Caralevel power steadies

meanderer

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Hi folks

Does anyone have experience of these steadies? Basically a caravan steady with a motor and some electronics, wired up to a key on the dash.

After gales on the west coast of Scotland and a rock-n-roll night at Dunnet Head, we want to fit something to our 6.7m van. Being able to operate it from inside is important but we don't need crazy hydraulic leveling, just steadying!

Thanks

Jon
 
They look OK looking at their web site, but I would want more than a warning light that they were deployed, an interlock to the handbrake at a minimum. I see they are steadies, rather than levelers.
 
Air

How about air suspension to the rear it's possible to inflate from inside and I'd think it would help stiffen up the rear and possibly save you some money as well
 
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I have an extra "tool kit" jack in the van. With two jacks you can quickly do a fair bit of leveliing and also stabilise the van. Much cheaper though not much fun in the rain :dance:

Keith
 
Seems a good idea to me, however I much prefer manual when it comes to items that would stop you travelling if it fails.
 
meanderer said:
Hi folks

Does anyone have experience of these steadies? Basically a caravan steady with a motor and some electronics, wired up to a key on the dash.

After gales on the west coast of Scotland and a rock-n-roll night at Dunnet Head, we want to fit something to our 6.7m van. Being able to operate it from inside is important but we don't need crazy hydraulic leveling, just steadying!

Thanks

Jon
Click to expand...

I have Caralevel steadies on the rear of the motorhome, operated from a key located near the habitation entrance.
My experience is that they are of not much use, because when I operate the key the legs come down nicely until they touch the ground, then they stop. I would prefer that the legs pushed down a bit more, but it seems that as soon as they feel resistance they switch off.
I don't know why the steadies were fitted (before I got the vehicle) because as a short twin axle I hardly get a wobble even in the strongest of winds.
This is only my opinion and the newer Caralevel versions may stabilise the vehicle better, perhaps that would be a question to ask if you enquire.
I used to use them and I would hang something on the steering wheel as a reminder that the legs were down.
 
Thank you...

Thanks for all the contributions!

I can see that I need to look in to air suspension - another motorhomer suggested that and I don't know anything about it. It doesn't sound like a cheaper option, but gonna investigate.

Steadies are all we want, have only ever leveled in fields or festivals and I can block under the steady if we're good and safe. I was going to make a key fob for the steadies that fitted in the ignition, that way there's a second layer of safety against driving off and ploughing furrows... Many folk across several forums have suggested the scissor jack technique, but the advice for wild camping is to be able to move on easily if needed, hence electric controlled from inside.

I'm guessing that the steadies stop using a current sensor, so when they hit the ground, current goes up (doing more work) and they cut out. If so, that should be adjustable or selectable. I'll talk to Caralevel again :)

With a simple internally controlled system, I think we'd deploy them even just for a layby brew-stop. The website says the control can be on the dash - essential IMHO.

Cheers, Jon
 
Another vote for rear assisted air suspension. Not only do you not rock and roll when parked up in high winds but much improved handling on roundabouts and corners. Can be adjusted when boarding or disembarking from ferries with steep ramps and we don't get blown onto the hard shoulder when overtaken by crazy coach drivers. So, all the benefits of steadies plus a few more advantages. Ours is controlled from the dash. I don't know the cost of steadies but air suspension can be fitted by anyone with a bit of competence and the kits aren't too expensive. Ours is a Goldschmitt system which we had fitted, it wasn't cheap but one of the best add-ons to our Motorhome.

Pat
 
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