I'm sure they're not indestructible, but I've never heard of any failing. The technology in general must be extremely robust, almost all HGVs use air springs.
If you're concerned, you could always just ask how much they cost in isolation.
VB Air Suspension - Let's Discuss...
- Thread starter kn0bby
- Start date
I'm sure they're not indestructible, but I've never heard of any failing. The technology in general must be extremely robust, almost all HGVs use air springs.
If you're concerned, you could always just ask how much they cost in isolation.
AFAIK VB doesnt offer single air bellows seperately. Either you get your strut changed under warranty (You get a full brand new strut) or you have to pay for one if its out of the warranty period.
Hi Chriscroft, Activeair on a T6 would be way too expensive right now. Who knows whats gonna happen in the future
Hi @PM31 a couple of points you raise.
The system is not continually active when the ignition is off. If you are selecting the Self Levelling [which incidentally is a great feature] this needs to done as soon as the ignition is turned off, before the system goes passive.
I don’t know the life expectancy from an air bag, but it is a well proven technology supporting large loads, including rail vehicles for many years now. VB does however recommend cleaning the air bag surface occasionally so far as you can to remove any road grit.
The system is not continually active when the ignition is off. If you are selecting the Self Levelling [which incidentally is a great feature] this needs to done as soon as the ignition is turned off, before the system goes passive.
I don’t know the life expectancy from an air bag, but it is a well proven technology supporting large loads, including rail vehicles for many years now. VB does however recommend cleaning the air bag surface occasionally so far as you can to remove any road grit.
Many thanks all for your feedback. Now I have a greater understanding of its functioning.
I sent my questions directly to VB air in Holland and I got the answer to contact my national reseller…
I can understand that, so I translate the video subtitle in French to send it to them, the French VB airsuspension company, perhaps I will get any technical documentation.
Feedback as soon as possible.
I sent my questions directly to VB air in Holland and I got the answer to contact my national reseller…
I can understand that, so I translate the video subtitle in French to send it to them, the French VB airsuspension company, perhaps I will get any technical documentation.
Feedback as soon as possible.
Has anyone experienced any VB issues in cold weather? During the recent snow fall the compressor was very noisy. I assumed this was hard packed snow between the compressor and body causing some noise transmission, as when the snow had gone the nise returned to normal. That was circa a week ago. Today, the bags went flat on the motorway, and took a mile or 2 to reinflate.... Anything similar with existing users?
I’ve been out in mine a bit this evening, with the temp at -3.5C or so, and not noticed any difference. I also drove to Glencoe about a year ago for some boarding. Drove across Rannoch Moor in snow, stopped the night and came back the next day after a day of powder, and all was fine with my VB suspension.
@Ozyboy , what were the symptoms that gave you an indication that the bags went flat? If the bags go flat, the van will not move as the tyres will hit the arches and most probably destroy your wheel arch covers.
If it is a case where the remote started to make a continuous beeping noise, yes, the van does that once in a while, especially when I have started the van after having put it on autolevel and the van has not had the time to fully air up ... but never on the motorway. The continuous beep is not a case of bags going flat but the remote informing you that the air pressure is not normal across all the bags and the compressor is pumping it up to normal.
Is that really the case?
I would have thought that the effect would be the same as when the van is lowered fully (using the down arrow on the control, so lower than Park mode I believe) when it seems to be resting on the bump stops? It is uncomfortable to drive like this, but I’ve not noticed any rubbing. I would expect that the bump stops are designed to prevent any such possibility anyway.
Note: I wash my van lowered like this for easier access to the roof & windscreen, then park it still lowered - there have been some catalytic converter thefts in the area, so I try to leave it lowered when parked.
Lowered in park mode means, there is still air in the bags. If it is in the Park mode, and you try and drive above 10 mph, the van will bump around really bad (as the suspension components are not aligned correctly at that level. It is like driving on 2 inch high continuous ripple zones). That is why I think you would not have lost all air, but it would be a case of just a negligible imbalance in air and the air pump would have automatically corrected it.
VB advice not driving above 10-12 mph when it is in the lowest (park) or the highest (off-road) setting. Try driving it in the park mode setting above 10 and you will see what I mean. For a few yards, it will not cause any issues.
Washing and parking lowered is a good idea ... and as you mention, a good way to protect the Cat. The side benefits of Air!
Hi
I have only recently got my van and it came with the VB 4c system. I’ve driven cars ( and various VW bus/vans) with air suspension ( air ride) or coil overs all my adult life, and the ride in the caravelle with the VB system is very good. I certainly wouldn’t say it’s sporty... though as mentioned in this thread.. we are talking about 3 tons of vehicle, and with mine being dsg, definitely feel I’m aiming it in the right direction, as opposed to ‘driving’ it.
I’ve taken some pics of the main settings to show how it sits
Car park mode
( once you reach about 20 mph the system over rides the mode and sends it to standard height) from the centre of the wheel to the wheel arch is 39cm
sport mode,
this is the setting I use to drive all the time.
