Bags for Coilovers: Can We Help?

We’ve recently noticed a surge in inquiries about air bags for coilovers. While this is a question we’ve been asked occasionally in the past, the recent spike in interest appears to have coincided with the closure of a competitor that previously supplied these products.

The Short Answer

Can we help? The short answer is no. In most cases, it’s easier, more reliable, and more cost-effective to invest in a dedicated air suspension kit rather than trying to adapt coilovers with air bags.

The Longer Answer

Air bags for coilovers present several challenges that make them less than ideal for road use:

• Ride Quality Issues: Coilovers paired with air bags often have spring and damper rates that are too stiff or unsuitable for comfortable road use. Our focus has always been on achieving excellent ride quality alongside adjustability for lowering, which coilover setups rarely achieve when combined with air bags.
• Threaded Coilovers and Reliability: Many coilovers have threaded bodies for height adjustment, which can be problematic when paired with air bags. Over time, these threads can become unreliable, leading to leaks or alignment issues.
• Space Constraints: Vehicles often lack sufficient space for the proper diameter air bags that would provide a comfortable ride. Narrow or undersized bags may fit, but they won’t deliver the performance or durability needed for real-world driving conditions.
• Universal Air Bag Option: While we do sell a universal air bag that doesn’t rely on sealing to coilover threads, this option is highly limited by space constraints. It’s rarely a practical solution for most vehicles.

Our Recommendation

If you’re considering adding air bags to your vehicle, we strongly recommend converting to a full air suspension system. Air suspension kits are purpose-built, offering benefits that retrofitted systems with threaded bodies cannot match.

• Matched Air Bags: The air bags are specifically matched to the application, ensuring the correct size, durability, and performance for the vehicle.
• Calibrated Damper Rates: The damper rates are designed for air bags, not coil springs, providing optimal ride quality and adjustability.
• Compatible Mounts: The bag mounts are designed to seat securely against the damper body, ensuring compatibility and proper function.

By contrast, retrofitting air bags to coilovers is often a hit-and-miss process. The original components were not designed for air bags, leading to unreliable sealing and inconsistent performance. In addition, the limited compatibility of bag sizes can compromise both ride quality and safety.

Converting to a purpose-built air suspension system delivers superior ride comfort, reliable performance, and full adjustability for both height and handling.

Need Help Choosing the Right Kit?

Our team is here to guide you in selecting the best air suspension solution for your vehicle. Call us or email us - we’ll be happy to assist you!

My Car is Mapped – Can I Still Have Air Suspension?

If you're considering upgrading your vehicle with air suspension but are wondering whether the fact that your car is mapped (or tuned) will affect the installation or performance, you're not alone. Many car enthusiasts with modified engines or performance upgrades ask this very question. Let’s explore why air suspension is still a fantastic option, even for high-performance or tuned cars.

What is Air Suspension?

Air suspension replaces traditional steel or coil springs with air-filled bags. The key benefits of this system include adjustable ride height, improved ride quality, and enhanced handling characteristics. It’s commonly used in performance, luxury, and show cars, as well as in custom builds for those who want a more versatile suspension setup.

Now, you might be wondering: What does car mapping have to do with air suspension? The answer is: not much! Let’s take a closer look.

Air Suspension Works Independently of Engine Power

Whether your car is tuned for 100 horsepower or 1000 horsepower, the suspension system operates independently of the engine’s output. Air suspension systems - whether they’re air bags, leaf springs, or coil springs - don’t rely on engine performance to function. This means that even if your car has been mapped for more power, it won't interfere with the installation or performance of air suspension.

Can Air Suspension Handle High-Power Builds?

One of the most common concerns when installing air suspension on a high-performance vehicle is whether the system can handle the additional power. The answer is: absolutely. Modern air suspension systems are engineered to handle high-performance demands, including the extra weight and stresses that come with tuning a car for more horsepower.

In fact, air suspension is frequently used on cars with power outputs of up to 1000 horsepower and speeds exceeding 220 mph. Whether you’re driving a modified street car, a high-performance model, or even a supercar, air suspension can easily support your vehicle’s weight and dynamic handling needs, even when additional power is added through tuning.

At AirRide, we supply high-quality air suspension kits that are specifically designed to manage extreme loads, performance demands, and dynamic driving conditions. Our kits are built to endure high-speed driving and aggressive cornering, ensuring that your car stays stable and comfortable, no matter how much power is under the hood.

