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quoteBetter than chocks and ramps? There are lots of reasons why you might want some kind of automated self-levelling system for your motorhome.
Advantages include no more bending or lifting with standard levelling ramps and chocks, and/or not having to rely on someone else to guide you onto them.
Also, hydraulic or electric levelling systems can come in handy when it comes to tyre changing, working underneath your vehicle, even fitting a wheelclamp or snow chains. And it can help get you out when you’re otherwise stuck in mud as well as making it difficult for a thief to drive away with your motorhome, so a great theft deterrent!
A typical hydraulic motorhome levelling system will even prevent your motorhome or campervan swaying in windy conditions as well as preventing the rocking sensation you can get when entering or exiting the vehicle.
Being level also means the performance of products like cookers and fridges is optimised. Sitting and sleeping on the level is, of course, also ideal.
A typical automatic motorhome self-levelling system involves hydraulics (but we also mention alternatives below). They do cost, however…
Top tips for choosing a motorhome self-levelling system
- A typical hydraulic levelling system can shave some 50kg off your available payload. However, you can claim some of that back by leaving the following at home: jack, corner steadies and brace, levelling ramps and wedges. A typical motorhome self-levelling system covers all these roles, so leaving the other items at home will save weight and give you a bit of extra on-board storage space.
- Installation is best left to the professionals. Approved fitters can also advise on what systems are best suited to you. Some systems offer more adjustment than others to tackle more uneven terrain.
- By all means continue to carry motorhome levelling ramps for when they might be more suitable, although do note your non-driving partner may be more than happy at the prospect of never having to guide you onto ramps again – especially in bad weather conditions!
- As well as keeping your motorhome level to prevent any unwanted build-up of liquids, a self-levelling system can also be used to tilt the vehicle sufficiently to drain water from tanks, sinks, the shower tray etc.
- Most systems are transferrable, so you can switch them over should you buy another motorhome.
- Self levelling systems can offer another layer of security to your motorhome. With legs down, thieves will have to retract the system to be able to drive it away. Some systems even use a security PIN code to be able to access the controls.
Star Player #1
E&P Hydraulics Level M
From a company that’s well versed in levelling systems, model Level M has long been the one for motorhomes, although owners of campervans and van conversions will want to look out for the all-new LevelVan.
Level M comprises four hydraulic jacks (a variety of sizes are available) that attach directly to the chassis and, with the press of a single button, will level a motorhome in under two minutes, ideally also keeping all four wheels still in contact with the ground.
Handy features include making the system work only when the handbrake is on. And, if it is accidentally released, there is an alarm and the jacks instantly retract.
It’s designed to fit most base vehicles, including motorhomes with an Al-Ko chassis. Plastic footplates and a Wi-Fi module are among the options.
Key features Totally hydraulic, 12V pump with 800Watt motor, maintenance-free, sub-one minute retraction, theft protection facility, for motorhomes from 3,500kg upwards, stainless steel footplates, typical weight 55kg, two-year warranty
Typical price £6,500 (including fitting)
Star Player #2
M-level
The only system here that’s UK designed and built, also using only UK-sourced parts, including the wireless touchscreen handset with PIN code for added security.
The auto-level setting promises your vehicle will be levelled within two minutes of pitching. You can also tilt the vehicle to drain water tanks etc. The handset is fully portable, too.
Another feature – Manual Adjustment – can be used to lift all wheels off the ground – ideal if your motorhome or campervan is in long-term storage and you don’t want the tyres developing any flat spots.
Kits are available for the following base vehicles – Fiat Ducato/Peugeot Boxer, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter – as well as motorhomes on Fiat/Al-Ko chassis.
Key features Chrome-plated rods and tubes, wheel-changing facility, three-year warranty
Typical price £5,700 (including fitting)
Star Player #3
Ma-Ve
Hydraulic levelling systems comprising brackets, jacks, pump and control panel. The jacks are available in different lengths, supporting up to three tonnes per leg. They’re also maintenance-free. The pump includes a manual lever, for emergency use.
It’s all controlled via a remote unit (supplied with 5m of cabling). Plus, there’s a free-to-use app.
Key features Galvanised brackets with rotating support plates, annual visual inspection recommended, auto-retract when you start your engine, three-year warranty (if installed by an approved fitter)
Typical price £5,350 (including fitting)
Caravan Guard blog reader comment: “We have a Ma-Ve system on our motorhome and in our opinion they are the ultimate motorhome luxury. When you pull up on site it only takes seconds to be fully set up and level.”
Star Player #4
HPC Automatic Leveling System HPC312
A system that promises to get your motorhome level in less than 90 seconds, with a choice of four different positions (including tanks draining).
Features include anodised aluminium jacks that help keep weight down to around the 40kg mark.
HPC-Hydraulics also says it was the first company to use a touchscreen for its levelling systems. Its monitor includes a level bubble, battery monitor and presets for level, shower drain and tank drain. There’s also a manual mode. It can also be operated via a smartphone app.
Options include manual control and custom solutions, plus an extendable warranty.
Key features Can lift up to 30 tonnes, full digital memory and diagnostics reporting, tank emptying facility, emergency pump handle, UK and Europe-wide dealer network, three-year warranty
Typical price £5,950 (including fitting)
Caravan Guard blog reader comment: “We bought an HPC system from AS Suspension in Warrington following a tour to Scandinavia where three ‘vans had the system and we were able to see the advantages. We like the HPC system as it is relatively light at around 40kg and the base plate moves to the ground on which it sits.”
