This has Transformed our Motorhome
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- čas přidán 4. 08. 2024
- We have had the AL-KO levelling legs fitted to our motorhome last week. Join us in this weeks video where we explain why we had them fitted considering that our VB Air Suspension also levels the motorhome out. We also compare the 2 systems and finally we weigh the van to see if we are now overweight.
If you are interested in the AL-KO HY4 Levelling Legs then use this link to contact them or find one of their partners near you www.alko-tech.com/en_gb/Vehic...
Here is a link to our VB Air Suspension video:
• I CAN'T BELIEVE ITS TH...
Our family have been roaming around the UK, Europe and US since 2007. We set off on each trip with only a rough destination in mind, allowing the roads we take and places we stop to evolve as we meet new friends along the way.
Find more info and our travel map on our website www.roamingradfords.com
See our lists of all the equipment we use in our motorhome and to film our vlogs here www.amazon.co.uk/shop/roaming...
We use Epidemic Sounds for our music. Use our link for a month free when you sign up: www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
This video!!! The structure of this video is what all CZcams channels including mine should aspire to achieve. This is just perfect. So well thought out! Fast paced, precise, engaging, informational and all under 7 minutes. Great work both of you. As for the product absolutely love it! Seems a great investment regardless of cost.
Thanks for your lovely comment Rob
Lovely life your leading love all the upgrades cant wait to watch you on your hols we follow you every were Pam Rob
Thank you both so much x
Great video, as you do spend a lot of time in your motor home, then what you have added makes sense ❤
Absolutely!?
Great information video I also must add how well Lyndsey looks Steve ❤ your one lucky gentleman Stevie boy hope you had a great time in wales x
Thanks we had a blast with the family, and I know I’m a lucky boy, she’s gorgeous is my Lynds, don’t know how she puts up with me 🤔😉
We had it on our Kon Tiki and our Concorde is currently at Newport Caravans getting the E&P system fitted. A lot of people say it is too much money but once you've had it, you defo can't be without it! Not only levelling, but the motorhome is so steady, changing a wheel is a breeze, using the tilt function to empty your tanks by raising one side and as you mentioned, we previously used the system to place grip mats under the drive wheels when we got stuck in the mud whilst away. See you soon xxx
😊😊😊
Hi Guys I've just purchased a 300ah lithium battery and a new victron solar controller as my Sargent in the Kontiki 679 isn't upto dealing with lithium, any advice, I noticed you've already done yours to the max already.. thanks G
Yes, get the professional in to do it for you, that’s what we did as I have no idea when it comes to electrics.
An awesome set of upgrades 😎👍🏻
Thank you x
That is a fantastic motorhome now, there can't possibly be anything else it needs.
you must feel like the 🤴of the 🛣 when driving it 👌
We do love it!
That is awesome nice upgrades guys 😊👍
Thanks Will xxx
Im in California, my 2004 bounder comes stock with leveling Jacks. Really like the air bags you installed. Thanks Don
Thanks Don!!
Good video lots bin done thanks lee
Thanks Lee x
Great video love it fantastic guys
Thanks James x
Excellent video and information. Would be interesting if you took the Motorhome to a weighbridge to see if there was any difference in weights.
Hello Radford family! Great video as usual, sad some comments reminds of what we swedes refers to the”jante”-law:if i cant afford it,then no one else should..! Keep on doing what you do and share the moments with us!
Cheers from sweden!
Thanks for the kind words and support
Brilliantly informative vlog again guys. Hope you pair and your lovely family are keeping well. Another thing to add would be that the levelling system would allow a wheel to be changed in the event of a puncture. Might be worth carrying a spare from now on just in case and would get you out of a potential pickle quite quickly? See you all soon hopefully and happy travels.👍😎
Thank you Jason, and yes absolutely that’s why I mentioned that we’ve also removed the Jack weighing 8kg as we no longer need that now 👍
We have E&P fitted to our tag. I was very hesitant when hubby first mentioned them due to the cost but 100% worth it.
