Fitted Semi Air Suspension

[Blue Knight]

When I told my ins about the EP levellers they said keep the receipt in case of an accident and they would know how much it cost me in case of a claim.

John.

Cheers John

 

[Blue Knight]

Guys, I've just spoken to Comfort about fitting semi-air and my premium will not change.

Good news

 

[Blue Knight]

Dave, this is the thread @Dave K

 

[Ridgeway]

For those that have fitted one of these kits how easy would it be to reverse the process and re-install the factory standard rubber bungs ? or are these damaged when you take them out ?

I ask as I couldn't get mine through it's MOT here once I've added such a kit so would need to switch it back before inspection.....

 

[IanF]

I've just fitted partial air suspension. The "rubber stops" came off with no difficulty and could easily be reused if I wanted to.However the improvement in our MH really means I never will return to the original situation
Ian

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[Neckender]

They are really easy to remove and seinstall.

John.

 

[Blue Knight]

For those that have fitted one of these kits how easy would it be to reverse the process and re-install the factory standard rubber bungs ? or are these damaged when you take them out ?

I ask as I couldn't get mine through it's MOT here once I've added such a kit so would need to switch it back before inspection.....

It's a straight forward job but still plan on allocating 1.5hrs to be on the safe side.

How I do it:

1. Undo the air suspension holding bolts.
2. Disconnect air line.
3. Push two small pieces of wood under the air suspension base.
4. Twist the suspension unit ant-clockwise until it unscrews itself.
5. Gently force the unit towards you until it pops out.
6. Replace bump stop housing.
7. Replace bump stop (stick some lube or washing up liquid on it to help it back into place.
8. Job done - a few pics below to help:

All the best,

Andrew

 

[Mr Chrysalis]

On what grounds would this be an MOT failure?

 

[Blue Knight]

On what grounds would this be an MOT failure?

I think he's referring to an overseas MOT equivalent - not a UK test

 

[Ninjabob]

On what grounds would this be an MOT failure?

He lives in Lausanne?

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[Mr Chrysalis]

I think he's referring to an overseas MOT equivalent - not a UK test

He lives in Lausanne?

Oops. I started reading at post 34!

 

[Ridgeway]

I think he's referring to an overseas MOT equivalent - not a UK test

Yes I should have been clearer.

I've checked and I can fit a DIY air suspension but it can only come from 2-3 specified suppliers that have "approved" kits ie the same ones but from the camper car shop that are 3 x the price..... It's a way to force people to get it done at the shop and spend a small fortune, fully fitted it costs around £1500 here (same type of kits as in this thread) DIY off eBay £300 = no brainer except I don't have the little bit of paper and stamp saying it's approved. As my first MOT is due in a couple of months I can do it after that, then the next one is 3yrs away so not to bad to switch it back if it's only a couple of hours work.

Thanks to all

 

[Blue Knight]

............. except I don't have the little bit of paper and stamp saying it's approved

This is for my own learning but what approval paper/stamp do you require and to whom must it be presented.

The only reason why I ask is that the VB-Air Maunfacturer supply numerous compliance certifications with its products. I will have to dig them out to clarify the exact contents and fitting caveats etc. I'll try and read them tomorrow.

All the best,

Andrew

 

[Mr Chrysalis]

duplicate

 

[Mr Chrysalis]

This is for my own learning but what approval paper/stamp do you require and to whom must it be presented.

The only reason why I ask is that the VB-Air Maunfacturer supply numerous compliance certifications with its products. I will have to dig them out to clarify the exact contents and fitting caveats etc. I'll try and read them tomorrow.

All the best,

Andrew

I think he is referring to get weights on V5 increased axle weights, and to do that you need a plating certificate by a qualified engineer.

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[joka250]

Yes I should have been clearer.

I've checked and I can fit a DIY air suspension but it can only come from 2-3 specified suppliers that have "approved" kits ie the same ones but from the camper car shop that are 3 x the price..... It's a way to force people to get it done at the shop and spend a small fortune, fully fitted it costs around £1500 here (same type of kits as in this thread) DIY off eBay £300 = no brainer except I don't have the little bit of paper and stamp saying it's approved. As my first MOT is due in a couple of months I can do it after that, then the next one is 3yrs away so not to bad to switch it back if it's only a couple of hours work.

Thanks to all

Check with on line suppliers whether the kit comes withapproval certificate. I fitted a Dunlop kit from www.marcleleisure.co.uk this came with Dunlop certificate of conformity. Can't remember current price but approx £300. Dunlop Suspension is a Dutch based company. Worth speaking to as their kits are OEM approved.

 

[Manic]

When i enquired about getting from Marcle, i was staying in france at the time and they wouldn’t ship abroad so got EasyTop instead.

 

[Minxy]

Yes I should have been clearer.

