Air suspension?

Hi we are considering having air suspension fitted to our 2008 Nuevo to lift the back up as we use a bike rack that fits on the tow bar and it grounds on bad roads now and then has any one had this fitted is it Worth the money approximately £600.

I assume you're thinking of a bellows-type system, such as Al-Ko Air Rides.

I had those fitted to my new Nuevo about 4 months after getting the van. That was 8 years ago. In those 4 months I didn't drive far, so my ability to compare before and after is negligible. That said, I installed them because of threads on this Forum which were overwhelmingly positive.

I don't regret it. I have the high Luton Nuevo, with quite a lot of heavy stuff stored up in the Luton; likewise I carry two e-bikes on an elevating rack on the stern. The van doesn't roll into bends / roundabouts, and there's no pendulum effect with the bikes overhanging the rear axle by some distance. I attribute that to the Air-Rides. 

Of course, the bellows won't last for ever; it's essential that they are fitted correctly with mounting bolts fitted the correct direction. And they must be maintained at the correct pressure.

I'd certainly put them on any van which I'll own in future - but that's unlikely because of my age, and because I'm satisfied with what I've got (and frightened by the £80+K cost of a direct replacement!). I paid just over £400 for parts and labour in July 2015.

Cymro

One other thing that might be worth checking: is there something about the towbar installation that is causing it to ground out unnecessarily?

I ask, because a few year back I bought a Flair with a towbar already fitted, and that grounded easily. That was because the tow hook had been fitted on an extension to lower it. I took the extension plate off and had no more problems - it was completely unnecessary for my type of use (but was probably necessary for the previous owner, who towed a trailer).

Can anybody recommend a system or supplier for the rear two airbags please. Looking to fit to a Corinium Duo 2019 with the ALKO chassis. Need to get the ample overhang up when I compound the issue with my tow-bar mounted bike rack. Thanks

Hi Stephen
Welcome to the forum from Bridlington , I had Alko-air top rear suspension and Dunlop air rides fitted to my last 4 A/s vans, Not ALKO chassis, other members with the same type will advise.
Boaby

i dont see how rear airbags will help much with ground height as the only way it would affect the height is if you put too much air in which would mean it was taking over the job of suspension and thats not its job, its a suppliment, not a replacement to the leaf springs and i cant see them lasting long like that, added to which the ride would be bloody awful. leaf springs are used on all commercial vehicles for the load spreading ability and gradual " give" I have had air bags fitted on my last 3 Motorhomes as they really stabilise the ride, particularely when passing or being passed by big trucks and fast moving cars, and the extra payload is really useful too, but lifting the back up - no, if you really pump the bags you  might get 2". 
But you will then be affecting the brake distribition betweeen front and rear brakes. all vehicles have a brake system that put about 70% brake force to the front and 30% to the back or less under normal conditions, as the back of the van goes down under weight/load thr valve opens to divert more braking to the rear to stabilise it under braking conditions.        IF you raise the rear it could affect your straight line or worse - braking on a bend stability.