Setting Up -Levelling

Your fridge in particular, and your own sleeping comfort requires that the A'van be almost level. Get yourself any of the levelling devices found in the A-Show & Tell section. If you can't find the items shown in your area just buy a STRING LINE level for under $5 from any hardware store. Just place it on the cupboard top to get a reading. It is best to get the sideways level correct first. You do this by driving around on the site until you find a fairly level bit. Next work out which wheel has to be raised. If the bubble is heading towards the sink you need to RAISE the door side wheel. Using a jack is not a good idea as vans tend to fall off jacks!
Next turn the level 90 degrees and use the jockey wheel to get the bubble in the middle. If the ground is soft you MUST place a piece of flat timber under the wheel to stop it sinking. There are many gadgets available to stop sinking. The plastic one pictured is dual purpose in that it also acts as a chock to stop rolling on hard surfaces. It's also a good spot to put water to stop ants climbing up the jockey wheel! We always hang the chains on a hook as described in the A-DIY section to also stop the ants.

The best way is to buy a pair of Fiamma levellers ($40) as mentioned in A-Show & Tell section. These are excellent quality and very strong without being too heavy. To keep the weight down we used to only carry one. Wrong!! Sometimes the ground is so uneven, particularly at the best spots near the water, that you need to place one on top of the other. Just place the small end at the front of the wheel. Get your partner to watch the level as you drive forward until the bubble is almost between the two lines. It is extremely good practice to open both front windows and have the radio off during all setting up manoeuvres.

It's a good move to carry two 4" pieces of 3X2 and to use these as chocks to stop the van rolling. If you are on a strict budget you can use a couple of pieces of timber as pictured. Try to keep hands and fingers well away from these when the vehicle is moving as they are definitely not as safe as the Fiamma ramps. Next put the A'van brake on as firmly as you can. If you are just staying overnight and your vehicle is not blocking any access road it saves a lot of time if you stay hitched. If you have to unhitch do it now. Using chocks to stop rolling back off the ramp is a good move.