Is it possible to increase your clearance?

[Oinkoink]

We have a 2019 Pilot 7.4m on a Fiat Ducato, the tow bar often grates on the ground, can you replace 15” with 16” rims?
What issues are there?
It came out of the factory on 15” so is there an issue with the gearing? (comformatic)
Milometer speedometer will be slightly out, I use a speed app so not an issue
Are the stud spacings the same on the different rims
Obviously don’t want to lower the profile of the tyres to balance things out as it defeats the object
Are there other ways of increasing clearance, springing, suspension…..??
Would appreciate wisdom from others!!

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Semi air uses the same point as the suspension. As far as the chassis is concerned, it's the same as having the rear wheels on a brick.

Yes indeed, I have fitted semi air to my van, but that sits directly above the axle. I could have made my comment more clearly. My observation was more focussed at the suggestion in the post about putting wheels or skids under the back of the van which is well behind the axle, which would be like lifting the van on a towing hitch anchor point.
Mike.

 

[Guigsy]

Yes indeed, I have fitted semi air to my van, but that sits directly above the axle. I could have made my comment more clearly. My observation was more focussed at the suggestion in the post about putting wheels or skids under the back of the van which is well behind the axle, which would be like lifting the van on a towing hitch anchor point.
Mike.

Agreed. But skids are probably still going to be better than dragging directly on the tarmac.

 

[Northernraider]

We had a 2012 Aspire 255 we found the same problem with the towbar touching on ferry ramps. It came with 215/70/R15 so swopped to 225/70/R15 and fitted semi air to the rear. Uprated to 3850 kg with 2240 kg over the rear axle. Emptied the van measured the height from the rear jacking points loaded for extended trip pumped the rear air up to the same height as when empty.. towbar never touch again in over 20,000 miles. Better ride less sway from passing lorries.

That tyre swap won't do anything to raise height. You've only changed the width.

 

[Guigsy]

That tyre swap won't do anything to raise height. You've only changed the width.

Doesn't the 70 mean the sidewall is 70% of the width? So it'll be about 7mm taller.

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

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Agreed. But skids are probably still going to be better than dragging directly on the tarmac.

Agreed, but neither of those two options are desirable and air bags are the cheapest and easiest fix that as well as lifting the back end up also improve the ride quality, so a multi win .

 

[Minxy]

Personally, I'd be very cautious about potentially lifting the back of the van's chassis rails that far back, I not sure the chassis extension rails are designed for that amount of force and could end up being bent??
Mike.

Yup I agree

Semi air uses the same point as the suspension. As far as the chassis is concerned, it's the same as having the rear wheels on a brick.

He means the wheels ...

Yes indeed, I have fitted semi air to my van, but that sits directly above the axle. I could have made my comment more clearly. My observation was more focussed at the suggestion in the post about putting wheels or skids under the back of the van which is well behind the axle, which would be like lifting the van on a towing hitch anchor point.
Mike.

Well I understood you perfectly from your other post!

 

[Northernraider]

Doesn't the 70 mean the sidewall is 70% of the width? So it'll be about 7mm taller.

Yep so like I said it does nothing to increase ground clearance, 7mm is nothing and would be lost simply in tyre wall movement when driving .

100mm of clearance would make some difference...but anything less isn't worth the effort.

 

[Oinkoink]

You don’t say what chassis you have, being a Pilote it might be alko?

It’s a ‘C’ class if that means anything. How do you know if it’s an alko chassis? nothing mentioned on the V5. Where would I look?

 

[Minxy]

It’s a ‘C’ class if that means anything. How do you know if it’s an alko chassis? nothing mentioned on the V5. Where would I look?

Underneath

An Alko chassis is completely different to a standard one, different suspension etc so you should be able to tell easily.

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

 

[RustyRuss]

We have a 2019 Pilot 7.4m on a Fiat Ducato, the tow bar often grates on the ground, can you replace 15” with 16” rims?
What issues are there?
It came out of the factory on 15” so is there an issue with the gearing? (comformatic)
Milometer speedometer will be slightly out, I use a speed app so not an issue
Are the stud spacings the same on the different rims
Obviously don’t want to lower the profile of the tyres to balance things out as it defeats the object
Are there other ways of increasing clearance, springing, suspension…..??
Would appreciate wisdom from others!!

If you get partial air suspension fitted that will raise the tail end by anything up to about a foot/330mm, it will also greatly improve the ride, make it easier to get level on site and should be a fraction of the cost of a new set of wheels and tyres.

