Any recommendations on Air Suspension? (1 Viewer)

[American Dream]

Hi All,

I am currently looking into fitting Air units at the rear of the RV to assist/raise the ride height and reduce body roll.

I have found a supplier of Firestone units (Thanks to the recommendation of another FUNster) and apparently Dunlop also manufacture units although they don't list for older vehicles.

Has anyone got any recommendations based on Past/precious experience please?

Have you ever had a unit fail?These are not the units that fit inside the coil spring units but separate units assisting the leaf springs at the rear.

Cheers Steve.

 

[Snowbird]

Hi, I had them fitted on my Rockwood Beachwood with Oshkosh chassis, and I also have them on my Tiffin Allegro with John Deere chassis.
They are by a company called Ride Right, think thats how its spelt.
I have never had any problems with either of the units.
When long range travelling I have fitted extra fuel tanks and the air assist does help with steadying the body role.
Be warned that it is very tempting to overload with these fitted,becouse you become of the opinion that if it looks right,it is right.
I find them a great aid to helping stop body role and they do make for a more comfortable ride.
Mine have both had the valve fitted by the skirt,the only thing that I would change given the choice is to have the valves fitted inside the coach so that I could adjust going down the road.
Hope this is some help, Dave.

 

[American Dream]

Cheers Dave,

I was looking at internally adjustable units and love the idea of being able to control them at the flick of a switch.

I am looking to fit rear units first and expand to a full, all-round system as , and when I can afford it.

So much else to do first.Same as you I suspect....LPG Tanks etc.

I am assuming it is possible to expand on these systems in the future?

Thanks for the valuable advice.:thumb:

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[hailman]

I have just fitted some Dunlop units, albeit on a Fiat chassis. Steve at Marcle Leisure was very helpful and does keep a good stock of units.

I have no association with the company, just impressed with the service I got and the quality of the items (as was my fitter)

 

[Snowbird]

Hi, I only ever had them on the rear axel, cant see why you would want to put them on the front.
I think the only time you would put them on the front is with the chevy type chassis,IE inside the coil springs.
My old Tiff has cart springs all round,and its almost imposible to overload the front axel,so therfore unnecisary to fit on front.

 

[American Dream]

Cheers Guys.

Certainly seems to lean around bends a bit.

I'm hoping to cut the body roll down a bit without making the ride too harsh.

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[johnsandywhite]

:Cool: My old 1988 Coachmen Classic had them fitted Front and rear and my 1993 Gulfstream Crown Regis had them fitted inside the Front Springs. I actually had to change one of the front Air Bags on the Gulfstream. Not an easy job but doable. I would say they DO what they are supposed to do. The units fitted to the Gulfstream were Air Lift. I have a PDF file for changing the Bags in anyone requires it? :thumb:

 

[Jaws]

Hate to say it cos they seemed nice helpful people, but I am afraid I would avoid VB Air

They have charged me over £30 delivery yet they must have sent the kit by a hiker as it still has not arrived here
Postage on such kit should be no more than £12.50 including insurances .. We use several of the big carrier people and that is the dearest we get charged for stuff up to 25 kilos.

Obviously they are a small firm trying to make extra money on postage.. small firms are very often nice to deal with but bloody flakey and I usually avoid !

 

[American Dream]

:Cool: My old 1988 Coachmen Classic had them fitted Front and rear and my 1993 Gulfstream Crown Regis had them fitted inside the Front Springs. I actually had to change one of the front Air Bags on the Gulfstream. Not an easy job but doable. I would say they DO what they are supposed to do. The units fitted to the Gulfstream were Air Lift. I have a PDF file for changing the Bags in anyone requires it? :thumb:

Cheers John,

I seem to remember some time ago your thread regarding the air bag.

I assume the motor is still driveable if you deflate the others or will it damage them if they are not removed?

I would like to raise the rear ride height a little as she seems to be running a little low at the rear..... after all these years.Guess the springs have got a little tired.

I could go down the route of replacing the rear leaf springs but think that might be rather expensive...certainly on carriage...if they are still available.

It wouldn't solve the body roll though.:Sad:

Hope the weather in SPAIN is good this time of year?

Steve.

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[johnsandywhite]

:Cool: Hi Steve. On the Gulfstream, the drivers side airbag was rotted away due to not being kept up to pressure. I never really noticed it until I started getting it ready for the MOT after conversion to UK spec. The passenger side was OK. You should never let the pressure get below 5psi otherwise the bag could get trapped between the springs. Same with the reear Air Bags on the Coachmen. When I bought it they were flat. After I pumped them up the ride WAS higher and better. I used to run them at 80/90 psi. They recommend 50 psi. Then again the SPECIALISTS (???) recommended running the the tyre pressures at 60/65 psi. I finished up running them at 90 psi. :thumb:
If ONE was NOT working? I would still keep the others blown up so as NOT to damage them. Air bags is the way to go. Springs can be VERY difficult to replace. Mechanically and monetery. :thumb:

 

[olley]

Hi guys, do air bags make much difference to body roll? I would have thought an antiroll bar would be a better bet.

Olley

 

[wiljoy]

Hi Steve,
You are facing the same problem that I experienced earlier in the year, WHICH system would stay together and be funtional.
In early 1995 I had a system fitted which was never comfortable and I lost faith in them until an outdoor show in 1998 which saw me have another system fitted at the show. This lasted 16 miles and one bag dropped off.
This year I really needed to create a more stable drive so after lots of research I came up with AS Air Suspension at Warrington (I live in Durham). I talked to over 15 previous customers of there's and decided to go with them. This was in October and I am totally happy with the work they carried out. The van (4.5 ton) is now very stable and responsive on bends and the ride quality is now like a car.
The job was carried out in a very clean and tidy manner with all pipes and wires hidden and to top it all I can adjust the rear height from the drivers seat.
YES, this company have full marks from me and It is refreshing to find workmanship and reliability as it used to be when the customer was valued.
Good luck in your decision, but don't just get the cheapest, I've been there and done that, twice.
Regards,
Wilf:thumb:

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[johnsandywhite]

Hi guys, do air bags make much difference to body roll? I would have thought an antiroll bar would be a better bet.

Olley

That I couldn't answer because ALL our RV's have had BOTH except our Air Bag Tag axle Newmar which has no Air bags front or rear. Having said that, the Front is Leaf springs and shockers so would be different from the others.

 

[johnsandywhite]

Hi guys, do air bags make much difference to body roll? I would have thought an antiroll bar would be a better bet.

Olley

That I couldn't answer because both our two first RV's have had BOTH Air Bags and Anti-roll bars. OurAir Bag Tag axle Newmar which has no Air bags front or rear but has an Anti=roll bar (had to change the Bushes for the MOT). Having said that, the Front is Leaf springs and shockers so would be different from the others.

 

[smifee]

I had a 'DriverRite' ( I think Firestone made them ) system fitted about 4 years ago. It was a lot cheaper than I expected.

Earlier this year I had an onboard compressor fitted by AS Air Suspension. During the installation Phil checked my system and said the units were not identical. Eventually he found that a welded stop had broken off one side.

I'm pretty sure it happened about 3 years ago when I hit an unmarked speed bump in Portugal. No noticeable difference in handling since but not understanding anything mechanical I'm not happy to continue with them and they will be removed & AS units installed in January.

The As Air Suspension system certainly can't be called cheap but sometimes you get what you pay for.

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