Fitting Full Air on Mercedes SLC Chassis

Armytwowheels

Armytwowheels

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Carthago S Plus - Iveco
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Since 2011
It looks like we are running out of time to sell our Hymer. Apart from two silly offers, there has been hardly any interest. The Carthago dealer is getting restless so we might have to pull out and keep the Hymer.

Not a great hardship really, but if we do end up keeping it, we are hoping to get the backend boosted to carry a bit more weight and have the ability to lift it for steep ferry ramps etc.

So, to my question -
Has anyone fitted, or know of an air suspension on the rear of a MLi780. Or any motorhome with SLC chassis. Research with Alko, said to go to SAP, but they said no go.
 
Armytwowheels said:
It looks like we are running out of time to sell our Hymer. Apart from two silly offers, there has been hardly any interest. The Carthago dealer is getting restless so we might have to pull out and keep the Hymer.

Not a great hardship really, but if we do end up keeping it, we are hoping to get the backend boosted to carry a bit more weight and have the ability to lift it for steep ferry ramps etc.

So, to my question -
Has anyone fitted, or know of an air suspension on the rear of a MLi780. Or any motorhome with SLC chassis. Research with Alko, said to go to SAP, but they said no go.
Click to expand...
I think if anyone could give good advice it would be SAP, have heard that mercedes would void warranty if air fitted.
 
Ditcha said:
I think if anyone could give good advice it would be SAP, have heard that mercedes would void warranty if air fitted.
Click to expand...
SAP just said they don't do it. The warranty has run out now anyway. The air suspension fits to the al-ko bit of the chassis, I believe.
 
We've got a bml t780 and have looked into this as also want to be able to raise the rear, and reduce the wallow on roundabouts and bends, I have drawn a blank, it seems that Goldschmidt are the only supplier who will touch, and currently only full air, which will work out to about £8,000 if fitted in Germany.
Hopefully they will produce and fit rear air only at some point.
 
I think for full air you will need to fit Goldschmitt. Our last Hymer we had it fitted in Belgium a lot cheaper than TW.
 
Be aware...

Not saying that it's the case for yours, but one of the reasons for not doing this, Is that very often they have to reduce the waste tank.

This is either removed and replaced with a much smaller one, or in some cases cut in two and then re welded.

It caused no end of issues on mine, and several others, even as late as 3 years ago owners were having this done on their new vans without being told.
They opted for the rear air, but, didn't realise the full adjustment required.
 
haganap said:
Be aware...

Not saying that it's the case for yours, but one of the reasons for not doing this, Is that very often they have to reduce the waste tank.

This is either removed and replaced with a much smaller one, or in some cases cut in two and then re welded.

It caused no end of issues on mine, and several others, even as late as 3 years ago owners were having this done on their new vans without being told.
They opted for the rear air, but, didn't realise the full adjustment required.
Click to expand...
I don't think that is a case with the SLC chassis as the tanks are within the double floor.

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Quite a thread on it here. Granted not the same vehicle but the same issues

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Air Suspension on Hymer MLT variants

I am being told by an experienced motorhome traveller and current CROSSOVER owner that air suspension cannot be fitted because of the positioning of the water tanks and associated parts. Does anyone have semi air or full fitted to any MLT variant including CROSSOVER? (Talking to VB at NEC...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk
 
Not saying it can't be done btw. Just to be aware.

I know SAP when they used to do them, they fabricated different waste tanks with the outlets moved .
Goldschmitt, travel world and others just slashed the tank
 
Wh05apk said:
Except you don't have an alko chassis you have a hymer slc chassis.

Edit: just seen they refer to slc, interesting.
Click to expand...
Screenshot_20250402_074325_Facebook.webp
 
Silly question, but can AL-KO themselves do it? .
When I had my levellers fitted at AL-KO in Austria, they had a demo chassis with all the options they sell, including air suspension, easy enough to stop over and have it fitted if you go that way...
 
Armytwowheels said:
It looks like we are running out of time to sell our Hymer. Apart from two silly offers, there has been hardly any interest. The Carthago dealer is getting restless so we might have to pull out and keep the Hymer.

Not a great hardship really, but if we do end up keeping it, we are hoping to get the backend boosted to carry a bit more weight and have the ability to lift it for steep ferry ramps etc.

So, to my question -
Has anyone fitted, or know of an air suspension on the rear of a MLi780. Or any motorhome with SLC chassis. Research with Alko, said to go to SAP, but they said no go.
Click to expand...
Can't you part exchange the Hymer or have I missed something?
 
MichaelT said:
Can't you part exchange the Hymer or have I missed something?
Click to expand...
The Carthago is in Germany and the dealer is not interested in re-importing the Hymer to do a part exchange. They would have done if it had been registered in Germany.

We have reduced the price as much as we can and it is the cheapest one of that age and spec on the market. But the market seems to be dead at that price point.

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Roby2008 said:
Silly question, but can AL-KO themselves do it? .
When I had my levellers fitted at AL-KO in Austria, they had a demo chassis with all the options they sell, including air suspension, easy enough to stop over and have it fitted if you go that way...
Click to expand...
It is certainly worth looking into. We have no problems with driving to wherever to get it done.
 
Armytwowheels said:
It is certainly worth looking into. We have no problems with driving to wherever to get it done.
Click to expand...
www.alko-tech.com

Customer Centre and Showrooms | AL-KO

In our AL-KO customer centres we offer free parking spaces, professional advice and installation. Make an appointment near you!
www.alko-tech.com www.alko-tech.com

These are the service centres, we used Austria (only an hour away from us), we dealt with Christian, he speaks excellent English.
 
Just heard back from glide rite, they have quoted for rear air only:

"SLC AL-KO Semi Air Suspension (Information):

With Semi-Air you not only prevent the rear of the vehicle sagging, but also increase the stability and handling, particularly when fully laden.

Our AL-KO Semi-Air suspension system utilises airbags mounted between bespoke brackets manufactured specifically for the single and tag axle AL-KO chassis.

A digital gauge is mounted in the cab area and is connected to a heavy-duty compressor enabling you to inflate/deflate the airbags to suit your application.

We can offer a system that provides the best comfort possible for the AL-KO chassis. The system allows you to raise the vehicle up to 6 bar, providing approx. 1 - 2 inch lift, every vehicle is different therefore heights can vary. Vehicles with a large overhang to the rear won’t have to worry about getting over ramps or driveways. Levelling of your vehicle can also be done from inside the vehicle for a quick and easy pitch. The onboard control system connected to the compressors will allow you to lift and lower the rear of the vehicle to suit whatever purpose. We do not offer a basic kit for the AL-KO system.



Quotation:

Mercedes Sprinter SLC Semi Air Suspension:

AL-KO Semi Air Suspension (Single Axle): £2,650.00 (Includes VAT and Installation Cost)



Key Points:

• 3 Year/60,000 Mile Warranty

• 5 Year Air Bag Guarantee



Booking:

The installations would take 1 day to be completed, payment is required upon completion. We have availability from the third week of May 2025 at our Wirral workshop. At our workshop you can stay over with the motorhome if required. We have a fully secure setup, 24-hour security, and free electric hook-up. Many customers have stayed overnight at our premises. We also have a courtesy car available for the duration."

My concern with this is they refer to a slc alko chassis, is this correct? Didn't think alko were involved?
 

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