I've checked and I can fit a DIY air suspension but it can only come from 2-3 specified suppliers that have "approved" kits ie the same ones but from the camper car shop that are 3 x the price..... It's a way to force people to get it done at the shop and spend a small fortune, fully fitted it costs around £1500 here (same type of kits as in this thread) DIY off eBay £300 = no brainer except I don't have the little bit of paper and stamp saying it's approved. As my first MOT is due in a couple of months I can do it after that, then the next one is 3yrs away so not to bad to switch it back if it's only a couple of hours work.

Thanks to all

If you fit it will it affect your insurance cover/road legality?

 

[Ridgeway]

If you fit it will it affect your insurance cover/road legality?

Yes it becomes invalid.

Here I can only fit pre-tested parts that have been approved for certain modifications, this air suspension is unfortunately one of them. So it means that I have to buy one of the 2 brands from the only shop here that sells them hence the prices are kept much higher. Once the manufacturer has had his product approved it shipped out with the relevant docs and the parts are stamped are marked with unique serial numbers on them, these tie up to the certificate of approval.

Most of it's a complete load of b0110cks to be honest but they love testing and paper work here.....

I think my work around is the only solution but it risks the point Minxy Girl posted above.

 

[The Wino]

In the op it says the bup stops should be clear of the springs if in good condition Im sure I saw a post on here a while ago saying they were supposed to be in contact just wanted anyone looking not to get worried thay were a problem whan not

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[joka250]

In the op it says the bup stops should be clear of the springs if in good condition Im sure I saw a post on here a while ago saying they were supposed to be in contact just wanted anyone looking not to get worried thay were a problem whan not

My understanding is that their should be no contact when stationary. If their is contact then suspension movement is restricted to the amount of deflection ib the bump stop.

 

[Gorse Hill]

I was going to buy the cheaper air kit from EBay but I was informed by Mick from SAP that the air bags with the VB system were better quality than the cheaper kits.
Also I had VB fitted on our last van by the dealer and I was pleased with it.

The only problem that I had was connecting the air hose and tightening the air fittings once the air bags were fitted under the van.
I also had to compress the bellows and zip tie before I could get them to fit.
In hindsite I would fit the air hose the same as @Guigsy did in his installation.

The cheaper kits off eBay have 2 years warranty but the VB only as 1 year warranty and the instructions are pictorial only.

John.

I decided to buy the VB following your post John, like you after a fair bit of research they probably offered the best kit for the money.
I didn’t buy the approved compressor from VB as the wanted another £195.00, did you buy a compressor if so any suggestions.
I was thinking that a cheaper car air compressor would be up to the job but not sure on how twin air lines could be incorporated into a single air line supplied on these units (diameter etc), any suggestions/help gratefully received
Thks mark

 

[Neckender]

@Gorse Hill I used an ordinary car compressor that I already have, and I earlier had fitted a 12 volt ciggy socket for my CPAP machine in the rear.
I left the twin gauges with separate air lines, if you combined them you would need some way of isolating each side because when you went around corners etc you would have air pressure transferring between air bags.

John.

 

[Trout bum]

I bought and fitted this kit for our Peugeot/Ducato chassis wich came with an onboard air compressor so I can inflate/deflate the airbags on the move if necessary.
I came via an eBay seller at £315 delivered. Took a morning to fit and plumb in the kit.

View attachment 219745


I preferred to have the dials and compressor controls to hand so bought a small mounting panel from Marcle Leisure.

View attachment 219756

 

[Ridgeway]

Just as a quick update i had an email from Marco at easyTOP and he mentioned 2 options for their system. Th first is an integrated control panel that swaps out from the original one, see below:

The other i'm still trying to figure out.... but i think it's just an integrated compressor (will revert back)

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[Ridgeway]

So i installed the EasyTop system at Easter. Easy enough job and i'm happy with the result. First real test spin yesterday following the "Tour de Romandie" so covered about 200km and the i could really feel the difference, mainly as the OP mentioned less of a crash crash but more bump bump over the terribly smooth roads we have here in Switzerland and the back end wallows a lot less, more like a car vs a sofa.

 

[ABZSteve]

I don't have air gauges on my system - VB semi-air. Can I add gauges on to the existing inlets so that I can monitor the pressure? If so, any advice as to which gauges I could use?

 

[ABZSteve]

BUMP

 

[MikeD]

I don't have air gauges on my system - VB semi-air. Can I add gauges on to the existing inlets so that I can monitor the pressure? If so, any advice as to which gauges I could use?

You will find most if not all of what you need from these people. I am no expert but I would have thought if you cut the air pipe to the bellows and put a tee piece connector in. A short bit of pipe to the gauge it should suffice.

 

[ABZSteve]

You will find most if not all of what you need from these people. I am no expert but I would have thought if you cut the air pipe to the bellows and put a tee piece connector in. A short bit of pipe to the gauge it should suffice.

Perfect, thanks

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