Air Suspension and Performance: A Winning Combination

Many car enthusiasts find that combining a mapped engine with air suspension creates an ideal balance of performance and comfort. Air suspension allows you to fine-tune the ride height of your car, optimizing aerodynamics or lowering the car for a more aggressive stance when parked. This adaptability can improve the overall driving experience, even when your engine is tuned for more power.

Interestingly, air suspension can also improve lap times on the track (when measured before and after installation), which is why it's often banned in many forms of motorsport. Think of it like this: you've modified your engine to boost performance, and air suspension is doing the same for your vehicle’s suspension, allowing for better handling and improved stability.

Air suspension systems are highly adjustable, allowing drivers to tailor the ride quality for different conditions. Whether you're looking for a firmer, track-ready setup or a smoother, more comfortable ride for long journeys, air suspension can adapt to meet your needs.

Conclusion: Mapped Car and Air Suspension—A Perfect Pair?

To sum up: the fact that your car is mapped or tuned doesn’t impact your ability to install air suspension. The two systems work independently of each other, with air suspension focusing on ride height, comfort, and handling. Whether your car is producing 300 bhp or 1000 bhp, modern air suspension kits are more than capable of handling the demands of high-powered vehicles.

So, if you're looking for a smoother ride, more adjustability, or simply want to drop your car’s stance for a sportier look, adding AirRide is a fantastic upgrade that will complement your car's performance modifications without compromise.

Feel free to reach out if you’d like to learn more about how air suspension can enhance your tuned ride!

Air suspension systems are known for their exceptional reliability, and under normal circumstances, O-rings typically don’t require replacement unless the struts have been disassembled or the vehicle has been stored for an extended period. In such cases, servicing the air suspension components, including replacing O-rings, is essential to ensure optimal performance.

At our online store, we offer a range of high-quality O-rings specifically designed for our own brand of air suspension struts, as well as for TA Technix struts.

You can find a selection of these O-rings in our shop HERE.

If you're looking for a specific size that isn’t listed, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We may be able to source other sizes to suit your needs. Feel free to give us a call at 0800 772 0315 or email us at ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK, and our team will be happy to assist you.

Navigating the Unpredictable Air Suspension Market

The air suspension market can be unpredictable, especially when it comes to demand for specific products. Take load support kits, for example. We keep plenty of stock for the most popular vans in the UK, but even with careful planning, demand can surprise us. Some kits may go unsold for a while, only for us to suddenly receive a surge of inquiries for a product we hadn’t anticipated. Trends, especially for pickups, shift rapidly, making demand difficult to forecast.

For instance, our 2015+ Toyota Hilux Load Support Kits were flying off the shelves for a while. Then, with the launch of the new Isuzu D-Max, interest shifted dramatically, and we sold countless D-Max kits instead. Now, the spotlight has turned to our latest bestseller: the Ford Ranger Raptor Load Support Kit (Gen 1 and Gen 2, 2019 onwards). It’s one of our most sought-after products, and we’re already wondering which vehicle will take centre stage next. It’s always exciting to see how customer needs evolve!

About Our Load Support Kits

Our load support kits are designed to complement your vehicle’s standard suspension, providing additional support when carrying heavy loads. They help keep the vehicle level, reduce sag, and improve ride quality under load.

Key Features:

• Double-Convoluted Air Bags: Standard in every kit for exceptional durability and performance.
• Optional Triple-Convoluted Upgrade: For even greater load-carrying capacity.
• Heavy-Duty Steel Brackets: Ensures a secure, reliable installation.
• Schrader Valves: For easy inflation and deflation.

If you’re looking to enhance functionality, you can add onboard air management options via the drop-down menu. These systems allow you to control your suspension on the go, providing maximum convenience and flexibility. Check out the ‘Options’ tab for more details.

Unmatched Quality

At the heart of our kits are Boss Air Bags, some of the toughest on the market. Rated to an astonishing 1100 Kg per side above axle capacity, these bags provide far more strength than you’ll ever need in real-world applications. They’ve been rigorously tested to ensure durability and performance you can trust.

The brackets, made from heavy-duty steel, are designed to handle the demanding loads of vehicles like the Ford Ranger Raptor. Together, these components ensure you’ll enjoy years of reliable performance and peace of mind.