Star Player #5
SHR Hydraulic Levelling
Designed for motorhomes and campervans/van conversions on a wide variety of base vehicles. A testing regime includes individual checks of every single power pack and hydraulic jack before it leaves the factory in Germany.
It also uses a mounting system that involves fully welding to designated fixing points (unlike the clamping brackets used by others), or a unique bracket for an Al-Ko chassis. Also, the hydraulic pump and control system are mounted to a rear sub-frame, for extra strength. It says all this means less stress on the original chassis.
The Safety Tyre Change facility includes a patented shock valve system that locks the cylinders if pressure loss is detected.
Key features Stainless steel footplates, sub-one minute levelling, operation via remote control and/or app (Android or iOS), can be used for wheel changing.
Typical price From £6,995 (including fitting)
Star Player #6
Al-Ko HY4 Support System
Different to other hydraulic systems in that each of the steady legs here has its own pump. This makes fitting easier because there’s no need for any interlinking of hoses.
Interesting options include a weighing function that warns of incorrect loading and/or overloading, plus an app that lets you use the system via your smartphone.
This can be fitted to motorhomes with Al-Ko chassis extensions as well as coachbuilts and van conversions based on Fiat’s Ducato/Peugeot’s Boxer. Plus, it’s authorised by Mercedes for use on a selection of its Sprinter models.
Key features Fully automatic, suitable for vehicles up to 6,000kg, LED remote control, maintenance-free, weight 68kg, transferable to other vehicles
Typical price £7,000 (including fitting)
Star Player #7
TESA Auto-Lift 4
This differs from most levelling systems in that it uses electro-mechanical jacks rather than the usual hydraulics. Hence, it’s a lot less expensive, although it’s more suited to levelling up on the type of uneven ground you’ll get on a campsite rather than rougher terrains.
The supplier also points out that, unlike motorhome self-levelling systems using oil and air pressure, it’s less susceptible to extreme temperatures, lateral pressure, dust, and power loss.
It’s suitable for fitting to motorhomes as well as van conversions, with fitting kits for base vehicles such as the Fiat Ducato/Peugeot Boxer/Citroen Relay, Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit and more.
Key features Maintenance-free, 48kg net weight, fully retractable jacks, three-year warranty
Typical price £3,500 (including fitting)
Caravan Guard blog reader comment: “I chose TESA for two reasons. One, they fold up when not in use and have very little sticking out below the chassis. Two, the installed price was a couple of thousand less than hydraulic. For ease of vehicle maintenance/wheel changing, being able to lift just the left, right, back or front independently is ideal.”
Star Player #8
SavvyLevel 4
A process, not a system, says SavvyLevel. Think of it more as a sophisticated spirit level – a dedicated app to use via your smartphone or tablet, along with traditional levelling blocks or more. The company itself explains it as a “fully integrated levelling solution to guide you through which wheel to lower or raise if using airbags as well as which wheel to ramp if using ramps or blocks… SavvyLevel calculates the precise blocks or ramp heights you need, making sure you’ll never overstep your ramps.”
The 6cm x 6cm SavvyLevel hardware unit can be placed anywhere horizontally (even upside down, says the company) inside your vehicle and is best powered by your leisure battery. There’s also a remote feature so you can monitor the power supply.
Once set up, it remembers your preferred level. It’s not affected by temperature changes, either. And it all weighs less than 200g.
Key features For use with iOS and Android systems, can be used with multiple devices, thermally calibrated, internal wiring kits also available, two-year warranty
Typical price £169
Insurance considerations of automatic levelling systems
Evidently many of these systems are not cheap. If you do get a hydraulic or electro-mechanical auto levelling system installed on your motorhome, given these are fixed permanently to your motorhome, they are classed as fixed equipment which means you need to reflect their value in your motorhome sum insured. Including their value in your motorhome insured value means in the event of insured damage or write off, your levelling system will be covered for repair or replacement.
Our thanks to…
S&G Home and Leisure is a specialist supplier and approved installer for key items of kit for motorhomes, including self-levelling systems. A family-run business, it celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2024.
Find out more at www.sghomeleisure.co.uk
Over to you…
See what motorhome owners think about motorhome self-levelling systems in the results of our recent poll.
And if you’ve got any advice on automatic motorhome levelling systems to pass on to others, feel free to add your comments below.
(Prices and details correct at time of publication: March 2025)
There is so much missing from the article. Where is the popular Amplo system?
How much adjustment is available such as the Mave system that has limited travel and needs more space on the the vehicle as it folds up (it couldn’t be fitted on ours)? Many systems have multi stage rams for increased travel.
Some systems use a security PIN to lock the system rams down as a vehicle anti theft deterrent.
Which systems are fitted without drilling the chassis?
What are the benefits of using plates under the ram feet?
No mention of the Alko HY4 in this review? Especially the unique feature of weighing the MH.
Hi John. We’ve included this model now.
Only one product had remarks indicating what make of vehicles were covered. There are also other points not consistently covered across the board. ie Fully automated system and App support.
Very informative, gave me something to consider
New to motor homes but would have seen some information about costs
Tin of beans, £1, works on grass pitch as well.