Hydraulic caravan self levelling system
Comments
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Why do you feel that a larger battery is required?
Obviously the hydraulic pump draws current but since it is only running for a maximum of two minutes a healthy battery should cope or am I missing something.
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I don't, but Navigateur seems to think a giant battery is required to run the mover.
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Thanks, the idea puzzled me.
I suppose if one pitched on a non-electric site and used a motor-mover as well as the leveller then one's battery could be in a delicate state by the time one came to leave; but then that's what a solar charger is for.
If anyone is offering these things at a 75% discount in the new Year sales then I could be tempted.
The alternative is to find a caravan with all the drains on one side of the van.
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Exactly the point I was making in response to a post, that was negative towards the fitting of a levelling system, suggesting that a giant heavy battery was needed to run various accessories.
It would be good if Bazlab told us whether he went ahead with his proposed purchase and if he was contented with the decision.
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Hello Bluemalaga and all contributors
I have been carefully watching the discusions and as prompted by Blumalaga think it is time to show my hand.
I did have the full E & P system fitted to my then new Lunar Delta 2016 as a retro-fit. Loved it, no need to replace anything and continued to use my existing 110amp hour battery with no problems what so ever! Kept the old corner steadies incase wanted to re-fit to a new van.
However, the Lunar has proved to be a problem Friday van, which I will not go into, suffice to say that it has not proved fit for purpose for the price they are.
Had I needed to do so I would have had the E & P system fitted on to a new van but have bitten the bullet and ordered an New Bucanneer Cruiser for Feb 2018 delivery which has the E & P system already fitted as included in the build.
Please forgive me for saying that most of the critical and anti-comments in this dialouge have resulted from lack of knowledge and assumption as Bluemalaga has already said earlier.
I asked the question initially for advice of a positive nature to help me reach an informed decission and in some cases received this - but not always.
Thank you to all those members who commented constructively as I have really appreciated your comments which I also hope may have assisted others as well
Looking forward to my new toy next year!
Bazalab
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Hi,
The use of hydraulic levelling has been the norm for many years in the american rv market. Cost has been mentioned here and I think as time goes on competition will increase so prices will lower. American fifth wheel trailers now come with a six point levelling system as an option at a cost of under £2k.
If payload and cost allows I think it's a worthy extra
Cheers
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As a user of a hydraulic system, I would be very interested in a some more detail on the instances to which you refer. It would be very helpful to understand the situation in order to minimise the same happening.
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Thanks Rab
Look forward to your response.
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I can't see this happening as regards the main (midships) jacks as these are secured to the axle, not the floor. And I can't see it happening with the corner steady/jack units if in automatic mode as there are cutoffs to prevent it.
However, I can see it happening with the corner steadies/jacks if in manual mode, as then some judgement is required and someone a bit cack-handed or careless could just keep on pressing the button to extend the corner jacking point. This would eventually lead to either the floor distorting or the floor giving way at the jack location, if the hydraulic unit didn't stall first.
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Never thought my original post here would generate such varied discussion.
Picking up our new Buccaneer Cruiser with the E & P self-leveling system, this coming Thursday after waiting since November when ordered.
Having had the E & P system fitted to the van I am now trading in, I would not wish to be without the facility which makes light work for bad backs and aged torso's! It is this kind of help that enables this one to keep caravanning!
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I was wondering if the axle hydraulics had failed after set up leaving the van perched on the corner jacks alone.
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The main jacking points are fitted beside the wheel axle points. So no worry about deforming the chassis. In fact over the winter you can jack your tyres off the ground. and if you want remove the tyres for storage etc. Check the web site for help if your not sure how the system works,
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Having started this thread almost 3 years ago, I would just like to add a smidgen of final info and advice!
On returning to our seasonal site in Cornwall last year I set about re-levelling the van after the site had dried considerably since we first arrived.
System raised up automatically but when set to re-level, the system did the "dead ants" impression and stopped mid stream with jacks and legs in the air!
Not impressed, particularly with a 50 mph wind blowing through the site at the time at about 6.00pm that night.
Emergency override did not work so blocks and bricks used to stabilise the van.
Result was for E & P to engage local engineer to attend and he released all jacks and legs to raised positions and tie-wrapped them up to ensure they did not drop on journey home, via Solar Solutions near Wimborne, Dorset the local agents for E & P Hydraulics.
Warranty covered all work and problem was diagnosed as grit/or other foreign body getting in to hydraulic system causing failure.
I had been initially told to apply Silicone Spray to the levelling pistons for added protection but Solar Solutions pointed out that that it was always best to use a DRY Silicone Spray as this will repel foreign bodies from settling on the piston surfaces whereas the wet spray will cause dirt and debris to stick.
No problem since using DRY silicone spray and as an added precaution I cover the pistons with a length of grey "pipe wrap" cut to size when van sited or stored for any extended length of time. This is very easy to do.
I hope this is of help and we certainly would not be without this feature which makes setting-up, fitting security, changing punctured wheels and so on so very much easier. In fact, its a doddle!
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The beauty of the twin axle is that it is usually supplied with Al-ko wheel locks which need to be applied for insurance purposes! I am overcome with joy when I have to site the van back in a muddy storage yard and have to crawl underneath to jack the van and apply the second wheel lock.
I weighed my van and everything which went into it and was horrified to note that it left precious little margin for clothes/food etc. The 4-wheel powrtouch mover adds 60Kg to my weight and even though I have upgraded the rating plate, I have little to play with. Maybe I have double accounted for some things?
Bottom line is that I would have the hydraulic jacking system (probably only on the axle) in a heartbeat if I only had enough load margin.
Disappointed that the public weigh bridges can be +/- 5% which equates to 95Kg for me. Apparently this is all immaterial as the police will prosecute in accordance with what their weight measurement system reads. I wonder how accurate their system is? Could it's calibration be traceable to international standards? Huge grey area it seems. Either way, I won't risk adding more payload until I have some confidence in the weight measurement system used publicly and by the police.
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I leave the jack and steady winder at home as the full E&P system covers these tasks.
That’s an extra saving in weight.
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