Newbie levelling question

[Jonesyi]

Hi all, I’m totally new to the motorhome scene . I’ve seen quite a lot of posts regarding self levelling systems an noticed they can get quite pricey. Has anyone used this type of system for levelling ?

6000 Lb. Unijack Bottle Jack & Jackstand in One

The patented Powerbuilt All-in-One 3-ton Unijack is the only portable jack designed to safely lift and hold regular and unibody cars or trucks. It easily lifts vehicles using factory-approved jack points, eliminating the need for additional unsafe jack stand points. With its unique design, it...

www.powerbuilt.com

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated

 

[suavecarve]

Used to always take the yellow blocks but never used them so just didnt bother for the 106 nights away so far this year

We are lucky in that we can sleep in any direction though

 

[RioRob]

This is it

This is the only report I've seen where this "failure" occurred. If it was a batch failure as someone suggested then I think there would have been more reports. From what I remember from the whole video of this episode the van was parked on a slope and could have moved before the ram retracted. I've had the HPC on my van for over a year and it's been faultless and well used for both levelling and stabilisation.

 

[Jonesyi]

This is the only report I've seen where this "failure" occurred. If it was a batch failure as someone suggested then I think there would have been more reports. From what I remember from the whole video of this episode the van was parked on a slope and could have moved before the ram retracted. I've had the HPC on my van for over a year and it's been faultless and well used for both levelling and stabilisation.

Are they not supposed to retract before the vehicle moves as a safety feature? With all four down and wheels off the ground it can’t move. The only way that could happen is if one ram failed to lift ?

 

[peterc10]

The problems with using those jacks is also finding the correct part of the chassis to jack up onto. Most coachbuilt motorhomes have relatively flimsy chassis members behind the rear axle so using jacks to lift it off the suspension (as opposed to steadies) will probably cause structural failure.

We have E&P jacks fitted on our 4500kg Hymer and they work well. But they are securely bolted on to the recommended parts of the chassis, so no chance of the jack slipping off, which is the risk with the using loose fitted jacks. We used SAP in Doncaster to fit ours because they come well recommended by many on this forum. That is despite the fact that we live in Kent. We got them to fix them when we were touring the area.

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[RioRob]

Jonesyi That's correct. The safety feature will retract the rams when the handbrake is released. Not sure how quickly though so if parked on a slope without other braking then the vehicle may roll before the rams clear the ground. Some drivers use that function to raise the rams rather than using the control panel as it's quicker. The recommendation is to always use the control panel or phone app. On newer vehicles with electronic handbrake that function doesn't work but the rams will retract when the engine is started.

 

[Orion]

This is the only report I've seen where this "failure" occurred. If it was a batch failure as someone suggested then I think there would have been more reports.

I believe it’s mentioned in the replies to his follow up video - installer stated there was a bunch of faulty rams awaiting shipment back to HPC, plus another viewer who unfortunately suffered the same problem. I think all the hydraulic systems are good but as with any manufactured component sometimes faulty items can get through QC. Then it’s down to how well the issue is addressed.

 

[Jonesyi]

The problems with using those jacks is also finding the correct part of the chassis to jack up onto. Most coachbuilt motorhomes have relatively flimsy chassis members behind the rear axle so using jacks to lift it off the suspension (as opposed to steadies) will probably cause structural failure.

We have E&P jacks fitted on our 4500kg Hymer and they work well. But they are securely bolted on to the recommended parts of the chassis, so no chance of the jack slipping off, which is the risk with the using loose fitted jacks. We used SAP in Doncaster to fit ours because they come well recommended by many on this forum. That is despite the fact that we live in Kent. We got them to fix them when we were touring the area.

Yes I’ve heard good things about SAP

 

[Jonesyi]

Jonesyi That's correct. The safety feature will retract the rams when the handbrake is released. Not sure how quickly though so if parked on a slope without other braking then the vehicle may roll before the rams clear the ground. Some drivers use that function to raise the rams rather than using the control panel as it's quicker. The recommendation is to always use the control panel or phone app. On newer vehicles with electronic handbrake that function doesn't work but the rams will retract when the engine is started.

Oh right, makes sense if they release the brake then the vehicle will roll . And if the ground is uneven one could catch. I do think though in the video they said this happened when they deployed the rams?

 

[Jonesyi]

Yes I’ve heard good things about SAP

Ah yes, it would have to be on the correct jacking points, plus if it bouncing rain don’t fancy crawling about for too long. That would waste far too much drinking time

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[herald_400rl]

We have two, one in the front left and other in back right and it does make a big difference.

Thought you meant the levellers then and I was trying to work out how that would work

 

[Burgo]

Average time of or levelling on ramps here -- 1 minute, maybe 2 max.

What are you doing???

+1 We just park up, quick squint at a little bubble level, pass out ramps in bag to The Memsahib with instructions like "one ramp rear passenger side, half way up". When she's set them then just drive on wait for thumbs up, check bubble level and put the empty bag on the fash behind the steering wheel. Less than 2 mins.

 

[GeeCee]

There are extra benefits with Hydraulic levelling over and above the stable and level platform, tyre/wheel changing is a doddle, stuck in a muddy field the levellers will lift the wheels right out of the mud and you can put something under to allow you to drive just away

You make a good point there. We got stuck in soft sand at a site in Spain and the nearside front wheel ended up digging a hole in the sand. So we put the levellers down pushed the displaced sand back into the hole and put down some gripper mats under the wheels before upping the levellers. That made for an easy drive out of the predicament. I would say that gripper mats are also a very worthwhile investment and are cheap. Levellers also helpful for getting the last bit of grey waste out by tipping the van over slightly on one side.