Anyone fitted corner steadies to a Nuevo?

Hi all,

Been interested in the possibility of corner steadies for the Nuevo, so it doesn't feel like we're on a cruise liner when one of use gets up in the night or bounces out of the van.

It's not a huge issue so wont bother if it's too much trouble, but is it simply a case of finding a decent mounting point to bolt to and then you just wind them down on site?

If it's a simple fit any advice on good quality steadies to fit would be appreciated - I noticed Alko seem a common make.

Cheers,
Rob.

I have them (already fitted when bought) on my Nuevo (2006, same model). They are a godsend in windy conditions. Can't look underneath at the fixing at the moment though, so hopefully someone else can help.

Thanks for that.

No problem not being able to check, it's good to know they can be fitted to the Nuevo and you find them useful.

I'll look when I get home tonight on a suitable mounting point, but if anyone does have experience of fitting or a good quality make that'd be great :)

Cheers,
Rob.

Hi Rob

A bit of phoning around might save you a lot of cash.

The corner steadies usually have to come off a Nuevo when a tow bar is fitted. Could be worth phoning a few tow bar fitters to see if they have any slung on one side.

I've no doubt Messrs A/S could supply you with a pair that are ready to bolt on - but knowing them it won't be cheap.   You would be sure however that you have the correct ones for the van, which may be worth a lot.

Dave

There have been a few posts regarding the removal of steadies to save weight. Maybe someone here has a pair they don't want.

Some nice idea's there - cheers Gents.

on my PDI I asked how to use the steadies and was told "I don't think there are any".

When I looked through the bag of bits you get I found a large crank that fitted nicely through two holes in the bumper and lined up with a large bolt head. And turning the crank lowered the steadies.

 

Had a look under the back last night and not sure on the best mounting point.

There is a single beam that runs left to right just behind the rear suspension that I guess is where a few holes need to be drilled to fit them. No where else seems that appropriate though and certainly can't find any dedicated points.

I read somewhere that people take them off as they just add more weight to the van and you can do without them.  

Is your van the EK version? Mine is and I can't say rocking/wallowing when parked up has ever been an issue. Maybe new rear springs or air assistors would be a better bet.
When we first got the van I thought the large overhang and short wheelbase would result in problems, and maybe it would if the bed was at the rear, but as it's positioned between the axles movement is minimal.
I'm of the opinion steadies are going down the caravan route, and for me that would lessen the appeal of motorhoming.
Al.

Although mine is the ES version it also has the kitchen at the rear (EK = end kitchen) and I have steadies fitted. It rocks in strong wind and also as someone gets in or out as they tread on the step. I've just had a quick look and they appear to be fastened to chassis members running from the back to front. If I get chance I'll try and take a photo.

This is going to cost you Noggin!!!! What a struggle to get a half decent photo!

Knowing that we were going to have a towbar fitted I asked A/S not to fit the steadies, but it looks like the chassis was already set up to accept them. I'm almost sure I have labelled the mounting holes correctly, but no doubt Paul or someone will confirm or deny.

Since there may not be an industry standard for corner steadies (??) it's probably better for you to get the ones A/S fit, either from a towbar fitter's scrap bin or from A/S themselves. Then they should bolt into place in a couple of minutes.

Hope this helps - start saving up for all that beer you owe me.




Dave

rose49f wrote:I read somewhere that people take them off as they just add more weight to the van and you can do without them.  

I noticed you can get the Fiamma 'axle stand' style stabilising jacks in either plastic or aluminium. These look just the thing - nice and light, easy to pitch up.

Might be a better alternative - anyone have any experience of these, reviews look ok on Amazon etc.

Gromit wrote:This is going to cost you Noggin!!!! What a struggle to get a half decent photo!

It can't be that difficult    or so I thought before I tried.

Thanks both - interesting photo's those, I'm sure that's not the same as mine (which may the case being a much older version) but now I know where to look I'll be able to check in more detail.

Looks like the mounting holes are directly either side of the waste water tank then.

