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Archive for motorhome – Page 3

E&P: Levelling with touchscreen

The newly revised hydraulic levelling system for motorhomes from E&P Hydraulics is now called Level M and offers users even more comfort. In the past the motorhome steady legs were controlled at the touch of a button; in future, this will be achieved simply and conveniently using a tablet and/or smartphone app, both of which have the same user interface. One advantage of the new, modern operating concept is that it can be updated in terms of user interface and functions. The small touchpad is provided with a fixed charging station in the motorhome. When the tablet is removed from this unit it functions as a practical, wireless radio remote control from which the entire levelling system can also be controlled from outside the vehicle. Simply touching the tablet or smartphone screen commands the system to automatically level the vehicle horizontally. The hydraulic cylinders can also be moved manually so that, for example, a motorcycle carrier can be loaded more easily.

Motorhome levelling system

The principle of the E&P hydraulic levelling system is quite simple. The legs are extended hydraulically out of a cylinder at the push of a button and position the vehicle perfectly horizontally within 120 seconds. But behind the simple functionality, there is a lot of experience and complex technology.

The hydraulic support system includes steady legs, pump blocks, oil reservoirs, hydraulic lines and electronic control. At a press of the button on the remote control, the pump starts and pumps oil from the tank into the cylinders of the steady legs. The steady legs of the E&P system extend in pairs until they contact the ground and a counter-pressure is built up in the system. Thanks to the electronic spirit level integrated into the control unit, the system starts to extend the legs further until the vehicle is horizontal. To ensure that no damaging forces act on the superstructure, the legs are always extended in pairs on the longitudinal or transverse axis and always with just the amount of travel necessary. Depending on the model, when fitted to a motorhome the hydraulic system can move up to 10,000 kilograms per leg. That is sufficient to level a 22-tonne vehicle.

Each E&P system is matched to the weight of the vehicle. The electronics control the travel of the legs via the pressure in the respective cylinder. This means that the system does not need any susceptible electrical sensors on the legs. All systems are fastened to the chassis supporting points using adapters specially designed for the respective vehicle and body type, which means that no welding is necessary.

An overview of the E&P Level M levelling system:

• For motorhomes from 3.5 to 22 tonnes permitted gross weight
• Available with different stroke lengths
• Drive-off protection – the system functions only when the ignition is switched off
• Hydraulic pump is driven by a powerful motor (12 V / 24 V – 800 W)
• Fully automatic levelling at the push of a button
• Semi-automatic operation of pairs of supports
• Emergency operation in case of power failure
• Lowering of the supports in pairs to avoid stresses being exerted on the chassis or body
• Permanent protection against corrosion, stone chips, moisture and dirt
• Stainless steel base plate as standard
• Can be integrated into an existing air suspension system
• Level and steady in maximum of two minutes
• Easy touchscreen operation
• Compact and light
• Maintenance-free
• Cable and line routing protected from dirt and moisture

The software can also be retrofitted to enable control using a smartphone app (iOS and Android). This requires a WiFi module that is integrated into the control cable between the control unit and touch panel or conventional operating panel and is supplied with power to operate the levelling system by pushing a button. Power off is automatic after five minutes of inactivity.

For further information on the E&P Hydraulics Level M motorhome levelling system, CLICK HERE.

‘The Fit RV’ test VB Air Suspension in the US… what did they make of it?

Stef and I have been rolling with VB Air Suspension in our RV for over a month now, and there’s no going back. We’re hooked!

We made a before-and-after video right when we got it installed, and we both thought it improved the ride quality for us. But that was a pretty subjective test. Since I’m me, I had to go a little further with it. I wanted actual data to prove that things really were smoother. The result is this video:

To do this right, I needed three things:

  • A control rig and our rig, together on the same day
  • A bumpy road
  • A way to quantify ride quality

The first one was pretty easy. Right after we left Advanced RV, who had installed the VB Air Suspension on our ProMaster, we headed to Winnebago’s Grand National Rally. While we were parked there in a row of 40 or so nearly identical rigs, I realized I had found my control rig! I searched around the row until I found a similar Travato with stock suspension. Our RV is pretty unique, but the Soloway’s RV was as close as practical. They were nice enough to let us use their rig for our video.

