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Old 04-28-2013, 06:07 AM   #1
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Leveling ramp

We should be receiving our 233S any day. We ordered it 8 weeks ago. Novice question: I've seen some people making a ramp using 2x8 screwed staggered together. Is that doable with a double axle trailer? One wheel would be at one level and the other wheel would be at a different level.
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Old 04-28-2013, 06:45 AM   #2
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Not sure what you mean. Are you talking about leveling the camper from side to side, or an aid for changing a tire?
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Old 04-28-2013, 06:46 AM   #3
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Levelling from side to side.
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Old 04-28-2013, 07:11 AM   #4
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Levelling from side to side.
Would not ramp one wheel and not the one right behind or in front of it.
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Old 04-28-2013, 07:56 AM   #5
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Having the tires at 2 different levels would be fine. I'd try to avoid having one tire hanging in the air with no support under it.

To answer a question you didn't ask- I generally use the Lynx levelers and make a ramp and then a flat top to drive up onto. I've slowly graduated to carrying 3 sets. A little expensive, but they pack down pretty small and I like that they lock together like Legos.
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Old 04-28-2013, 08:39 AM   #6
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If its the side to side leveling you are trying to solve, then I would not make a wooden ramp. Seems rather bulky to me. Lynx Levelers are the way to go. I have three sets, too, which is usually overkill except that we camp in some areas with very uneven sites and I was happy to have them.
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Old 04-28-2013, 08:43 AM   #7
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If its the side to side leveling you are trying to solve, then I would not make a wooden ramp. Seems rather bulky to me. Lynx Levelers are the way to go. I have three sets, too, which is usually overkill except that we camp in some areas with very uneven sites and I was happy to have them.
on the lynks levelers.
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Old 04-28-2013, 09:38 AM   #8
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we level both wheels on our tandem axle Roo, not just one. helps with movement along with the tandem wheel chock.
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Old 04-28-2013, 10:08 AM   #9
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Thanks for the info. Lynx it is.
Talking about chocks, would I use one or two of those X-chocks?
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Old 04-28-2013, 11:21 AM   #10
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Two X-Chocks. One for each side.

I use the BAL 28012 X-Chock Tire Locking Chock for my 233S. Cost is about $75 and you get two in a package.
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Old 04-28-2013, 12:16 PM   #11
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Two- another brand for between the wheel chocks are Rotochoks.
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Old 04-28-2013, 01:46 PM   #12
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When using the Lynx do you top them with something smooth?
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Old 04-28-2013, 01:58 PM   #13
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When using the Lynx do you top them with something smooth?
I think that is a personal preference.

There are caps which are designed to fit on top of the levelers but I don't use those for my tires. My levelers will be stacked in an alternating and interlocking floor and I just drive on top of that when in place. See the picture below.



I use the caps for the top layer for my power jack and stabilizers. I think I only have four so one stab is left out. They're not that useful IMHO for the tires but they might provide a little more stability for stabs and the jack.

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Old 04-28-2013, 05:20 PM   #14
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If you look at the to pic in Triguy's post above, and imagine for some reason that you need to go higher than 3 levels, you'll realize that you will have to go out farther on the bottom layer and subsequent layers. I picked up a tip somewhere (maybe another post on this forum) and I cut one of my squares in half. Then, instead of a full square at (say) the bottom right end, I'd put a 1/2 square. Then for the 3rd row, I'd use the other 1/2 and put the 4th row above it. Saves a couple squares overall, which is useful since going higher is already using up more squares. And since you ususally want to pick up both tires, you have to go longer than shown in Triguy's pic (i.e. instad of 3 on the bottom row, you might need 6).
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Old 04-28-2013, 08:03 PM   #15
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I would get the legos, and get at least 24. I found out 16 wasn't enough.
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Old 04-28-2013, 09:56 PM   #16
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I use 12x12x2 pressure treated wood boards for support and leveling.

If I need to lift higher than 1 1/2 inches I use the "Leggo" levelers above that.
This way the plastic building blocks have a solid base and they don't break on gravel or sink into soft dirt (and sometimes freeze in the mud).

The wood is easier to clean. I carry 8 boards and 16 Leggo blocks (2 bags) with 4 top sections. 2 top sections fit in each bag.
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Old 04-28-2013, 10:14 PM   #17
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I carry a 6-foot 2x12. and just add wooden shims under it to create a ramp of whatever height is required.
One note, if you have rubber torsion axles, you do not want to have one much higher than the other. A few inches is ok, but much more and you put too much weight on one.
Suspensions that use regular springs balance out the load even if the axles are at much different levels.
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Old 04-29-2013, 06:28 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bakken View Post
I carry a 6-foot 2x12. and just add wooden shims under it to create a ramp of whatever height is required.
One note, if you have rubber torsion axles, you do not want to have one much higher than the other. A few inches is ok, but much more and you put too much weight on one.
Suspensions that use regular springs balance out the load even if the axles are at much different levels.
This is very true. While having/changing a flat with twice its normal load on the "good" axle is designed into the load rating of the axle, repeated overloading the torsion axle will certainly damage it.
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Old 04-29-2013, 07:04 AM   #19
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As others have already stated, get the Lego style blocks. I personally prefer the Ramble yellow blocks. They have a flat top but still lock together. Camping World has these on sale regularly, plus they make a wheel chock that fits these blocks
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Old 04-29-2013, 07:24 AM   #20
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This is very true. While having/changing a flat with twice its normal load on the "good" axle is designed into the load rating of the axle, repeated overloading the torsion axle will certainly damage it.
While I know many say that you can lift the camper to change a flat by running the good tire up on a ramp, thus supporting the entire load on that sone tire, the thought of overloading that axle by 175% still concerns me.
I think I will stick with jacking on the frame, and being careful when using ramps.
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