Suspension Upgrade at SAP

[Admin]

I am sat in the customer's lounge at SAP in Doncaster. I arrived yesterday afternoon and had a pleasant evening overnighting here with two Carthagos which are also being upgraded. Mick and his team are all very nice and nothing seems to much trouble for them.

The lounge is open 24 hours a day and has TV, drink making facilities, toilet, heating and the all important wifi. Hookups, water, bins and a courtesy car are also available for customers.

My van went under the spanner at just after 8 am and they are going to call me in to take photos at different stages of the work. As you can imagine with huge tag axle motorhomes lifted up on free-standing lifts, they don't want me in the workshop without an escort. So I will hopefully post some pictures later today.

Provided that the modifications to the water tank go smoothly, then the work should be complete tomorrow. These guys work from about 7.30am and they were just going home at 8.30pm last night. I asked Mick why he worked so many hours and he said that he loves doing it.

I now need to keep myself occupied for the day, so I shall be doing some work.

Admin

 

[The laird]

Got yer knitting wi ye ( in over under and out) so I’m told

 

[alcam]

I am sat in the customer's lounge at SAP in Doncaster. I arrived yesterday afternoon and had a pleasant evening overnighting here with two Carthagos which are also being upgraded. Mick and his team are all very nice and nothing seems to much trouble for them.

The lounge is open 24 hours a day and has TV, drink making facilities, toilet, heating and the all important wifi. Hookups, water, bins and a courtesy car are also available for customers.

My van went under the spanner at just after 8 am and they are going to call me in to take photos at different stages of the work. As you can imagine with huge tag axle motorhomes lifted up on free-standing lifts, they don't want me in the workshop without an escort. So I will hopefully post some pictures later today.

Provided that the modifications to the water tank go smoothly, then the work should be complete tomorrow. These guys work from about 7.30am and they were just going home at 8.30pm last night. I asked Mick why he worked so many hours and he said that he loves doing it.

I now need to keep myself occupied for the day, so I shall be doing some work.

Admin

Often see posts about suspension upgrade . Having no mechanical knowledge at all (I'm more your working class intellerectual type) what are the advantages (keep it simple , 2 letter words only) and what is the cost ?

 

[Admin]

Often see posts about suspension upgrade . Having no mechanical knowledge at all (I'm more your working class intellerectual type) what are the advantages (keep it simple , 2 letter words only) and what is the cost ?

1) Better ride.

Air suspension gives a far superior driving experience and if you do lots of miles like me, it is a real benefit.

2) Weight increase.

I am having my motorhomes gross vehicle and axle weights increased. The standard suspension will not allow this, but the air suspension will.

3) Self-levelling.
When you are driving the suspension can automatically level the motorhome. When you park up you can push a button and the motorhome will self-level.

4) Ride heights.

You can choose different ride heights for the motorhome: Standard, Off road, sport or parking. The system also allows for two memory settings for your own favourite setups.

5) Extra features.

The system includes some extra features like ferry mode that lifts just the backend to help with grounding. The load space feature does the opposite and lowers the back of the motorhome for loading. And the tank discharge feature tips the motorhome so that you grey waste tank empties faster and completely.

The suspension system I am having fitted is expensive, it costs around £6000 depending on the vehicle. There are cheaper options but I wanted the best on the motorhome I have recently purchased.

Admin

 

[molly 2]

Great stuff dose it lift all 4 wheels or only the rear

 

[delicagirl]

Great stuff dose it lift all 4 wheels or only the rear

a flying camper van - now there's a thought !!!

 

[Deleted member 5816]

Hi Phil I see from your profile you are having this done to a Auto Sleepers Duetto or am I missing something :idea: :banana: :wacko:

Alf

1) Better ride.

Air suspension gives a far superior driving experience and if you do lots of miles like me, it is a real benefit.

2) Weight increase.

I am having my motorhomes gross vehicle and axle weights increased. The standard suspension will not allow this, but the air suspension will.

