Any questions to ask installer about E&P levelling?

[Ray-Vic]

Hello all,

I'm off in my motorhome to the probable installer of our E&P levelling system tomorrow so they can measure and discuss the installation with us, including, I assume, the position of the pump etc and provide a fixed quote. Are there any questions you can think of which I should be asking, or anything I should watch out for and/or be aware of?

Any help greatly appreciated as always.

 

[RandallC]

why most times it say slope too big, level manually,
why the hydraulics appears on steroids especially when lowering.
Finally why it insists on lifting the wheels off the floor by a good bit just to say it's level when it already was but you wanted the legs down so the wind didn't rock the van

 

[Ray-Vic]

why most times it say slope too big, level manually,
why the hydraulics appears on steroids especially when lowering.
Finally why it insists on lifting the wheels off the floor by a good bit just to say it's level when it already was but you wanted the legs down so the wind didn't rock the van

Not a fan of the E&P system I'm guessing? I've done quite a bit of looking, reading and researching and they seemed to be generally rated as one of the better ones. Is that not the case?

I was actually thinking more along the lines of questions about the installation ie don't mount the pump on the outside etc.

Many thanks.

 

[Two on Tour]

Finally why it insists on lifting the wheels off the floor by a good bit just to say it's level when it already was but you wanted the legs down so the wind didn't rock the van

Ours don't, yours must be set up a bit odd.

 

[Two on Tour]

Not a fan of the E&P system I'm guessing? I've done quite a bit of looking, reading and researching and they seemed to be generally rated as one of the better ones. Is that not the case?

I was actually thinking more along the lines of questions about the installation ie don't mount the pump on the outside etc.

Many thanks.

I had our system installed at S.A.P. and any options that were relevant to the installation i.e pump location, and control panel location were discussed and agreed upon with me prior to work starting.

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[Ray-Vic]

I had our system installed at S.A.P. and any options that were relevant to the installation i.e pump location, and control panel location were discussed and agreed upon with me prior to work starting.

Thanks for that. Yes this is a pre-order view/measure so that they can see exactly what is needed, what they have in stock and have to order and agree any specific requirements with us. I've never seen one in the flesh so not really sure of what I'm expecting to see or agree to. I suppose they will talk me through it to a degree (hopefully).

 

[RandallC]

Ours don't, yours must be set up a bit odd.

Ahh good to know, going to run a setup process myself in the hope it sorts things.
Generally ok but as said dont understand why and have spoken to others with e&p who have similar comments.

 

[dabhand]

RandallC has nailed it I’ve just learnt recently that if you have full air Suspension you should lower it to its lowest level before employing the E&P, got to be honest,!I just can’t be arsed with the faff most of the time, so it’s just handy if I need to change a tyre

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

We discussed the installation of the self levellers with the fitters, our van is only 5.99m and they informed us that because layout of the underside of the van was 'very busy' that there was only one really suitable place for the control box. The company have a great reputation for their work so you have to trust their judgement.
On fitting it they informed us that our van sits 'very nose down' which we knew and it was the very reason we purchased the system.
We've had our E&P self levellers for 4 years fitted by SAP Doncaster, and wouldn't be without them. Be perfectly level in less than 3 minutes without stress, fridge will work efficiently, water will drain from sink and shower perfectly, you won't roll out of bed!, there will be no 'bounce' while you walk about in the van and it will be rock steady in the strongest gale. Changing a puncture is no problem.
You'll get most of the money back when you sell your van or SAP will transfer it to your next vehicle if you want. Expensive, yes but it's the best money we've spent
Lastly if you don't use your van over the winter or for long periods, use them to take the bulk of the weight off the tyres, which saves them from developing cracks or bulge's

We tend not to have the system automatically level us, as it does take the van a little higher than necessary.
We set the remote to manual, bring the front legs down which lifts the front of the van up and makes the van level on the spirit level, then we bring the rear legs down which lifts the rear of the chassis up slightly but leaving the tyre touching the ground. It works a treat for us.
Not for one second have we regretted the purchase

 

[stewartwebr]

I would suggest conversation around fitment of the pump, in my opinion it’s better slung underneath in an appropriate enclosure rather than taking up valuable onboard space. With regard to the hydraulic lines, ensure they are enclosed in plastic flexible conduit to protect them and everything sprayed with horrible black sticky stuff to prevent corrosion. I have had a number of systems fitted with the highest standard by Mick and team at SAP who have done a few vans for me. They set the standard in my opinion.