Also we feel its added security cause when up on legs not only do you need the key you also need the handheld controller to operate system so harder to steal. Also keeps the weight off tyres.
We think its great :)
Great point!
Like the weighing system. We don't have any public weigh bridges in our area.
It’s a relief to know we aren’t over weight!
just come back from Germany and a lot of long vans have a frame fitted underneath the back of the van with wheels attached to stop id grounding out.
Fab video sir 👍
Thank you 👍
Love that the system weighs the MH. For you. As you know we have the vb air suspension and the e&p self levelling. We also have air ride seats. They make the ride so smooth...... even going over rumble strips there is no movement. Totally agree they make a big difference to road noise and when you are parked up with the jacks doen the bus is solud... no movement even with the four of us moving sround. The only addition i would suggest is jack pads. We have a set that are stackable so even if we encounter a quite steep slope on one side we can put 3 of the stackers under each of the legs on one side and still level the bus....
We will look in to the jack pads for definite, thanks for the tip!!!
Looks a brilliant system guys and you have a fantastic van. Your videos are my go to as we start to prep our van for full timing early next year. Keep up the great work and can I ask how easy was it to fit the ring doorbell? Thanks Dave
Thanks David. The ring doorbell was easy, we just used 3m double sided VHB tape to stick it to the van
Recommend getting Jack pads for when using levellers. Especially doing field camping.👍🏻
Thanks for the tip!
Yes! Good
Advice we have these also 👍👍
Before you put the VB into service mode, drop it right down. That gives more travel on the legs when the ground is particularly un level but also means the van isn’t so high once the legs are extended. We have VB & the E&P legs which does this automatically.
Great tip! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
That’s great advice, we were told the same, empty the bags before self levelling avoids any risk of damage as well
Had E@P fitted with VB air on my last van, as you say awesome on a pitch, wait until you feel the benefit on a windy day. New van arriving this week at the dealers, getting E @P fitted again before collection. As it’s a Merc on Alko chassis want to drive it first before making I’m sure the eventual decision to get VB again.
We use SAP at Doncaster, Mick the only owner I know who gives every customer his personal mobile number and answers 7 days if you call, legend in the camping community
Ohh thank you!
We have had HPC system fitted it's great no more rocking
😊😊😊
These look great for levelling when parked.
Exactly!
I looked at the HY4 and the E&P, couldn't justify the extra cost so went for the E&P system, luckily I got the foot plate covers included in the price, also got a £50 M&S voucher via the CAMC member offer. I've also purchased some jacking pads that are about 25mm thick which should help to spread the load on softer surfaces, and they could also assist when extreme leveling might be required. Used the system twice so far. Need to remove the jack as no longer required as well as the rear wind down steadies to recover some weight.
Fantastic!
Steve and Lindsay,
Here in the US, they make a product called "Snap pads". They are tire like rubber pads that fit over bottom of the leveling pads. It increases the surface area and protects the metal from dings and scrapes. It helps on wet ground too.
Do they have these in the UK?
I had my Hy4 with the weighing attachment on my van over 3 years ago wouldn't be without it, in fact we removed them of our old van and had them re-fitted onto the new van saved £
Also we drop our legs (only just touching the ground other wise they will nick your wheels) when we leave the van in car parks to put off thieves
Good tip! We hadn't considered that!
The legs look like a great was to make it stable. A windy park up can be too exciting, but if the van no longer rocks, have you got a sign for the door?
No sign 🤣🤣
You must of spent more on upgrades than the Moho originally cost ! 😂
🫣🫣🫣
Love your videos, very informative. Can I ask what camera you use to film it please? Keep up the good work.
Thank you. We currently use the Sony ZV-1E with the Sony 14mm 1.8 lens for most of our shots
Very useful upgrades considering the amount you use the vehicle. I have considered installing electromechanical legs (much cheaper). We currently only have two manually operated stabilizer legs in the back.
