Steadies Vs Semi Air (1 Viewer)

These Big Adventures

Free Member
Aug 18, 2022
62
83
Funster No
90,709
MH
sunliving A75
Exp
Newb
My Mrs has said she feels a bit sea sick when we're parked up (more so when the kids are moving around in the overcab bit) so looking into solutions. Was looking into steadies or a couple of scissor jacks but just wondering if semi air suspension will also stop some of that movement?
 
Nov 4, 2011
5,671
38,724
Uk
Funster No
18,763
MH
A class
Exp
2001
I think steadies or levelling system (expensive option) because even with air bags they would help but you would still have movement in the tyres.
We use our wind down steadies which help.
 
Dec 17, 2016
927
931
Malvern
Funster No
46,488
MH
Hymer B525 2006 A cl
Exp
2012
We have air suspension and steadies. I don't think that the air suspension helps whilst the steadies do for your problem. If I'm away alone in the van I don't bother with the steadies but do if there are more of us.
 

Lenny HB

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 18, 2007
50,044
137,560
On the coast in West Sussex
Funster No
658
MH
Hymer B678 DL
Exp
Since 2008 & many years tugging
We have full air makes driving a dream but has no effect on rocking when stationary. When leveled with the air if the rear is at full heigh it makes the rocking worse. We love the van rocking in the wind.

If you want a stable van that doesn't rock when parked up hydraulic Jack's are the only answer.

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Aug 17, 2022
267
141
Middlesbrough, UK
Funster No
90,683
MH
Adria Supersonic 890
Exp
2018
Towtal in Stoke did our self levelling this year, reasonable price and first rate job. Many systems available but we went with Amplo, which is mid range, any higher spec not needed in my opinion. Awesome just turning up to pitch and pressing a button, 1 minute later all level and steady.
 
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OP
These Big Adventures

These Big Adventures

Free Member
Aug 18, 2022
62
83
Funster No
90,709
MH
sunliving A75
Exp
Newb
Thanks all, think I'll go with the more reliable option as were going travelling in it for 2-3 years. Is the TESA system well regarded?
 
Apr 22, 2018
6,524
12,017
Herts.
Funster No
53,503
MH
Adria Coral lowline
We have both semi air assist and rear steadies.

The air assist stops a lot movement if running them at a reasonable pressure, but the rear steadies do more, as they bypass the tyres, and suspension movement, joining chassis to the ground. Neither are stopping the movement fully, and that will certainly be the case for your situation due to the front not being supported/assisted at all, so with an overcab you will still get a fair amount of movement still.
 

Minxy

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 22, 2007
31,915
63,360
E Yorks
Funster No
149
MH
Carthago Compactline
Exp
Since 1996, had Elddis/Swift/Rapido/Rimor/Chausson MHs. Autocruise/Globecar PVCs/Compactline i-138
Semi air won't stop it as others have said as there is still movement in the suspension, the only way to stop it is to make the chassis 'solid' by having something that goes to the ground to prevent movement, ie self-levelling system or steadies. I've got some scissor jacks which I'll be trying with our MH to see if it helps as when I'm in bed at the back and hubby starts moving around in the front it's like a herd of elephants are bounding about! If they do work I'll either see if there's a way to fixe them to the underside permanently (upside down) or just put them out when needed.

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Sep 17, 2017
4,893
8,658
Birmingham, UK
Funster No
50,575
MH
A-Class
Exp
2017
We've got steadies at the rear. If we've on a site for a few days, I'll jack them down. It does take a lot of the rock out.

I am a bit terrified that I'll drive off one day with them down though...
 
Sep 9, 2019
747
1,659
Runcorn
Funster No
63,956
MH
Autotrail Apache 632
Exp
Since Sept 2019
I bought these trailer jacks on Ebay and welded them to the tow bar bracket on the back of the van. You need to get the van level first then wind them down. I don’t use them to actually level her. They work brilliantly.

Cheers!

Russ
 

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Minxy

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 22, 2007
31,915
63,360
E Yorks
Funster No
149
MH
Carthago Compactline
Exp
Since 1996, had Elddis/Swift/Rapido/Rimor/Chausson MHs. Autocruise/Globecar PVCs/Compactline i-138
I bought these trailer jacks on Ebay and welded them to the tow bar bracket on the back of the van. You need to get the van level first then wind them down. I don’t use them to actually level her. They work brilliantly.

Cheers!

Russ
Are they actually legal seeing as they stick out at the sides?

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Sep 9, 2019
747
1,659
Runcorn
Funster No
63,956
MH
Autotrail Apache 632
Exp
Since Sept 2019
Minxy they detach and I store them in the side locker when on the move….. But a good question!
 
Sep 9, 2019
747
1,659
Runcorn
Funster No
63,956
MH
Autotrail Apache 632
Exp
Since Sept 2019
Had her MOT’d about 4 weeks ago, no issues. In fairness the tubes they attach to only stick out about an inch beyond the side of the van at that point, effectively like a steel bumper bar. At that point on the van they are actually inside the total width of the rear of the van. Take a more careful look at the stands in the ebay advert….

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Minxy

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 22, 2007
31,915
63,360
E Yorks
Funster No
149
MH
Carthago Compactline
Exp
Since 1996, had Elddis/Swift/Rapido/Rimor/Chausson MHs. Autocruise/Globecar PVCs/Compactline i-138
Minxy they detach and I store them in the side locker when on the move….. But a good question!
It was with you saying you'd welded them on that made me think they were 'permanently' attached.
 
Apr 22, 2018
6,524
12,017
Herts.
Funster No
53,503
MH
Adria Coral lowline
We've got steadies at the rear. If we've on a site for a few days, I'll jack them down. It does take a lot of the rock out.

I am a bit terrified that I'll drive off one day with them down though...
Most, if original equipment, fold if you accidentally drive off forward. Not that I have tested mine. I put the wind handle across the pedals to stop that, if I did forget.
 
Aug 27, 2014
1,874
3,274
Shropshire
Funster No
33,077
MH
McLouis Tandy 640+
Exp
Since 2014
Hydraulic jacks for a full cure, but they are both expensive and heavy.

My van came with fold down legs at the rear, which you couldn't put any pre-load on - so they just dug into the ground overnight and were pretty useless, by the morning they were always 1/2" above the now-compressed ground.

So I changed them for Alko steady-legs, which you wind down with a handle and can put a decent amount of pre-load on, they work a treat.

We don't have anything for the front of the van, but even with 3 kids, just the rear legs are enough to take the worst of the movement out. We really notice it if we don't put them down.

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Lenny HB

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 18, 2007
50,044
137,560
On the coast in West Sussex
Funster No
658
MH
Hymer B678 DL
Exp
Since 2008 & many years tugging
Thanks all, think I'll go with the more reliable option as were going travelling in it for 2-3 years. Is the TESA system well regarded?
Not particularly I would pay the extra for E&P hydraulic Jack's.
This might be of interest.

 
Jul 5, 2021
74
134
Funster No
82,423
MH
Pilote P740GJ
Exp
Perpetual newbie
Friends of ours just had their system fitted here in Spain and its brilliant, much lighter than the hydraulic system and very quick to level
Full set as in all 4 or just the one pair? Any idea how much it was? Looking to possibly get ourselves a full set in the spring..

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Mar 1, 2021
235
495
Guardamar del Segura, Spain
Funster No
79,477
MH
Adria Sonic 700i SL
Full set as in all 4 or just the one pair? Any idea how much it was? Looking to possibly get ourselves a full set in the spring..
I can tell you exactly, for all four fitted and added to the technical document for ITV here in Spain it was just over €3000, here is the factura
 

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