Levelling system on an older MH (like my Auto-Sleeper Clubman)?

[Nigel-ph]

I’m too lazy (well… getting old before my time probably) to mess about with levelling ramps and want to have a levelling system fitted to my 2001 Auto-Sleeper Clubman. I was disappointed to find out that despite being able to fit “just about any vehicle” HPC do not make brackets for the VW T4 chassis. Indeed, LNB Towbars near me won’t entertain fitting HPC to anything older than 2007. That leaves MA-VE and TESA (Glide-Rite) to research.

Hoping to hear from anyone with a levelling system fitted to a similar vehicle or can advise systems other than the 3 I am aware of?

 

[Puddleduck]

If all else fails could you fit corner steadies like caravans use?

 

[Badknee]

Give SAP Doncaster a bell

 

[poppycamper]

If all else fails could you fit corner steadies like caravans use?

Need to be a bit beefier than ones used on caravans.. they are exactly what you said... "steadies" . They are not designed for jacking up and levelling especially with the possible extra weight of a moho.

 

[Nigel-ph]

If all else fails could you fit corner steadies like caravans use?

My Clubman has those on the rear corners, designed for steadying and they don’t look strong enough for lifting

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[Nigel-ph]

Give SAP Doncaster a bell

That’s not really an option because they are too far away. I followed up the E&P system mentioned on their website and there is an installer quite close in Tiverton that I will contact. Good call Paul.

 

[Nigel-ph]

That’s not really an option because they are too far away. I followed up the E&P system mentioned on their website and there is an installer quite close in Tiverton that I will contact. Good call Paul.

Give SAP Doncaster a bell

Darn it, rang the installer in Tiverton and, as with HPC, E&P do not make brackets for the T4 chassis, only the Crafter. I need to find an installer with a bit of imagination!

 

[poppycamper]

That’s not really an option because they are too far away. I followed up the E&P system mentioned on their website and those better in know probably have a reason why not there is an installer quite close in Tiverton that I will contact. Good call Paul.

I do not have a leveling system and know little about them.. However is the system not universal to all applications the only difference being the mounting brackets..
If so could you not find somewhere that could manufacture appropriate brackets.
Those with more knowledge probably know a reason why not....
But just a thought.

 

[LesW]

Consider the extra weight.

 

[Andacami]

Give GlideRite a call, 0151 638 8002. They are engineers as well as suppliers of the leading leveling and air systems. You will need a few days there but you can stay on-site with EHU, pop into Liverpool, and have a mooch around the Wallasey coast.

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[Puddleduck]

My Clubman has those on the rear corners, designed for steadying and they don’t look strong enough for lifting

A beefed up version that would lift perhaps?

I know my brother-in-law had the steadies and used blocks under them along with some sort of jack system under the wheels. He's an engineer and would have made it all himself.

 

[funflair]

A beefed up version that would lift perhaps?

I know my brother-in-law had the steadies and used blocks under them along with some sort of jack system under the wheels. He's an engineer and would have made it all himself.

Corner steadies even if strong enough are very often fitted to the floor so certainly not strong enough to lift and level, even on the chassis they are too far back for the chassis to be strong enough to lift by.

 

[Nigel-ph]

GlideRite fit the electric TESA system and i’m waiting to hear from TESA via a local (ish) installer. As with the other 3 systems I have asked about (HPC, MA-VE and E&P) I doubt they will have an off-the-shelf kit for a T4 chassis, it’s not in the list on the GlideRite website. Maybe the installer I have contacted will be willing/able to fabricate brackets, if not I will try GlideRite. Not giving up yet!

 

[Al n Val]

Darn it, rang the installer in Tiverton and, as with HPC, E&P do not make brackets for the T4 chassis, only the Crafter. I need to find an installer with a bit of imagination!

Imagination??

Then you really do need to ring SAP at Doncaster and ask for Mick

 

[Nigel-ph]

Imagination??

Then you really do need to ring SAP at Doncaster and ask for Mick

SAP is a 5 hour drive from where I live in Somerset with a lot of Ms in the road names. I think I mentioned getting old before my time….

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[Nigel-ph]

Give GlideRite a call, 0151 638 8002. They are engineers as well as suppliers of the leading leveling and air systems. You will need a few days there but you can stay on-site with EHU, pop into Liverpool, and have a mooch around the Wallasey coast.

That’s another 5 hour drive and having looked at the location on GoogleMaps I wouldn’t fancy staying there overnight. The MH doesn’t even have locking wheel nuts.

 

[RobertJary]

I understand that some suppliers use universal brackets as opposed to dedicated ones.

 

[Nigel-ph]

I understand that some suppliers use universal brackets as opposed to dedicated ones.

Yes, I have seen that on one of the sites, TESA I think, so fingers crossed my local(ish) TESA installer will come up with a solution.

 

[Nigel-ph]

After being hit by a flash of common sense I decided to put my iPad down and look under the MH.

Installing jacks in the rear quarters with some sort of universal bracket should pose no problem. 450mm ground clearance, nice solid chassis members and cavities for the jacks to fold into. Unfortunately installing jacks at the front looks impossible. The only solid accessible metal is the subframe but it only has 200mm ground clearance (I must remember that!) and there’s nowhere for jacks to fold into. Fuel tank one side and exhaust on the other.

