VB Semi Air Suspension - First Trip

[marchie]

We had the system fitted at the end of September, but only had the opportunity to try it out on the 45 miles return journey from the garage in a pretty much empty Van. Then we parked the Van up until the beginning of December whilst we cracked on with the house renovations

We ran the system at 1.8 Bar on the outward journey (pretty much on the weight limit of 3500Kg), and there was a noticeable reduction in sway when HGVs were overtaking. Driving around roundabouts is much better, with virtually no dive on the front end, but the biggest surprise was today, taking the slip road bend on an Autovia exit with a 30mph limit, I slowed down (not enough!) to keep the line of the bend until the Satnav pinged to warn of being over the speed limit, at a touch under 40mph ... I shall need to keep an eye on the speed, because the M/Home felt so stable and surefooted!

But one of the biggest benefits has been parking up on sloping Aires at Vilafranca del Penedes, Tortosa and Moncofa where the Ramps have previously been deployed at maximum. The ramps have not left the belly locker, and using the air suspension to level both side to side and front to back has been a revelation. One of the better purchases!

Just need now to remove all the 'Just in case' kit that takes up space and payload for the next trip. And look to get the mattress replaced after over 400 nights use in 4 years, and the upholstery foam renewed to remove the feeling of being a dead end kid in all senses of the phrase ...

Steve

 

[The laird]

So how is the kitchen ?curious that's all

 

[Trotter]

Sod the kitchen. What are the meals like?

All that money spent. And all we want to know is about scoffing.

 

[marchie]

Kitchen in the house was finished just under 48 hours before we came away, Gordon. It's never going to make the front cover of a glossy magazine, but the electrics and plumbing comply with the latest norms, and the work surfaces and storage are adequate.

Remaining work for when we return is to get the dormer window felting replaced, guttering renewed, 1 bedroom to strip and replaster, then 2 bedrooms to repaint, and paint the woodwork in the lounge and dining room and new hall cupboard. Might be finished by Xmas 2026 ...

So how is the kitchen ?curious that's all

Steve

 

[jeffmossy]

On our way back through southern France last October we had a rear tyre blowout, I was overtaking a truck at 100km per hour (60mph), no warning just bang, thank god for my air suspension, as soon as the tyre went bang, in a split second the air suspension adjusted the the vehicle so it was just a small wobble, I dread to think what would have happened without it, the blowout caused quite a lot of damage including blowing the plastic wheel arch to pieces and damaging the alloy wheel. JUST A REMINDER, if you are not carrying a spare wheel, the recovery driver told me the tyre centers in France treat it as a emergency if a tow truck takes you to have your tyre fixed and charge you up to 3 times the price of what they normally charge, so a new tyre in my case would have been nearly 1000 euros, luckily I have a spare which the recovery driver fitted and cable tied up the loose plastic trim, I also have breakdown insurance, so I had to get the invoice and claim back the money from the breakdown company when we got home

 

[Pudsey Bear]

We don't have a spare; they used the space for the waste, thanks, Swift.