Semi air suspension ? (1 Viewer)

[Guigsy]

Damper/shock:

It's probably just out of view?

 

[DDJC]

Damper/shock:
View attachment 495762

It's probably just out of view?

Oh shock absorbers. Two of. Tick!

 

[TheBig1]

the easy way to identify fiat versus alko chassis is that the fiat one is painted, usually white. Alko chassis use galvanised silver metal with no paint

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[DDJC]

Is it completely legal, MOT-wise?

 

[TheBig1]

Is it completely legal, MOT-wise?

absolutely fine with the MOT, it improves the suspension so safer

 

[DDJC]

So, I am being quoted about £1400 to fully fit the VB semi comfort kit. I don't mind paying that if it is the best system and by a relatively local reputable workshop.

I won't be doing it myself, under any circumstances!! My DIY ability is limited to oil, water and tyre pressures!!

Is that a good price? And is VB the best?

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[Swifter]

Seems quite expensive . Is most of the cost fitting ?

 

[TCG]

Have you priced up the Dunlop, get loads of lift - minimum .5bar max 7bar (wouldn't want to drive it at that height though)

 

[Guigsy]

My mechanic'ing skills are pretty basic. Fitting the bellows was very easy. Although I did get an EasyTop kit partly because their design avoids the need to extracting the u-bolts. The hardest part was routing the air lines to the cab. Which is mainly common sense and zip-ties. Took me an afternoon.

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[DerryW]

I had VB VB semi comfort kit fitted in 2019 for £975 + vat. Is VB better than other makes, can't say as only had experaince of VB, very happy so far. Makes a massive difference to the driving characteristic.

 

[DDJC]

I had VB VB semi comfort kit fitted in 2019 for £975 + vat. Is VB better than other makes, can't say as only had experaince of VB, very happy so far. Makes a massive difference to the driving characteristic.

Who was the fitter?

 

[DDJC]

Also, on the Dunlop and VB systems, can the left and right sides be operated independently?

And are there any other recommended systems?

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[Guigsy]

Also, on the Dunlop and VB systems, can the left and right sides be operated independently?

And are there any other recommended systems?

I used EasyTop. Never had any issues with it. Never had to top it up due to leaks. And it has a bolted seat design which means you don't have to remove the existing u-bolts.

 

[TCG]

Also, on the Dunlop and VB systems, can the left and right sides be operated independently?

yes please see my image

 

[ontheroadagain]

Another vote for EasyTop. Easy to fit and cheap. (approx £350)

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[pandas]

I want to fit air suspension to rear of my Hymer B544. It's on a Fiat Maxi chassis so rated at 4250kg.

I've asked a couple of suppliers on ebay if theirs will be okay, and they all look the same to me, but can't seem to get a straight answer, if any answer at all. Quite frustrating !

So has anyone fitted same to a Maxi chassis ?

I had VP fitted to my B544 with a max Chassis also up rated to 4250. There was an issue with the chassis, thought is was to do with the seat belt fixings for one of the back two which meant they had to do a bit of cutting and welding. Used Rosmia who were very professional. It also made a huge difference to not only the ride but also the clearance to the back which used to catch us out boarding some ferries particularly in Italy where the back used to ground.

Rosmia

www.rosmia.co.uk

 

[DerryW]

DDJC Mine was fitted by Full Circle of Banham Norfolk NR16 2HS Tel: 01953 887951. www.fullcircleenterprises.co.uk

Yes the VB system operates each wheel independently by a simple flick of either of the toggle switches.

What I will add is; if your looking for a large increase in overall height, you might be surprised how little rear air assist actually increases the overall height. I have read on the forum where others are gaining 4-6inches, mine at 30-40cm is nowhere near that. It could be that other manufactures offer that option, as said earlier, I've only had experience of the VB product.

 

[Conal]

Long story made short - wife has bad knee, I have (soon to be fixed) bad hip. Trip to Whitby last year led to realisation that we will have to take our car as 8m motorhome can’t go everywhere. Lots of help on here led to Watling Engineers in St Albans in June for a tow bar and later same month to TAS Chesterfield for an A frame, again after advice from here. Recently read this and other threads and realised that the tow bar at at the rear of our Autotrail Delaware will bottom out on occasion. Just booked into Glide Rite in Liphook in June for rear air ride to be fitted. Hopefully that will sort out my wife’s knee problem, although a private operation may have been cheaper!

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[TheBig1]

more years ago than I wish, I worked with a friend to extend and convert a flatbed pickup to a car transporter. Due to an increased overhang, we had moved the rear axle back as well, we needed to gain extra height so fitted airbag suspension. Not the little ones sold in kits on ebay, proper big ones used in tipper trucks. We could lower the back end to just off the road and lift it fully loaded 22 inches, with very good handling on the road

Semi air as it is referred to simply replaces the bump stops with air bags and can only lift about 80mm at the wheel arch absolutely maximum. The ride won't be comfortable at the maximum setting. The rear overhang from the centre of the rear wheel back is what will make a difference in the lift with the same bags on different vans. The sellers on ebay likely know very little about the mechanicals of how they fit and any gain to be made, but will know the size of the bag so you can calculate the lifting range

 

[DDJC]

more years ago than I wish, I worked with a friend to extend and convert a flatbed pickup to a car transporter. Due to an increased overhang, we had moved the rear axle back as well, we needed to gain extra height so fitted airbag suspension. Not the little ones sold in kits on ebay, proper big ones used in tipper trucks. We could lower the back end to just off the road and lift it fully loaded 22 inches, with very good handling on the road

Semi air as it is referred to simply replaces the bump stops with air bags and can only lift about 80mm at the wheel arch absolutely maximum. The ride won't be comfortable at the maximum setting. The rear overhang from the centre of the rear wheel back is what will make a difference in the lift with the same bags on different vans. The sellers on ebay likely know very little about the mechanicals of how they fit and any gain to be made, but will know the size of the bag so you can calculate the lifting range

Thanks. So a lift of 80mm (only when needed for ferries etc) would be fine for me. But Alberto's post saying that VB only gives 30-40mm may not be enough. That's only about an inch and a half.

What additional rear height do funsters get on their systems, and what systems do they have? Also, do people with different mohos get different results using the same air system?

 

[TheBig1]

mine has vb full air so not applicable, but give 6 inches or more at the towball

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[Guigsy]

When my previous van was on the original suspension bump-stops, it rode very low at the back. Once knackered bump-stops were replaced with the semi-air suspension bellows, I gained 5cm of ride height at the wheel arches even with the bellows had nothing in them. My van was the 'light' 3.3t chassis though. I don't think Fiat designed it for light duties, it wasn't designed to have half a house permanently loaded in the back!

 

[Conal]

SandraL Gliderite on ALKO Maxi chassis rear only £1,750.

 

[SandraL]

SandraL Gliderite on ALKO Maxi chassis rear only £1,750.

Yes, prices have gone up a bit since I posted about £1500 in 2018

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[Conal]

SandraL Yes, although not bad for three years and probably high demand recently. I spoke to the owner and the sales director and it appears both their sites are busy.