Feels like running on Rocks (1 Viewer)

philmc79

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Dec 4, 2018
116
63
East Manchester
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57,469
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since 2 weeks ago
Does anyone ever feel like the suspension on their MH feels like the suspension does not soak up the little bumps in the road like a car does, I have had my MH fitted with rear air suspension and what is termed as comfort springs on the front but it does not feel any better than it did on the old suspension, does reducing the tyre pressures make a difference ???? has anyone tried this or experimented with different settings and does it make a difference or is it dangerous any help would be good.
 
Oct 29, 2008
5,058
5,911
West Yorkshire
Funster No
4,712
MH
PVC
Exp
since 2008
Does anyone ever feel like the suspension on their MH feels like the suspension does not soak up the little bumps in the road like a car does, I have had my MH fitted with rear air suspension and what is termed as comfort springs on the front but it does not feel any better than it did on the old suspension, does reducing the tyre pressures make a difference ???? has anyone tried this or experimented with different settings and does it make a difference or is it dangerous any help would be good.

The rear leaf springs are totally crap. Have you got real air suspension where youve replaced the springs with air springs, or the added on air bags?

I changed my suspension for full air all round removing the springs completely and the van now drives smoothly and corners like a car.
 
Oct 8, 2014
1,630
3,009
Wiltshire
Funster No
33,737
MH
Autotrail Excel 600B
Exp
Previous VW Camper + Caravan
does reducing the tyre pressures make a difference ???? has anyone tried this or experimented with different settings and does it make a difference
The vehicle's recommended tyre pressures are usually too high. The best option is to take your MH to a weighbridge, as loaded for a journey and establish front and rear axle weights. Then contact your tyre manufacturer who should be able to advise you what pressure you should use.

There are a few tables of pressures in the "Resources" section, that have been posted for various makes of tyre.

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Jaws

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Sep 26, 2008
23,832
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Thetford Norfolk
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since 2006 ( I think ! )
Does anyone ever feel like the suspension on their MH feels like the suspension does not soak up the little bumps in the road like a car does, I have had my MH fitted with rear air suspension and what is termed as comfort springs on the front but it does not feel any better than it did on the old suspension, does reducing the tyre pressures make a difference ???? has anyone tried this or experimented with different settings and does it make a difference or is it dangerous any help would be good.
Tyre pressures make a big difference as does make of tyres
The recommended pressure for our fronts is 76psi
We have been running 65psi for the past 4 years :)
 
Feb 22, 2011
9,763
20,117
Newcastle under Lyme
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15,397
MH
Hymer B544 A Class
Exp
Since 2015
Michelin always seem to advise 80 psi no matter what axle weight information you give them 😟
I've two Agilis needing replacement next year and they won't be Michelin Agilis

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Apr 27, 2008
11,842
14,066
Eastbourne East Sussex
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2,327
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Hymer low profile
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Since 1972
The recommended pressures on the sticker on my mh are very high. I use the ones recommended by the tyre manufacturers for the axle weights. 53 front 69 rear.
 

mikebeaches

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Feb 22, 2010
5,392
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Bristol
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10,377
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Rapido V68 Van Conversion
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Since 2009
Does anyone ever feel like the suspension on their MH feels like the suspension does not soak up the little bumps in the road like a car does, I have had my MH fitted with rear air suspension and what is termed as comfort springs on the front but it does not feel any better than it did on the old suspension, does reducing the tyre pressures make a difference ???? has anyone tried this or experimented with different settings and does it make a difference or is it dangerous any help would be good.
Yes, I know exactly what you mean.

We are on our third Ducato-based motorhome / campervan (2004 X240; 2010 X250; & 2016 X290).

The leaf-spring suspension on all three has felt like a cart at the back, though the current van is significantly better than the first. Obviously, it's a commercial vehicle chassis but nonetheless has frustrated me over the years.

I've researched significantly to see if there were any easy options to soften the rear suspension. But I'd read that the addition of rear air bags doesn't actually fix the problem - as you've discovered.

It sounds as though jezport has found the solution. However, our van is plated at 3,500 kg and I'm not sure it would accommodate the additional weight? Or perhaps the extra weight is offset by removal of the existing suspension and rear springs? Suspect it's a bit expensive too, but could be tempted if it is doable without up-plating our MGW.