Available Now for the Ford Ranger Raptor

The Ford Ranger Raptor Load Support Kit is available for purchase now. Whether you’re preparing for heavy-duty work or just looking to improve ride stability, this kit delivers everything you need.

The Ford Ranger Raptor Load Support Kit is available for purchase HERE.

Get in Touch

If you have questions, need more information, or are looking for a kit for another Ford Ranger model, we’re here to help! Call us at 0800 772 0315 or email us at ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK - our team is always happy to assist.

What's the weight of air suspension?

One of the most common questions motorhome owners ask us about front struts is regarding their weight. This concern is completely understandable - many motorhomes operate near their maximum weight capacity for much of their life. Owners are naturally cautious about adding extra weight, particularly when it comes to modifications or upgrades.

Comparing Weights: Original vs. Air Suspension Struts

The original Fiat Ducato front struts, commonly found on motorhomes (and its variants, the Peugeot Boxer, Citroën Relay, and RAM ProMaster, produced from 2014 onwards), weigh approximately 14.5 kg each. In comparison, our air suspension struts for these models weigh just 12 kg each, resulting in a weight saving of 2.5 kg per side.

This weight reduction can provide flexibility, allowing you to install other upgrades like a Viair compressor or additional accessories, without worrying about exceeding your vehicle’s weight limits.

Lightweight Air Suspension Components

Air suspension components are surprisingly lightweight, making them an excellent choice for weight-conscious motorhome owners. For example:

• Aluminium Air Tanks: Weigh less than 3 kg.
• Airlines, Fittings, and Controllers: Add negligible weight.
• Rear-End Load Support Kits: Typically add 10 - 15 kg to the vehicle's weight, depending on the air bag and bracket size. These kits are designed to work alongside the existing suspension for better load handling without significantly increasing overall weight.

Our complete rear conversion kits, which fully replace the leaf springs with air suspension, generally add 30 - 50 kg to the vehicle’s weight, depending on the vehicle and setup.

Special Cases: Kits That Add Weight

There are two key exceptions where air suspension kits add weight to your motorhome:

• AL-KO Load Support Kit: Our AL-KO load support kit for Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer, Citroën Relay, and RAM ProMaster (2014 onwards) motorhomes is installed in addition to the existing suspension. This kit adds approximately 35 kg to the vehicle’s weight, as no components are removed during the installation. While this adds weight, it delivers substantial benefits, including enhanced load support and significantly improved ride quality - making it an excellent upgrade for many motorhome owners.
• Leaf Spring Conversion Kits: Our leaf spring conversion kits, which replace the original suspension and allow the vehicle to lift and lower, typically add 30 - 50 kg to the overall weight. These kits provide enhanced functionality, such as improved ground clearance, better ride comfort, and easier loading and unloading, making them a popular choice for motorhome enthusiasts.

High-Quality, Custom-Made Struts

Our air suspension front struts for the Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer, Citroën Relay, and RAM ProMaster (2014 onwards) are custom-made to order in our workshop in Norwich. Each strut is built to the highest standard of quality, precision, and attention to detail, ensuring it meets the unique needs of your vehicle.

For more details or to purchase, visit our shop's dedicated page for the Fiat Ducato Air Front Strut.

If you own a motorhome, camper, or van based on a different chassis, we also offer struts for a range of other makes and models. Be sure to check out our full selection for compatibility with your vehicle.

Get in Touch

Need more information? Our team is here to help!
- Call us: 0800 772 0315
- Email us: ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK

Important Information About AL-KO Chassis Kits

We often receive inquiries about air suspension kits for the “old shape” Ducato, Boxer, and Relay motorhomes with AL-KO chassis numbers starting with X230/X244. Unfortunately, our AL-KO kits are only compatible with the newer X250/X290/X295 chassis.

Identifying Your Chassis

While the changeover year for the new chassis was 2006, it’s important to note:

• Motorhomes, especially A-class models, take time to build and may remain unsold at dealerships for years.
• If your motorhome was first registered in 2006 or 2007, it might still have the older chassis.

To determine your chassis type, check the chassis number. If you’re unable to locate it, feel free to send us photos of the vehicle’s front. However, for A-class models, photos may not be sufficient to confirm the chassis type.

