Grounding out !

[Just us on Tour]

Hi All
I just finished watching one of Bob Earnshaw latest videos where he has had air suspension fitted to his van due to grounding out issues . Some vans especially quite a few of the tags have significant overhangs at the rear axle . Are these more prone to grounding or is this a common issue with some makes ? I am interest to know your thoughts any damage that I need to be aware of and any remedy’s you have . Bob says his air suspension allows him possibly another inch in ground clearance , however to me that doesn’t seem much .
Thoughts please

 

[Landy Andy]

Putting air assist on my 7.2m van gives a 100mm raise at the rear bumper. Can go higher if I really raise the pressures.

 

[Carpmart]

It’s all geometry related. Raising a few cms at the rear axle, with a 2m+ overhang raises the rear quite a bit!

In day-to-day driving, that will be the difference needed in 99% of circumstances you’ll encounter. There will be situation where extra care, different approach angles or indeed reversing will all be needed.

Occupational hazard with a big overhang!

 

[pjay]

Whatever you do, don't put those little jockey wheels at the rear of the chassis, they won't stop any force generated by grounding out.

Pete

 

[MisterB]

I'm waiting for an email from Mar-Tech UK who promised me their Black Friday sale will be worth the weight .... (Intentionally spelt wrong!! Lol)

Hoping to buy a 5000kg rated dual cab control system!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Brize]

Hi All
I just finished watching one of Bob Earnshaw latest videos where he has had air suspension fitted to his van due to grounding out issues . Some vans especially quite a few of the tags have significant overhangs at the rear axle . Are these more prone to grounding or is this a common issue with some makes ? I am interest to know your thoughts any damage that I need to be aware of and any remedy’s you have . Bob says his air suspension allows him possibly another inch in ground clearance , however to me that doesn’t seem much .
Thoughts please

We used to have a large Hymer with a big overhang. Fortunately we had air suspension and were able to lift it a little.

We found the worst case was using European ferries or one's in Scotland where there is a fixed concrete loading ramp. Main ferries from/to most UK ports are fine because they have variable ramps, but when using ferries in Italy, Greece etc we found that you needed to raise the back. Also on the Italian ferries the internal ferry ramps were much steeper with a high breaking angle.

If you are using ferries between some islands in Scotland, you may find just simple concrete ramps, and if you are boarding at low tide, the breaking angle can be quite large. In Italy, Greece and Scotland we saw some horrendous scraping on occasions, and some damage, so air suspension is always helpful if you are going outside of main UK ports.

I had VB fitted. It did, but the amount I could raise it was not great. I wish I had fitted Goldschmitt air, where the rise is greater.

 

[IRHP]

We used to have a large Hymer with a big overhang. Fortunately we had air suspension and were able to lift it a little.

We found the worst case was using European ferries or one's in Scotland where there is a fixed concrete loading ramp. Main ferries from/to most UK ports are fine because they have variable ramps, but when using ferries in Italy, Greece etc we found that you needed to raise the back. Also on the Italian ferries the internal ferry ramps were much steeper with a high breaking angle.

If you are using ferries between some islands in Scotland, you may find just simple concrete ramps, and if you are boarding at low tide, the breaking angle can be quite large.

On a fixed concrete ramp it doesn't make any difference whether it's high or low tide other than having to drive further down the ramp. The ramp angle remains the same, the boat is always level so the angle between ramp and ferry doesn't change. On the other hand a ferry with a linkspan will have an angle that changes.