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[Ray-Vic]

Hi all. Well the time has nearly arrived and we are having our E&P system installed on Monday!!

I had a thought about storage to ask you guys. Whilst we do use our motorhome a fair bit, and plan to use it all through the winter, we do have periods where it is in our storage yard. What do you guys do in this instance, store with the legs up or down? I had a quick look around our storage the other day and couldn't see any with legs down, although a fair few had levellers fitted.

Interested to know what you do and why, and the benefits and/or downsides of each.

Many thanks.

 

[Two on Tour]

Hi all. Well the time has nearly arrived and we are having our E&P system installed on Monday!!

I had a thought about storage to ask you guys. Whilst we do use our motorhome a fair bit, and plan to use it all through the winter, we do have periods where it is in our storage yard. What do you guys do in this instance, store with the legs up or down? I had a quick look around our storage the other day and couldn't see any with legs down, although a fair few had levellers fitted.

Interested to know what you do and why, and the benefits and/or downsides of each.

Many thanks.

Legs down for me to take the weight of the tyres.

 

[Andacami]

Question to ask in addition to location of pump and securing/protecting pipes is, where to locate internal control panel and particularly the routing of the necessary wires so they are not exposed/ trapped/ have a pinch-point.

In storage, ours (HPC) has a stabilise mode that takes the weight off and I always use it when parked up. For general use, the Autolevel setting has always been spot on. I've made some blocks out of C16 and OSB (or you could buy or blag some pads) which helps with keeping level on softer ground if I'm on a pitch for a few days.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

Legs down for me to take the weight of the tyres.

Me too, but with tyres still touching the ground

 

[Ray-Vic]

Question to ask in addition to location of pump and securing/protecting pipes is, where to locate internal control panel and particularly the routing of the necessary wires so they are not exposed/ trapped/ have a pinch-point.

Apparently Rosmia fit the E&P controller on the side of the passenger seat. This is fine for us and looks pretty good.

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[NR]

unexpectedly we had the front suspension upgraded, this lifted the nose by 50mm allowing for longer rams, it also radically improved the ride. Leaving the rams extended during storage may result in rust, obviously that would be really bad, SAP also advised a regular dose of silicone spay whilst extended. We have not experienced any of the issues highlighted by a fellow contributor, it’s all very seamless.

 

[MajesticBee]

Apparently Rosmia fit the E&P controller on the side of the passenger seat. This is fine for us and looks pretty good.

We have had Rosmia fit the e&p system to both of our vans and rear air suspension on our latest one. They are a very good company and tidy installation. Highly recommend.

 

[Mark and Mindy]

Apparently Rosmia fit the E&P controller on the side of the passenger seat. This is fine for us and looks pretty good.

Rosmia did our previous 5.4m pvc with pump underslung behind the rear axle.

Fitting the control panel on the passenger side may be a bit inconvenient but if the control panel is fitted drivers side on a UK rhd vehicle then the panel is facing backwards which can be a bit confusing to use.

 

[Sunlovers]

Rosmia installed our system. Pump underslung beneath the battery locker compartment, as opposed to inside it where they first suggested it be placed (nope, not to my way of thinking). We asked for the control panel/remote to be installed on the left-hand side of our A-Class dash as there was a convenient redundant space needing filling up, and it makes it very convenient to use. System is a bit sensitive to inclines, many a time it refuses to auto-level, citing too great an angle of operation, but a manual deployment generally overcomes it's reluctance to play nicely.