Hydraulic levellers - snow and mountain use⛷

[Soozywoozy]

Any experience of using these in snowy conditions ( got towed off campsite last year due to freeze /thaw and we were on ramps and have traction control) or summer use in rocky ground conditions . Our adventures are mountain based. Seriously tempted, (aware high price tag) just want to make sure they are up to the job for our travels. Looking forward to your advice

 

[funflair]

No problem in the winter, the feet can freeze to the ground and take out a clump of “tundra” when they come up, to avoid this put a sheet of plastic down first, great to avoid being towed off as you can lift the wheels and put something under to aid traction. On very rocky ground you could a square of scaffolding board or similar to protect the foot plated from bending, never parked anywhere that rough personally.

Martin

 

[Southdowners]

We use outrigger pads under the jacks if the ground is soft or in snow and ice.

 

[Soozywoozy]

Thanks for reply, good tips. Southdowners - what are outrigger pads and where would i source them please?

 

[icantremember]

Thanks for reply, good tips. Southdowners - what are outrigger pads and where would i source them please?

30x30cm available on ebay and elsewhere.

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[Two on Tour]

Thanks for reply, good tips. Southdowners - what are outrigger pads and where would i source them please?

I bought ours from Mick at SAP when we had our E&P levelling system fitted by them, he keeps them in stock.
We also carry two sets of grip mats with us, just in case.

 

[peterc10]

30x30cm available on ebay and elsewhere.
View attachment 340332

And not just in dayglow yellow

 

[Jenben]

Any experience of using these in snowy conditions ( got towed off campsite last year due to freeze /thaw and we were on ramps and have traction control) or summer use in rocky

We’ve used our E&P levellers in conditions down to -20c while skiing. The only problem we have had is the system occasionally tripping out when lifting them due to it sensing an over pressure event.

Talking to Mick at SAP this is caused by our installation where the pump is in an external locker. The pump gets very cold making the viscosity of the oil raise too high in ultra low temps.

Not a big prob though as it only happens to us below -10c . It’s easy to reset the system and they lift on the 2nd attempt. In Scandinavia they switch to Citroen Hydraulic fluid in winter to avoid the problem.

 

[icantremember]

And not just in dayglow yellow

dayglow yellow so I don't miss them when I drive off.

 

[Badknee]

I’ve got a set of those square pads but in black But as our Moho always seems to measure nose down on the handset I’ve made some 4 inch thick 9x9 inch pads too so the rams only have to come out a short way to stop them flexing as they do on full extension.

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[Soozywoozy]

We’ve used our E&P levellers in conditions down to -20c while skiing. The only problem we have had is the system occasionally tripping out when lifting them due to it sensing an over pressure event.

Talking to Mick at SAP this is caused by our installation where the pump is in an external locker. The pump gets very cold making the viscosity of the oil raise too high in ultra low temps.

Not a big prob though as it only happens to us below -10c . It’s easy to reset the system and they lift on the 2nd attempt. In Scandinavia they switch to Citroen Hydraulic fluid in winter to avoid the problem.

Thanks for the brilliant advice. We were told that it could be installed underslung which seemed appealing, but this has changed my mind and will opt for locker - we have an outside/inside under bench which may do the trick .
as a second thought, does the fluid come pre installed or wonder if can specify at time installation. We are planning getting done before our 2020 ski holiday

 

[haganap]

I contacted E&P as I was rather worried too.
sent me an email saying absolutely no problem even if we went to syberia.. good enough for me and had them down as low as -20 with no issue,

 

[Jenben]

Soozywoozy

Just wanted you to be aware of it in case it ever happens to you. It’s not a big problem.

It’s not worth switching to the CHF as you would have to switch back to the normal hydraulic fluid for the summer and it is very expensive to flush the system and change.

Personally I still wouldn’t bother wasting internal locker space. It’s only happened in very very low temps and SAP told us it isn’t damaging to the system. A quick reset gets them going again anyway. Make sure you learn the remote button trick to resetting though - I originally kept having to get under the van to pull the fuse to do it until Mick told me

haganap
It took a while to diagnose as most installs are done in internal lockers. SAP finally figured it out with help from E+P. Looks like we were the only UK install to have an external install + go skiing in such low temps. If yours is internal you’re never going to have a problem.

 

[Soozywoozy]

A quick reset gets them going again anyway. Make sure you learn the remote button trick to resetting though - I originally kept having to get under the van to pull the fuse to do it until Mick told me

Thank you. Please share the tip! -20 a distinct possibility - happens most years, well at least 10 in any case.
As always this forum comes up trumps

 

[Badknee]

Errrrrrrrrrrrr, what’s this “-“ nonsense please. For us thankyouverymuchly

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[peterc10]

Soozywoozy

Make sure you learn the remote button trick to resetting though - I originally kept having to get under the van to pull the fuse to do it until Mick told me

I would like to know this reset trick as well please.

 

[Soozywoozy]

Errrrrrrrrrrrr, what’s this “-“ nonsense please. For us thankyouverymuchly

clear blue skies and sunshine skiing ???

 

[Jenben]

Please share the tip! -20 a distinct possibility -

You can reset the system by simultaneously pressing and holding the bottom left (tank drain) and bottom right (raise jacks) buttons on the control panel.

 

[Soozywoozy]

You can reset the system by simultaneously pressing and holding the bottom left (tank drain) and bottom right (raise jacks) buttons on the control panel.

Thank you. I feel a lightning of the bank account coming on which was inevitable but now have the reassurance

 

[haganap]

word of warning, you can only do the reset trick if your remote works, mine brokehad problems with it. tried it all, Mick said gett in and pull the fuse. Did fine, but then realised we had one of the faulty batch of remotes (of course this is me) and sent me a new one, been fine since, My install is in a heated locker of course.

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[Jenben]

word of warning, you can only do the reset trick if your remote works

I think the system reset trick works on the main control panel even if you don’t have a remote handset (though I suspect it won’t fix a broken handset)