When a car is driven with a heavy load, often bordering on the maximum allowed by a given manufacturer, the suspension must meet special challenges. Taking this into account, well-known manufacturers such as Goldschmitt, Drive Rite, or VB offer exceptionally strong air suspensions, which are intended especially for campers and special vehicles (including ambulances and fire brigade vehicles).
The range of vehicles that have to move under heavy loads is - contrary to appearances - not small. The problem applies not only to tourist vehicles, but also to mobile shops and offices, tankers, and technical support vehicles. Such cars often work in various conditions - for example, one day they have to cover a very long distance at a relatively high speed, on another day they travel on holes, potholes or even dirt roads. With such vehicles in mind, Elcamp from Krakow installs high-class air suspensions.
For us, holidays are a test of durability for the suspension
But let's focus on campers. Touring cars are usually permanently equipped with furniture and devices that constantly load them. Additionally, during long trips, they are sometimes burdened to the limits of their capabilities . When, for example, a family with children is packing for a trip, each member of the household may think that they can pack any amount of luggage into the camper. And when no one feels the need to limit themselves, those who come on board include: bicycles, surfboards, various equipment and food supplies. Let's not forget about the passengers themselves - in a family of five, their weight alone can easily exceed 200 kg.
Meanwhile, for the car, such a load means very difficult operating conditions, and when the camper drives onto an unpaved road, these will even be extreme conditions. They will affect the degradation of the suspension or its components (springs, steering rods, bearings). Initially, such degradation will be unnoticeable. Unfortunately, once a problem occurs, it cannot be prevented - a failure can effectively immobilize the vehicle and force us to make an expensive repair at the most inopportune moment.
Prevention is better than cure
To avoid such a situation, you can decide in advance to have the air suspension installed in a specialized company. Depending on individual requirements and financial possibilities, you can choose a support kit or a full air suspension kit.
- The supporting air suspension is an additional system and uses the vehicle's original suspension as a base, strengthening and stabilizing it - explains Michał Gąsior from Elcamp . - Pneumatic airbags are an element that takes over most of the vehicle's loads in an active way - adjusted to the current weight, thus improving the car's grip, stability and driving comfort. The vehicle then becomes more resistant to heavy mass loads and surface unevenness, and at the same time responds much better to the driver's commands, he adds.
It is also worth mentioning that by maintaining a constant body height, air suspension contributes to significant savings in fuel consumption and suspension components , because its operation is transferred to the most optimal range.
However, the best solution will be to install a full air suspension.
- Full air suspension is the most modern solution available on the market - emphasizes Michał Gąsior. - Thanks to automatic control and programmed options (specifically to a given situation and conditions), it is possible to set the suspension to the required level. The adhesion of the wheels to the ground is always optimal , and loading does not affect the steering of the car. Driving safety and comfort increases. Traction control also improves, which is especially noticeable when braking and making sharp turns, says an Elcamp representative.
The variety of available kits means that almost any vehicle can be equipped with such suspensions - both a camper and a delivery van.
Sometimes it is better to get lost than to ask for directions too much. Aldous Huxley
