I am not sure about the price or reliability but my thoughts on the matter is what "Extra Weight" they would be and the extra wiring/power supply needed to operate. Especially aftermarket fitment with the way most "Van Manufacturers Plated Weights" already close to maximum or over. Even the Hydraulic units available I would think are a fairly heavy Pumping Unit and Hydraulic Rams with reinforced legs. Others might have more info. I will stay with the drop down type that I have as they are only meant to stabilize not for Levelling or Lifting the van.
Don't think that they would do a good job of levelling the van as unless the chassis has been strengthened to take the full weight of the van the chassis will start to deform, this happens in my van when, I get too eager with the corner steadies winding them down and find that the rear door has become difficult to open and close because of distortion in the van frame. Cheers David
Hi RickP welcome to the forum its good to see you actively participating.
If you want an easy way of lowering and applying some tension to the stabilizer stands a good quality electric drill with slow speed and a device that fits the winder which can be purchased cheaply at any Caravan accessories shop will do the job well and much less cost.
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Get your caravan level before unhitching and putting its "legs" down. A little "T-bar" spirit level on the draw-bar helps enormously-- if one side lower, use a ramp, and use the jockey wheel after unhitching to level it lengthways. Then put your stabilisers down using a rechargeable drill. Sometimes in soft sand or wet ground, a flat board or something similar under the "feet" will stop the stabilisers sinking.
Being a bit of a techie person and having had dealings with hydraulic outriggers on several configurations of vehicles, I can confidently say that it's not going to be without it's problems, aside from ensuring that not only does the chassis strength allow the fitment as already mentioned, but such a system will also require load sensing to each leg, cut off pressures, level sites, and more importanlty the reliability of such a system for when you are away from anybody that can help you when the things are stuck in a lowered position. Not forgetting of course it's another system to have checked and serviced.
My beliefs in many things mechanical are to keep it simple and utilise a system that you can operate when all goes south!!
The electric drill idea is by far the cheapest and easiest option as Aussie Traveller has suggested, a decent battery drill will also have a "torque" setting so you can adjust it to avoid "over zealous" winding.
Not wishing to put a downer on your idea, but i have investigated it for myself and ran away quickly!!
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Thanks to everyone, I think I will be either winding by hand or an electric drill. there doesn't appear to be a success story for these electric jacks.This forum has probably save both money and heartache.
