Thinking of fitting Air Suspension, any advice ?

[SSILVO]

The springs made a difference especially in straight line running..but if you can why not do the whole front.What I liked about GlideRite is when we got there..they had all the actual kit that was to be fitted ,out on a bench for you to inspect.The welds were impeccable in fact everything was ,even the free electric,water and lifts to the ferry as it was being done. .

 

[Bear]

The springs made a difference especially in straight line running..but if you can why not do the whole front.What I liked about GlideRite is when we got there..they had all the actual kit that was to be fitted ,out on a bench for you to inspect.The welds were impeccable in fact everything was ,even the free electric,water and lifts to the ferry as it was being done. .

Yes that's my thoughts and thanks for the feedback re springs.
After lots of looking about, they have come out on top through recommendations and feedback. And great communication before getting there
He's explained the Burtie has an old Alko chassis which can cause problems getting off the discs, but all bases covered just in case. Hook up left out and little car to run about during the day.

 

[SSILVO]

Yes that's my thoughts and thanks for the feedback re springs.
After lots of looking about, they have come out on top through recommendations and feedback. And great communication before getting there
He's explained the Burtie has an old Alko chassis which can cause problems getting off the discs, but all bases covered just in case. Hook up left out and little car to run about during the day.

Yes I recommend them ,Colin the MD is a nice guy ..please send him our regards

 

[jongood]

Does full air make the van less "bouncy" when parked up? We only had E&P levellers on our last van and so no "bounce" and we're debating whether to go for air assist and levellers or full air on our current van.

Having had both, if I was to have to choose I would choose air suspension over levellers

 

[jongood]

I'm getting the MAD springs at the same time hence now thoughts of a complete overhaul at the front.

Will message David after the weekend fir his thoughts.

We tried the VB uprated springs and were unimpressed so ended up changing for fullair ( on previous Ducato based mh)

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[DuxDeluxe]

Having had both, if I was to have to choose I would choose air suspension over levellers

We took the plunge and just put both on the new van. A much better ride and no wobble with the levellers deployed

 

[UptheGas]

Just had the rear suspension done , very Impressed . Drives so much better.

 

[Bear]

Just had the rear suspension done , very Impressed . Drives so much better.

Thats great to hear Who done yours ?

 

[UptheGas]

Thats great to hear Who done yours ?

Puncture control , based nr Swindon.

 

[haganap]

if you are having it done on a rwd Merc.... be careful. see my post on how "some" idiots butcher the waste tank to fit it in. (vehicle dependent of course but ask the question)

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[Speve]

Does full air make the van less "bouncy" when parked up? We only had E&P levellers on our last van and so no "bounce" and we're debating whether to go for air assist and levellers or full air on our current van.

No it doesn’t unless you drop it right down and then you are not able to use it as self levelling
of course you could pump it up to its highest but then you have got a long step down

 

[Lenny HB]

Always sleep better. When the vans rocking in the wind. With air if the rear end if fully up it rocks more than normal, love it.

 

[dulvil]

I’ve been in the back of a merc ambulance with air suspension and it was a nice ride . The second time no air suspension and they had to slow down to get the needles in me, the paramedics were apparently all complaining about the cost cutting move

 

[Snowflakes]

We have air sus on our CIPro (Renault based). This is our third MH and first with AS, driving is a dream no wobbles when passing or being overtaken by HGVs, roundabouts are a dream and straight line driving just feels so safe, the best bit it does not make the road harsher on the MH body. So in answer to you question, get it fitted, you will not regret it.

 

[Casper46]

We have had full VB air on our last 3 Motorhome. We have just changed to a Mercedes and I understand that we can’t have full air fitted. Has anyone had had the rear only done and was it worth it?

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[Ballsy66]

I've just had rear VB Air assist fitted by SAP in Doncaster on a Ducato with alko chassis, I did this primarily for up rating the payload. It's improved the ride and more so the sway around corners. Not cheap at £2500 but I believe we'll worth it to get the extra payload on the rear axle that I required.

 

[Lenny HB]

I've just had rear VB Air assist fitted by SAP in Doncaster on a Ducato with alko chassis, I did this primarily for up rating the payload. It's improved the ride and more so the sway around corners. Not cheap at £2500 but I believe we'll worth it to get the extra payload on the rear axle that I required.

How much leveling do you get with it?
Our full air give approx 5" movement on the front & 4" on the rear.
Was going to fit full air on the new van when it comes but now considering just rear air.

 

[Ballsy66]

How much leveling do you get with it?
Our full air give approx 5" movement on the front & 4" on the rear.
Was going to fit full air on the new van when it comes but now considering just rear air.

Hi Lenny, to be fair I really havnt used it much for leveling. Very minimal is the answer from me, maybe an inch or two but I havnt had any serious leveling to do.

