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
