Useful tips from the experts - Air suspension for campers and vans

Although air suspension is now almost standard on motorhomes, it's not always easy to know which product is right for you. Here you'll find some valuable tips on fitting air suspension to motorhomes and vans.

If most of the examples we present here are based on a Fiat Ducato or similar model (Citroën Jumper, Peugeot Boxer), these tips are applicable to all RV’s, whether it is a Mercedes Sprinter, an Iveco Daily, a Renault Master, a Ford Transit or a VW Crafter. These tips come from experts and practitioners who deal with motorhome upgrades, repairs and maintenance on a daily basis.

Compressor - standard or heavy duty

XIMPLIO air suspension is available in several versions, including single-circuit and dual-circuit systems. But the question is whether the airbags should be inflated using a compressor, and if so which - standard or heavy-duty?

An air compressor for air bellows?

In general, a compressor is useful if the vehicle is constantly subjected to different loads, sometimes loaded and sometimes empty. This is generally the case with vans and less so with motorhomes.

However, if the vehicle is always loaded in the same way, a compressor is not essential. The exception to this rule is a motorhome towbar or rear carrier. In these cases, it's worth investing in an air compressor to prepare the vehicle for all driving situations.

Which air compressor for air cushions?

Inflating a fully loaded motorhome with a standard compressor generally takes no more than 2 to 3 minutes. With the reinforced model - the Heavy Duty compressor - this time is halved.

The standard compressor is smaller and fits easily under the driver's seat or behind the cab entrance step. That's why our partner workshops almost always install standard compressors. For normal use, a standard air compressor is more than adequate.

But when should you choose the Heavy Duty? The Heavy Duty compressor is cost-effective when the rear of the vehicle needs to be lifted frequently and quickly using the air suspension, which is generally the case for commercial vehicles.

Soft-Touch and Hard-Touch manometer

The purpose of the manometer (also known as the control panel) is to regulate the air pressure in the system by inflating or deflating the system. When the air compressor is activated, fresh air is injected into the system, allowing the airbags to deploy and the rear of the car to rise. When the air is evacuated from the system, the opposite happens: the rear of the car is lowered.

XIMPLIO offers both soft-touch and hard-touch pressure gauges. Although both control panels do the same thing, there are some minor differences between them.

However, a more detailed comparison of the two systems only makes sense if we consider a dual-circuit installation. Why is that? You'll soon find out.

Which pressure gauge - Soft or Hard?

The hard manometer has an electrical switch for the compressor and two drain valves. When the compressor is switched on, the air is pumped evenly into the two cushions. If you decide to lower the pressure, simply operate the valve to release the air and adjust the cushions separately.

The Soft-Touch panel has two combined switches. These combine the functions of an electric switch and a valve. With the XIMPLIO Soft-Touch control panels, the two air cushions can be adjusted separately, both for inflation and deflation.

15 cm or 17 cm air cushions

The parameters of the XIMPLIO air cushions are similar in terms of technology, load capacity and service life.

Although the diameter is the main designation, it is important for the driver to consider the minimum and maximum height. The minimum height must be taken into account to ensure that the vehicle remains upright with no load and no air, and the maximum height to determine how high the rear can be raised, if at all.

Because of their size, the largest airbags take about 30% longer to inflate than the smallest. In terms of ride comfort, 15 cm airbags are considered more comfortable and are recommended for vehicles with constant external loads. For vehicles in constant use and subject to heavy loads, 17 cm air cushions are considered better.

Conclusion

Choosing the right air suspension for campers and vans requires decisions based on your needs.

The choice between a standard air compressor and a heavy-duty air compressor depends on the vehicle's load. For vehicles with a normal load, a standard compressor is often sufficient, while commercial vehicles can benefit from a heavy-duty compressor.

For individual control of the air suspension, a distinction is made between soft-touch and hard-touch controls. Hard-touch controls ensure even pressure distribution, while soft-touch controls offer separate control options.

The choice between 15 or 17 cm airbags depends on the height of the vehicle and the load. It's important to consider the minimum and maximum height when choosing the right airbag size.

Our expert advice provides a practical guide to adding air suspension to motorhomes and vans to ensure driving comfort and safety.