Before you splash out on airbags, have you thought about your leaf springs?

If you’ve ever been to a campervan meet, scrolled through social media, or spent an evening watching build videos, you’ll know how popular airbag suspension and lift kits are. Everyone wants a van that sits level and handles the weight of a full build.

We get it. But spending every day talking to van owners about suspension has taught us something. A lot of people go straight for airbags or a lift kit without knowing there’s often a simpler and cheaper option: upgrading the leaf springs your van already has.

Why your van might be sagging in the first place

Most panel vans, like the Sprinter, Transit, Crafter, Ducato, Boxer and Relay, left the factory with rear leaf springs built for a working van. That means carrying parcels or tools, with the weight spread across the floor.

A campervan conversion is a very different load. Once you’ve added:

• a fixed bed and kitchen units
• water tanks (full ones are heavy!)
• leisure batteries, inverters and solar
• a fridge, heater, insulation and cladding
• bikes, awnings and all the “just in case” kit

…you’ve got a lot of weight that never comes out of the van. Original springs that have been carrying that load for years will start to tire and settle. That’s when you see the classic sagging rear end. The van might feel ropey on corners, bounce over speed bumps or bottom out on rough tracks, and your headlights point at the sky.

The usual fix: airbags and lift kits

Airbag suspension is a good product and we’re not here to knock it. Being able to adjust the ride height at the push of a button is handy, especially for levelling on an uneven pitch.

There are a few things worth knowing, though:

• Cost. Once you add parts, fitting and any compressor or control system, a good kit soon adds up, and a full setup can run into four figures.
• More to maintain. Airlines, fittings, compressors and bags are all extra parts that can leak, wear or need attention over time. Not to mention the repairs can be super expensive!
• It’s often treating the symptom. Many airbag kits work alongside your existing leaf springs. If those springs are tired, you’re adding something to prop up a part that’s already struggling.

Lift kits are similar. They’re great if you want serious off-road clearance, but for plenty of owners who just want a bit more height and a van that isn’t scraping on campsite tracks, they’re more than you need.

The alternative: upgraded leaf springs

Replacing your worn rear springs with uprated or heavy-duty leaf springs goes straight to the root of the problem. These springs are built to carry more weight than standard ones, usually with extra leaves.

Here’s why so many converters are coming round to the idea:

• It’s usually much cheaper. Upgraded leaf springs typically cost a fraction of a full airbag system, which leaves more budget for the fun stuff.
• Nothing to pump, plug in or top up. No compressor, no airlines, no electrics. Leaf springs are simple and tough, and once they’re on you can forget about them.
• Built for a constant load. A campervan is “loaded” all the time, and that’s exactly the job uprated springs are designed for. Your van sits level and stays that way. And even if some weight is removed, there are options with different spring builds to address that.
• A better drive. Less sag means less body roll, more stable cornering and less of that floaty feeling at motorway speed. Many owners find the van feels more planted, especially when it’s fully loaded for a trip.
• A good starting point. If you still want airbags later, putting them on fresh, healthy springs is a much better base than putting them on tired ones.

Is it right for my van?

Uprated leaf springs are a great fit if:

• your van sags at the back, even with no passengers on board
• your build is heavy and you’re carrying the weight all the time
• you want a level, stable ride without the cost and upkeep of air suspension
• you’d like a little extra clearance but don’t need a full off-road lift

A few honest notes so you know what you’re getting:

• Not every van has rear leaf springs. Some models, such as the VW T5/T6, use coil springs at the rear. If you’re not sure what your van has, just ask us.
• Stiffer springs can feel firmer when the van is empty. It’s a trade-off for great handling once loaded, and since a campervan is rarely empty, most owners never notice. Ask us about this, as some springs can have curved and flat leaves to address it.

Our thoughts

Airbags and lift kits definitely have their place. But we often speak to campervan owners who spent big on air suspension when what their van really needed was a decent set of springs. Because the springs are doing the heavy lifting (literally), it’s worth looking at them first.

If you’re halfway through a build, your back end is scraping the ground, or you just want to explore the idea, get in touch with us. Tell us your van’s make, model and year, and roughly how heavy your conversion is, and we’ll happily point you towards the right springs. You can also browse our van springs or call us on 01746 389896.

Happy travels, and here’s to a level van!

More articles

• 5 signs your van’s leaf springs need replacing