air suspension

chasthedagger

chasthedagger

Joined
Apr 28, 2008
Posts
157
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30
Location
rayleigh, essex.
Funster No
2,370
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2007
Can anyone tell me if they have fitted an air suspension system to their motorhome, we have a hymer on an alko chassis.
Or did you have one fitted.
Prices for both would be helpful.
Thanks.
 
Hi, there , yes i have as have many on here it is very easy to do, if you search the forum you will find many that have also fitted air to an alko chassis. Diy around £500·00 mark inc gauge.
cheers andy.
 
More like £1000 for an alko I think
I've done two but both are Fiat chassis.
 
If you have a search you will find a DIY guide in picture. I think it was done by Andy @Techno100

Seen a recent post here that said somebody had got all the kit including compressor and gauges for less than £500.
 
Mine was a standard chassis Peter

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peterc10 said:
If you have a search you will find a DIY guide in picture. I think it was done by Andy @Techno100

Seen a recent post here that said somebody had got all the kit including compressor and gauges for less than £500.
Click to expand...
This is a very clear guide by Techno100
 
You'll not get all the kit for less than £1000, and that's if you fit it yourself, it a good days work for 2 guys, if youre on a wide track alko, then the Dunlop kit isn't available, only for the standard width, cost fitted is around £1550, had it done myself last month. Dunlop won't sell you a kit without gauges and compressor
 
I prefer the handling without any wind in mine, thorough waste of time in my opinion. I don't understand why people think that adding two bags of air can improve on a properly engineered suspension system.
Careful distribution of loads within the vehicles capability will be much more beneficial.
Improved springs and dampers - yes!
Air bags - no!

That's wot I fink anyway (y)
 
If you run them without air, they will split, that's why Dunlop won't sell you a system without gauges and a compressor any more, it makes a huge difference to the handing on my alko, and it's essential when I've got the scoot on the back

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I brought a Dunlop kit from.
Link Removed
To fit to my Adria vision with alko chassis, the job to fit took a full day and was more difficult than I expected, but I am very happy with the results and consider it money well spent
It cost £794 without the pump but included the gauges,
The handling on my A class with large garage was bordering on dangerous at motorway speed with a strong crosswind, after fitting the air suspension she now handles perfectly safely, before fitting the air suspension If a coach passed at 60 plus you would need to know and allow for the suck and blow effect of it passing, but now I can relax and it doesn't matter what comes pass, it makes driving enjoyable again,
 
Contact Dave Newell, (Telford. His ads in the right hand column of *FUN*). He did a first rate job fitting a Dunlop system to our Hymer, and (I think), he gives a discount to *FUN* members.(y)
 
markh said:
If you run them without air, they will split, that's why Dunlop won't sell you a system without gauges and a compressor any more, it makes a huge difference to the handing on my alko, and it's essential when I've got the scoot on the back
Click to expand...

I've got gauges, that's how I know there's no air in 'em. When I find the time I'll take take 'em off and save some weight. :)
 
The previous owner had the air ride system fitted and told me how good it was (cost a lot of money).
On the motorway on the way home I did not like the feel of the back end at all, it felt unstable, as if the back end wanted to swap with the front. I had a friendly mechanic check the vehicle over for safety and he declared all was well regarding the chassis and standard suspension condition and fixings. So then I started experimenting. I reduced the pressure in the air ride system by half and found an improvement, I let more out and it was better still. Since then I have not had a repeat of the instability felt on that first trip, even during powerful crosswinds in Spain.
Any road, that is my experience of this stuff and I ain't impressed. :nerd:
 
Well they are split if you've run them empty for so long, although yours (air ride) are on a van (leaf sprung) chassis not an alko chassis, so hard for you to comment on their effects on an alko

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markh said:
Well they are split if you've run them empty for so long, although yours (air ride) are on a van (leaf sprung) chassis not an alko chassis, so hard for you to comment on their effects on an alko
Click to expand...

I'm sure the principle is the same whatever the chassis. With proper weight distribution a 'standard' vehicle should handle the way it was designed without resorting to add-on gadgets. If a vehicle feels unstable because of a non-standard load, like a motorcycle on a rear carrier for example creating a 'pendulum effect', then I would suggest that set up is not fit for purpose.
I know it's a common arrangement, (and I am a very experienced motorcyclist so am sympathetic) but when I see overloaded vans 'shimmying ' down the road it fair gives me the collywobbles. :eek:
 
Ethle the wondervan said:
I'm sure the principle is the same whatever the chassis. With proper weight distribution a 'standard' vehicle should handle the way it was designed without resorting to add-on gadgets. If a vehicle feels unstable because of a non-standard load, like a motorcycle on a rear carrier for example creating a 'pendulum effect', then I would suggest that set up is not fit for purpose.
I know it's a common arrangement, (and I am a very experienced motorcyclist so am sympathetic) but when I see overloaded vans 'shimmying ' down the road it fair gives me the collywobbles. :eek:
Click to expand...
A lot of people (self included) have fitted Air assist to the rear suspension in order to uprate the payload. A benefit is an improved ride. The air bags directly replace the rubber cones on a standard or camper chassis so if you simply run without air or remove them then you are taking a risk. However, it seems that you know what you are doing and it is your van so quite welcome to wreck the suspension. Are you sure it wasn't fitted as a part of a weight upgrade?

SV tech and other real experts would doubtless not agree with your point of view......