I see TESA do a 2 lift system and I have seen an illustration of a MH with them on the front only. It thus seems possible to have that system installed, but it would have to be on the rear. This would mean having to point the nose uphill and potentially have the back wheels off the ground and no parking brake.

Leaving the van in gear and putting chocks behind the front wheels would stop it rolling and would seem to be safe enough and not much hassle. Anybody tried lifting just the braked wheels off the ground with their levelling system?

 

[RandallC]

Would add to the mix,

We have an E&P system fitted and not happy that it often says, unable to level slope to great use Manual.

Why! Anyone offering a solution, would be very welcome.

EDIT: Other than you should have fitted XYZother.

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[funflair]

Would add to the mix,

We have an E&P system fitted and not happy that it often says, unable to level slope to great use Manual.

Why! Anyone offering a solution, would be very welcome.

EDIT: Other than you should have fitted XYZother.

We have friend with E&P on a Carthago and have the same issue, I am surprised as they have the telescopic rams so should have plenty of travel really, the only advice I can offer though is do as it says and use manual.

 

[Lenny HB]

SAP is a 5 hour drive from where I live in Somerset with a lot of Ms in the road names. I think I mentioned getting old before my time….

Compared to a lot of Funsters you are a youngster, if anyone can do anything it will be Mick.

That’s another 5 hour drive and having looked at the location on GoogleMaps I wouldn’t fancy staying there overnight. The MH doesn’t even have locking wheel nuts.

Nothing wrong with staying there overnight it's in a secure locked compound.

 

[Nigel-ph]

Would add to the mix,

We have an E&P system fitted and not happy that it often says, unable to level slope to great use Manual.

Why! Anyone offering a solution, would be very welcome.

EDIT: Other than you should have fitted XYZother.

if I ever get a levelling system and it tells me that I would assume the system has parameters/limits and the slope is too great (or maybe too complex) for it to compensate, as it says. Maybe it can level front-to-back but not side-to-side without upsetting front-to-back, or vice versa? The controller no doubt has algorithms to work out which legs to move and by how much so maybe E&P can explain how it does that and it will make sense?

 

[Nigel-ph]

Compared to a lot of Funsters you are a youngster, if anyone can do anything it will be Mick.

Nothing wrong with staying there overnight it's in a secure locked compound.

Exactly!

 

[RandallC]

if I ever get a levelling system and it tells me that I would assume the system has parameters/limits and the slope is too great (or maybe too complex) for it to compensate, as it says. Maybe it can level front-to-back but not side-to-side without upsetting front-to-back, or vice versa? The controller no doubt has algorithms to work out which legs to move and by how much so maybe E&P can explain how it does that and it will make sense?

As an retired E,C&I engineer i fully understand there are limitations to a control system, BUT, this E&P system seems to avoid anything that normally I'd not bother levelling for.
A couple of times the system has advised manual only and have levelled it manually. Therefore QED it is within the scope of the installed system to level it automatically. BUT declines.

Q? should we have fitted something else? or are others no better?

Any comments appreciated.

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[Nigel-ph]

As an retired E,C&I engineer i fully understand there are limitations to a control system, BUT, this E&P system seems to avoid anything that normally I'd not bother levelling for.
A couple of times the system has advised manual only and have levelled it manually. Therefore QED it is within the scope of the installed system to level it automatically. BUT declines.

Q? should we have fitted something else? or are others no better?

Any comments appreciated.

This isn’t what I wanted to discuss by posing the original question, but it is interesting to learn that levelling systems have issues and I got side tracked. It looks like a rear only TESA system is my best (only) option and I’d appreciate any thoughts on whether that would be safe and worthwhile.

 

[Badknee]

I need to find an installer with a bit of imagination!

That person could be Mick at SAP Doncaster, if its at all possible I would think he’s the man

 

[DuxDeluxe]

As an retired E,C&I engineer i fully understand there are limitations to a control system, BUT, this E&P system seems to avoid anything that normally I'd not bother levelling for.
A couple of times the system has advised manual only and have levelled it manually. Therefore QED it is within the scope of the installed system to level it automatically. BUT declines.

Q? should we have fitted something else? or are others no better?

Any comments appreciated.

No problems here. Had the error message once as I did not realise that the pitch Was downward sloping. Let the rear airbags down a bit and Bingo! It works

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Darn it, rang the installer in Tiverton and, as with HPC, E&P do not make brackets for the T4 chassis, only the Crafter. I need to find an installer with a bit of imagination!

As above…. If Mick at SAP can’t do it then no-one can

 

[RandallC]

This isn’t what I wanted to discuss by posing the original question, but it is interesting to learn that levelling systems have issues and I got side tracked. It looks like a rear only TESA system is my best (only) option and I’d appreciate any thoughts on whether that would be safe and worthwhile.

Hhhmmm
Ok , not entirely sure what you expected from your original post. Good luck with a specific answer to your Q, and will no doubt find lots of chalk and cheese