do you need the vehicle?
Unlike long wheelbase motor homes which do need to be level for the gas powered fridge or shower to function properly the short wheelbase California can function very well, as long as the head end of your bed is level or slightly head up everything will work. After 8+ years and hundreds of nights I've only used my levelling ramps once on a sandy pitch in a pine forest next to a beach in Italy, and on that occasion only one ramp.

 

[dspuk]

After a puncture at an inopportune moment caused by over levelling the van on blocks we have given up. Since then the van can be 2 degrees either way and we don't notice. We found getting it exactly level became a game, which was in the end pointless. Easiest way to check (if you do not have the 6.1 screen) is put your iPhone on a cup and place on the floor (to remove camera bumps). Open the "measure" app and choose level. Tells you your front and back measurements. If waaaaay out, just shuffle the van a little.

TLDR? Don't sweat it is the advice.

 

[RoB5urf]

We never bought any ramps and after 6+ years of Cali ownership, I doubt we ever will. As WG said, we just orientate the van so that when we sleep our feet aren't higher than our heads. I suppose it could be an issue if you cook inside the van and have slippery pans!

 

[BeeBee]

Phone app for ‘spirit level’ or purchase a wee one from club shop. If you really desire ramps ( some don’t and just orientate the van ) place middle of rear passenger floor and ‘get a feel’ for the requirements, ie one ramp or two, back or front, will it be up one level or two.Some manoeuvres are trickier than others and yes would probably need a second person to assist eg back and front on one side.
All that considered if you’re on a site, no probs getting a willing neighbour to assist. If however you’re wild camping and it’s down to the bairn, I’ld just reorientate the van.
I would like to think that with a bit more practice I could manage it on my own but as yet always been two of us.

 

[Stu@rt]

In such a small space, everything in our van has to "earn" its place. I've looked at these in stores and was shocked at how huge some of them are. I bet there are plenty of folk who have ordered some online and been shocked when the courier drops them at the house.
So never bothered with them and never regretted it. You see guys get the ramps out for the smallest of inclines and I have just never found it an issue. Each to their own, but we have managed without.

 

[Sad]

Phone app for ‘spirit level’ or purchase a wee one from club shop. If you really desire ramps ( some don’t and just orientate the van ) place middle of rear passenger floor and ‘get a feel’ for the requirements

6.1 has a level in the control unit

I have often used ramps, often not needed to, but have never needed anyone else to help do it...

 

[dspuk]

6.1 has a level in the control unit

I have often used ramps, often not needed to, but have never needed anyone else to help do it...

OP has a 6.

 

[Sad]

OP has a 6.

Confused myself reading @Viktorgeorge post

 

[Steve1]

Does there exist an alternative to levelling blocks? I’m about to go away with my 10 year old, and I’m fairly sure we won’t be able to level the van together. I’d love it if there were a machine that could just jack up the van for me at the press of a button.

PS. Having just discovered that “levelling (up)” is the buzzword of the day, should I Trade Mark “alternative levelling”, do you think? Feels like it has just the right nonsensical ring to pass into a political manifesto.


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Not an alternative as such but we swapped our old ramps for the Milenco Triple Level Ramps which have sort of wheel shape dips in them. I can feel each stage as I go up so can manage on my own. The only bit you can't really do on your own usually, is check your not about to fall off the end. But with the bumps you can count how far up you are if you are careful.
As far as the to level or not to level debate goes. We cook and wash up in our van so I almost always level it other wise the pans fall off the cooker and the sink won't drain properly. So it's dependant on what you want to do with it.

 

[flying banana]

Not an alternative as such but we swapped our old ramps for the Milenco Triple Level Ramps which have sort of wheel shape dips in them. I can feel each stage as I go up so can manage on my own. The only bit you can't really do on your own usually, is check your not about to fall off the end. But with the bumps you can count how far up you are if you are careful.
As far as the to level or not to level debate goes. We cook and wash up in our van so I almost always level it other wise the pans fall off the cooker and the sink won't drain properly. So it's dependant on what you want to do with it.

I agree. Unless level pans and ridgemonkey slide off the stove. Some people don't cook in the van though. In case it smells for an hour.

 

[Brian S]

I use a few strips of t&g floorboards for the odd time leveling is required.
They also were very useful in Italy this year as as stepping stones to avoid stepping into mud.

 

[andyinluton]

I use a few strips of t&g floorboards for the odd time leveling is required.
They also were very useful in Italy this year as as stepping stones to avoid stepping into mud.

Do you take them with you or just lift some from the shower block?

 

[Brian S]

Do you take them with you or just lift some from the shower block?

I've never seem a shower block with a wooden floor.

 

[Brian S]

"seen" I did however use them a few times as a floor in a shower tent while showering on gravelly ground.

 

[GrannyJen]

Levelling blocks, ramps, etc take up an enormous amount of available space in what is already a "space-challenged" environment. I bought a pair of ramps with my very first cali but sold them to someone on this forum after about a year as an "unused and unwanted" accessory.. Better to just shuffle the van around in different directions to find the "most level" position.

Not possible though on some club sites as someone will be telling you to move "straighter to the peg".or take your door off and move it to the other side

 

[Wesel]

You touch a very sensitive point, between the irreducible of "not necessary at all", and those "really essential".
For my part, and I don't care what others do, I use Fiamma blocks very often.
They don't take up much space, since I made an ad hoc box in the wasted space, on the left under the rear seat. It takes me 2 minutes to set them up, alone, even if it's easier with two people. I like campsites on slopes, poorly developed and above all less frequented.

 

[Corradobrit]

You touch a very sensitive point, between the irreducible of "not necessary at all", and those "really essential".
For my part, and I don't care what others do, I use Fiamma blocks very often.
They don't take up much space, since I made an ad hoc box in the wasted space, on the left under the rear seat. It takes me 2 minutes to set them up, alone, even if it's easier with two people. I like campsites on slopes, poorly developed and above all less frequented.

Exactly, I don't want the angle of my view to be dictated by the slope of the terrain. My ramps also slot neatly in the space for the tiny drawer. I used them 3x on a recent 2 week trip to France and could set them up without issue alone by counting the flat positions of which there are 4 on my Fiamma's.

 

[sidepod]

If you can’t find space for a couple of levelling blocks in the boot then you’re packing too much stuff. FACT.

 

[chockswahay]

6.1 has a level in the control unit

I have often used ramps, often not needed to, but have never needed anyone else to help do it...

I can’t say I have found it particularly accurate, a glass of water placed on the sink top works better…… or the iPhone

 

[Corradobrit]

If you can’t find space for a couple of levelling blocks in the boot then you’re packing too much stuff. FACT.

Space weenies can also pack the hollowed out centers making choc's a guilt free option.

 

[BeeBee]

If you can’t find space for a couple of levelling blocks in the boot then you’re packing too much stuff. FACT.

Two of us plus dog and dogs stuff ( food , rain coats, dry coats, towels, brushes, toys, treats and leads n collars and dog specific first aid kit ) takes up more space than our gear. But still plenty room for ramps … fits in nicely in boot alongside rear seat and still leaves whole under shelf boot space free. And we have an awning to pack too …. How many pairs of shoes and glitzy evening gear do you lot take … lol