Rear axle air suspension advice

[pelican]

I have a 3500KG Autotrail Ducato base motorhome and would like to fit a basic rear air suspension assist.
lots of different prices for kits on Ebay.
I would appreciate comments from people who have fitted or have this system.
Main interest is to maker for a smoother quieter ride.
I note that some kits have only one pressure guage others have two what is the advantage?
Some kits come with a plug in air pump otherwise I assume you have to go to a service station to adjust pressures.
Advice appreciated

 

[Gaz n Debz]

Our rear axle weight is around 1950kg loaded and I normally run at 34psi on the airbags. I’ve recently uprated the tyres from 215/70/15CP tyres to 225/70/15 Hankook which has further improved the ride, a lot quieter too.

Thanks for the reply, I’ve recently uprated to BF Goodrich All Terrain tyres which are 16 inches as opposed to 15, and I’ve not fully loaded up yet as first trip this year isn’t for a few weeks yet.
Once we’re fully loaded and I’ve driven a few hundred miles I’ll get a feel for where the bags need to be set, but at least I know ‘roughly’ where to start .

 

[activecampers]

On ours, is easily pumpble with a small hand pump.

(Re tyre pressure, yes, as always, speak to the tyre makers! Fiat door plate vs Online calculators vs Continental give vastly different pressures - continental were so helpful and have a full datasheet per tyre per usage per axle weight. So get it weighed, axle weights, then speak to tyre manufacturer - any other source is not authoritative)

 

[Otter Spotter]

Deleted post

 

[Guigsy]

On ours, is easily pumpble with a small hand pump.

(Re tyre pressure, yes, as always, speak to the tyre makers! Fiat door plate vs Online calculators vs Continental give vastly different pressures - continental were so helpful and have a full datasheet per tyre per usage per axle weight. So get it weighed, axle weights, then speak to tyre manufacturer - any other source is not authoritative)

Agree on both of these.

My previous van had semi air at the rear. I adjusted the pressures with a small bike pump clipped to the underside of the driver's seat. If we emptied all the pressure on site to help with levelling, it took about a minute per side to refill.

I've swapped to Continentals for the same reason. They have a published handbook of tyre pressures. I've gone from 80psi to 50psi. Much more comfortable.

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[tonka]

I fitted the same system as activecampers to my 2012 autotrail 700.
Pretty easy as a DIY job but a good point ref using some releasing agent first on the nuts / bolts first.. I snapped one of mine and it cost an extra £60 for a local garage to get it out.
Mine only had 1 gauge and used a foot pump to inflate, took almost no effort and used my hand to pump it. Main reason for me was to raise the back end as the 700 has a long overhang. Some people talk about using it for leveling but not that effective.

As for a smoother ride..
It certainly helps with body roll but cant say it will make anything smoother, i would look at tyre pressues if your getting a hard ride.

 

[VXman]

Spring or Alko torsion bar suspension?
Two gauges means different pressure each side. I would not want a system that doesn't have its own inflation pump. Most have a manual car tyre style port for emergency manual inflation with a stirrup pump or electric etc....

I fitted mine to allow uprate to weight and to cope with motorbike etc in rear garage. It has one inflation valve and no onboard 'pump' (compressor).

Suits me as it is just inflated to the pressure required and left. No need for any adjustment, tinkering, playing with. Fit and forget.

If pumping up is needed I have a portable battery powered inflator that I use for the tyres/bikes. That'll do the air suspension too. Having an onboard one fitted specifically for the suspension just seems an uneccesary cost/complication.

 

[Folkranger]

I noted you are seeking a smother ride. Before spending on air suspension, it may be prudent to look at your tyre pressures.
A 'search' on this forum will give you loads of reading on the matter.

Geoff

Agree fully. Manufacturers' pressures are nearly always too high. Continental did a chart that showed the right pressure for you weight. reducung to this makes life a whole lot smoother.

 

[Folkranger]

A big advantage is the ability to level the van on site. I got the Dunlop system with compressor and two guages for a transit based Hobby that had been far too wallowy and it calmed it right down. I transferred these to my next van, a Ducato based Rapido even though it didn't seem to need it. It didn't make any difference to that van but was invaluable in levelling up on site.