Semi air suspension

[AlunandFelicie]

Do you NEED the full compressor ,controller in cab set up? How often do you adjust the pressure is it something you fill and forget or do you constantly change pressure? Im going to get it fitted soon so advice and experience of use would be helpful thanks

 

[Pirahna]

I live in my van and it needs adjusting maybe once a month. Yours might be different.

 

[berni109]

Once I found the right pressure I did not change it. Very occasional top up.

 

[Kozikot]

Do you NEED the full compressor ,controller in cab set up? How often do you adjust the pressure is it something you fill and forget or do you constantly change pressure? Im going to get it fitted soon so advice and experience of use would be helpful thanks

I fitted Semi Air on my Fiat based Benimar, no Compressor, just run the pipes to the Gauge/Valve in the Garage, filled it to 45Psi 7 months ago, still holding 45Psi today...
I carry a Lithium Battery starter pack that comes with a tyre inflator, so would use that if needed, if your Fit you could actually use a Bicycle Pump, but would only recommend to top up if ever needed...

 

[SteveJ]

I regularly deflate mine to help with getting the MoHo level. Used to pump it back up with a bicycle stirrup pump, took a minute or so. As I picked up a 12V inflator a while ago I have used that when needed, to be honest it probably takes longer to use the inflator then the stirrup pump. We've barely used the MoHo for the past year or so due to work pressure but when I took it out for a run last week the pressure hadn't dropped at all, and the last time I had adjusted it was back in September.

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[AlunandFelicie]

Thanks everyone,seems the cab controls are a bit over the top adding £££ to the cost for little gain

 

[TerryL]

You don't NEED a compressor or the cab controls. Didn't bother when we had it fitted years ago and always carry a tyre compressor anyway which lets me top it up if needed.

But changing the pressure can help with levelling etc so if I were to fit a system again I'd go for it - the convenience would be worth the extra cost.

Personal choice of course.

 

[Vansflyer]

We had VB semi air fitted just about 2.5 years ago with a compressor under the drivers seat and individual gauges / switches to control each side. I adjust en-route to get the best ride / handling depending on our loading, max pressure for getting on / off Chunnel or the ferry and the same again going over the huge French speed humps. Dump most of the air before deploying the self levelling helps as well. We had a non "on the move" adjustable system before on the previous van & I wouldn't go back to one, I find it real handy to adjust as we go.

 

[Landy Andy]

I alter my pressures all the time. I lower it when I park at home so water doesn’t stay on the roof. I put it up for motorway driving, lower it for rougher roads, alter it to assist with levelling,

 

[RobertJary]

I added a dash 2 way rocker switch to increase and reduce the pressure. To increase pressure the switch runs the compressor, via a relay. To reduce pressure, the rocker switch opens a solenoid valve. A dash mounted voltmeter, reads a pressure transducer, and the pressure is displayed in Bar. The compressor is located under one of the habitation seats. The pressure can be adjusted form the drivers seat.

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[IRHP]

Didn't bother when I fitted mine. 2 gages and valves in the garage. It would be nice to be able to do it from the drivers seat but the extra expense and hassle of fitting didn't seem worth the bother.

 

[L' Hobo]

I also fitted mine without the compressor and fitted the valve on the skirt near the N/S/R tyre so that I check the pressures everytime I check the tyres or I can change pressure when ever I feel like it from garage forecourt or my own independent, compressor. (see picture on earlier thread)

 

[daveclare]

Have gauges, valves and compressor. I'd rather pay more to be able to adjust on the move with clear info on pressures. You pays your money and make your choice.

 

[AlunandFelicie]

Resurrection of old post of mine,I’ve had semi air fitted with cab control but to be honest not noticed a great difference in performance
l was wondering how much change to Hight of rear of van should I be getting between fully inflated and fully deflated because I’d hoped it would help with levelling on site but again found no real improvement?

 

[Landy Andy]

I get 100mm of raise, or 4” in old money.

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[Conal]

I have a large overhang (2m?) so get an inflated() rise. Fitted last year we have had little opportunity to try it out but I have found it helps balance the load, an unexpected benefit. Once packed and full of water and fuel, I can set the pressure to the same on each side.
I don’t feel much increase in stability but add air when in windy weather. Probably just a physiological help.
We are going to France in September and I will use full air to take the newly fitted tow bar out of the reach of any angled ramps on the approach to the ferry. That is why I had them fitted. Having in-cab controls make all this possible.

 

[AlunandFelicie]

I get 100mm of raise, or 4” in old money.

Is that from fully deflated to full inflation and how much overhang?

 

[Landy Andy]

No pressure to running pressure which is 2.5-3bar 7.2m van.

 

[AlunandFelicie]

No pressure to running pressure which is 2.5-3bar 7.2m van.

I’m a 7.4 Van and nothing like that I’ll be contacting the installer

 

[Landy Andy]

It will all depend on the van, and how heavy it is. Ours is 12 years old, but not massively loaded. The installer can only fit the bags and they do what they do.

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[TerryL]

You need higher pressures - I run ours at a minimum of 50psi (4.5 bar?) when fully loaded. Gives better stability, especially in cross winds and overtaking vehicles with very little apparent difference in the ride - but the cart suspension on the Fiat Camper chassis is very crashy anyway.

Just a little quirk on ours - over a period of half an hour after we've parked up, the (rear) brags seem to stretch and the back goes up! I then put the ramps under the front wheels to compensate. I could of course reduce the pressure but I'd have to pump them back up before departure with the tyre pressure pump. If I ever change or modify, an integrated pump and gauges will be in order.