Air suspension or not

[Jofang]

Our Le Voyager is 4 years old and up for replacement. It was fitted with air suspension as an optional extra from new. Whilst the suspension and self levelling both work OK the van drives like a boat and leans too much on roundabouts. I don't know if this is what to expect from a moho with air suspension as compared to a moho with standard springs. Is this a characteristic of air suspension or do metal springs give the same body roll? If this level of body roll is the same on air suspension as standard spring suspension I shall seriously consider a 6 wheeler next time. Any views much appreciated.

 

[Al n Val]

We have it on our tag axle... raises the rear independently between 2.5/3 inches each side, which has stopped us scrapping the rear when going to our sons house which we always did when going up his drive... infact have not grounded anywhere since... it certainly stops roll on roundabouts and also greatly helps with wind buffeting on Motorways, makes the drive much more stable ...the other benefit is it gives a certain degree of levelling when on sites..

Is that the VB system as fitted by Mick at SAP?, if so its contrary to what he told me tbh and nor sure why he would as it was lost business for him, levelling on sites is not needed for me as i've got the levelling system fitted.

The biggest change for me handling wise was having the front suspension done by Mick, this for me transformed how it handles and drives, totally different for the better and also lifts the front end up so its not permanently diving down, a very cheap upgrade imho.

Al

 

[Garry - June]

Is that the VB system as fitted by Mick at SAP?, if so its contrary to what he told me tbh and nor sure why he would as it was lost business for him, levelling on sites is not needed for me as i've got the levelling system fitted.

The biggest change for me handling wise was having the front suspension done by Mick, this for me transformed how it handles and drives, totally different for the better and also lifts the front end up so its not permanently diving down, a very cheap upgrade imho.

Al

Glide-rite

 

[Al n Val]

Glide-rite

Yeah I didn't think Mick would give me duff information tbh regarding the VB air, especially when he's losing business lol

 

[Rumour and Innuendo]

This video shows the difference between springs / full air / active air

Clever use of the camera position to make the emergency braking look better, until the end of that clip! The Full Air was always in front the active van by one full length. And that is where it appeared to end up! To claim better braking is really not true by that demonstration. I wonder why there was no test against the standard van?

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[Fatboy]

Mine raises the back end 115mm which is what I need to get up my drive without dragging the tail end

What make is yours please its only a matter of time before my back end gets damaged

 

[Guigsy]

I've recently had VB 4c full air fitted. There's very little body roll, I can upset everything in the cupboards on roundabouts without much lean occurring. The ride is much better than on Fiat springs. The front is a little floaty and it does bob slightly on big road undulations, but that's about it.

The air system is quite slow. It does not react to corners or braking. Only to changes in load. There is a VB active system, but I think that has active dampers. It wasn't an option on my Fiat chassis.

 

[dulvil]

I beg to disagree!! I couldn't keep up with someone on the A12 yesterday, they came off at Colchester and weren't hanging around!! The phrase "drive it like you stole it" sprang to mind but couldn't get close enough to see the reg.

Was you on your

 

[Lenny HB]

Our Le Voyager is 4 years old and up for replacement. It was fitted with air suspension as an optional extra from new. Whilst the suspension and self levelling both work OK the van drives like a boat and leans too much on roundabouts. I don't know if this is what to expect from a moho with air suspension as compared to a moho with standard springs. Is this a characteristic of air suspension or do metal springs give the same body roll? If this level of body roll is the same on air suspension as standard spring suspension I shall seriously consider a 6 wheeler next time. Any views much appreciated.

I am I right in thinking LeVoyager is on a RWD Merc chassis?
If so it will only have air on the rear it's not possible to fit it on the front. Mercs are notorious for body roll the air on the rear will have been a big improvement on the standard suspension.

We have full air on our Fiat/Al-Ko chassis and I would never have a van without it. Reduces body roll and the stability is unbelievable.

You can have full air on Fiat, Fiat/Al-Ko, Merc FWD (Renault in disguise) & Iveco.

P.S. Need to update the info under your Avatar it says you have a Hymer.

 

[funflair]

We have full air on our Fiat/Al-Ko chassis and I would never have a van without it. Reduces body roll and the stability is unbelievable.

You can have full air on Fiat, Fiat/Al-Ko, Merc FWD (Renault in disguise) & Iveco.

P.S. Need to update the info under your Avatar it says you have a Hymer.

I guess that's because the first post was back in April last year Lenny

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[Lenny HB]

I guess that's because the first post was back in April last year Lenny

Only 11 am, I'm still waking up.

If he ordered a new van then he will still be waiting.

 

[funflair]

Only 11 am, I'm still waking up.

I thought it was uncharacteristic on your part Lenny so had to get a dig in before you woke fully and corrected your mistake

 

[Lenny HB]

I thought it was uncharacteristic on your part Lenny so had to get a dig in before you woke fully and corrected your mistake

Did you see my edit?

 

[pelican]

The system I have is Al-ko top of the range with self levelling on 4 wheels. The self levelling is great but it can take a minute or two for the compressor to adjust the air bag pressure at the wheels, so I can't see how the system can adjust the air pressures quickly enough to restrict body roll on corners or a roundabout. I can understand that air bag assistance with coil or leaf springs instead of bump stops can restrict body roll, but mine is the full air bag system with neither coil nor leaf springs.

bit late with this but how is the rear axle attached to the chassis please

 

[Lenny HB]

bit late with this but how is the rear axle attached to the chassis please

They replace the torsion bars with lightweight ones just to locate the swinging arms.

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[Carolyn and Kev]

Did you say your fiat has the Complete package Lenny HB?

 

[andyelbac]

We had VB semi-air fitted to our Burstner Lyseo 680G by Rosmia back in December. We also took the opportunity to have then fit uprated comfort springs to the front. Apart from the great service from Rosmia, there is a noticeable improvement in handling, especially around corners. Well worth the extra money, plus we have been able to uprate from 3850 to 4000kg and increase rer axle load from 2000 to 2240kg. This allows us to carry a Honda SHMode 125 (kerb weight 118kg) in the rear garage plus other 'stuff' without running illegally.