AirSuspension

Fitting air suspension to a motorhome is primarily done to address the fact that motorhomes often operate at or near their maximum weight limit. Standard factory suspension is typically designed for delivery vans that are often empty or partially loaded, whereas motorhomes carry heavy permanent internal fittings (kitchens, beds, water tanks) plus additional gear like bikes.

Air suspension is a type of vehicle suspension that replaces or supplements traditional steel coil or leaf springs with air-filled rubber bladders, also known as air springs or bellows. These bags are inflated by an onboard air compressor to support the vehicle’s weight and provide a cushioned ride quality.

The system uses pressurised air to manage the vehicle’s height and firmness:

Air Springs: Flexible rubber bags at each wheel that act as the primary spring.

Air Compressor: An electric pump that generates the pressurised air.

Electronic Control Unit (ECU): The “brain” that monitors data from height sensors to determine when to inflate or deflate the bags.

Reservoir Tank: Stores a reserve of compressed air for rapid adjustments, such as raising the vehicle instantly.

Height Sensors: Constantly measure the distance between the chassis and the axle to ensure the vehicle stays level

The main difference between semi air suspension and full air suspension is that semi air suspension supports your existing springs, while full air suspension completely replaces them.

Semi Air Suspension (Auxiliary)

Airbags are installed alongside or inside your vehicle’s original leaf or coil springs.

They act as “air assist” to prevent rear-end sag when carrying heavy loads or towing.

They are usually adjusted manually via fill valves or a basic in-cab control panel.

The key advantage of this system is, If the air system fails, the vehicle remains drivable because the original mechanical springs are still in place.

Full Air Suspension

The entire conventional spring system is removed and replaced with high-tech air bellows and electronic sensors.

It provides maximum ride comfort and constant, automatic levelling regardless of the load.

Fully automatic control, using height sensors to constantly adjust pressure while driving and often includes “kneeling” functions for easier loading.

The main Advantage using this system is the most “glassy” ride quality and the ability to significantly raise or lower the vehicle (e.g., for ferry ramps or height barriers).

The key reasons to fit air suspension include:

Improved Stability and Handling:

Significantly reduces “body roll” and “wallowing” when cornering or navigating roundabouts. It also improves straight-line stability in crosswinds and when being overtaken by large HGVs, which can otherwise cause the motorhome to sway dangerously.

Ride Comfort:

Air springs (rubber bellows) absorb road shocks and vibrations much more effectively than traditional metal leaf springs, turning a uncomfortable ride into a smoother ” glide” over bumps and potholes.

Eliminates Rear Sag:

Heavy loads in the rear garage or on bike racks cause the rear suspension to “sag,” often leaving it sitting on the bump stops. Air suspension restores the correct ride height and the intended “smile” shape to existing leaf springs.

Adjustable Ground Clearance:

Drivers can increase the rear height to prevent the motorhome’s rear overhang from “grounding out” or scraping when boarding ferries or navigating steep driveways.

Easier Levelling:

Advanced “Full Air” or twin-chamber systems allow you to level the motorhome on uneven pitches at the push of a button, reducing the need for manual levelling ramps.

Payload Upgrading:

It is often a technical requirement if you intend to formally “up-plate” or increase your motorhome’s legal gross vehicle weight (GVW) with the DVLA.

If you would like to know more about the typical costs or the installation process for a semi-air or a full air system please contact us.