It's been great for us, but if your stabilisers do the job then thats great!
@@RoamingRadfords Well, the current manual legs work but they are merely keeping the van from shaking when you move inside. You cannot level the van with these, so, it is kind of half a solution.
Love the upgrades very expensive.
Someone is going to get a fantastic upgraded van when you decide to change.
Eventually!! I plan on keeping this van for a good few miles yet!
If its anything like E&p the system can be easily transferred to another vehicle, so you can take it with you
Great video. When you had the AL-KO fitted, did you have to remove the VB Air system? I like the idea of the AL-KO, but also like the thought of the smoother drive and ability to lift the motorhome when going onto ferries etc.
No we have both fitted
Great levelling system, especially with the weighing App option/upgrade. Are you full air or just rear air assist (I can't remember)?
Thanks it’s full air all around
Hi guys do you have a video on the solar equipment you fitted, just started putting a victron solar controller on my 300ah kontiki 679 and think i may have to replace the Sargant too. G
Sure here you go
INSANE SOLAR PANEL INSTALL
czcams.com/video/QgySlQmiRUc/video.html
Hi guys
Great channel, can you please tell me from where in Italy did you get the ferry to Croatia?
Thanks Dave. We’ve not caught a ferry from Italy to Croatia. We did catch the ferry from Brindisi in Italy to Vlore in Albania last year. Here’s the video
THE NIGHT FERRY TO ALBANIA 🇦🇱
czcams.com/video/zV6vKyyzU-k/video.html
Lovely thankyou gonna check it out now 👍
We have had the E and P levelling system fitted on our new
Motorhome - we had it on our previous one and it’s a game changer - yes it’s a big investment but we wouldn’t be without it - that and air con lol 😂
I’m so pleased you like it x
lovely van just wondered what the mpg is?
We usually get around 23mpg
Hi Steve , is the full vb air suspension going to be enough getting fitted , just thinking does it adjust enough to level when at park up , just can’t really afford both HY4 fitting and full air suspension
Just thinking if I can adjust it for most caravan park ups I could just have the air suspension fitted
Yes, the VB Air levels us up at most stops and if we were to be only choosing one of them it would be the VB Air over the legs
Steve when you weigh your motorhome does the total weight include the four jacks lifting the motorhome to find the weight ? Looks very impressive 👏
I’m sure the manufacturer would have taken this into consideration
@RoamingRadfords just me as I am involved with trucks ,my thinking is a proper weigh bridge for the true weight .
Hi lve had Alko hy4 for a few months now, fitted to my Burstner ixeo. There great and much quieter than e&p.
Im having VB 2c air suspension fitted soon to the rear axle, can i ask if you leave your VB system in ride height before turning to Service mode. I believe that the system can stay active for 5 minutes once the ignition is switched off ie not in service mode which might bad for rhe air bags when using the Alko leveling system.
As I showed in the video, I’d just park up, press service mode on the VB system, then just use the legs. This is how I was told to operate it by the senior technician at VB Air Suspension. So I guess this would be in leaving my VB system in ride height. The VB stays in service mode with the button illuminated until you deactivate it before pulling off again the next day.
Thanks for reply have a great time morroco ,I've had my VB rear air fitted now. Do you use the air system to assist in leveling ie if on uneven ground raise or lower the back for example to get a little more level before the jacks go down ,then go to service mode and lower your alko jacks to perfect level.
No we currently just use one or the other
Thanks I've just my insurance company I had rear Air suspension fitted and now they won't insure me. They got another quote from another broker giving me an astronomical increase in premium. Any advice please
Hi Steve where did you have the HY4 system fitted please ? I followed your link but could not see a UK partner . Thank you
I had ours fitted at E & P in Blackburn.
Here’s the behind the scenes video I did on my channel about it.
Urban Stealth Camping in this beast!
czcams.com/video/scSvJlwvPQA/video.html
Thank you 👍much appreciated.