Why We Don’t Offer Kits for Pre-2006 AL-KO Chassis

Older motorhomes—some now over 25 years old—may need a suspension upgrade as they age. We understand these vehicles hold sentimental value, but unfortunately, we cannot provide an AL-KO kit for pre-2006 (ish) chassis due to significant design limitations:

• Space Constraints: The old shape chassis doesn’t have enough room for our air bags to function effectively.
• Performance Issues: Tiny 3-inch air bags used on older designs provide minimal lift and negligible ride quality improvements. These setups are inadequate for tackling common challenges like ferry boarding or rural site access.

We use Firestone 9000 air bags in our kits—the same bags trusted in ambulances and heavy-duty vehicles. These bags require at least one inch of clearance to expand fully and deliver noticeable benefits. Unfortunately, the space on the old chassis isn’t sufficient for these high-performing bags.

Why We Don’t Sell Alternative Kits

While other manufacturers produce kits for the older chassis, they typically rely on undersized air bags that fail to provide meaningful improvements. These kits are too lightweight to resolve grounding issues or improve ride comfort and, in our view, do not offer good value for money. At AirRide, we only supply products that meet our high performance standards.

The Good News

For post-2006 AL-KO chassis (X250/X290/X295), our kits offer superior support and ride quality. Benefits include:

• Enhanced Comfort: Smoother rides even on uneven roads.
• Improved Clearance: Lift capability to handle ferries and rough rural sites.
• Proven Durability: Reliable components built for heavy-duty use.

If you’re unsure about your motorhome’s compatibility or need advice, our team is happy to help. Call us or email us today!

Air Bags: Durability, Failures, and Replacements

Air bags (or air springs) are incredibly robust components designed for long-lasting performance. When treated well, they often last a decade or more. Just this week, we heard from a customer who installed one of our kits 24 years ago. Despite their MOT reporting signs of perishing on the bags, the vehicle still passed! Needless to say, they were impressed with the longevity.

Air suspension is a proven technology, widely used in buses, coaches, and trucks. These systems are designed to be reliable, often lasting over 100,000 miles when properly installed and maintained.

Causes of Premature Air Bag Failure

• Abrasion from Metal Contact: If the air bag comes into contact with metal parts of the vehicle, it can wear through.
• Abrasion from Foreign Matter: Impacts from road debris can damage the bag's surface.
• Deflation: Leaving the vehicle with no air in the system for extended periods can weaken the bag.
• Overextension: Extending the bag beyond its specifications, such as during a jacked-up repair with the bag pressurised, can cause structural damage.
• Cracked End Caps: Running the suspension too low without internal bump stops or using overly long bolts can crack plastic end caps.

Metal contact is the most common issue we see, but all of these problems are preventable. It's important to note that these are not normal wear-and-tear issues, nor are they covered under warranty.

Understanding Wear and Fatigue

Over time, air bags will wear out and fatigue, much like tyres. This usually begins as tiny cracks that run vertically along the bag, often starting at the corners. These cracks are caused by the bag's inflation and deflation over hundreds of thousands - or even millions - of cycles. Initially, the cracks are superficial, limited to the outer layer (all our bags are multi-core). However, they will eventually grow deeper, leading to leaks.

• When Should You Act? Visible cracks should be addressed promptly. Left unchecked, leaks can worsen, causing the compressor to overwork and potentially fail. Replacing the bag early prevents further damage to your system.

Can Air Bags Be Repaired?

Air bags are constructed similarly to tyres, but unfortunately, they cannot be repaired for several reasons:

• Access: Most air bags are crimped at the ends, making it impossible to access the interior for proper repairs.
• Extension: Air bags can extend up to 100% of their compressed height, far more than tyres. Repairs designed for tyres cannot handle this level of movement.
• Pressure Dynamics: Repairs from the outside are pushed outward by internal pressure, making them short-lived and unreliable.

If an air bag fails, it must be replaced. Most OEM struts and bags are not designed for disassembly, which makes replacement your only option. For aftermarket systems, it's essential to identify and fix the cause of failure - often contact with another component - before installing a new bag.

Need Assistance?

If you're unsure about your air suspension or need help diagnosing an issue, our team is here to assist. Please note that we are based in central Norwich, and you can reach us at:

• Phone: 0800 772 0315
• Email: ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK

Measuring Threads: Why We Use Imperial Fittings

At AirRide, we exclusively use imperial fittings in our air suspension systems. While metric fittings might seem like the modern choice, imperial fittings remain the standard in the air suspension industry for good reason.

