Air suspension

[Derek Uzzell]

norm

 

It might be worth knowing how much retrofitting VB ‘full air’ suspension to your Globecar PVC cost.

 

This 2014 forum thread centred around the late-JudgeMental’s Possl PVC’s very harsh ride:

 

http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/636-Maxi-chassis-tyre-pressures-full-air-suspension/34259/

 

The final posting (3rd page of thread) indicates that lowering the vehicle’s tyre-pressures right down to match weighbridge-measured fully-loaded axle-weights resulted in a ride quality that was deemed acceptable.

 

[goldi]

Morning derek,

 

IT was about £5500

 

norm

[Brian Kirby]

Norm, a question please.

 

I assume you originally went for full air because you found your van's suspension harsh? Did the full air cure that completely, or do you still experience residual rattles etc.? I'm just interested in how well it copes with the typical UK road, and whether you still get the noise and vibration that seems to me typical - at least around here. Given a billiard-table surface, I think any modern suspension system gives a smooth, quiet, ride. It's the "washboard" surfaces, more than the odd pothole, that provide the worst conditions. How does it cope then? (I know that's several questions, but they all relate to the same issue! :-D) Ta!

[goldi]

Hello Brian,

 

 

As you know the road surfaces are much worse in UK than countries such as France, but much road noise is down to the type of tarmac. The bump thumping over potholes is much reduced from the previous van., speed bumps are much easier and less jarring. There are other things as well, Levellers are not required I just press a button and it self levels without getting out of the van. It also tilts to one side when emptying the grey waste. The van can also be raised for off road use. The van can also be lowered which would prevent the cat being stolen. Another point is that the van sits about 6 inch lower that it did before the conversion which I regard as helpful but maintains its level whatever weight is loaded. This is an expensive conversion but I believe its worth it particularly compared to my previous van which was one of the early x250 models which may have been changed now I do not know.

 

norm

[monique.hubrechtsgm]

A Motor home suspension in that weight class can not be compared to a car. Not at at least a ducato or iveco daily. Get away whit the driving noise as in my range rover on air and alko premium X4 on my motorhome.

[monique.hubrechtsgm]

Did you have a alko chassis? Your standard ride height shoud be kept the same as shoud be measured be fore the con version. And not altered by air in calibration This not correct. In case of alko torsion bars and not air you can raise the rear 5 cm which is is alot in ground clearance terms by turning one teeth of all six torsion bars and lift up the swing arms. The same can be done on the front strut using a higher spring block. You can also gain higher ride height by 15 to 16 wheels but tht should be approved by the builder homologation in the final stage of manufacture. check your car papers.

[goldi]

monique.hubrechts@gm - 2017-07-20 7:58 PM

 

Did you have a alko chassis? Your standard ride height shoud be kept the same as shoud be measured be fore the con version. And not altered by air in calibration This not correct. In case of alko torsion bars and not air you can raise the rear 5 cm which is is alot in ground clearance terms by turning one teeth of all six torsion bars and lift up the swing arms. The same can be done on the front strut using a higher spring block. You can also gain higher ride height by 15 to 16 wheels but tht should be approved by the builder homologation in the final stage of manufacture. check your car papers.

 

Good Morning,

 

No it is not alko chassis it is a panel van conversion the suspension was standard single leaf fiat.

 

norm

[Derek Uzzell]

Apparently Norm’s motorhome is a 2014 Globecar “Family Scout” built on a Fiat Ducato Maxi panel-van.

 

It’s perhaps worth highlighting that adding ‘full air’ rear suspension to a Ducato panel-van does not mean that the rear wheels become independently sprung, as the original beam rear-axle is retained. It’s an expensive step to take and, if Ellen is discouraged by the thought of spending £500 (and I certainly would not blame her for that) on having an ‘air bellows’ system fitted in the hope this would address her criticisms of her Campereve PVC’s harsh ride quality, I can’t see her spending a far greater sum even if the chances of some ride-quality improvement would be higher.

 

(I refer (more in hope than anticipation :-( ) to the thread “New Members - PLEASE READ” at the very top of the Motorhome Matters forum homepage. This suggests that forum-members (new and old-stagers) provide basic identification details of the vehicles they own within the ‘Location’ field. Is this REALLY too much to ask?)

 

 

[Brian Kirby]

goldi - 2017-07-20 7:21 PM

 

Hello Brian,

 

 

As you know the road surfaces are much worse in UK than countries such as France, but much road noise is down to the type of tarmac. The bump thumping over potholes is much reduced from the previous van., speed bumps are much easier and less jarring. There are other things as well, Levellers are not required I just press a button and it self levels without getting out of the van. It also tilts to one side when emptying the grey waste. The van can also be raised for off road use. The van can also be lowered which would prevent the cat being stolen. Another point is that the van sits about 6 inch lower that it did before the conversion which I regard as helpful but maintains its level whatever weight is loaded. This is an expensive conversion but I believe its worth it particularly compared to my previous van which was one of the early x250 models which may have been changed now I do not know.

 

norm

Thanks Norm.