Reverse or drive on?

Ally

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Reverse or drive on?

· Posted: 21.09.2017 · #1

Do you reverse or drive on your ramps and why?

Chevy g20

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Re: Reverse or drive on?

· Posted: 21.09.2017 · #2

I sometimes reverse on when wildcamping in case I might have to drive off quickly if there is anti social behaviour outside. My van sits lower at the back. When parking on a short pitch I put the ramps against the kerb and this means I can go back to the kerb rather than being 2 feet forward if I drive up onto the ramp after I have gone as far back as possible and then up.

the fat controller

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Re: Reverse or drive on?

· Posted: 21.09.2017 · #3

Depends on the lie of the land

Davy

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Re: Reverse or drive on?

· Posted: 21.09.2017 · #4

Same as Chevy. If there is any possibility of having to move mid-night (also do a total stow before bed and don't use exterior screens).

BUT, I find that reversing onto ramps, and even on gentle slopes there can be quite a burning clutch smell. I prefer to drive onto if possible.

The manufacturers of ramps usually state that the ramps should be driven onto, although I have never read a reason why.

Davy

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Re: Reverse or drive on?

· Posted: 21.09.2017 · #5

Same as FC, all depends what way the slope lies....... either or.

Thorn123

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Re: Reverse or drive on?

· Posted: 21.09.2017 · #6

I do it both ways, depends on the site. The MH usually sit about 2 inches high on the back. All though recently if the MH is level from the front to the back but on a slight side slope, we gotten use to changing which end of the bed to place the pillows. There are always put on the top side of the slope now. It saves messing around with ramps especially if you are moving on the next morning.

Mark&Wendy

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Re: Reverse or drive on?

· Posted: 22.09.2017 · #7

If it includes the front drivers wheel I reverse on, as I can hang out the door and see when to stop.

mtoolan

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Reverse or drive on

· Posted: 22.09.2017 · #8

I usually reverse on as stated above for a quick escape.
But I find in some cases you get a little bit more height if you drive on!

sprinter

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Reverse or drive on?

· Posted: 22.09.2017 · #9

Mostly if I drive into a pitch , I drive on and if I reverse in ,then reverse on. Then as I have to let of the handbrake to turn the drivers seat, I chock the other wheels, also keeping in mind the length and as i have a Van I may need to open th rear doors.
If you are not confidant and are afraid of driving off the leveler you might try this .
I watched a guy do the following .
He was reversing on, lifting up the driver side . He placed the one leveler in position against the back of the front Tyre, then went to the opposite side wheel and used the second leveler as a guide and put a wheel chocks on the ground in position where his wheel would come against it before he went off the end of the leveler. ( He did both near side wheels ). then he put the second leveler behind the rear driver-side Tyre, when I spoke to him, he explained when he drove off the levelers and got them jammed up in the chassis, one evening in a field on his own , he spent hours jacking the motorhome up to remove them, so now, no matter which end, or side he is lifting , he always chocks the other wheels .

Micklad

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Re: Reverse or drive on?

· Posted: 22.09.2017 · #10

drive on if on a site or feel secure but always reverse on when wildcamping JIC.

Chevy g20

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Re: Reverse or drive on?

· Posted: 22.09.2017 · #11

Another benefit of reversing on to a ramp on a pitch is that on a grass pitch you can be back on gravel without spinning when it's time to go.

2424

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Re: Reverse or drive on?

· Posted: 22.09.2017 · #12

Drive on as the front mudflaps catch if reversing on.

Thorn123

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Re: Reverse or drive on?

· Posted: 22.09.2017 · #13

To put some revalance on this topic, what leveling ramps do people used? I have seen people use anything from 2 inch lift to 6 inch lift. Also how do people counteract the sinking effect when parking on grass?
Malcolm

Davy

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Re: Reverse or drive on?

· Posted: 23.09.2017 · #14

I use Milenco quatros (4steps) which have solid bottoms which go some way to stopping sinkage in grass. They are though, heavy, bulky and expensive. I got mine free with a magazine subscription which was a great bargain.

My van sits slightly low at the front, so I find it takes these to even things up. They have shaped wells at each step which purport to hold the wheel more evenly, but I am not convinced.

I also have plastic mats which are about a metre long with lugs on one side and chevron grips on the other. They were designed to go under the Fiamma type which are open on the underside to stop sinkage, but they can also be used simply for parking the driving wheels on to spread the load. They should give a vital couple of feet of driving in soft conditions to get the van started in muddy or slippy grass conditions.

Davy

2424

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Re: Reverse or drive on?

· Posted: 23.09.2017 · #15

I use Fiamma levelling ramps (grey) and never had a problem with height or sinking. A quick rinse under the tap each time keeps them clean.

Hymer Cork

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Re: Reverse or drive on?

· Posted: 23.09.2017 · #16

Revere on usually..But since I got the air suspension fitted earlier this year I can adjust either side separately and don't seem to use the ramps as much anymore.

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