Fiat base vehicle option - self levelling suspension (1 Viewer)

[BillandHelen]

looking at speccing up our new base van for conversion. In the Fiat catalogue there is an option for self levelling rear suspension, cost £1500. Does anyone have any experience of this particular system ( as opposed to other systems) or if it is bought in kit? Looks attractive as it can be raised/lowered when parked.
Thanks
Bill

 

[pappajohn]

Depends what you mean by self levelling.

Load levelling or onsite auto levelling ?

 

[TheBig1]

As I understandit, the upgrade is just airbags and a compressor. The bags are linked to give side to side leveling. Same system as costs £400 fit it yourself or £500 fitted

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[BillandHelen]

That's what I wondered, just the same Dunlop system them?

 

[pappajohn]

I would have thought, as its on the Fiat website, it would be a fore and aft levelling system for commercial vans to counteract uneven load pushing the rear end down.

Volvo have a factory option on their V70 estate cars for load leveling .

 

[DBK]

It's more than just self-levelling, you can raise and lower the rear end. Scroll down on this page for a description. http://www.fiatprofessional.co.uk/Models/Ducato_Goods_Transport/Load_capacity

If it's not too expensive it would be a useful extra, good for rough ground and getting onto some ferries - but very much down to the design of the MH to make the most of it. Best on vehicles with a long rear overhang I think.

Might be useful for pitching on a slope but only if it holds position when the engine is turned off, which hopefully it does.

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[tonka]

Looks to be rear air bags with a compressor.... Not much for all that money..
I have done the same for £269 off ebay and use my foot pump

"Self-Levelling Rear Air Suspension

The Fiat Ducato's optional self-levelling rear suspension ensures constant vehicle attitude and exceptional ride comfort under all load conditions. The system allows the rear load threshold to be reduced by up to 70 mm to facilitate loadspace access, or raising of the rear of the vehicle to improve both ramp angle and ground clearance.



The load threshold level is lower than that of the conventional suspension system, and may be lowered still further via dashboard mounted switches. A choice of 11 threshold heights are available, 5 above and 5 below a central, default setting. Once adjusted, the height remains set up to a vehicle speed of 9 mph, whereupon the system automatically reverts to the default, driving height setting. For safety reasons, vehicle attitude may be adjusted only with the vehicle at a standstill, whilst the switches remain active with the engine off."

 

[funflair]

It's more than just self-levelling, you can raise and lower the rear end. Scroll down on this page for a description. http://www.fiatprofessional.co.uk/Models/Ducato_Goods_Transport/Load_capacity

If it's not too expensive it would be a useful extra, good for rough ground and getting onto some ferries - but very much down to the design of the MH to make the most of it. Best on vehicles with a long rear overhang I think.

Might be useful for pitching on a slope but only if it holds position when the engine is turned off, which hopefully it does.

VB suspension have just developed "active dampers" to go with their air suspension, one of the features is a "lockout mode" to give stability once the 4 channel air has done the levelling, this might be for the IVECO chassis initially but I am sure it will trickle down. My understanding is that it was developed in conjunction with Morelo so they have the sole rights to fit it OE for one year.

Martin

 

[BillandHelen]

Tonka, is your reading that "whilst switches remain active with the engine off" that this would allow, as DBK suggests, an element of levelling on an uneven pitch.
The van will be an 6.36m plated at 4.2t with 2 electric bikes on back. Looking for improved road comfort and if possible a bit of help on pitching.
Thanks for your help.
Bill

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[sallylillian]

VB suspension have just developed "active dampers" to go with their air suspension, one of the features is a "lockout mode" to give stability once the 4 channel air has done the levelling, this might be for the IVECO chassis initially but I am sure it will trickle down. My understanding is that it was developed in conjunction with Morelo so they have the sole rights to fit it OE for one year.

Martin

That's interesting Martin, where did you get the information?

 

[funflair]

Hi Michael

VB had a leaflet at Dusseldorf, my understanding is that for OE Morelo have the rights for one year but VB centres can fit as an upgrade.

EDIT

Found this
https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/news/vb-smooths-iveco-motorhome-drive-with-activeair

Martin

 

[sallylillian]

That's very interesting I had active air on my RV and it was streets ahead of the VB I have on the Flair. I will be following this through, I will also like to understand how they manage the huge air requirements. I had air brakes on the rv and there were 5 tanks to manage the overall requirements. However you could swerve the 20 tons at speed like it was a mini!
Thanks for the heads up.
Michael

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[sallylillian]

Martin here is a good Youtube on it.

 

[funflair]

When did you last drive your Flair like that Michael.

Martin

 

[sallylillian]

When did you last drive your Flair like that Michael.

Martin

Ha Ha
They use the same manoeuvres in HWH (Yankee) active air presentation. However as you would guess it takes some balls to drive ones own like it!
Michael

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[funflair]

Ha Ha
They use the same manoeuvres in HWH (Yankee) active air presentation. However as you would guess it takes some balls to drive ones own like it!
Michael

And some good anti-slip matting.

Martin