Example from ebay attached.

Cheers!
Russ

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

If you get partial air suspension fitted that will raise the tail end by anything up to about a foot/330mm, it will also greatly improve the ride, make it easier to get level on site and should be a fraction of the cost of a new set of wheels and tyres.

Example from ebay attached.

Cheers!
Russ

View attachment 850003

Yes, same kit here, but minus the compressor.After some experimentation I have just set my bags at one pressure and am happy with that.
Mike.

 

[Howard B]

If you get partial air suspension fitted that will raise the tail end by anything up to about a foot/330mm, it will also greatly improve the ride, make it easier to get level on site and should be a fraction of the cost of a new set of wheels and tyres.

Example from ebay attached.

Cheers!
Russ

View attachment 850003

Also fitted that kit minus the compressor, cost £339. I fitted it in the garage as it was far easier than trying to get to the cab. Plus the gauges wouldnt have fitted in the dash area due to the Strikeback buttons.
If I was buying again, I would get the cheapest airbag kit and buy a twin gauge set.

Dual Inflation System Kit with Twin Gauge Panel & Inflation via Schrader Valve | eBay

MAR-TECH AIR SUSPENSION DUAL TWIN GAUGE BOX WITH SCHRADER VALVES AND AIR LINE. · 2 X SCHRADER WALVE. · 1 X TWIN STAINLESS STEEL BOX. · 2 X MAR-TECH PRESSURE GAUGE. · 2 X TEE PIECE AIR LINE PUSH IN FITTING CONNECTOR.

www.ebay.co.uk

Air Suspension Kit For Fiat Ducato 1994-2024 - 5000 KG | eBay

Upgrade your driving experience with ourSemi Air Suspension Kit designed specifically forFiat Ducato, Citroen Relay, and Peugeot Boxer models from 1994 to 2024. This kit will improve your driving experience and will provide you with extra comfort.

www.ebay.co.uk

The instructions with these kits are pretty basic and the seller isnt the best at responding to questions. Also had a problem with one of the airbags, but is now sorted.

 

[Bessy765]

That tyre swap won't do anything to raise height. You've only changed the width.

With respect if you read what I stated I added semi air, the increase in tyre size gave me 2240 kg over the rear axle and 3850 kg if I had not increased the tyre size I could not get the 2240 kg over the rear axle

 

[RustyRuss]

Also fitted that kit minus the compressor, cost £339. I fitted it in the garage as it was far easier than trying to get to the cab. Plus the gauges wouldnt have fitted in the dash area due to the Strikeback buttons.
If I was buying again, I would get the cheapest airbag kit and buy a twin gauge set.

Dual Inflation System Kit with Twin Gauge Panel & Inflation via Schrader Valve | eBay

MAR-TECH AIR SUSPENSION DUAL TWIN GAUGE BOX WITH SCHRADER VALVES AND AIR LINE. · 2 X SCHRADER WALVE. · 1 X TWIN STAINLESS STEEL BOX. · 2 X MAR-TECH PRESSURE GAUGE. · 2 X TEE PIECE AIR LINE PUSH IN FITTING CONNECTOR.

www.ebay.co.uk

Air Suspension Kit For Fiat Ducato 1994-2024 - 5000 KG | eBay

Upgrade your driving experience with ourSemi Air Suspension Kit designed specifically forFiat Ducato, Citroen Relay, and Peugeot Boxer models from 1994 to 2024. This kit will improve your driving experience and will provide you with extra comfort.

www.ebay.co.uk

The instructions with these kits are pretty basic and the seller isnt the best at responding to questions. Also had a problem with one of the airbags, but is now sorted.

The compressor lives under the swivelling driver’s seat in our Ducato, the gauges come in a little custom made nacelle that fits perfectly in the tiny cubby hole by the ignition switch, the compressor gives you lots of flexibility for raising and lowering. Our MoHo is currently on our drive with 6 bar in the suspension, making the old girl level on our sloping driveway. I think the OP has a Ford Transit donor vehicle, I’m assuming a similar set up can be purchased for his vehicle. I found the Polish guy who owns and runs Martech to be super helpful. Two years down the line now and I can’t fault the kit.

