Carrying load on a Disco II

Can anyone advise me the safe carrying load I can pack into my Disco II, considering I have standard air suspension. We are doing some long trips and am loading the roof rack as well as the back of the car and am concerned I am overdoing it. Can the air suspension and compressor handle heavy loads - what about when the terrain gets rough with this load?

We did a full car load last year camping, down through France and Spain and covered a couple of thousand miles, did a bit of trailblazing but nothing too rough as we were on our own, but nearly every camp spot was down an off road trail. Had no problems en-route and was carrying plenty of weight... only just had enough space to cram in 10 cases of wine to bring home, took a bit of repacking though!!

However, the suspension did go a little crazy when we got back and unpacked it all...

It was almost like it had got used to the weight and refused to re-adjust it's level again... it took more than a few engine restarts, opening and closing doors and trips around the block for it to sort itself back out... didnt need spanners to sort it though, It was a proper strange one!

Thanks for the info, we going to a place is South Africa on the border of Namibia called "Richtersveld" for two weeks. The terrain will be challenging and as you can imagine we need to carry everything with us so we expect a serious load. I want to be prepared and do not want a surprise on the day we leaving when packing the car.
Did your self leveling suspension handle the weight, maintaining the ride height?

Dispite all the negatives you'll read here... i wouldnt change over to coils.
and will keep my air suspension for the quality of the ride.
It handled the weight and kept level.

I've had a couple pop at different times, I would take a spare bag with you, they're not 'handed' and you could change em with a jack and a pair of pliers! I took a spare - that's why i had no trouble!

I have read a lot of bad press regarding the air suspension, however mine have behaved and love the comfort and self levelling feature - despite the load. I have recently replaced mine after 5 years so I can take the one that was not leaking with me on my trip - to be safe.
I was however wondering what Land Rover rate as maximum carrying load for this suspension system.

Antman said:

I have read a lot of bad press regarding the air suspension, however mine have behaved and love the comfort and self levelling feature - despite the load. I have recently replaced mine after 5 years so I can take the one that was not leaking with me on my trip - to be safe.
I was however wondering what Land Rover rate as maximum carrying load for this suspension system.

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The air suspension carries a slightly heavier load than the coils, but it's about half a tonne from memory. Details in the owners handbook. Don't forget to include the weight of the people, and to raise the rear tyre pressures (from 38 to 48 - again from memory, see owners handbook).

Well, I'm back from my trip with no problems with regard to air suspension. Found out after the trip the pay load quoted is 725kg, I actually carried 400kg in total - felt like 1000kg - over very rough terrain and it was excellent. I still struggle to find the negative of the air suspension.....

upload some pictures!?