Hydraulic Leveling

[Steve Wilson]

Hi
I have read many post on the forum regarding hydraulic leveling system. What I gleam is that in general people think they are over priced but once they do purchase a system they would not be without it for all the benefits it brings.
I also read that like with all things in life a number of peaople are not happy with the company that installed there system or the service was not to there liking and I accept that this will always be the situation. Not everyone will be happy all of the time.

Having looked at the the various systems I am favouring the MA-VE system as a well priced reasonably low weight solution with enough programability for my needs.
My question is forget the installation forget the service have any members had any mechanical failures with there system. Like leaks, not operating properly fron the control pad, valve/pump issues. These are the thing that worry me I can deal with the poor instal/service myself. I just want to know if the mechanical bits have a good reputation/reliability or not.

Steve

 

[Henry Walpole]

Another vote for E&P fitted by Mick at SAP. However I do remember him telling me you should never have all four wheels off the ground at once. At least two wheels should always be in contact with the ground.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

Another vote for E&P fitted by Mick at SAP. However I do remember him telling me you should never have all four wheels off the ground at once. At least two wheels should always be in contact with the ground.

Can't remember him saying that but do recall him saying never to let the vehicle down by releasing the handbrake unless absolutely necessary.

 

[Theonlysue]

@jockeasy to recalibrate if you have tge manual.

 

[Kev and Ju]

What the hell were you and Ju doing to skin your knuckles?.............don't answer that!

Well I will as you ask . On my knees maneuvering heavy concrete slabs over a razor sharp stone base to my bl@@dy pitch. Thankfully all now a long distance and unpleasant memory

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[Lanerboy]

I would like to thank all of you who have taken the time to post on this subject, I have learned many things.

All the best stay safe and see you all around.

Steve

Steve please keep us informed on which ever way you decide to go and good luck with it

 

[Nickg]

Nobody has mentioned how the extra height affects their awning. We have an air awning which is already struggling a little bit since we upgraded our van. I think if we raised our van 6” it would be well off the ground.

 

[Nickg]

 

[Nickg]

You can see at the side of the awning it’s just a bit short for this van.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Nobody has mentioned how the extra height affects their awning. We have an air awning which is already struggling a little bit since we upgraded our van. I think if we raised our van 6” it would be well off the ground.

Whilst the system is clearly capable of lifting the wheels off the ground several inches, that’s not the point. It stabilises and levels from whatever position you park up in. I don’t think we’ve ever had the rear wheels off the ground and the front occasionally and then only an inch or two. I’ve seen a few with all four wheels off the ground for no good reason which I fail to understand. Our HPC has presets or manual operation, to have all four wheels raised we would have to ignore the presets and do it manually, which I did recently when I had the wheels off. I don’t think you need to worry about awnings.

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[ceejayt]

We now have HPC system with app installed by LNB Bristol to AlKO chassis. Works like a dream. Big investment, but hopefully last motorhome, we have everything we need on it. Shower just drains properly, fridge appears more efficient., no rock n roll when sleeping at night (unless we want it!!!!!)

We also have HPC having had E and P on the previous two motorhomes. Not much to choose between them although the HPC system seems more powerful - it operates our slide out as well as the legs. Nice bluetooth app for the phone.

 

[ceejayt]

As a side note, the recommendation on the HOC system, if you have air suspension as we have, is to drop all the air before levelling - this means the legs have less travel and less work to do when levelling

 

[DrunkenDuncan]

Anyone got the ALKO HY4 system fitted that would like to share their experience and opinion of it?

 

[TerryDunlea]

Try Gliderite Ltd , they have had more experience than any Company I know !

 

[Philip - Argos]

Hi All, we have a Burstner Argos Tag Axle motorhome and in March this year we had an HPC system fitted by Cath and Phil at Air Suspension in Warrington. They had previously fitted air suspension to the rear of our Burstner and we also got them to change the front suspension springs which lifts the front end up by an extra 2 inches, which is great and feels much better for driving. The HPC system we have is very good, and each hydraulic ram can lift 3.5 tons so it lifts our 5 ton vehicle with ease. In the past, we have tended to get a pool of water on the roof, we select the tank option when levelling, which levels left to right and lifts the front up slightly. This feels great in the van, and we don't have the pool problem any more. Obviously you do need the ignition and the handbrake on and probably best out of gear when its is levelling. The extra bits we have bought are four outrigger pads which provide a wider surface area under the hydraulic feet. We have also bough Fiat Wheel locking nuts, to give a bit more protection for the alloy wheels as generally after levelling they are off the ground. Yes it is a lot of money, but for us well worth the investment, and I wouldn't now have a motorhome with them.

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[Philip - Argos]

I did mean to say that I wouldn't have a motorhome without them.

 

[Ditcha]

As a side note, the recommendation on the HOC system, if you have air suspension as we have, is to drop all the air before levelling - this means the legs have less travel and less work to do when levelling

Is the HPC not integrated with the air suspension and drop the air automatically?

E&P drop to the lowest setting before levelling begins when you auto level

 

[Philip - Argos]

The air suspension we have is completely separate to the hydraulic HPC system, and they don't talk to each other. Only A/S on the rear axles. We could reduce the air in the rear air suspension when using the HPC system but we have never felt the need to. We mostly park on fairly flat pitches so never had issues. The other tip is to have the MH engine running when using the HPC levelling so you allways have plenty of power driving the hydraulic pump.

 

[stevewagner]

They are all pretty much the same in terms of components but what sold MAVE for me was 3 years European call out warranty. Smart job with no problems at all.

 

[ceejayt]

Is the HPC not integrated with the air suspension and drop the air automatically?

E&P drop to the lowest setting before levelling begins when you auto level

Not on my RS. The air suspension was a factory fit It is not a problem and on a site that might present an issue it can sometimes be useful to keep a little air in the rear. For example a sloping site at the back where dropping the air might ground the rear overhang or not leave enough clearance to say attach black tank hose. You want the jacks to level it a little higher. Rare but it can happen.

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[Ditcha]

Not on my RS. The air suspension was a factory fit It is not a problem and on a site that might present an issue it can sometimes be useful to keep a little air in the rear. For example a sloping site at the back where dropping the air might ground the rear overhang or not leave enough clearance to say attach black tank hose. You want the jacks to level it a little higher. Rare but it can happen.

Good point never thought of that

 

[Geoffla9]

I have had an E & P system for three months , I would not do without it . I did wonder about its value before buying as it is a lot of money . But after a few trips out now i would not be without it . Worth every penny especially when you see the envious looks from other motor home users on the site when you turn up and park on a slope then 2 mins later you are level and sat out with a G&T

 

[Two on Tour]

You do get some very odd looks from Johnny Foreigner when you tilt the van over to empty the grey waste faster.

 

[John and Jo]

I have E&P on my Dethleffs and think they are a great addition but they was on the van when bought. I have had a few occasions where it has been unable to level without some packing. Even on my drive it only just makes it but then the length of van comes into play also and i am 8.6m. One of our recent pitches in Salisbury was on a fair incline and that took the rear wheels of the ground by bests part of 12 inches (with packing) and could only get it level on manual. I have to say, that looks impressive in some ways but does not look ideal in others and there is a definite wobble on max extension.