From what I gather the trouble gaining tuv for air ride is that in order to pass it needs to be able to be drivable when aired out. So if, when the air is out, the arches are sat on the tyres or if the chassis is sat on a drive shaft, or the CV boots catch etc, then it can't pass tuv.
Air suspension
- Thread starter 362bkr
- Start date
i've recently had air installed for the real reason being i like having a low van but due to hobbies such as walking and mtb, the air allows my to raise up to clear uneven ground for car parks etc.
The other reason is for shows as well, AS @F2JON says the Solow Coils are a great addition to any van. I had the Solow Low coils fiited before moving to the bag setup. Ride was great, if you want great ride and lowered then the best is think is Solow NSL
The other reason is for shows as well, AS @F2JON says the Solow Coils are a great addition to any van. I had the Solow Low coils fiited before moving to the bag setup. Ride was great, if you want great ride and lowered then the best is think is Solow NSL
What would be wrong in having TUV in the cases that you outline? The point that I was trying to make originally was that any legislation passed in our inefficient country would take an absolute age to put into practice because we are inherently disorganised and also loath to proper development. We tend operate on a chuck it over the wall type of inefficient bureaucracy where someone develops a complex bit of kit and that no research has ever established even if it is wanted or needed safe or otherwise. That each department attends to a particular problem without discussions with any other department on any shortfalls or changes that they have made to answer the questions. each department acts independently only concerned with its self A new or exasperated problem then occurs and they send it to another department to sort that problem out and so it goes on and goes on infinitum. Product becomes more and more expensive with yet another problem unforeseen because of a lack of joined up writing and basic intercommunication. I see no problem at all in banning something that can not prove roadworthiness. It is up to the manufacturer and its agents to ensure it is safe and fit for purpose! Just because it looks subjectively good to some eyes does not make it a good product its should be made in such away too satisfying rules and concerns. If TUV was subject here I strongly suspect that some companies would not exist because they are competitively archaic and organisationally weak that the TUV department here would be very, very underfunded and that everything would be slowed up and very inefficient. In Germany it is far more switched on and companies can develop products that are safe for the public. Also without proper organisations like TUV that help to protect the public and ensure proper developed products companies are left very open to huge legal suits because they are ultimately responsible for accidents, deaths injuries and other implications. That something like TUV helps every one not just the customer. Quality of products is ensured they are safer they meet a proper standard.
Isn’t there triple cell bags that allow for a greater range of travel and therefore a better height for road driving in comfort?
These puppies:
transporterhq.co.uk
These puppies:
VW Transporter T5/T6.1 - SoLow AIR+ Suspension - Triple Bellow Strut Kit - T32
The SoLow Suspension Transporter air suspension strut kit for the T30 model of Transporter is a heavy hitter in the suspension game!
transporterhq.co.uk
Isn’t there triple cell bags that allow for a greater range of travel and therefore a better height for road driving in comfort?
These puppies:
VW Transporter T5/T6.1 - SoLow AIR+ Suspension - Triple Bellow Strut Kit - T32
The SoLow Suspension Transporter air suspension strut kit for the T30 model of Transporter is a heavy hitter in the suspension game!
Harder the bag, harder the ride. There will be a happy medium of nice ride vs height you are comfortable with.
Yes but the same pressure in 3 bellows will give a higher ride height for the same level as comfort as the normal 2 bellow setup for those looking for a sweet spot at a higher setting, won’t it?
Wouldnt you need more pressure if the capacity of the bags were larger to get to the same height id presume ? So id say for the same pressure, the 3 bellows may be lower ?
You've got me thinking now as Im not sure who's right, me or you lol, or even if the 3 bellows have larger capacity or just formed differently.
My presures with the 2 bellow bags for drive height is 50-55 psi in the fronts, 65-70 in the rear ( Because I have alot of weight in the back ) Which If i didnt have a big old bumper and splitter, I would run lower.
If I raise that to say 65-70 in the front, there is a notiable difference in ride quality/harshness, but I guess that could also be because I've had 4 wheel alignment done at my ride height so raising it up to drive long distance probably isnt ideal.
If i was to do it again, because of the LVR bumper and because I run 255/35 tyres, I'd almost certainly go for 3 bellow bags. Because i would loose very little air out drop and gain alot more lift. Where as if i was to run elastic band tyres and have no splitters etc, Id stick to the two bellows as you can then drive much lower.
You've got me thinking now as Im not sure who's right, me or you lol, or even if the 3 bellows have larger capacity or just formed differently.
My presures with the 2 bellow bags for drive height is 50-55 psi in the fronts, 65-70 in the rear ( Because I have alot of weight in the back ) Which If i didnt have a big old bumper and splitter, I would run lower.
