I have written two articles about the leveling ramps we use - Andersen Levelers - to get our Roadtrek level when the campsite is not level. LINK 1 and LINK 2 to read these articles to see what I am talking about here. As they come, the surface of the ramp is very smooth. On one hot day the tires slipped slightly on the ramp - the Roadtrek stayed level but it was obvious the next morning when we were taking the Roadtrek out of the campsite for the day that there were black skid marks on the red ramps. Looking around the Internet I found a way to deal with this and enhance the levelers to work even better. I do not take credit for this but I did it with my set of Andersen Levelers and it works great!
I added strips of anti-slip grip tape that is usually applied to stairs to the top of each one. This is sold in the home stores usually by the roll, but Ace Hardware sells this by the foot and for what is needed, there is no reason to buy a roll of more than you need. This is adhesive and comes in various widths. It is rough on the top and will prevent slipping of the tire - and gives better traction when pulling up on the ramps.
Here is how I put it on -
Cut a piece the length of the leveler plus an inch or two for the back. Peel off the backing and apply it carefully to be centered on the face of the ramp. DO NOT PUT ANY OF IT OVER THE THIN EDGE OF THE RAMP (See in Photo 1). The reason for this is this is where the ramp stop block will be inserted and if it cannot be moved out easily it will be a problem getting off the ramps as you will not be able to remove it with the weight of the tire on it and the grip tape keeping it from moving. On the back of the ramp - the tall side that goes to the ground (Photo 2) put an inch or two of tape lapping over from the top. This will hold the tape in place if it should the adhesive pulled by the tire as you roll up onto it. Do the same for both ramps.
That is all there is too this. It adds a few dollars to the ramps but it is well worth the difference this small modification makes.
These are still the best things I have found to level the Roadtrek when a site is way off level.
Hi Meryl, I wasn't sure where I could ask a question, so I just put it here. I noticed that you use a portable RV surge/power protector. What brand and model would that be? And also, do you ever need an extension chord for electrical connection at a campsite?
ReplyDeleteWe have a 2009 190P, in storage now, but really getting anxious for the spring. I already have a site booked for end of May. Can't wait!
Thanks, Len
We use a Surge Guard 30 amp portable EMS - Surge/Voltage Protector. I have an article on this - look at the side menu of articles by year - September 2016 "An EMS Unit for Your Roadtrek". It is still good and working but if I needed to buy again, I might buy the Progressive Industries EMS 30 amp portable as it has a better warranty that includes replacing the circuit board of the surge function is triggered. The Surge Guard needs to be totally replaced if that happens. We do have an extension cord - a 30 amp 10 gauge RV specific extension cord - used at home in combination with a 30 amp to 15 amp adapter to plug the Roadtrek in at home to charge it. We have only needed it once at a campground - and once when we took the Roadtrek to the RT dealer/service and parked there overnight for an early morning appointment and they had a hook up outside that we knew the RT cord would not reach. Other than that we have not used it traveling. Usually the campground power outlets are within the RT cord length. At home the RT cord does not reach the outlet in our backyard and the extension cord is needed. Only an RV specific 10 gauge cord should be used. It is as thick a cable as the RT power cord. A household cord even 10 gauge will get hot and can burn - I have seen photos of such cords used when they should not have been. There is an article on the "better" extension cord we got - March 2015. We have one we bought first - the better one has solid pull handles to get the cords apart.
DeleteThanks Meryl. You're blog is an encyclopedia.
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