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Crindle

Hi all......currently considering having the E&P Hydraulic Levelling System fitted to a Concorde Charisma. Our vehicle is based on the Mercedes Sprinter 616 CDI chassis. An expensive system at approaching £5K, hence this plea for help. Anyone out there with hands on experience of the product ? The claims in the brochure are impressive, particulary the fully automatic one button operation, to achieve a stable level position in 2 minutes. Having used hydraulic levellers over many years on previous American vans leads us to question the detail of setting up on site with the E&P System.
We adopted a simple method as follows: My wife wife would bring each jack down to within 3 or 4 inches off the ground indicated by my signal from outside the van. I would then proceed to nudge a hardwood pad (12" x 12" x 1" thick) directly under each jack base plate (9" diam.) using the awning wand. Again on a further signal she would take each jack down to just make contact with the pads. Finally continue to level up on the "bubble" from within the van. We found the initial lowering was necessary to align the wood pads to a correct position on the ground to receive the foot of each jack. On retraction of the jacks the awning wand again was useful to hook out the pads thus saving a damp knee. With this in mind we question how is it possible to position the pads with the E & P kit? Finally we very much appreciate any other information or advice that could help us decide on this pricey addition........thanks in anticipation.......Crindle.

pelicanpete

Hi,
I have them on my Concorde Charisma and IMO worth every penny. You'll reap the benefits for years to come. After the initial setting-up with a spirit level per the handbook, (which the installer should do anyway) you press just two buttons (the on/off and the auto-raise) and it levels your van by itself. Retracting is a simple two-button operation.

With the Concorde, you can't accidentally drive off with the rams down as immediately the ignition switch is turned on, they will retract. It's not the recommended way to do it but, at least, it's fail safe.

Occasionally, you may be parked on steep a slope when the automatic function will be prevented, so you raise the ramps manually by pressing two buttons. Still a simple operation.

Another benefit is if you should get a flat tyre you can use the hydraulic rams to lift the relevant corner. No messing with jacks!!

As far as spreader pads, if the ground is well packed you won't need them. If soft, you will. You'll also need them for packing under the pads on very slopey ground.

Leaving next few days for two months in Germany, Austria and the Italian Lakes. The E&Ps will be used a lot!!