If I raise that to say 65-70 in the front, there is a notiable difference in ride quality/harshness, but I guess that could also be because I've had 4 wheel alignment done at my ride height so raising it up to drive long distance probably isnt ideal.
If i was to do it again, because of the LVR bumper and because I run 255/35 tyres, I'd almost certainly go for 3 bellow bags. Because i would loose very little air out drop and gain alot more lift. Where as if i was to run elastic band tyres and have no splitters etc, Id stick to the two bellows as you can then drive much lower.
As you travel a bit why not look and see what is available in Germany. Another reason for a visit.Isn’t there triple cell bags that allow for a greater range of travel and therefore a better height for road driving in comfort?
These puppies:
VW Transporter T5/T6.1 - SoLow AIR+ Suspension - Triple Bellow Strut Kit - T32
The SoLow Suspension Transporter air suspension strut kit for the T30 model of Transporter is a heavy hitter in the suspension game!
FWIW I’ve had Solow+ fitted and the ride is pretty good at lowish to mid ride heights. Chris at Dav-tec installed it and he went from standard Solow to Solow+ on his van and reckons his Mrs noticed the difference before he told her. I had custom Koni shocks from crs on the last van and i would say the ride isn’t quite as good as it was with those but then I wouldn’t expect it to be. It’s good enough and I do like the system so far.
Have you got a pic of yours on Solow+ at ride height ? I'd be interested to see it aired out and at ride height. I dont think id loose much at all with air out loss
Here you go. It will go very high if you need it to though I’m not sure why you would need it as high as it goes! First is at close to max height. Second is “high” setting. Third is ride. Fourth is “Low” and fifth is as low as I can get it right now. It will go a fair bit lower on the front but I need to change the front tyres to a narrower one as it’s too close to the arches for comfort.
Interesting indeed, I would say picture second from bottom is a nice drive height personally, id be slightly lower but with a bigger bumper etc
Second pic is maybe close to my fully aired up, so the fact you can go up another level in your first pic is impressive.
Third pic is a nice safe ride height if I was going down back roads that i didnt know the area.
Aired out pic though, Id want that front down a little lower....not much more but half a tyre wall id say so its just above the rim which is similar to where mine is, What tyres do you run? Maybe just bigger tyres or wider front wheels/offset holding you up at the front ? or do you think that is where Solow+ sits ?
If you take the hand break off when aired out does it still roll or are you sat on the tyres ?
Second pic is maybe close to my fully aired up, so the fact you can go up another level in your first pic is impressive.
Third pic is a nice safe ride height if I was going down back roads that i didnt know the area.
Aired out pic though, Id want that front down a little lower....not much more but half a tyre wall id say so its just above the rim which is similar to where mine is, What tyres do you run? Maybe just bigger tyres or wider front wheels/offset holding you up at the front ? or do you think that is where Solow+ sits ?
If you take the hand break off when aired out does it still roll or are you sat on the tyres ?
High heights are good for negotiating floods and obstacles off road ruts and rocks ect.
I went 265/40 which are generally ok but the veemann wheels are an 8.5” and I think it makes them bulge just a little too much so I’m going to have to try a 255/40. I don’t really want to go for 35 profile as I think it’ll make the ride too harsh. The other option is going back to 19s but I don’t want to if I don’t have to. This pic was it aired out but I’m not on a flat at the moment so didn’t want to risk it. I think to have it air out without the tyres touching the arch you’d probably need 35s on the 20” wheels or go for 19s but I’m not sure. That’s my aim is to air out without it actually touching anything as I’ve never thought that can be good!
I'm on 255/35 on the fronts ( 8.5 width ) and 275/35 rears ( my rears are 10" ), on my other van with solow coilovers its got 255/40s and I actually think they feel alot harder, but probably a combination the suspension/height and tyre combo maybe.
Van looks awesome though mate, love that blue.
Van looks awesome though mate, love that blue.
Hmm yeah it’s a tough one. I am sure it would look better with 35 profile but this is a campervan first, so i have to consider how it will be on campsites with such a low profile tyre. I will probably have to pick up some part worns to try as it gets expensive swapping tyres!
Yeah I've slowly gone from original 235/35, which I hated, 245/35 which I actually didnt mind but wasnt load rated. To now 255/35 and they've been excellent, mines a camper too with a Reimo Sliding bed so a fair bit of weight in it, never had any problems with these 35 profiles.
Because of the amount of miles I get through a year and the load rating I try and get the Royal Black Performance fronts and Accellera rears and they've lasted longer and feel just as good as the Premium Eagle F1s I used to run, they just too soft to do any reasonable amount of miles with a heavy van.
