Air

[Saxon66]

Hi folks,

I have a couple of really newb questions. We recently acquired our first MoHo, it's a 4T fiat Ducato 2.3 based model (CI Mizar GTL living) with factory fitted rear air suspension. My questions are:

What do you use to pump up the suspension? It has the two gauges by the passenger seat with the valves underneath these. Is the pressure best increased with a standard air line at a petrol station or a hand pump device like a bike pump? It presently has 3psi in but looks to be riding quite low.

Also (dumb question number 2): when we picked it up the garage quoted 60 psi in the front tyres and 65 in the rear. Following advice from another thread, I found the link to www.tyresafe.org and checked the advice on there. It is saying 80psi for the rear for our tyre size (225/75 R16 CP), does this sound about right to those in the know?

We travel to France for 3 weeks on Tuesday and I want to make sure everything is safe. Thanks in advance.

Mike

 

[funflair]

Hi Mike

First off the air suspension, you can blow it up with a bike pump or an air line, a basic bike pump might be hard work but a track pump is ideal and good for the van tyres as well so worth carrying in my book.

For tyre pressures you really need to know the axle weights of your van and the load rating spec of your tyres, (you will need to visit a weigh bridge to get your axle weights) 80psi is regularly quoted for the rear tyre pressures especially by Michelin.

Martin

 

[Snowbird]

I carry a small 12 volt compressor bought from Maplins several years ago. I use this for the air suspension, tyres and also bike tyres. Do not trust the gauge though and get a good quality digital pressure gauge.

 

[MikeD]

The air bags are not very large and a push bike pump would pump them up reasonably quickly.

I suspect your gauges are reading in "Bar" not psi. A Bar is approx 15psi. We run ours at 2 bar and it rides well at that but only with experience in using it on your van can you come to a pressure that suits you. Minimum I think is 1/2 bar and max 7 bar.

Rear tyre pressure is again as Funflair said depending on your axle weights. But 80psi was about what we used to run our 3650kg Autotrail tracker.

If you have the axle weights I am sure the tyre makers would advise a suitable air pressure for you.

Have a safe trip.

View media item 21671

 

[Nasher]

Also (dumb question number 2): when we picked it up the garage quoted 60 psi in the front tyres and 65 in the rear. Following advice from another thread, I found the link to www.tyresafe.org and checked the advice on there. It is saying 80psi for the rear for our tyre size (225/75 R16 CP), does this sound about right to those in the know?

Tyresafe.org quotes 80psi for all rear tyres on motorhomes - regardless of ale weight

I think I'd rather use the manufacturers data......

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[DP+JAY]

If your van came with a "fix &go" puncture kit, then like me , you can disconnect the gunge container & use the compressor

 

[138go]

For the tires. Load everything in you will be taking. Fill with water, fuel, people, pets, bedding, camping kit, bikes, food etc.etc and then take it down to the weigh bridge. You then need to know the weight on the front axle and the weight on the rear axle and then the combined weight. This will then give you the information for the tyre pressures. Most manufacturers of tyres will give you the correct pressures if you email or phone them.

You should have a plate on the vehicle that gives you the maximum weights that you can have over each axle. Do not overload it.

 

[Blue Knight]

If your van came with a "fix &go" puncture kit, then like me , you can disconnect the gunge container & use the compressor

I use that on my rear semi-air suspension but I just select the tyre inflation mode instead of the gunge mode. It works incredibly well.

 

[Spriddler]

- regardless of ale weight......

Or wine