Thread: Caravan suspension systems.

Most Aussie vans more than 3 - 4 years old have leaf Spring suspensions and most old timers swear by it and rubbish independent suspension, bit like the Defender v D4 discussion going on at present.

My van has Simplicity load shearing independent suspension, basically it's a leaf Spring turned upside down with the axles connected to the end of the springs. Is it good? In my opinion it's better than normal billy kart suspension and its pretty robust but the ride is harsh compared to proper coil Spring independent.

That is changing though as more and more vans now come with fully adjustable independent suspension. Most use coil springs but if your prepared to shell out about another five grand you can get fully adjustable independent self levelling air suspension.

If and when I buy another van it will have self levelling air suspension, like a D3/4 you can use the onboard pump to give you more height off road if needed, not a lot more but depending on the system up to about 75 mm from memory. Plus when you pull up you push a button and if the ground your parked on isn't to steep it automatically self levels, back to front and side to side.

Plenty will tell you that air suspension fails and airbags pop etc but like most story's about technology they are often grossly exaggerated.

I have cruisemaster independent on our van Andy. Rides smoother than the 110 ��������
http://www.vehiclecomponents.com.au/...master-xt-coil

JC

should be good...

designed by the goddard family

is what i had under my camper trailer

smoothest system i have ever used...

I fitted VC's long off-road leaf springs to my Coromal.

Originally Posted by TerryO

Plus when you pull up you push a button and if the ground your parked on isn't to steep it automatically self levels, back to front and side to side.

Hmmm, wonder if I could retrofit that to my old Franklin...

Originally Posted by TerryO

Plenty will tell you that air suspension fails and airbags pop etc but like most story's about technology they are often grossly exaggerated.

Yep, technophobes would carry on about this, but airbags have been around for ages now and are really very reliable. Also cheap and easy to carry a spare if you're that paranoid.

Andy,

The link below has most of the suspensions systems other than airbags and also roller rocker with shock absorbers. The Jayco J Tech came out a few years ago on the "outback" models.
http://hardingscaravans.com.au/carav...ns-we-service/

See below for the shock absorber set up. When we were looking at new vans the sales rep suggested this as the Simplicity and Cruisemaster all came at plus $3-5k (if not as standard, depended on the type of van) where the Shockies on the roller rocker was about $800 from memory. Similar to a LT rear suspension set up.


Kimberley have a lot of info on there web site, I think the lines between research and sales have been blurred at times.
Suspension Design Guide | Kimberleykampers

Our van also has the Cruisemaster suspension which is great, we have lots of "stuff" to take on trips with 3 kids.

I would also consider airbags next time if price was not too outrageous.

Cheers
Craig

Originally Posted by bacicat

Hmmm, wonder if I could retrofit that to my old Franklin...



Yep, technophobes would carry on about this, but airbags have been around for ages now and are really very reliable. Also cheap and easy to carry a spare if you're that paranoid.

Actually they can, Crusiemaster have a workshop that does it pretty much full time from what I can gather from talking to them. To fit the stage four airbag system is about $12k I believe.

They have or are just about to release a even tougher off road air bag system that gives you a extra 75mm lift on demand when off road. The present top end stage four kit gives about 50 mm extra if my memory is correct.
They don't like discussing extra off road lift though and you have to almost drag it out of them to get any half informative answer. One of them admitted that they are concerned that someone will drive off down the highway at 110kph with it jacked up to buggery and have a accident.

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Hi guys.
I learnt some important info on the Coromal 580 Seka in another thread.
ie it has independant leaf springs,they wear the inner tyre as they sag and cant easily be modified for off-road tyres/suspension.
If anybody has info on the types of suspension van manufacturers use and the pros and cons of each system and the suitability for modification please post.
Andrew

From memory, they have an outback version with a fullsize offroad tyre about 285/75/16. It would be interesting to see how they achieved the extra height apart from the larger tyres. Maybe they have spaced the triangular suspension arms off the main rails ? They could not really fit heavier leaf packs without spacing the inner pivot points by the same height difference, otherwise the wheel would camber in, the higher the leaf pack lifted the van. I remember looking at how the vans with this suspension could be raised, but it was a couple of years ago.