Cross Forum Link : "Interesting Read"

[roverrescue]

Ten ply on caravans and campers @ ExplorOz Forum

'The Bantam' is my new hero... for too many years i have been banging on about how engineeringly inept all mainstream (except Track) trailer suspension setups are.

I am not alone!

Anyways, its nice to not be the only voice in the desert

S

[modman]

Too many 'non oem cup holder tsk tsk' types on exploroz for my liking
Like a giant committee, wanted a horse, got a camel
I'm an armchair trailer engineer unlike you Steve
I'll probably buy a track eagle trailer
60 series rear leafs with koni shocks REAL bushes
If I made an off road camper trailer that would be the simplest way
David

[roverrescue]

Modman,
I have modded a few boat trailers. Tried a few different spring packs.
By far the best is a set of rear 78/79 series (yes thereally long ones)
Remove the two heavy lower leaves, then juggle the pack to your loads.
With good dampers, these springs withe proper bushes ride as soft as coils on a trailer.

best thing is you get the packs for free or very little when people take them off their cruiser to replace with aftermarket. Tojo spring is tough stuff and will outlast a trailer!

S

[modman]

Too right, the latest ute/troopy springs are very long...
I have access to a 4wd wrecking yard so choice isn't a problem
I researched the 60 series a while ago because of bush size allowing massive misalignment
Initially I would like to build a 109 bob s111 soa 60series rear leafs all round on my 101 axles with 38s ( thanks bill L)
Longer leafs affect approach
Any way blah..... Blah.....

What I plan to web build is a camper trailer like a track trailer
Would love to copy the mc3(sp?) link set up using LR radius arms
But quite complicated and very cunstom ATM for me
Having checked out a few early track trailer eagles I find this simplistic design achievable for my skills
To think Allan .......... Made these in the late 80's and I bet every one is still going strong
I would like a longer eagle with roll out kitchen and fridge, toolbox on front and decent boat, kayak racks
As a side note any thoughts about properly mounting shocks perpendicular to the axle??
Just cut into the tub at 0* or lay back a bit? (no more than 45*)
I also plan LR hubs with electric brakes gal dip chassis maybe a s111 rear tub to match defender and wheelbase with a decent tailgate.
Consider this a friendly stalk
David

[roverrescue]

If you are running landy hubs and stubs (which I commend)
Run with an electric over hydraulic set up. That way you can just set up the axle with landy stubs, calipers, hubs and voila your away.

The asymetric Track suspension is well engineered and properly thought out with both verticle and horizontal control of the independent hubs BUT IT HAS LOAD SHARING ACROSS THE TRAILER.
It does lots of things well and is bomber proof and in my opinion should be copied over junky single pivot swing arms.

I think I still prefer a solid axle linking the two hubs (triangulated four link works well with coils or air)

With respect to dampers, obviously as verticle as possible is best. But I guess dont be afraid to set the lower mount beneath the axle to gain some height. If you need to angle them heavily just acknowledge their efficiency will drop off and as such you will need more damping in the available stroke than if you had a verticle damper.

S