Cheers!
Russ

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

 

[Howard B]

The compressor lives under the swivelling driver’s seat in our Ducato, the gauges come in a little custom made nacelle that fits perfectly in the tiny cubby hole by the ignition switch, the compressor gives you lots of flexibility for raising and lowering. Our MoHo is currently on our drive with 6 bar in the suspension, making the old girl level on our sloping driveway. I think the OP has a Ford Transit donor vehicle, I’m assuming a similar set up can be purchased for his vehicle. I found the Polish guy who owns and runs Martech to be super helpful. Two years down the line now and I can’t fault the kit.

Cheers!
Russ

I couldnt fit it next to the ignition switch due to The Strikeback alarm switches. Plan B was to fit it in the seat base, but i didnt have clearance there either. On the previous van i probably only change the pressures a few times in 18 months so decided an electric pump wasn't needed.
I met the owner who is a nice fella, but is rubbish at answering queries unless you are lucky enough to get hold of him on the phone.
I had bits missing from my kit and a leaking airbag. Only resolved when i drove down to his premises to get it sorted.

 

[Northernraider]

With respect if you read what I stated I added semi air, the increase in tyre size gave me 2240 kg over the rear axle and 3850 kg if I had not increased the tyre size I could not get the 2240 kg over the rear axle

I've never known increasing the width of a tyre to allow you to change weight either. It usually requires fitting 16" wheels instead of 15"

 

[Howard B]

I've never known increasing the width of a tyre to allow you to change weight either. It usually requires fitting 16" wheels instead of 15"

Maybe the wider tyres had a higher load rating?

 

[Bessy765]

Our 2019 Elddis Aspire 255 bought new had already had a paper upgrade to 3700 as the original payload was poor. We still found that it was still not enough. Contacted SV Tech for advice. We could up rate to 3850 kg by fitting semi air but only with 2200 over the rear axle by going from 215/70/R15 to 225/70/R15 the tyre loading is higher allowing 2240 KG over the rear axle. Having a tow bar just by itself put extra load and has the fulcrum effect.

 

[Lenny HB]

I've never known increasing the width of a tyre to allow you to change weight either. It usually requires fitting 16" wheels instead of 15"

225 width 15" tyres have a higher load rating so combined with air you can increase the load rating.

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

 

[Northernraider]

225 width 15" tyres have a higher load rating so combined with air you can increase the load rating.

Yeah I see that from the recent post although not much of a gain really. The equivalent of a tank of water.

 

[Lenny HB]

Yeah I see that from the recent post although not much of a gain really. The equivalent of a tank of water.

240 kg so not too bad.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

I've never known increasing the width of a tyre to allow you to change weight either. It usually requires fitting 16" wheels instead of 15"

I can categorically advise you can increase the weight carrying capacity by upgrading the tyres on 15" wheels as that's what I have done. I really didn't want ally rims so the calculations for my back axle were carried out on the existing steel 15" rims, and I know have 2240kg on the back axle, using the 225R 15" 122.
Mike.

 

[Northernraider]

240 kg so not too bad.

I thought it went from 3700kg to 3850kg ?

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Yeah I see that from the recent post although not much of a gain really. The equivalent of a tank of water.

That's a small paddling pool , we went from 3850 to 4090KG, or my Honda scooter,+ all the 4 kayaksboys and their toys.
Mike.

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

 

[Lenny HB]

I thought it went from 3700kg to 3850kg ?

It's the rear axle loading on a Al-Ko AMC light chassis the rear axle is 2000 kg, with air & correct tyres or 16" wheels you can to 2240 kg.

 

[Minxy]

I thought it went from 3700kg to 3850kg ?

rear axles is 2000kg so going to 2240kg adds 240k on that.

 

[The Artilleryman]

Thinking of going the semi air route but, we tow a box trailer all the time, so what effect will it have on the twin axle box trailer, if I increase the rear suspension height ?

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

You may want to go the full package option as that will allow you to adjust the rear end to suit, like general usage, or ferry loading.
Mike

 

[Minxy]

Thinking of going the semi air route but, we tow a box trailer all the time, so what effect will it have on the twin axle box trailer, if I increase the rear suspension height ?

As you can adjust the height it shouldn't make any difference, in fact it could be a benefit as you could lower the rear end to get the box trailer attached more easily the raise it up to normal towing level.

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

 

[PeterCarole29]

Personally, I'd be very cautious about potentially lifting the back of the van's chassis rails that far back, I not sure the chassis extension rails are designed for that amount of force and could end up being bent??
Mike.

I have heard of that before but on the sprinter chassis but a search would confirm if the same has happened on the fiat