Why Imperial Fittings Dominate the Market

The air suspension market is heavily influenced by U.S.-based manufacturers, where imperial fittings are the norm. Many of the world’s leading air suspension brands, including AirLift, Viair, and Firestone, design their components with imperial threads. As a result:

• Consistency Matters: Mixing imperial and metric threads can lead to compatibility issues, making imperial fittings the logical choice for aftermarket systems.
• Firestone Legacy: One of the oldest air bag manufacturers, Firestone, primarily uses imperial threads. Many air springs are still designed to match the original Firestone specifications, ensuring widespread compatibility.

Understanding NPT Threads

The majority of air suspension systems use NPT (National Pipe Taper) threads. These are a specific type of imperial thread that offers excellent sealing properties.

• What is NPT? NPT stands for National Pipe Taper. The tapering design enhances sealing by allowing the threads to compress slightly as they tighten.
• Sealing Properties: While NPT threads are theoretically capable of sealing without additional materials, thread sealant or tape is essential in practice to ensure a leak-free connection.

NPT vs. BSP Threads

While NPT and BSP (British Standard Pipe) threads may look similar, they are not interchangeable:

• Dimensional Differences: NPT and BSP threads differ in their pitch, angle, and diameter, making them incompatible.
• Sealing Issues: BSP threads are often straight and require additional washers for sealing, whereas NPT threads rely on their taper for a tighter fit.

How to Measure Threads

Accurate measurement of thread size is essential for selecting the correct fittings. Here’s what you need to know:

• Tools Required: Use a thread pitch gauge, thread caliper, and depth gauge for precise measurements.
• Common NPT Sizes: 1/8 NPT, 1/4 NPT, 3/8 NPT, and 1/2 NPT are the most widely used, with 1/4 NPT being the most common in air suspension systems.
• Avoid Misconceptions: The measured outside diameter (OD) or inside diameter (ID) does not directly match the named thread size. For example, a 1/4 NPT fitting has an OD of approximately 12.5mm, which can confuse those unfamiliar with nominal bore measurements.

Choosing the Right Fittings

Fittings come in various styles and sizes to suit different applications:

• Male and Female Fittings: These refer to the external or internal threading of the component.
• Straight vs. 90-Degree Fittings: All AirRide 90-degree fittings are 360-degree swivels, allowing for easy adjustment even when tightened. Fixed 90-degree fittings are not recommended, as they often align poorly during installation.

Our standard fittings are designed for 1/4 Push-To-Connect (PTC) airlines, but we also stock fittings for 1/8, 3/8, and 1/2 PTC hoses.

Why Quality Matters

At AirRide, we prioritize quality in every product we supply:

• Leak-Free Performance: Our fittings undergo extensive testing to ensure they meet the highest standards of reliability.
• Rigorous Testing Process: Every new product is first tested on our own vehicles for up to a year. If it meets our standards, it is installed in our workshop before being made available to customers.
• Rejecting Low-Cost Alternatives: While we frequently receive offers for cheaper fittings, they often fail to seal properly, compromising the entire system.

Each week we are contacted by someone with OEM air suspension asking for help. What is OEM suspension and why are they contacting AirRide?

Well OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. What this means in terms of air suspension is that if your Mercedes, Audi, Range Rover, Porsche, Bentley,,,,etc left the factory when brand new with air suspension then you have OEM air suspension. Mercedes call it Airmatic but most others just call it air suspension. This is not our core market, but we might still be able to help.

We are a supplier of aftermarket air suspension for conversions from coil or leaf spring to air suspension. The two are very different and none of the parts are interchangeable. So if your car left the factory without air suspension then we are often able to supply conversions to give it air suspension. But our conversions are not the same, and are often not for the same purpose. Our kits tend to be for load support of heavy vans or motorhomes which need auxiliary air to stabilise and lift the vehicles, or for performance cars wanting a low stance and an adjustable suspension to make it practical (and legal) to drive on the road.

So why do people with OEM systems contact AirRide so often if its not our market? Put simply its because the replacement parts for OEMs tend to be very expensive and they are looking for a cheaper solution. When cars are new if they need £5k of repairs with new struts or a compressor and the car cost £60k or £100k then the money gets spent. Once the cars are 5-15 years old and worth 10k this becomes very hard to justify, so people seek out a specialist offering a more affordable solution. Sometimes the world of air is misunderstood and customers incorrectly consider that all air suspension is the same and that our parts are a direct replacement. Usually its cost related.