Ok, will check that out and if they didn't put the mounting position on the older version may go for those 'axle stand' style ones just for convenience.

Al - I know what you mean about it being no big deal, I just notice it when someone enters/leaves there is a big bounce of the rear of the van. Leaf springs don't help I guess.

I guess you're right about the van rocking a bit when someone goes in or out of the hab door. But once the bed is set up at night we're both in the land of nod for the next 9 hours, and seldom get up, let alone go out of the door.. We find a bit of gentle rocking if it's windy just sends us off to sleep quicker!
Al.

Be aware that if you fit corner steadies all the weight, when entering/leaving the van, will be on the retractable step, resulting in premature wear. I now use a separate step which I find far better.

MCRJ wrote:Be aware that if you fit corner steadies all the weight, when entering/leaving the van, will be on the retractable step, resulting in premature wear. I now use a separate step which I find far better.

I don't understand what you mean here???

All the weight will be on the step whether you have steadies or not. When you step onto it to get into or out of the van it has to carry all of your weight? How can steadies allow it to carry less weight?  

Obviously the weight will be the same, steadies or not, but I guess what MCRJ means is the shock effect of jumping onto a solid step as opposed to one that is sprung so to speak. I've just bought a mini mountain bike with suspension for my grandson, and having just had a test ride myself, the reduced shock loading on my bottom is amazing..
Al.

dbroada, Brilliant pics of the underside of your van, when you have a minute could you pop over and polish the underside of mine !

Norman

Just an update, I went for the 'axle stand' style supports in the end. They were only just over 20 quid and fit nicely.

I decided the amount of support we actually need and the 'problem' of the van moving doesn't really require such a permanent and heavy solution.

I got 4 in the pack but will probably only need 2 for the rear support since this is where the van tends to get the bounce coming in and out. Haven't used in anger yet but they look up to the job and if they prove next to useless at least I haven't blown a lot of cash on the fixed corner steadies.

We had some very strong winds last week (ask Boaby about his ASOF flag pole  ) and I used the steadies for the first time in anger.  There's no doubt they made a big difference, both in stopping the turbulence caused by the gales and the, not so, gentle rocking of the van when I move around. So much so that I now have yet another job when we arrive on site   Joking aside, I was very impressed with the difference they made.

Askit wrote:We had some very strong winds last week (ask Boaby about his ASOF flag pole  ) and I used the steadies for the first time in anger.  There's no doubt they made a big difference, both in stopping the turbulence caused by the gales and the, not so, gentle rocking of the van when I move around. So much so that I now have yet another job when we arrive on site   Joking aside, I was very impressed with the difference they made.

Hi Askit

Have you thought of getting a cheap battery drill to wind down the steadies? It saves the interminable handle winding, and makes a chore into a simple job.

No steadies on our van as we have a towbar, but on the previous van I rarely used them because it took so long to wind them down. Plus they sometimes wouldn't reach the ground, so I had to carry lumps of wood.

Dave

Gromit wrote:

Askit wrote:We had some very strong winds last week (ask Boaby about his ASOF flag pole  ) and I used the steadies for the first time in anger.  There's no doubt they made a big difference, both in stopping the turbulence caused by the gales and the, not so, gentle rocking of the van when I move around. So much so that I now have yet another job when we arrive on site   Joking aside, I was very impressed with the difference they made.

Hi Askit

Have you thought of getting a cheap battery drill to wind down the steadies? It saves the interminable handle winding, and makes a chore into a simple job.

No steadies on our van as we have a towbar, but on the previous van I rarely used them because it took so long to wind them down. Plus they sometimes wouldn't reach the ground, so I had to carry lumps of wood.

Dave

Yes, I did whilst watching all those with caravans around me using theirs    I did wonder where they get the socket part though, are they sold like that or custom made?  Having a battery drill to use as a screwdriver would be a help also, I have really painful joints at the base of each thumb which makes using implements rather sore 

Tony

Do this and you don't even have to take a battery with you, just a long lead of an accessory socket:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Run-A-Drill-Off-A-Car-Battery/