Air suspension and on site leveling

[Deleted member 12539]

Could someone explain to a relative newby to motorhoming why I cannot use my air suspension to level on site........

When we picked up our motorhome it had independent air suspension already fitted to the rear of the vehicle. I enquired at the time of pickup if the air suspension could be used to level the 'van when on site. We were told that is not what it is for, however, we have used it quite successfully on many occasions to jack up and lower the rear section of the 'van.
Why was we told that it cannot be used for leveling, when quite obviously it can?

We have two air meters with valves separately feeding the two rear wheels, if the air suspension was only for driving, surely the air would be split equally between the two units to ensure an even ride height !!

I use a 12v mini air compressor to 'pump' up the units for driving conditions and leveling on site, and I only have to press on the valve caps to release pressure in each meter.

Your help/advice appreciated.

Dave

 

[AndyC]

I can't see any reason why you shouldn't use the air system to level up on site.

The reason that the rear units are independent is to allow you to adjust for uneven loading.

AndyC

 

[jogguk]

I see no reason why you could not use it for leveling on site, I sometimes do it myself. Though on your M/H which appears to have a longish wheelbase you will only be able to get slight benefit. 45 mm lift over 3m (guess between wheels) is not much. Also a bit of a potch plugging in the 12v compressor.

I have the similar Firestone Driverite system on my American camper van and it has a permanently in line air compressor mounted in the engine bay.Rear air springs can be inflated, deflated even when driving down the road The dashboard mounted duel gauge (one gauge two needles) has independent paddle switches for each side, they either bleeds off pressure to deflate or auto start the pump to inflate.

A good installation should have both sides independently adjustable for pressure Like yours is ) If only one pressure gauge is fitted it should have a manual in-line valve to isolate the two sides when the system is pressurised, a lot of owners do not realise the importance of this valve if fitted and is often left open.

If the valve is left open both air springs will have equalized pressure and have a detrimental effect on handling when negotiating roandabouts and fast corners the air transfers from the compressed spring via the open valve into the uncompressed spring increasing the roll . A bit like when I jump on the air bed and my wife bounces off

Regards
John

 

[Deleted member 12539]

Dave, if you have Airide as below it could be used for either raising one side or the other or both but I thing from the lowest position you will only raise about 2 inches.[/url]

Thanks for replies, and yes I have noticed that I do not have much in the way of 'travel' in the ride height, but we have usually found that it has been enough to fine tune our level.
Hopefully this year I would like to install a more permanent compressor into the system to allow me to inflate more conveniently.

Dave

 

[Nosha]

Your air bags will NOT be linked as suggested as this would cause considerable body roll. e.g. You drive round a UK roundabout clockwise, the body rolls outwards; this compresses the N/S air bag which if linked would then push all the air out of the N/S bag into the O/S bag so expanding it even more, pushing the body over even more!! Hence they are seperate systems so they can't be emptied and will therefore support the body.

 

[averywildwildcamper]

Your air bags will NOT be linked as suggested as this would cause considerable body roll.

This is not strictly true. Early Airide (company name), Firestone kits and a few others were all linked together with some sort of tee. They're now supplied with individual Schrader valves to enable different pressures in each side. If your looking for a quality air assistance kit, you need to look at the Dunlop kits which are well engineers compared to other makes.

Not all air assist kits will allow a big difference in suspension heights, such as kits fitted to AL-KO axles.

 

[Deleted member 5816]

This is not strictly true. Early Airide (company name), Firestone kits and a few others were all linked together with some sort of tee. They're now supplied with individual Schrader valves to enable different pressures in each side. If your looking for a quality air assistance kit, you need to look at the Dunlop kits which are well engineers compared to other makes.

Not all air assist kits will allow a big difference in suspension heights, such as kits fitted to AL-KO axles.

Not so the early Airide using the Firestone units gave you the option of jioned units (cheapest) or several other options using 1 Gauge 2 valves etc mine is still in use after several vehicles

Alf