From the centre of the wheel to the wheel arch is 43cm
Off road setting
( again, once you reach a certain speed the system will drop it down automatically to standard height, which I’ve not shown here as I’d never use it over sport mode)
From the wheel centre to wheel arch is 48cm
The van is on 20” supermetal cell wheels and 265/40 land sail LS588 tyres
I have only recently got my van and it came with the VB 4c system. I’ve driven cars ( and various VW bus/vans) with air suspension ( air ride) or coil overs all my adult life, and the ride in the caravelle with the VB system is very good. I certainly wouldn’t say it’s sporty... though as mentioned in this thread.. we are talking about 3 tons of vehicle, and with mine being dsg, definitely feel I’m aiming it in the right direction, as opposed to ‘driving’ it.
I’ve taken some pics of the main settings to show how it sits
Car park mode
( once you reach about 20 mph the system over rides the mode and sends it to standard height) from the centre of the wheel to the wheel arch is 39cm
sport mode,
this is the setting I use to drive all the time.
From the centre of the wheel to the wheel arch is 43cm
Off road setting
( again, once you reach a certain speed the system will drop it down automatically to standard height, which I’ve not shown here as I’d never use it over sport mode)
From the wheel centre to wheel arch is 48cm
The van is on 20” supermetal cell wheels and 265/40 land sail LS588 tyres
‘I meant to say I’ve driven cars with air suspension or coil overs all my adult life’!!
Doh!!..
Yes I feel the ride is comfortable but not too planted as such , they are supposed to be a lot better with aftermarket anti roll bars which I will be getting at some point
Aftermarket or the thicker VW ARBs also work good.
I hope I'm not interrupting the discussion , I'm still new to this... I have a t6/32 caravelle tsi..the ride is (surprise,surprise) a bit van like !! Yes I have to keep my wife happy.. so any advice on what the best way forward is would be appreciated...losing my wife is not an option as she paid for it !! Lowering is not a priority but I do pull a caravan from time to time.. our previous was on upmarket lexus This I'm certain can't be beaten but I love the the T6
Simply change the standard shocks for KONI special active they work really well in a Caravelle as its only 20 mm lower than a van /.
These have the ability to adjust them selves on bad roads and will give a more responsive , positive feel to the vehicle .
we carry plenty in stock
steve
Hi I have been reading back though this post tonight and will tell you what it costs to fix your vb air suspension so at the start of year I noticed the osf shock was sitting lower than the rest so I took it to my nearest dealer who told me the air bag had come away from the top mount so can’t be rebuilt new shock 1250.00 plus vat fitted but there are none in the uk or Holland and they can’t tell us when they will start making again but we can order one if you leave a deposit ? . When I was talk to the technician he said that they had another van with both front shocks and the brain to replace which would cost around 3300.00 this is madness I don’t know which way to go forward.
WTF, that is pretty awful! Why don’t they have the shock? Is it some temporary brexit/covid issue or some deeper issue with the VB business?
That is worrying.
I am looking into VB for my 4motion.
The ride height adjustment and parking level a major advantage as I’m running the Seikel HD desert lift (t32). Surely VB system would be more forgiving than the Seikel which obviously is not adjustable and pretty much 40mm all the time.
The other advantage being the same height when loaded, I have a front runner roof rack snd do load the van heavily but at £1250 per shock if they go wrong after 2 years... not sure it worth the 4.8 plus vat I was quoted today!
We love our VB, but have always had in the back of our minds that if a problem arose it could be an issue, even though Air Suspension is pretty common these days on everything up to trains.
But worse than the cost then seems to be that one doesn't even have the opportunity to spend to any known timescale!
But worse than the cost then seems to be that one doesn't even have the opportunity to spend to any known timescale!
Looking at the VB website, I found this buried in their 2020 summary:
"Unfortunately, we have had to battle over recent months with longer delivery times and sometimes less than perfect communication due to a number of factors, such as Covid-19, the move to our Logistics Centre and a large order intake. This has been very challenging on our side, and we apologise for any inconvenience to you. We are currently working on resolving these issues so that we can get off on the right foot in 2021. We are also doing everything possible to ensure this situation does not arise again."
If that's what they say themselves, presumably their supply chain has been a right mess which might explain the difficulty getting parts. You'd have to hope it's temporary and they're sorting themselves out.
"Unfortunately, we have had to battle over recent months with longer delivery times and sometimes less than perfect communication due to a number of factors, such as Covid-19, the move to our Logistics Centre and a large order intake. This has been very challenging on our side, and we apologise for any inconvenience to you. We are currently working on resolving these issues so that we can get off on the right foot in 2021. We are also doing everything possible to ensure this situation does not arise again."
If that's what they say themselves, presumably their supply chain has been a right mess which might explain the difficulty getting parts. You'd have to hope it's temporary and they're sorting themselves out.
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