 

[Tony50]

If weight figures stack up and you can afford it, I would have it, you only pass this way once !

 

[georgio]

Does full air make the van less "bouncy" when parked up? We only had E&P levellers on our last van and so no "bounce" and we're debating whether to go for air assist and levellers or full air on our current van.

If you put into park it let's all the air out and no bounce

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[DoneSneddin]

That's a full system, all singing all dancing price. Do you need a full system that allows for levelling on site ect?
There are systems on the market for a fraction of that price that whilst not giving that full range of levelling options, do however improve the driving experience considerably.
Air bags just on the rear, Sumo fit and forget air springs, partial air,that allows the raising and lowering of the back end, set your budget, and demands that need to be met then explore the options, which are many.
Do you need a payload upgrade ? Air bags can help with that as well.
Mike.

We are looking at air assist, but apparently not for the usual reasons. Our gripe is potholes. Our MoHo is a Ford based, 4.2 tonne, RWD, with an extra wide back axle (not Alko) which may explain why ride quality is so good. As 'ex-tenters' levelling has never been an issue for us as long as the food stays on the plate, and we don't actually fall out of bed. But potholes are like being hit with a sledge hammer. So, does basic air-assist lessen this?
Tim.

 

[Yup]

Just got a faint thought about fitting Air Suspension, maybe / maybe not ?

Any pros and cons ?

Recommendations for quality suppliers / fitters in North East UK (preferably), maybe some that offer discounts to MHF members ?

Hi fitted Dunlop air to rear axel any practical competent person could fit
About £500 for parts works fantastic on my 6 ton mh

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

We are looking at air assist, but apparently not for the usual reasons. Our gripe is potholes. Our MoHo is a Ford based, 4.2 tonne, RWD, with an extra wide back axle (not Alko) which may explain why ride quality is so good. As 'ex-tenters' levelling has never been an issue for us as long as the food stays on the plate, and we don't actually fall out of bed. But potholes are like being hit with a sledge hammer. So, does basic air-assist lessen this?
Tim.

Start with what tyre pressures are you running at ?
Mike.

 

[UptheGas]

We are looking at air assist, but apparently not for the usual reasons. Our gripe is potholes. Our MoHo is a Ford based, 4.2 tonne, RWD, with an extra wide back axle (not Alko) which may explain why ride quality is so good. As 'ex-tenters' levelling has never been an issue for us as long as the food stays on the plate, and we don't actually fall out of bed. But potholes are like being hit with a sledge hammer. So, does basic air-assist lessen this?
Tim.

On my drive back from Swindon yesterday , the ‘bumps’ were considerably less bumpy !

 

[Dorset Diver]

I was thinking of trading in our Carthago that has VB full air activ for another but if it's going to cost another £10k I shall stick with it.

Incidentally, I was chatting to a chap that's recently taken delivery of a new Hymer with factory fitted Alco full air and he's not impressed. His previous similar van had VB which he thought was much better.

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[Wickenman]

WOW, price was more than I thought !

Anyone know if SAP gives discount to MHF members ?

I had MAD air fitted to the rear of my vehicle, made a huge difference to the ride and the rear axle wasn’t sat on the bump stops all the time. Around £750 fitted by Rhino Installs in Preston. I had two ride profiles, full & empty, never anything in-between so semi air works.well.

 

[Gunnster]

V&P rear air assist and front beefy springs have transformed my Mercedes RWD.
Around £3k IIRC

Yep same on my ducato swift escape £3k at sap. van now has more ground clearance too plus can uplate to 4000kg

 

[DoneSneddin]

Start with what tyre pressures are you running at ?
Mike.

48 psi front as per door plate. 65 psi at rears which is already 6 psi below door plate .. but it is pretty cold here just now.
I'm thinking of fitting taller tyres, i.e. with a bigger percentage of sidewall. I'm on Continental Vanco 235/65 16R C at present.
Tim

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Air assist on the rear will improve the pot hole experience, but not cure it. 4.2 Ton hitting a hole is going to jarr.
The other up side is the road holding is improved considerably. No more rolling around roundabouts, or sharp turns. Being overtaken, or overtaking is no longer a nerve racking experience. It also lifts the back end so no grounding out on ferries.
Mike.

 

[DoneSneddin]

Air assist on the rear will improve the pot hole experience, but not cure it. 4.2 Ton hitting a hole is going to jarr.
The other up side is the road holding is improved considerably. No more rolling around roundabouts, or sharp turns. Being overtaken, or overtaking is no longer a nerve racking experience. It also lifts the back end so no grounding out on ferries.
Mike.

I agree, but SWMBO has a veto on my purchases!
Tim

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