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Ethle the wondervan said:
I prefer the handling without any wind in mine, thorough waste of time in my opinion. I don't understand why people think that adding two bags of air can improve on a properly engineered suspension system.
Careful distribution of loads within the vehicles capability will be much more beneficial.
Improved springs and dampers - yes!
Air bags - no!

That's wot I fink anyway (y)
Click to expand...
Disagree when driving home with my van having just purchased it at 65/70 going past trucks it swayed all over the place (empty van so in theory should be ideally loaded as designed by the manufactures ) having Air Suspension fitted IMO made a huge difference to the driving experience
 
DuxDeluxe said:
A lot of people (self included) have fitted Air assist to the rear suspension in order to uprate the payload. A benefit is an improved ride. The air bags directly replace the rubber cones on a standard or camper chassis so if you simply run without air or remove them then you are taking a risk. However, it seems that you know what you are doing and it is your van so quite welcome to wreck the suspension. Are you sure it wasn't fitted as a part of a weight upgrade?

SV tech and other real experts would doubtless not agree with your point of view......
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reminder about the cones/bump stops.
Sorry if I gave the impression that I know what I'm doing!
T'wasn't fitted as a weight upgrade.
Of course 'experts' wouldn't agree with me, they are anxious to sell their gadgets. I would welcome a chat with a genuine 'expert' in this field (salesmen are rarely expert).
It used to be part of my work to liaise with 'experts' regarding the claims made for their products and processes.

Be very wary of anything that is mostly marketed at show grounds.

If a product or system really improves a vehicle so much why dos'nt the vehicle manufacturer incorporate it into their product?

If a simple product improves handling so much, why don't racing teams use a version of it?
 
Ethle the wondervan said:
Thanks for the reminder about the cones/bump stops.
Sorry if I gave the impression that I know what I'm doing!
T'wasn't fitted as a weight upgrade.
Of course 'experts' wouldn't agree with me, they are anxious to sell their gadgets. I would welcome a chat with a genuine 'expert' in this field (salesmen are rarely expert).
It used to be part of my work to liaise with 'experts' regarding the claims made for their products and processes.

Be very wary of anything that is mostly marketed at show grounds.

If a product or system really improves a vehicle so much why dos'nt the vehicle manufacturer incorporate it into their product?

If a simple product improves handling so much, why don't racing teams use a version of it?
Click to expand...
Cost and weight, it definitely made a difference to the drive for me
 
If Airbags are not worth having, how come a company such as Goldsmit do airbag kits. Just a thought and I don't have airbags on my motorhome
 
Ethle the wondervan said:
Thanks for the reminder about the cones/bump stops.
Sorry if I gave the impression that I know what I'm doing!
T'wasn't fitted as a weight upgrade.
Of course 'experts' wouldn't agree with me, they are anxious to sell their gadgets. I would welcome a chat with a genuine 'expert' in this field (salesmen are rarely expert).
It used to be part of my work to liaise with 'experts' regarding the claims made for their products and processes.

Be very wary of anything that is mostly marketed at show grounds.

If a product or system really improves a vehicle so much why dos'nt the vehicle manufacturer incorporate it into their product?

If a simple product improves handling so much, why don't racing teams use a version of it?
Click to expand...
The airbags you refer to replace a part of the suspension system to improve the ride plus allow for weight upgrade. Not usually needed on a builders van which is why it isn't there in the first place and these vehicles are built down to cost. Heavily loaded motorhomes running at or near payload limit benefit from such a system at the rear. Less so at the front but I'm considering VB springs to improve the ride at the front as well.

Race teams? Air suspension is all about ride comfort, not about going round a bend on the limit.

I did chat with an expert about this prior to purchase and bought it from someone else. And thanks for your very fine advice to be wary of anything sold at shows - I never knew that.........

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Manic said:
If Airbags are not worth having, how come a company such as Goldsmit do airbag kits. Just a thought and I don't have airbags on my motorhome
Click to expand...
Goldschmitt fit a spring upgrade to Hymers nowadays and I think it can be specified new as well to greatly improve ride comfort from the heavily loaded suspension. I was looking at VB comfort springs on the front - cheaper than Goldschmitt.
 
Why don't manufacturers do it? Generally because they're producing bog standard products to sell to a mass market and not for specialist use. There will always be room for improvement whether it's re-mapping, oil additives or fitting air assist amongst many other "improvements" the after market industry would have us believe will improve our pride and joy.
 
Out of interest and further experimentation, I pumped up my Airide thingies this morning from nowt up to 4 bar and is still holding.
They have been running 'flat' for over 10,000 miles and they have definitely not split, as someone suggested they would.
Pumping them up has raised the rear of the van by 75mm taking the ride height well over that recommended by Fiat. That in itself is enough to upset the handling and how many owners are capable of re-setting a vehicle ride height?

It just don't seem right to me ......................(n)
 
Ethle the wondervan said:
Pumping them up has raised the rear of the van by 75mm taking the ride height well over that recommended by Fiat. That in itself is enough to upset the handling and how many owners are capable of re-setting a vehicle ride height?
Click to expand...
I am not sure that 3" more ride height would upset the handling that much of a 3.5 ton "brick", but I am happy to be corrected with some good reasons. Also is there any recommended ride height from Fiat, as I have not been able to find any in my motorhome's info.

I ask only because I am thinking about putting on air suspension and am weighing up the pros and cons.
 
I've searched for Fiat Ducato recommended ride height and can't find anything. Bear in mind that there is the ordinary chassis and the Fiat camper chassis as well.

@peterc10 - have a look at mine next week in Romney - simple job and massively improved ride. Fully adjustable

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