What’s your mpg with all the extra stuff fitted ?
We usually get around 23mpg
Hi guys tried to contact you recommend AIB Insurance several times, juts goes to answer machine saying we are busy and value you custom we will answer asap . Gave up sticking with Comfort insurance who you recommended last year, thought I let you know. 😊
Thanks, clearly they’ve been having trouble with their phones, we’ve passed this onto them.
Does the little 2.2 engine cope ok?
I have to rev it a little more than our old 3.0 litre engine but it has the same 180 bhp and it copes just fine, although I have to change down gears a little more often
Hello you two. The levelling leg are great. We have them. That are fantastic, can I ask you. Our motorhome is 7.9 m long and 2.8m high. When you go to Europe,do you have toll tag and over 3500kg. How would you do it. Thanks mark
Thank you. We don’t have a roll rage and usually just pay as we go with the tolls.
👍
Was Albania worth a visit!?
Absolutely, you should watch the videos, they will show you our enthusiasm for Albania
Summer 2022 Road Trip
czcams.com/play/PLm8vXtAwkM4EuiyrceHvynR_NZa8KXQ7l.html
Will do going to have a look now thankyou
Trouble been over 3.5t when your on the continent and you break down on the motorways they can charge any amount they like, upto 3.5t is a set amount
That’s why good breakdown cover is a necessity in Europe!
@@RoamingRadfords it's not what you pay it's the guy you end up with if he's useless your doomed
@@RoamingRadfords We have the full air suspension front and rear allowing use to level up without ramps it weighs less than the original, the ride on the tags was always hard, worse if you have the newer carbon rear leaf springs anything is better than the original
Hi the gross weight is handy but mr police man or vosa will not be interested as each axle has a gross I once was over on the rear under on the front and under on the gross it cost me £300 at Perth sheriff court. Just watch for that one. 6:54
Fortunately the app shows the individual axle payload, so we can see we exactly where we are!
How do you find time to run a business and run a CZcams channel plus raise a family, my head is spinning just thinking about it lol.
They own a business, I don’t think they are running it day to day anymore!!!
Exactly this! We built it from nothing over the last 20 years, found the right team to take over, and now only get involved if they need us. Apparently “get in the way now” 🤣🤣
2:34 Lynsey lets slip the real reason.... 🤔😉
Love the videos. Random question. I noticed you have an IPAd holder in your lounge area. Could you please let me know what holder you have. Thank you.
That’s an Amazon Echo Show 15
@@RoamingRadfords ahh ok. Thanks.
You may be under on your gross but have you checked you axle weight?
The system lists the front and rear weights Martin and we’re all good 👍
Can have more fun in basic van in my opinion 😂
Excellent!
Hi No rocking ,,,poor old you..........
😀😀😀
To mutch money
Can't afford a van let alone the rest of the kit 😮
Why not just buy an rv everything on it ...we did 10 yes full time only used blocks and bricks no problem 😂😂
I’m afraid the UK manufacturers don’t offer many upgrades from new. I believe there were just 3 options available from new, an upgraded engine to 180bhp, an automatic gearbox and a tow bar, which we opted for. We had planned to do these upgrades once we got it, and I’ve been referring to it as ‘Steve’s Van Build’ where we buy plan off the shelf motorhome and personalise it for our needs. We’re now running out of things to do to it, but I’m sure I’ll find a few more yet! 😳
Another advert
While I agree most of these motorhome and van-life channels are getting like QVC these days you do not have to watch and we would all do it given the chance.
The whole point is to share the information.... the Radfords have the cash they can afford to make the modifications, the fact they share this information assists the rest of us to make informed decisions. If you have limited resources and a choice between vb suspension and self levelling... you watch the videos... weigh up the pros and cons then you can make an informed decision... I say THANKS, to Lynsey and Steve for sharing the info.
And as someone has already said, you are not forced to watch... enjoy the videos.