So what can we offer? Do we rebuild worn out struts with leaking bags etc? In short, its bad news – no we don’t, but we can still help. There are very few struts which can be rebuilt, and very few OEM’s offer parts for rebuilding them. There are a whole host of Chinese suppliers which are incredibly tempting as the costs can be in the order of 15-20% the cost of genuine OEM parts. The bad news is that the OEM parts still represent better value for money!! Most of the Chinese offerings are pure junk. We have tried quite a number of parts over the years (simply because they are so much cheaper) but have found that they don’t drive the same (compromising the ride at best and ruining it at worst) and in general they rarely last more than a few months before you are back in the same situation. For this reason our workshop never fits these Chinese parts to customers cars. We also never fit coil springs to replace air suspension as this just spoils the vehicle totally. A vehicle designed to have air suspension never works properly with a coil spring conversion – the saying goes “coil it and spoil it” , and its proven true. It is also classed as a modification which can and will effect your insurance.

We also don't often offer fittings for OEM equipment from our own range and just buy them direct. This is because most European manufacturers use metric or proprietary threads, whereas the aftermarket industry is dominated by American parts which are imperial (usually NPT)

What we do offer is highly experienced air suspension workshop which can often diagnose problems quicker than most franchised or independent single marque dealers because we only work on air suspension. We also charge less than a franchised dealer, but more than an independent per hour. When repairing systems we only use OEM parts. We have repaired some vehicles that have already been in for new bags and compressors at other garages (costing thousands of pounds) and needed cracked lines replacing which was  few hundred pounds. We have also repaired other vehicles which have already had expensive repair bills (in the thousands) which have not resolved the issues, and where the vehicle needed only an O ring costing less than a pound.

Repairing an OEM equipment suspension system will rarely be a low cost option, but the correct solution is to use safe, reliable parts which our experience shows us is to use only genuine OEM parts.

Please call us on 0800 772 0315 or send an email to  ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK if you need help with your vehicle although please note our location in central Norwich.

We offer a wide range of pick-up kits on the website, they are all load support kits and are therefore installed in addition to the existing suspension - usually leaf spring (although some vehicles do have coil springs). As the name suggests, the kits are designed to support heavily loaded vehicles. Load support improves stability and handling, reduces roll, lifts sagging vehicles to reduce or prevent grounding and assists with towing. They are rear-only kits.

If you wish to add front struts, these are not readily available and would be made to order. Prices start from £1999 depending on customer requirements.

We also receive a few enquiries about lowering kits for pick-ups. That is not something we currently offer as bolt on kits because there isn't enough demand. We can supply universal parts, prices start from £1900. Universal parts do not fit any vehicle directly and will require cutting/welding/grinding on your end to install on the vehicle, and is highly labour intensive.

We supply quite a lot of kits for commercial use pickups, some with fifth wheels and some converted to demountable campers. The load support kits we offer do a wonderful job in these specialist areas, and if you need more information then please call us on 0800 772 0315 or send an email to  ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK

Although our main business is the manufacturing and sales of bolt on kits, every month we receive a dozen or so enquiries asking whether we can make a custom kit. Most of the time it's for vehicles where no air suspension solution exists (for instance, classic cars) but sometimes it's because the customer is trying to achieve something very specific, for instance, a 9 inch drop on a Merc or a 6 inch lift on a Porsche (this week's examples) and none of the existing air suspension kits can offer that.

We have some incredibly experienced staff here at AirRide with a background in custom car building and engineering meaning we can take on some very challenging projects and come up with air suspension solutions that no-one else had successfully brought to the market. The downside is that it costs. A lot. For instance, we'd charge about £5000 for parts and labour to install a bolt on kit. For custom work, prices start from £6000 and that's for simpler projects where the universal parts need only minor tweaking in order to fit the vehicle and achieve customer requirements.

