Practical Caravan talks jacks

John Wickersham is talking jacks in his latest video - watch it and tell us what you think! Please like, share, comment and enjoy.
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[@trailingarm63]

If Alko was so bothered about jacking points why didn't they fit a bracket like the one above as standard? It seems a bit strange that it should all be a retro-fit. Anyhow, that spot where the chassis arm is braced for the axle location looks fine to me. I would just use that.

[@mikerobson1786]

Excellent, thanks for that, highly informative.

[@jleyd]

Just the info I was after, it's a shame though that after spending seventeen thousand pounds on a new caravan that this isn't a standard piece of kit already on the van.

[@dukenukem5768]

Alko recommend only two places to jack up the van, yet their own bracket for their side-lift jack uses neither!

[@Senna-xi1gr]

Just a sales pitch for something u don’t need really.

[@stevemorkus9476]

Likewise, exactly what I wanted to know. Explains WHY not to jack up the chassis, not just 'Don't do it' as told in the manuals.

[@practicalcaravan]

John Wickersham is talking jacks in his latest video - watch and tell us what you think! Please like, share, comment and enjoy.

[@dukenukem5768]

A torque wrench just to do up a couple of what look like M10 bolts on a very simple basic joint - LoL! I have a torque wrench and only bother to use it on critical things like cylinder heads and hub nuts. The guy worries that the bolts will shake loose?! There must be several thousand bolts on his car and caravan so I guess he has sleepless nights! Bolts doing basic fixings like this don't just "shake" undone unless they have been done only finger tight, and probably not even then. Most amateurs I've watched do up bolts as hard as they can anyway (!) and professionals and experts know how to do it by feel. If you are that worried use a spring washer.

[@davidsturgess9882]

well nice video right to the end the most important part, and video ends, so what does the other missing part look like and fitting, should be part of the main purchase, yet more money if you have not already spent enough, idd l, ook for a van with it on all ready

[@commonwealthsupport6906]

High, looks like the editor had a bad hair day with this one. Is there a 2nd part as this part finished in mid sentence and no outro. What were the other 2 brackets on the AL-KO Techs workbench for ? Are they part of this kit and not mentioned or missed from the commentary edit or for another kit ? Shame that after 7 years PC has not taken heed of some of the earlier observations and upgraded this could be very informative presentation. As for AL-KO, all over the place. What a KO. Yes, why are a jack and brackets not supplied when spending many thousands on a new van. Authorised Dealers who are not aware that they are actually AL-KO Authorised Dealers. Lack of clarity in what jacking kits are suitable for what chassis / caravans in the AL-KO online pages. No info on how to determine what kit is for your van. No wonder vanners buy other branded jacking kits. Hope all the AL-KO kit that comes with my van performs much better than the support - lack-of - experienced so far !

[@craigupton9756]

Ok so how do I or many others jack up a twin axle van with motor movers fitted, seems all videos are geared towards single axles

[@johnrobert6127]

He did say caravans up to 2 tonne with those brackets. Seems like the process would be the same.

[@haydnrudham1333]

So that caravan on the lift is not being supported under the acceptable locations but on locations that could be deformed?

[@dukenukem5768]

Yes, it does burst their bubble. I have an older (1996) van which did come with a jack and original jacking points for tyre changing. The Alko handbook with it tells you only to jack under the axle, yet those jacking points are fixed to the chassis round about where this guy tells us exactly not to jack!

[@JayDee-xj9lu]

Thats funny. The chassis should have enough cross bracing to prevent that. I just bought a bailey cheaply that the front end has come loose because the chassis is flexing and not supporting the front floor. It needs more cross bracing like the one in front of the axle.

[@paulwary]

Doh!

[@rscosworthfan]

i cheated doing mine i put 4 blocks under the steadies and wound all 4 up to full height leaving the wheels in the air i could then change the wheel lol

[@dukenukem5768]

You are only cheating yourself. Good chance of breaking the steadies, the floor, or the van collapsing on you while you change the wheel. That is highly NOT recommended.

[@codyp9536]

That's because you're a tool

[@rscosworthfan]

@@dukenukem5768 nope caravan is very light

[@lilyCharalabidou]

Steadies are for caravan not wagging, not lifting it up. You will cause serious damage to the caravan floor and your self.