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Huwrhys



Member Since: 07 Feb 2018
Location: Hornchurch
Posts: 547

United Kingdom 2017 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Loire Blue

https://www.caravantalk.co.uk/community/to...nt-1336923
A thread which shows the build of my van.

Post #497117 30th Nov 2018 9:57am
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Tinman



Member Since: 22 Mar 2017
Location: kent
Posts: 1120

United Kingdom 2017 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Silicon Silver

Hi, Huwrhys,

I have the same 640 and have just had the E & P system fitted takes the hard work out of trying to level a big heavy van manually even with lock and level which still gives a lot of bouncing when walking up and down inside.
This my second Vanmaster 640 well worth the money IMHO looking to fit air con in the new year what is the make you are using? Is your sun awning in a bag or fixed? I am asking because of the height over the door to the awning rail?
My wife and I did French Alps this year for six weeks very nice, Fattie was great on fuel and comfort.

Post #497141 30th Nov 2018 2:26pm
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Huwrhys



Member Since: 07 Feb 2018
Location: Hornchurch
Posts: 547

United Kingdom 2017 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Loire Blue

Hi Tinman
Yeah I find the E&P system is worth so much more than the sum of it's parts. Whereas I used to look for the level across the axles before I unhitched, now it doesn't matter. I rarely need to use blocks unless it's a pretty steep incline (see pic) like at Mont Blanc.


My A/C is the Dometic Freshjet unit which does have a problem when working too hard. The internal water trap isn't deep enough and it leaks water onto the floor. I have complained to Dometic who sent an engineer to fit a flat piece of plastic with sealant to the side of the trap but it still does it if I call for 16 degrees when it's 35 outside it seems to have a hissy fit. Also the Truma system can be linked to the Alde to give you a sort of climate control. What I would check out if I were you is the roof of the van. To fit the roof mounted A/C there's a steel hooped frame within the roof to support the weight. If it wasn't specced from new it won't have it and can't be fitted. What you can do is fit the floor mounted unit which uses hoses similar to blown air systems so it blows cool in the bathroom/bedroom/lounge and kitchen. Nearly went that route myself when I looked at a second hand van which used to be Phil Narey's own van before he took over the company. Unfortunately I saw a new one and couldn't/didn't look back.
My awning is an Isabella Transit which is effectively a sun shade for which I have bought sides and front to use for my Mum (Bless her) but she decided she'd stay in the van after all.



As regards value, it only has to be good value to me. I'm happy. You know exactly how happy I am too. Thumbs Up

Post #497145 30th Nov 2018 3:41pm
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Gazellio @ Prestige Cars



Member Since: 22 Jan 2010
Location: Chilterns, UK
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United Kingdom 2010 Range Rover SE Td6 Zermatt Silver

^ What site is that I love the lakeside pitch?

Post #497147 30th Nov 2018 3:48pm
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Huwrhys



Member Since: 07 Feb 2018
Location: Hornchurch
Posts: 547

United Kingdom 2017 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Loire Blue

Hi Gary
It's Huw from Hornchurch, you came over in your VW Bus to buy my D4 a while back. Sold it to a guy on the forum a few days later.
The camp site is Camping Covelo on lake Iseo in Italy. Owned by a young guy called Luca. Lovely fella but you need to be quick to get a lakeside pitch. Good staff and restaurant on site too. If you want to book it you really need to call Luca direct, tell him Huw sent you. Whistle

http://www.campingcovelo.com/

Post #497148 30th Nov 2018 4:08pm
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Tinman



Member Since: 22 Mar 2017
Location: kent
Posts: 1120

United Kingdom 2017 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Silicon Silver

Hi, Huwrhys

That was my concern about the roof type? I was not sure if they have an internal pump for the condensate but from what you experience it is a gravity system for draining I think I will go for the under bench type with trunking, getting any air con down to 16 degrees without a pump is a big ask unless it has a large drain outlet? speaking as an aircon installer.

Post #497149 30th Nov 2018 4:24pm
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Huwrhys



Member Since: 07 Feb 2018
Location: Hornchurch
Posts: 547

United Kingdom 2017 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Loire Blue

Whistle could have made a fool of myself there. Rolling with laughter

Post #497151 30th Nov 2018 4:41pm
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Tinman



Member Since: 22 Mar 2017
Location: kent
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United Kingdom 2017 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Silicon Silver

Not if it`s a poor design in the first place try setting it at 18/19 still comfortable in 35 degrees Cool

Post #497159 30th Nov 2018 5:51pm
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Huwrhys



Member Since: 07 Feb 2018
Location: Hornchurch
Posts: 547

United Kingdom 2017 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Loire Blue

I learned that fairly early on tbh. The system is normally set at about 20 degrees or a little more.




The Alde system shows both internal and external temp.

Post #497160 30th Nov 2018 5:58pm
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Huwrhys



Member Since: 07 Feb 2018
Location: Hornchurch
Posts: 547

United Kingdom 2017 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Loire Blue




Gives a taste of the heat we were up against. Note the time in the van is AM!
Couldn't do it without A/C.

Post #497163 30th Nov 2018 6:08pm
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nambFFRR



Member Since: 06 Aug 2018
Location: United Kingdom
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United Kingdom 2016 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Corris Grey

.........I rarely need to use blocks unless it's a pretty steep incline.........

Hope you haven’t caused any structural damage. Doesn’t jacking up on corner steadies as you will over stress them and the chassis? Alko won’t warrant the corner steadies as jacking legs. You can deform the chassis doing this practice. The clue is in the description.....they are corner steadies. Worth checking with Vanmaster. I’ve seen people manually lower steadies and keep going to try and level their caravans only to have the chassis pull away from the caravan body! Be careful otherwise you might end up with a very expensive repair. Always use ramps under the wheels of the ground isn’t level.

Post #497207 1st Dec 2018 10:40am
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Huwrhys



Member Since: 07 Feb 2018
Location: Hornchurch
Posts: 547

United Kingdom 2017 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Loire Blue

You're obviously unaware of the E&P hydraulic levelling system and how it works. There are two hydraulic rams fitted to the axle which level the van across it's width. Once these have found a level the front steadies come down to level fore and aft. When this is done the rears deploy making the van stable in all axis. The point of the system is that no strain whatsoever is imparted to the chassis. Have a read of the blurb on the website, it has videos and clear descriptions of it's capability. I'm sure you'll be impressed.

https://www.ep-hydraulicsnews.co.uk/

Post #497209 1st Dec 2018 10:53am
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Tinman



Member Since: 22 Mar 2017
Location: kent
Posts: 1120

United Kingdom 2017 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Silicon Silver

Spot on Huwrhys Thumbs Up when I got the hand over talk I was so surprised how much more stable the caravan was, with the added ease of fitting wheel locks also difficulty of dragging the caravan away by some tealeaf?

Have a look at the replacement corner steadies, the weight is across the axles with jacks.

Post #497210 1st Dec 2018 11:35am
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nambFFRR



Member Since: 06 Aug 2018
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 167

United Kingdom 2016 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Corris Grey

I’ll have a look at the website. Sound interesting

Post #497213 1st Dec 2018 12:35pm
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nambFFRR



Member Since: 06 Aug 2018
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 167

United Kingdom 2016 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Corris Grey

Just seen the price! Think I’ll be sticking with my £1.99 levelling bubble, ramps and electric drill. No way can I justify the price of the E&P system! Interesting system though .

Post #497225 1st Dec 2018 2:03pm
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