PVC and airbags?

[Insider]

Question

I have a 2016 forte on a light Ducati chassis. Single leaf and sitting on the bump stops. Will be keeping for a good while. Not unhappy with the ride but she is sitting very low at the back. If I get anything done I want to have a document for insurance which makes it a bit more expensive. Got a price of €1300 for independent bags at the rear with compressor control in the cab. Other options could be stronger leaf or progressive spring. Any thoughts or advice?

 

[activecampers]

They are not bump stops, they are suspension helpers. (there is a difference)
You do look heavy - have you had the van/axle weighed?
Air bags will help with ride, and ride height, but not increase weight carrying capacity (at least not on their own)
Some people want compressors, but unless you want to adjust all the time, why? We have independent and manual gauges/inflation - and once set its not been adjusted.
Easy to fit, as long as the single bolt holding on the existing rubber comes off. On a new van, its 2 min job. Old van, the captive nut can rust/sheer and cause problems getting out.
You mention insurance certificate, but what you you need? Lots of kits come with branded bags and just different fittings, suitable for purpose. We paid £330 I think....

 

[Insider]

Thanks - the limits of my knowledge are exposed quickly!! Thought they were bumpstops. I did weigh the axels and the rear was 1620 and the front 1540 with no water\waste, no person inside and 60% diesel so if I was travelling with the wife and two bikes on the towbar and water etc there would be another 100 to 130kg on the back I'd think. I mentioned getting airbags to the insurance and they said as long as there is an engineers cert there should be no issue. Also I think the vehicle test in Ireland requires a cert for any modification - I am open to correction on this!

Taking the compressor out will make a big difference to the price. I gather you don't use your bags for leveling when on site then.

They are not bump stops, they are suspension helpers. (there is a difference)
You do look heavy - have you had the van/axle weighed?
Air bags will help with ride, and ride height, but not increase weight carrying capacity (at least not on their own)
Some people want compressors, but unless you want to adjust all the time, why? We have independent and manual gauges/inflation - and once set its not been adjusted.
Easy to fit, as long as the single bolt holding on the existing rubber comes off. On a new van, its 2 min job. Old van, the captive nut can rust/sheer and cause problems getting out.
You mention insurance certificate, but what you you need? Lots of kits come with branded bags and just different fittings, suitable for purpose. We paid £330 I think....

 

[Guigsy]

I was in a similar situation. I fitted semi-air by EasyTop. Took a few hours and wasn't hard.

Fitted Semi Air Suspension

I've got a 2007 Ducato panel van camper. I'm planning on doing some serious trips later in the year, so she's currently being upgraded and fettled. Whilst she was up on ramps to work out whether I could squeeze in an LPG tank and underslung grey water tank, it was pointed out that the 'bump...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[activecampers]

lol don't worry - many call them bump stops, and even some have had MOT failures on "touching bump stops" - but really, they aren't.

1620 should be OK, it looks heavier. Are you 3.5t chassis? the door plate will say, but the rear axle could be 2000kg. In which case, your springs look "worn" - it should not be touching.

I can't comment on Irish rules.

We do not use them to level - it'd only raise/lower one rear corner at a time, it really isn't worth it - for our usage at least. YMMV.

Mine was an ebay kit, but with branded bags etc so quite happy with it - just checked £279 with two gauges - so cheap but does the job well! Not sure on certification or if any needed - not seen any on UK kits.

Here is our install just FYI showing whats involved. Went for this kit as it did not require any removal/loosening of any existing suspension parts/U-bolts etc.

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[Howard B]

Cost me @ £500 fitted on teh drive by TL Tech

 

[Insider]

Door plate say 2000 for rear axle and after almost 6 years with 1600 sitting on it it is likely sagging a small bit. I'm hoping for several improvements. It's a VB Semiair system and the bags with install and cert are €695 plus VAT and the compressor is €330 plus VAT. That price is with me fitting the compressor and runnings the lines back to the axle as I'm comfortable doing all that. I guess the main question is does a PVC gain in the same way that a motorhome with a large overhang will gain when using air and are progressive springs or other options any good? I've seen various posts with some people saying they don't use the compressor and some saying they do and while I'm leaning towards getting the bags versus other solutions I'm 50/50 on the compressor.

 

[Insider]

Cost me @ £500 fitted on teh drive by TL Tech

Few questions

With compressor?
Similar type of van. Are you happy with the improvement and if so what has been the biggest gain?
TIA

 

[Howard B]

Checked the invoice again. It was £460 without the compressor. Decided I didnt need it and to be honest I have probably adjusted the pressures twice in the past 18 months. It would have been £530 with the comprssor.
My van is on the Ducato light chassis
Doesnt seem to rattle and bang as we drive down potholed roads.
With 16" alloys added I am now at 4000kg which gives me options on payplaod and also pay less road tax.

 

[CamperManLez]

how about you just change the springs, it’s low cost and it’s obvious from your pics your current spring is overloaded. There are twin leaf and higher capacity single leaf options for your van. Check out Sanderson springs. My heavy chassis boxer does not touch the rubber assisters at 3450kg. Yours clearly shows the spring distorted and the rubber assisters pretty much destroyed. New springs, its a better fix than trying to sort your problem with air cushions.
your choice.