For larger projects with lots of fabrication, testing and development costs can range between £10 000 - 15 000. We once had a customer who spent £20 000 with us to develop a super custom product, and traders wanting a fully developed conversion can spend double that.  Sometimes, when we quote them, potential customers think we're taking the mickey and just email them random prices because we don't want to do the work. This is not the case. Developing an air suspension kit involves far more than putting together some airbags and plates, mounting them onto the vehicle and running airline. Whilst that will get you lifting up and down its not a developed air suspension conversion which needs a whole lot more work. On some projects it can take hundreds of hours to design and manufacture brackets and that's before testing - we've had occasions when what should work in theory does not work in practice meaning the brackets needed re-designing which resulted in dozens of hours added to the project which, inevitably, drives up the cost. And that's just the air suspension part! Cutting of the subframe and other parts of the vehicle might also be required, depending on what the customer is trying to achieve. A properly developed air suspension conversion does not just go up and down - it needs to ride right, and clear so the bags don't get damaged. That takes a lot longer to complete.

We're upfront about this and have advised people in the past against air suspension. For instance, sometimes people have a pickup truck, which naturally sits high up, and an aging dog and they want to be able to lower it for them. In this case we advise to either get a ramp or consider changing vehicles.

The same goes for motorhomes and campers that are 30+ years old. Yes, we can put it on air but it's often more cost effective to sell the recreational vehicle if the ride quality is so bad and buy a newer one?

Another common reaction, when we explain the potential costs, is for people to ask if we could send them the custom parts to save on labour costs. The answer is no. Custom means that the parts are designed from scratch here in Norwich and they're designed and tested for fit on the vehicle. We absolutely need the vehicle here and it has to stay in our workshop for the duration of the project. It's not possible to leave it here for a day so we could take measurements, drive home and come back some time later to pick up the parts. Custom kits can take anything between 6 weeks and 12 weeks to design and make and the vehicle needs to be with us the entire time. There is no other way. Asking for custom parts to be sent to you without the vehicle coming here is a bit like phoning up a plastic surgeon and asking if they can do the treatment without you being present.

Questions? Please call us on 0800 772 0315 or send an email to  ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK

This post is intended for people who're considering equipping their vehicle with air suspension. If you've purchased a camper/motorhome that already has air suspension but it didn't come with any instructions then our basic setup guide is AVAILABLE HERE.

Rear kit for leaf spring/AL-KO

Around 75% of all  UK motorhomes are Fiat Ducato/Citroen Jumper and Relay/Peugeot Boxer based, followed by Mercedes Sprinter/VW Crafter and Ford Transit. We supply kits for all of them, and quite a few more too. In fact almost all UK sold vans, motorhomes or minibuses.

We supply kits for both AL-KO (2006+ vehicles) and leaf spring (1994+) chassis for Ducato/Jumper/Relay/Boxer motorhomes and leaf spring chassis kits for other motorhomes.

The most popular option is load support, which replaces the bump stop with heavy duty airbags. This kit will lift your camper/motorhome, improve handling and ride quality. It will not make your vehicle go any lower than it already is - for that you need an entirely different kit, which is called "full rear" - and we have a selection available on our website for the most popular vehicles. These load support kit also known as auxiliary suspension or semi-suspension also have a place in the procedure for re-rating the vehicles.

All our load support kits use heavy duty, 6 mm steel brackets that are designed to cope with the loads involved and won't slip, bend or break. Beware of kits with 4 mm brackets - it might not sound like much of a difference but it is: 4 mm brackets are inadequate for heavy vehicles (campers and every motorhome!) and will bend under pressure, affecting the ride quality, damaging airbags and leading to costly repairs.

A few years ago, we switched to Boss Air Suspension bags and have never looked back. Boss produces the toughest bags on the market. We've praised them in blog posts in the past and for a very good reason - Boss bags have phenomenal load capacity, more than 1t per side on top of the axle capacity, and they're virtually indestructible. The only way to destroy a Boss bag is by installing it incorrectly, or driving the vehicle with no air pressure in the airbag (same with all bags tbh), which is why its particularly important to check you vehicle if its not used over the winter.

