Keith Newberry Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 We have recently acquired a motorhome with a heavy duty chassis cab with Al-Ko twin axle six wheeled chassis conversion. A tow bar has been added. Empty, the van goes up and down our drive no problem. Loaded, we ground out the tow bar. Even without the motorbike trailer we still ground out. We have found a supplier of an air suspension system that would seem to fit the bill but we don't know for sure and we don't want to spend £2,000 plus to find it doesn't work. Any ideas out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 £2000! I would guess that an airride unit should cost under £500? Just go for the manual one...it only takes a little air the bags are small. And you only need to pump it up when going away. Bye the way! welcome:-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Newberry Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 Thank you very much for suggestion. I have found a supplier of the airride system on the web and just e-mailed them with our question. Fingers crossed you've just saved us some bucks!! Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Welcome to the forum Keith, and to the wonders of motorhoming! Just one thought, before you spend money on modifications: you call it a heavy-duty chassis-cab, but have you checked you're not exceeding the axle weights? It would be unusual for a twin-axle not to have plenty of spare capacity, but you need to be sure; in the (admittedly unlikely) event that you're overloading the back, extra suspension won't make it legal or safe. It may be that the high price you've been quoted for the mod includes other work to increase the permitted weights? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewJo Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Make sure you know what type of suspension you have & if you have ABS Depending on the type of chassis it could have leaf springs or torsion bar so you need to know When I fitted mine I had to buy the torsion bar type It’s not an easy job and you will need a few specialist tools e.g. a large socket set to undo the break drum a set of circlip pliers & a drill & drill bits Most of all a good set of axel stands don’t try to do it from the jack supplied with the van as it’s no good & dangerous I fitted mine with the help of a friend in about 1 day air pump and all Worked very well when we took our scooter in the rear garage would visibly raise the rear of the van & in addition gives a much smoother ride Try these people they were very helpful I would highly recommend them email@AS-AirSuspension.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Being an AlKo chassis it will have torsion bar suspension, being a tag axle it will need four air bags. Fitting time for a single axle AlKo chassis system is in the region of eight hours (I've done one), for a tag axle I'd say you're looking at 12 hours worth of labour plus the kit so 2K is probably about right if it includes the compressor and control panel. Don't worry if you have ABS as this works independently of axle load and ride height. If no ABS then the load apportioning valve will need adjusting to suit. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 A few more details on the van might help, Keith. It might also help to know if the towbar is an AlKo one, since AlKo chassis generally do not have large ground clearances, and a bar that is not designed with this in mind could cause grounding problems. Final thought, is this a van with a long rear overhang? Low AlKo chassis + long overhang spells potential grounding problems on ramps/ferries etc, and a long overhang brings an increased risk of overloading the rear end. I'd suggest a trip to a weighbridge, fully laden, to check the laden weight of the van, but also the weights on the front axle and rear axles.I have heard of cases of AlKo torsion bars fatiguing, or possibly disengaging, which, if it were the case on your van, would result in the rear end riding lower than intended. It might be worth getting the existing suspension units thoroughly checked before spending money on air assistance your van should not, really, need. Try contacting AlKo UK for advice on suitably equipped and qualified workshops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnP Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Is the problem occuring all of the way up your drive or just where you leave the main road onto your property? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Newberry Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 The problem occurs approx 3 foot from the pavement. Our drive is part flat and part ramped but who ever laid the ramp end did not do it evenly or smoothly, we only ground out for approx another 3 feet then are fine. The overhang on our motorhome is not over long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V6Jim Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 I suggest a bit of subtle tarmac in the correct spot to solve the problem. The van is probably fine. Either that or make a couple of wooden ramps to ease here up (or down) over the offending bump. Simples.... Jimmy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnP Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 I suggest experimenting with some short lengths of scaffold board or similar placed on the hollow. Should be easy to do unless you are on a main road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnP Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 It may be easier if the boards are screwed together, if two thicknesses are needed for each wheel. Cut a tapering end so the tyres run up easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 Keith If the grounding is only considered to be a problem when your motorhome is entering/leaving your drive, then you could just add a 'skid plate' beneath the tow-bar to lessen its abrasive effect on your drive's surface, or perhaps add a small wheel to the tow-bar assembly. If (as seems more likely) you anticipate having grounding problems generally - for instance when using car ferries - then your only real option seems to be the air-assistance one that you've already been offered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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