Levelling Ramps, useful or not?

[matt drastik]

A bongo newbie here! Pick it up Saturday, can't wait!

I have been looking into bits and bobs that may be worth getting for the new bongo, and I was wondering if anyone has any experience of using levelling ramps, and whether experienced bongonauts think they are worth an investment??

New to owning a camper so its info overload at the moment. The forum is sooooooo helpful.

thanks for any replies and happy bongoing this summer

[Simon Jones]

Welcome to the forum . Yep, levelling ramps are high up on the essentials list. It's rare to find a totally flat campsite and unless you like rolling to one side of the bed, then I'd definitely recommend them.

[Bob]

Very warm welcome, agree with Simon.

I don't keep them in the Bongo as space is at a premium, but definitely take camping.

[briwy]

Make sure the ground is solid underneath them or you'll spend half an hour digging them out.

[Jillygumbo]

Definitely an essential. Keep mine in the trailer permanently, with the mud mats!

[Muzorewa]

We've never bothered, if the site (especially wild-camping) is bad we just find something to drive onto.

The biggest disadvantage with an unlevel pitch is when you come to do your bacon & eggs in the morning, the eggs migrate to one side of the pan

[Diplomat]

Muz's picture reminds me of travelling in India. Whenever anyone breaks down at the roadside, instead of cones or warning triangles, stones materialise from nowhere to form a barrier to other vehicles.

They feature as tools for tyre removal and applying extra oomph to wheelbraces and for realigning bodywork after a crash.

However, I would probably use the proper ramps for levelling up my SORNed VW camper in case the tyres became distorted!


Frank

[matt drastik]

Thanks for the warm welcome folks, I have been looking at the forum for a month or so now and I have to say the Bongo owners seem to be a happy friendly bunch!

Thanks also for the advise, good shout on the mud mats too!

[Dodgey]

I bought levellers just to make up an order to an amount that a supplier would ship (minimum spend). It turned out that I use them nearly every time I camp. I park roadside a fair bit and you always need them to lift one side out of the gutter, and in fields etc they give you the flexibility to park where you like, not just where it's the flattest.

[cmm303]

Definitely useful. I'm not overly fussy about level but does help keep the kettle on the cooker, tea in the mugs and as Muz says, two eggs as two eggs.

[Parhelion]

I bought some ramps which I've not had to use yet. Turns out they are 17" wide as are the tyres. Will this work or will it be super tricky, and if so, what margin of excess over tyre size do you need in ramps? Thanks

[roosmith]

17" wide wheels?! Post some pictures that must be a different looking Bongo

The actual patch of the tyre that sits on the floor, therefore the ramp is tiny. You'll be fine (unless they are 17" wide and you probably won't notice driving up the ramps!)

[Parhelion]

The dangers of posting too early - I'd come over all imperial! 17cm! Thank you!

[Bob]

Thanks for the warm welcome folks, I have been looking at the forum for a month or so now and I have to say the Bongo owners seem to be a happy friendly bunch!

Thanks also for the advise, good shout on the mud mats too!

Thanks for the compliment.

Bongo owners do tend to be friendly and happy, although I did once poke my tongue out at someone.