In the meantime, I have the tyre pressures reduced significantly, but still just within the recommended range. I guess it helps a little, but certainly doesn't solve the problem. But after more than ten years I've just about got used to living with the harsh ride at the back. I've never really felt the front is too much of an issue.

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Oct 7, 2013
5,891
36,873
South Wales
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28,463
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Swift Escape Compact
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Since 1988
We have a Peugeot Boxer which is fitted with a Tyre pressure monitoring system. This is pre-set by Peugeot and requires a Peugeot Main Dealer to re-set if required.

The tyre pressures on the vehicle label suggest 75psi all round which they were set to and it felt like steel cartwheels.

Weighbridge axle weights suggest 56psi front and 62psi rear. I have reduced the pressures accordingly and the ride is much improved although the TPMS means that the “low tyre pressure” warning for all wheels comes up and the warning light stays on. I have been told that Peugeot Main Dealer’s charge over £100 to change the TPMS settings.

Incidentally, on reducing the pressures I noticed that although the vehicle had been supplied with pressures at 75psi the tyres were marked “maximum pressure 69psi”!
 

mikebeaches

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Feb 22, 2010
5,392
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Bristol
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Rapido V68 Van Conversion
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Since 2009
Incidentally, on reducing the pressures I noticed that although the vehicle had been supplied with pressures at 75psi the tyres were marked “maximum pressure 69psi”!
Although I don't fully understand, I think the lower maximum tyre pressure marked on the sidewall ie 69 psi, is to meet American standards/requirements, and not relevant in Europe and the UK apparently.
 

Cheshirecat57

Free Member
Feb 3, 2018
3,482
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Mid Cheshire
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52,244
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None
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10 years on and off
Im in the same boat with my new Peugeot Elddis
Dropped the pressures but the TPMS is ranting at me now

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highwayman

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Jul 31, 2007
968
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Herne Bay
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Low profile Rapido
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Since 2005 ish
We run 60 psi on the front and 65 at the rear. Ride is comfey enough.😀
 

Wikky

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Aug 6, 2020
342
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Cambridge
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74,009
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Since 2003
Does anyone ever feel like the suspension on their MH feels like the suspension does not soak up the little bumps in the road like a car does, I have had my MH fitted with rear air suspension and what is termed as comfort springs on the front but it does not feel any better than it did on the old suspension, does reducing the tyre pressures make a difference ???? has anyone tried this or experimented with different settings and does it make a difference or is it dangerous any help would be good.
Our 2005 Autotrail shuddered over bumps. It had the commercial van chassis with leaf springs at the back. When we changed mh to one wih an Alko chassis the change in ride was amazing. It's now much like a car and handles better in corners as it's now lower due to the different chassis.
 

Jaws

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Sep 26, 2008
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Thetford Norfolk
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C class, Chieftain
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since 2006 ( I think ! )
We have a Peugeot Boxer which is fitted with a Tyre pressure monitoring system. This is pre-set by Peugeot and requires a Peugeot Main Dealer to re-set if required.

The tyre pressures on the vehicle label suggest 75psi all round which they were set to and it felt like steel cartwheels.

Weighbridge axle weights suggest 56psi front and 62psi rear. I have reduced the pressures accordingly and the ride is much improved although the TPMS means that the “low tyre pressure” warning for all wheels comes up and the warning light stays on. I have been told that Peugeot Main Dealer’s charge over £100 to change the TPMS settings.

Incidentally, on reducing the pressures I noticed that although the vehicle had been supplied with pressures at 75psi the tyres were marked “maximum pressure 69psi”!
I have just done a bit of research, and found this...

Before you try to reset your TPMS light, you should always make sure that you have the tire pressure set as you want them in your vehicle. Use a tire pressure gauge to check the tire pressure. Inflate each tire to its ideal PSI then deflate the tires to zero. Then inflate again and drive for about 10 minutes at various speeds up to 50 mph to manually calibrate the sensors.

This might be the easiest method as it requires you to just drive your car at 50 mph for about 10 miles and the sensors will automatically calibrate themselves after you made sure that the tires have the right tire pressure. Some vehicles require a higher speed and you can also use cruise control to keep the speed constant.

Use a TPMS Reset Tool for Your Vehicle
tpms reset tool

There are a lot of different TPMS reset tools on the market. In some cases, you will have to reprogram the sensors if they have lost their information and you need a TPMS reset tool for this task. With a TPMS reset tool, you can often reset the TPMS light with an easy click of a button of your car. If you are interested in buying a tool like this, I can recommend the Autel TS401 MaxiTPMS Activation Tool Link to Amazon. You can also reset the TPMS light if you have a good OBD2 scanner. Always make sure the tools are compatible with your vehicle before making a purchase.
 
