Thread: Independent Suspension Design

Have a look at my swag web site, there are lots of camper trailer build threads and independent axles designs.
here's one of them.

CT build revision 2

Still working on the CAD man to draw the trailer, he has to much on his plate at this time.

The wishbone arms will be made out of chromo tube with plate in stress areas & mounting points, still working out the design of adjustable tow-in on the arms, but happy with the overall setup.
More soon!

David

I think a monolink with panhard is about as simple and elegant as trailer suspension can get. An alternative with a similar amount of work is two radius arms, one of which is triangulated to provide lateral location.

IMO independent trailer suspension is only necessary when you need to get really low and can't have an axle tube/beam underneath.

Just an update.

The CADing started this weekend , i have most of the required components in the shed ready to go once the digital design is completed. The engineer is happy with the design but there may be some small changes as we proceed.

Im looking at using Profender shocks, they are getting good reviews from the USA

Im getting excited now that this project will start moving again, this thing needs to be usable for our Christmas trip to Fraser

Cheers
David

great work - keep us updated!

what bushes are you decided on for the swing arms?

S

My suspension guys has recommended the bushes from the 75 series cruiser rear fixed spring setup with greasable pins, due to the size of them & they are very common. We did look at a pressed type but they not very serviceable out in the bush.

Cheers
David

those 75 leafer bushes really are a solid unit and easy to source.

Obviously not having the cad to see exactly i still wonder if your swing arm design will badly load what are essentially rotating bushes. With central arms pivoting only laterally without any longitudinal rake, your bushes will get hammered in the longitudinal plane every big hit the tyre takes.essentially the tyre will try to twist the two bushes from the central mount

I fear those bushes will be short lived under these circumstanses.

I would look into the lower control arm bushes on a heavy duty mcpherson strut setup to ensure good bush life. Acknowledging that a mac strut has more structural rigidity owing to the upper arm

S

Things are starting to happen.

It took awhile to find a person to digitise my drawings but it has finally started, should have something to look at late next week.

Purchased the Air Springs from OS they should land any day. Also picked up the DO35 V2 hitch from Vehicle Components, very helpful salesman, had a good look at their hydraulic disc brake setup.

Have organised an engineer to do some load & stress testing of the design once it is digitised.
Coming along slowly.

Cheers
David