3) Self-levelling.
When you are driving the suspension can automatically level the motorhome. When you park up you can push a button and the motorhome will self-level.

4) Ride heights.

You can choose different ride heights for the motorhome: Standard, Off road, sport or parking. The system also allows for two memory settings for your own favourite setups.

5) Extra features.

The system includes some extra features like ferry mode that lifts just the backend to help with grounding. The load space feature does the opposite and lowers the back of the motorhome for loading. And the tank discharge feature tips the motorhome so that you grey waste tank empties faster and completely.

The suspension system I am having fitted is expensive, it costs around £6000 depending on the vehicle. There are cheaper options but I wanted the best on the motorhome I have recently purchased.

Admin

 

[Admin]

Great stuff dose it lift all 4 wheels or only the rear

Hi Baz,

It is a full 4 wheel system.

 

[Admin]

Hi Phil I see from your profile you are having this done to a Auto Sleepers Duetto or am I missing something :idea: :banana: :wacko:

Alf

Sorry Alf, I have updated my profile now.

I have a Hymer B598

 

[Mick H]

Just curious, how much extra weight has it added, to your motorhome?

 

[Wully]

I had them do work for me last month and must say they are one of the best companies I’ve ever dealt with the owner Mick is a true old school professional the workshop and tools are nothing but the best I got the E&P self leveling jack system fitted and it makes a big difference on uneven parking I’m going down again soon to have the semi air on Back to give a bit extra lift on one off ferry’s but my van already has the upgraded springs and with the tag axil the ride is pretty much spot on.

 

[Admin]

Just curious, how much extra weight has it added, to your motorhome?

It depends on the suspension your van already has. So in my case, as I have heavy leaf springs the new suspension is lighter, so it is just the weight of the compressor, air tank and pipework. I believe the worst case is 25kgs extra.

 

[molly 2]

Have you had the springs removed and replaced with air suspension .so no coils to brake .how much has it increased the payload.Baz

 

[yeoblade]

It depends on the suspension your van already has. So in my case, as I have heavy leaf springs the new suspension is lighter, so it is just the weight of the compressor, air tank and pipework. I believe the worst case is 25kgs extra.

That looks good, but hopefully that isn't £6K worth of work, is it? on a four wheel vehicle.

 

[Fazerloz]

Wouldn't have thought sport mode would get much use, but you never know. It all reads like a excellent system with some very handy features.

 

[Yelto]

I had the self leveling system fitted earlier this year, as you say Mick and his workforce are second to none.
one of the advantages you can lift the wheels of the ground instead of using a jack, another which I have found useful is when parked up at home or in a car park as extra security I lower the legs down until they just touch the ground making it virtually impossible to move/nick.
It is not cheap but worth every penny when wild camping and trying to level on leveling ramps with an DSG autobox in the rain on you're own is a nightmare. now I just sit there and press a button. MAGIC.

P.S.

If you see Mick tell him this is from Rod the guy whose Ducato would not reverse of the ramp (Auto no Gear ) when the job was done. and eventually traced to the clutch actuating motor. I am sure he will remember

 

[Admin]

Have you had the springs removed and replaced with air suspension .so no coils to brake .how much has it increased the payload.Baz

Yes, all the springs have been removed. The front suspension legs and all the back suspension are replaced.

 

[installer]

Yes, all the springs have been removed. The front suspension legs and all the back suspension are replaced.

How will this affect the warranty?

 

[trevskoda]

Have you had the springs removed and replaced with air suspension .so no coils to brake .how much has it increased the payload.Baz

He has just said leaf springs and not coils,those are things ladies get fitted at the doctors.:lol-049::wave:

 

[trevskoda]

Yes, all the springs have been removed. The front suspension legs and all the back suspension are replaced.

I take it if the leaves are removed then some sort of link arms must be fitted to hold the axle to chassis pivot mounts.