Of course, everything mentioned above means we are charge more for our kits than our competitors and we understand that it's tempting to look elsewhere trying to save money. After all, air suspension is air suspension and all airbags are the same, right? Wrong! Really cheap kits include thin brackets that could cause serious damage to your camper/motorhome and light duty bags that might be OK on an empty van that occasionally carries loads. This is totally unsuitable for campers/motorhomes that are heavy even when empty. Even if the thin brackets will stay in place, the light duty bags won't be able to do much if anything to help your ride quality. We once had a customer who had already spent around £1300 to fit load support that made no difference. We inspected the vehicle and saw the usual combo: a light duty kit with an emergency tyre inflator compressor (designed to be used 1-2 times a year) instead of an air suspension compressor. It took forever to pump air into the bags and that wasn't even the worst news we had to deliver: the kit was the wrong kit for that vehicle. We had to replace the entire kit and on board air system with proper air suspension parts to get the customer what he wanted, what he needed, and what he had already paid for! Remember buy right, buy once.

Rear kit for coil spring campers

If your camper has coil spring on the rear,  such as the hugely popular VW Transporter, then our rear kit will replace the existing suspension, meaning you can lift and lower the rear of the vehicle. We supply kits for T25/T3, T4, T5 and T6, as well as Vitos/V-class and Vivaro/Trafic.

Front kit

Although a rear kit can make a huge difference, we get asked about front air suspension a lot. Fiat Ducato front struts are among our best selling products, followed by VW T5/T6 struts. We can supply struts for most vans, including the new VW Crafter and Mercedes Sprinter, Vivaro and Vito's. If your camper/motorhome has struts on the front, we can make air suspension struts for it! They are all made to order using the highest quality OEM spec twin tube shocks - we dont use motorsport type single tube dampers as our customers don't race their vans on circuits, and prioritise comfort and durability.

On board air

"Do I need on board air?" is one of the most frequently asked questions. It depends has to be the answer. A big proportion of our customers simply want to lift up their sagging motorhome and don't need the option to adjust air pressure on the go. For them, basic Schrader valves are a suitable solution. For customers who want to adjust height and pressure on a regular basis, we recommend adding one of our On Board Air (OBA) options. Standard OBA is great value for money and is designed for weekly adjustment. For more frequent adjustment we recommend the higher spec Premium OBA. About 20 years ago only 1:20 customers went for full OBA, however as knowledge has spread about the benefits of actually being able to adjust the suspension (it easily doubles the effectiveness) then that ration is now almost 1:2.

Some of our customers opt to buy a basic kit with Schrader valves and add OBA later, if required, and if you are not sure or want to spread the cost this can be a good way to go. Please note that this does not work on all vehicles. On board air is always required on vehicles with both front and rear air suspension. Tip:- If you have grounding issues of any kind then you DO need OBA.

Any questions? Can't find your vehicle? Call us on 0800 772 0315 or send an email to ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK

We'd like to thank all our customers for their support and wish them a happy Easter! We might not have the best weather ahead with wind and rain predictions but hey, when has that stood in the way of British bank holidays?!

The Sales Office will reopen on April 2. Orders for in stock items placed during the Easter holidays will be dispatched next week.

Every now and then customers ask us why there are no flexi hoses with our struts. We don’t use them in our AirRide Custom kits. TA Technix and AirRide Gold kits don’t come with them either. AirLift Performance is the only one of our suppliers that continues to use flexi hoses.

Previously we did use braided lines on AirRide Custom products for about 15 years but that changed a few years ago when there were two incidents of professionally fitted garage installations where the braided lines were not fitted to the standard we would expect, and because the braiding is very tough, they touched and wore through the brake lines. Fortunately, there were no accidents just brake fluid leaks, but it caused us to reassess, and we started using nylon lines instead. Although there is a massive visual difference between a braided metal hose and a ¼ inch nylon airline, correctly fitted nylon push to connect lines work very reliably indeed!

Still having doubts? Statistically, we have not had any reports of nylon line failure, and the only reports we do get are mile 1 errors – where they were not routed properly and pulled out before the vehicle left the garage. So particular attention should be paid to the routing of the line where it transitions from strut to chassis. If you are using 3/8 or 1/2 line then the transition will be very difficult/impossible which is why we tend to use 1/4 on almost all installs. This is because larger lines need a larger radius - i.e. they don't go around sharp corners well.

When fitted correctly, the lines should follow the same sort of route as the brake lines and sensor lines (a large 180) and should be well secured and well checked during installation. They should be carefully checked again after 50 miles and then again after 500 miles. Regardless of if you have a braided line or nylon line regular inspection of the strut lines should be a part of regular upkeep on your air suspension system.

Need more information? Please call us on 0800 772 0315 or send an email to  ENQUIRIES@AIRRIDE.UK