Oct 7, 2013
5,891
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South Wales
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Swift Escape Compact
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Since 1988
Jaws
Thanks for the info and links. There is a lot to research now before deciding a way forward.

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Jul 13, 2008
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No point telling folks what PSI you're running front or rear, or even what tyres you have fitted, it's all about the actual weight of your vehicle (each axle) and what the tyre manufacturer recommends for the tyres.
 

Langtoftlad

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Apr 12, 2011
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Langtoft, South Lincs
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WildAx Aurora FB [PVC]
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No point telling folks what PSI you're running front or rear, or even what tyres you have fitted, it's all about the actual weight of your vehicle (each axle) and what the tyre manufacturer recommends for the tyres.
I disagree - at the very least it might suggest the OP's pressures are high... and worth investigating.
 

Badknee

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Aug 25, 2014
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Vantage Neo
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Living the dream.
Tyre pressures make a big difference as does make of tyres
The recommended pressure for our fronts is 76psi
We have been running 65psi for the past 4 years :)
Yes, 60psi for us since we bought it.

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Badknee

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Aug 25, 2014
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Living the dream.
No point telling folks what PSI you're running front or rear, or even what tyres you have fitted, it's all about the actual weight of your vehicle (each axle) and what the tyre manufacturer recommends for the tyres.
Nonsense. Run your tyres at what your comfortable at, I spent weeks running at different pressures till I was happy.
 
Jul 13, 2008
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I disagree - at the very least it might suggest the OP's pressures are high... and worth investigating.
Too many variables, weight of vehicle could be 3 tonne or 7.5 tonne, tyres could be all shapes and sizes, to say you're running whatever PSI F+R is pointless, but yeah, I agree that his pressure may be too high.
 
Last edited:
Jun 8, 2019
4,931
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Bexley Kent
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Given up Motorhoming
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May 2019
We have a Peugeot Boxer which is fitted with a Tyre pressure monitoring system. This is pre-set by Peugeot and requires a Peugeot Main Dealer to re-set if required.

The tyre pressures on the vehicle label suggest 75psi all round which they were set to and it felt like steel cartwheels.

Weighbridge axle weights suggest 56psi front and 62psi rear. I have reduced the pressures accordingly and the ride is much improved although the TPMS means that the “low tyre pressure” warning for all wheels comes up and the warning light stays on. I have been told that Peugeot Main Dealer’s charge over £100 to change the TPMS settings.

Incidentally, on reducing the pressures I noticed that although the vehicle had been supplied with pressures at 75psi the tyres were marked “maximum pressure 69psi”!
I Set my tyres at 60 psi front 65 psi rear, same vehicle 2007

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OP
OP
philmc79

philmc79

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 4, 2018
116
63
East Manchester
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57,469
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LP Coach Built
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since 2 weeks ago
Our Mh has an Alko chassis so there are no leaf springs not sure what they do when they fit the air springs, but i will check the tyre pressures and adjust as required, Mh is a 2017 and on Michelin tyres.
 

Wikky

Free Member
Aug 6, 2020
342
664
Cambridge
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74,009
MH
Rapido 7065+
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Since 2003
Does anyone ever feel like the suspension on their MH feels like the suspension does not soak up the little bumps in the road like a car does, I have had my MH fitted with rear air suspension and what is termed as comfort springs on the front but it does not feel any better than it did on the old suspension, does reducing the tyre pressures make a difference ???? has anyone tried this or experimented with different settings and does it make a difference or is it dangerous any help would be good.
We're running at 60psi front and 65psi rear for a max axle loading of1850Kg and 2000Kg respec on 215/70 15 van tyres.
 
Feb 22, 2020
344
999
West Midlands
Funster No
68,927
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Bessacarr E582
Exp
2011, 11.6m cruiser on Thames for 5 years before
Michelin always seem to advise 80 psi no matter what axle weight information you give them 😟
I've two Agilis needing replacement next year and they won't be Michelin Agilis
That’s strange. I contacted Michelin about 6 years ago with the axle weights from a weighbridge. They gave me :front 3.5 bar, rear 5.5 bar, which feel fine to me. Plated at 4250 kg, and ALKO lowline chassis.
 

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