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After a search lasting 3 years, I have finally found a full air suspension solution for the Alko TAG axle X250 chassis on my 2008 Hobby D750 GELC plated 4500Kg.
VB Air Suspension
http://www.vbairsuspension.co.uk/en/
VB air suspension have recently launched a full air suspension conversion for the 6 wheel TAG chassis. Until now it has been possible to get full kits from other suppliers only for 4 wheel alko chassis.
It was fitted by Specialist Automotive Products (SAP) who are based just outside Doncaster at Adwick-le-Street. The owner is Mick Lightly. I have not posted about past purchase experiences before, as I have not been overwhelmed...but in this case, I wanted to highlight both the product and installation service.
I had contacted Oliver Drinkwater a long time ago asking if a product existed for the TAG variant. At that time, I was advised a prototype was being developed. I assumed that was the end of it!
A few months later and after a few emails, I had agreed to install the full conversion - i.e. full air suspension on all 6 wheels - not air assistance. And I think it was a great choice.
Fitting took a few days, in part becuase this must have been one of the first such installations in the UK, and also because there is a lot of work involved:
Of VB Airsuspension, I would comment;
- This is great quality equipment built to last
- Features are outstanding, and include;
*****park setting to lower suspension to the minimum height;
*****off-road setting to give extra ground clearance where access is difficult;
***** tilt to one side to make tank draining quicker and more complete;
*****front end down, rear end up - to make getting on and off ferries less likely to cause gropunding;
*****front up, rear down - not sure wheh I might use this yet!;
*****auto-levelling - this effectively allows you to press a button and the motorhome levles up automatically - no chocs, no effort - its brilliant! and takes seconds
*****drive mode - wich gives an optimum height for travel.
- Switching between settings is so easy, and takes seconds.
- The ride is wonderful compared to what I had before:
*****less road noise - although i hear more internal rattles as a result!!!
*****firmer ride, yer less fidgity, and less wallowing
*****greater stability when overtalking or being overtaken by HGVs which was always a little stressful
*****no grounding when I try and get the motorhome into the driveway - the stress associated with that horrid scraping noise has gone.
*****easier access when parked up, as we had the auto-levelling function that is to be used on site set at a low level which helps my wife as she is less agile than she once was.
Of Mick Lightly of SAP Specialist automotive products, I would say
- what a gem! Mick is one of those rare individuals who cares, yes he actually cares that you respect his work, and takes immense pride in a job. I could not recommend him more. In my years motorhoming, I would recommend Mick and SAP whereas I would be more reserved about most others.
The job took a while because this was an early implementation, but I was ready for that. Mick took great care to show me his workmanship, to demonstrate the product, and to make sure I knew what to do if anything were to go wrong.
I was extremely impressed with his attantion to detail, and his overall attitude of doing a good job. he was keen to feed back any teething troubles to VB so they could respond with improvements.
In summary, I am delighted. 10/10 for the VB Air Suspension product, and 11/10 for Mick for not only doing a great job, but going tht extra mile to give me confidence in his work, and satisfaction with what is after all a premium product.
If you are thinking about air suspension, you won't go far wrong with either of these two.
A rare offer I made both was to be happy to talk about my experiences with prospective customers - not for any kick-back ( there isn't one), simply because I love the kit and really really wish SAP great success.
It was quite a drive from where I live (south Lakeland) to SAP near doncaster, but this is an important investment, and i am glad I made the effort.
Contacts for VB http://www.vbairsuspension.co.uk/en/
Contacts for SAP (Mick) mplfgb@aol.co.uk
After a search lasting 3 years, I have finally found a full air suspension solution for the Alko TAG axle X250 chassis on my 2008 Hobby D750 GELC plated 4500Kg.
VB Air Suspension
http://www.vbairsuspension.co.uk/en/
VB air suspension have recently launched a full air suspension conversion for the 6 wheel TAG chassis. Until now it has been possible to get full kits from other suppliers only for 4 wheel alko chassis.
It was fitted by Specialist Automotive Products (SAP) who are based just outside Doncaster at Adwick-le-Street. The owner is Mick Lightly. I have not posted about past purchase experiences before, as I have not been overwhelmed...but in this case, I wanted to highlight both the product and installation service.
I had contacted Oliver Drinkwater a long time ago asking if a product existed for the TAG variant. At that time, I was advised a prototype was being developed. I assumed that was the end of it!
A few months later and after a few emails, I had agreed to install the full conversion - i.e. full air suspension on all 6 wheels - not air assistance. And I think it was a great choice.
Fitting took a few days, in part becuase this must have been one of the first such installations in the UK, and also because there is a lot of work involved:
Of VB Airsuspension, I would comment;
- This is great quality equipment built to last
- Features are outstanding, and include;
*****park setting to lower suspension to the minimum height;
*****off-road setting to give extra ground clearance where access is difficult;
***** tilt to one side to make tank draining quicker and more complete;
*****front end down, rear end up - to make getting on and off ferries less likely to cause gropunding;
*****front up, rear down - not sure wheh I might use this yet!;
*****auto-levelling - this effectively allows you to press a button and the motorhome levles up automatically - no chocs, no effort - its brilliant! and takes seconds
*****drive mode - wich gives an optimum height for travel.
- Switching between settings is so easy, and takes seconds.
- The ride is wonderful compared to what I had before:
*****less road noise - although i hear more internal rattles as a result!!!
*****firmer ride, yer less fidgity, and less wallowing
*****greater stability when overtalking or being overtaken by HGVs which was always a little stressful
*****no grounding when I try and get the motorhome into the driveway - the stress associated with that horrid scraping noise has gone.
*****easier access when parked up, as we had the auto-levelling function that is to be used on site set at a low level which helps my wife as she is less agile than she once was.
Of Mick Lightly of SAP Specialist automotive products, I would say
- what a gem! Mick is one of those rare individuals who cares, yes he actually cares that you respect his work, and takes immense pride in a job. I could not recommend him more. In my years motorhoming, I would recommend Mick and SAP whereas I would be more reserved about most others.
The job took a while because this was an early implementation, but I was ready for that. Mick took great care to show me his workmanship, to demonstrate the product, and to make sure I knew what to do if anything were to go wrong.
I was extremely impressed with his attantion to detail, and his overall attitude of doing a good job. he was keen to feed back any teething troubles to VB so they could respond with improvements.
In summary, I am delighted. 10/10 for the VB Air Suspension product, and 11/10 for Mick for not only doing a great job, but going tht extra mile to give me confidence in his work, and satisfaction with what is after all a premium product.
If you are thinking about air suspension, you won't go far wrong with either of these two.
A rare offer I made both was to be happy to talk about my experiences with prospective customers - not for any kick-back ( there isn't one), simply because I love the kit and really really wish SAP great success.
It was quite a drive from where I live (south Lakeland) to SAP near doncaster, but this is an important investment, and i am glad I made the effort.
Contacts for VB http://www.vbairsuspension.co.uk/en/
Contacts for SAP (Mick) mplfgb@aol.co.uk