Finding a bumpy road was also pretty easy. Stef and I led bike rides all throughout the rally. I just paid close attention and found a straight section of road with plenty of expansion joints, cracks, potholes, dips, and bumps. It didn’t take long to find our test track, just outside the rally grounds.

Finding a way to quantify ride quality took a little more thinking, but ultimately the answer was in my pocket. Modern smartphones have accelerometers in them. These are what lets the phone know if you tip it, shake it, whatever. So I found an app that tapped into the phone’s accelerometer data, and displayed that in a graph. In practice, it looks like a seismograph. The app I used is called “Vibration”, for the iPhone. The important thing here was that it let me export the data so I could look at it afterward.

Once I had those things in place, you can guess how the experiment worked. We drove each van, loaded with the same passengers (and same driver) over the same bumpy road at the same speed and recorded the data. We also had the Soloways give us their impressions of the ride quality. Since they hadn’t spent the money on an air suspension system, we figured their opinions were bound to be less biased than our own! And when we got back home, I took a long look at the data and produced the analysis you see in the video.

So now that you have the data, ask yourself, which van would you rather be riding in? I did ask myself that question! Not only do I ride in the van, but I have to work on a laptop on the dinette while Swervy McWhiplash (aka Stef) is driving. The end result of all this is that I’m convinced that the VB Air Suspension did indeed smooth out the ride. Stef and I felt it. Ms. Soloway certainly felt it. And now, I’ve got data that shows it.

I’m considering this case closed, and a verdict in favour of the VB Air Suspension.

For more information on VB Air Suspension, CLICK HERE.

Source: The Fit RV

The benefits of E&P levelling systems

We often hear about the difficulties of levelling a caravan on a slightly sloping pitch and then lining up the wheels to fit an axle wheel lock, particularly on a twin axle caravan van. Levelling the ‘van can often be a two-person operation and sometimes very stressful for all involved. You’ve taken ages to get your caravan level and then you can’t get to the receiver for your lock lozenges!

If you’re lucky enough to afford a new Lunar Alaria or Buccaneer caravan, like the Galera, then you won’t have these problems…Welcome to the E&P automatic levelling system!

How does it work?

At the press of a button, the E&P Levelsystem allows you to tilt and lift up the caravan with its six hydraulic supports. You can then turn the wheels by hand and get those axle wheel locks fitted with ease. Using a control panel inside the caravan or remote control, you then press auto to activate the levelling system and watch it automatically put down the hydraulic steadies and level the caravan in less than two minutes.

E&P automatics caravan levelling system

This automatic levelling system can be retro-fitted and although it’s not cheap, it’s simple to use and will get you perfectly pitched in no time at all – without the need for jacks, blocks and spirit levels.

Using hydraulic axle supports (or jacks) the system lifts and tilts your caravan, taking the weight of your tourer and reducing the stress on the caravan suspension, corner steadies and tyres. When in storage you can also take the pressure off the tyres completely and use the jacks to take the stresses out of the axle.

The system also includes four hydraulic corner supports with AL-KO Big Foot feet to help spread the load and make your caravan floor feel as solid as concrete!

Automatic levelling

The levelling process is completely automatic and having the ability to tilt the caravan from side to side also makes it possible to repair a puncture at the side of the road whilst still attached to the tow car.

The system is also a good theft deterrent as there’s no way of lifting up the corner steadies or the jockey wheel, and with the axle jacks down any caravan would take some moving!

For more information visit: Caravanguard or find the best system for your needs here.

Come and have coffee on us at the 2018 NEC Motorhome & Caravan Show

The dates (if you need reminding) for your diary are 16th-21st October, NEC Birmingham.

NEC, Motorhome, Caravan, Air Suspension, E&P Level System

It’s one of the most hotly anticipated events in the calendar for any motorhome/caravan enthusiast.

As usual the team from Rosmia will be at the NEC for the full 5 days, please come and say hello to us and have a cup of freshly made coffee whilst you’re at it!

We will be at the VB-Airsuspension stand number 20.32

Ask for Ross from Rosmia (no we have not made that up)

If you would like to talk before then please contact us

We hope to see you at the show.