Post by: Steelpoint on August 11, 2015, 03:27:21 PM
Post by: edz on August 11, 2015, 03:43:33 PM
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=44221.0 (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=44221.0) .. seems duel cabs etc dont like air bags .. :cheers:
Another way might be Fred's 4wd Conversions Toowoomba .. think these guys up your way are a stockist ..http://ontrakdieselrepairs.com.au/ (http://ontrakdieselrepairs.com.au/)
No affiliation etc ..
We did our own DIY version of this style suspension on a mates late 9o's leaf sprung Hilux duelcab and it worked well, without any troubles over a 15 year period .
Or look at a load sharing coupling with the camper trailer to help with sag
Post by: Green rv on August 11, 2015, 04:19:14 PM
firestone are one of the good brands
first i would look at how the ute trailer was loaded
get all the heavy stuff for the ute up close to the front of the tray or in front of the axle
and in the camper all the heavy stuff over the axle
in my set up i carry about 500kg max in the d/cab ute tray
and try keep the ball weight on the camper no more than 150kg
in the ute tray i normally carry
1 x 80ltr fridge full
1 x 80 ltr esky full
16 x tarp pole pegs and ropes
1 x dbl bunk for the kids
1x 45ltr tub with all cooking gear
1x 45 ltr tub food ect
1x bag kids toys
bag or two of wood
plus what ever else the wife wants
2 x large tables and 4 burner bbq on roof rack (all cast iron taken out and packed in tray)
1 x kayak
fishing rods
+ tow camper (this also carries a bit of gear. but also has 2 x 120ah batteries on the draw bar ATM)
with a nice level ride
IMO i would try adjusting the load before forking out extra money on suspension
:cheers:
Adam
Post by: Steelpoint on August 11, 2015, 04:38:03 PM
I think part of the problem is the very long draw bar on the CT. Oh well.
We have another camping trip on Friday (with out the parents ;D) so we'll see how the balance looks.
Post by: edz on August 11, 2015, 04:42:27 PM
Post by: Green rv on August 11, 2015, 04:46:50 PM
i only have two little kids
and my camper would be a lot lighter
but if my ball weight got heavy i could see the back of the ute dropping like a tonne of bricks
:cheers:
Adam
Post by: GeoffA on August 11, 2015, 04:49:56 PM
.....
I think part of the problem is the very long draw bar on the CT. Oh well.
.....
The length of the draw bar itself won't be the issue.
It'll be all the stuff stacked on top of it that's causing problems.
:cheers:
Post by: pank on August 11, 2015, 05:44:44 PM
Post by: Steelpoint on August 12, 2015, 08:59:11 AM
Quote
The length of the draw bar itself won't be the issue.I agree but its hard to place weight behind the CT axle as the back end is very short. I've even left the two spare wheels on just to add a bit of back end weight (plus 100ltrs of water).
It'll be all the stuff stacked on top of it that's causing problems.
I'm trying to work out how to load a picture ???
Post by: Steelpoint on August 12, 2015, 09:24:36 AM
(http://gallery.myswag.org/gallery/d/50522-2/IMG_1007.JPG)
Post by: Green rv on August 12, 2015, 09:44:49 AM
in the pic is the hilux tray loaded or empty
can see from the pic that the ute is fair sagging
would be interesting to know the ball weight loaded of the camper
might be over the capacity for the ute (2500kg tow @ 250kg ball weight)
:cheers:
Adam
Post by: edz on August 12, 2015, 10:12:29 AM
The Ecomate is a forward fold so the bed, 100ltr water tank and kitchen sink/gas stove are all over or behind the CT axle. I also only had a 65ltr waeco fridge, extra battery and some basic camping gear for my parents in the Hilux tray. We tried to load most of the heavier gear in the camper but still...Having only a loaded 65ltr fridge [ say roughly < 40kg ] + a spare battery [ 20+ kg] and say 50kg + of gear from the parents shouldnt have put the bum of the truck down that much
I think part of the problem is the very long draw bar on the CT. Oh well.
Going by the pic, did you have 4 x jerries of fuel / water [ that would be 80+ kg alone ] + what size fridge in the camper box [ 80ltr Waeco loaded would have to be 60kg at least ] + 1x 120 ah battery [ 20+ kg ] 1 or 2 gas bottles 10 + kg So roughly 170 kg + easy already, without the steel of the draw bar or what ever else you have in the forward storage bins ..
Think load sharing bars / hitch set up might be a good option ......https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8QpIEVOziY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8QpIEVOziY) ....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DC-lfNnKf4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DC-lfNnKf4)
Post by: Steelpoint on August 12, 2015, 10:56:17 AM
Edz, we only had 20lts of water and 20ltrs of diesel plus 9kg of LPG. The bin in front of the main CT had mostly Tent walls plus a few other bits and pieces. The main compartment on the CT had another 65ltr fridge plus pots, pans etc. The batteries are at the back behind the axle.
I have spoken to ARB Townsville who replaced my rear suspension earlier this year and they have confirmed that only light to medium springs were fitted. So maybe the main problem is simply too soft springs. Hence the question of air suspension.
Post by: dazzler on August 12, 2015, 11:42:09 AM
Two safe ways to deal with it;
Higher rated rear leaves than the already high ones.
Load levellers to transfer the weight to the front wheels (prob hitch change).
Airbags will break the Utes chassis.
Post by: Green rv on August 12, 2015, 12:12:06 PM
tow ball weight is the downwards pressure that the tow hitch is putting onto the towball.
bit of a pain in the arse you upgraded the suspension already.
one thing i hate is spending money on something you already fixed >:(
i fitted this gear to my hilux and love it.
was designed for towing and comfort
http://www.saxsuspension.com/3sds.html (http://www.saxsuspension.com/3sds.html)
this might be another option over airbags
i know ironman suspension did a similar product as well
http://www.saxsuspension.com/equalizer.html (http://www.saxsuspension.com/equalizer.html)
at the last place i worked i sold and fitted these kits, the only reason i sold them was customers kept coming in and asking for them by name. from all the guys that fitted them it always got glowing reviews, so thats when i decided to fit them to mine. but the equalizer wasn't available then so dont know too much about them.
now saying that i would have a chat to some suspension guys to make sure your getting the right product to suit your needs
would be interesting to hear if anyone else has sax suspension fitted ??
:cheers:
Adam
edit: a wdh kit could also help. wdh kit fitted here have bought cars back up 1-2 inches (use this as a guide only)
http://www.coastrv.com.au/products/car-accessories/hitches-shanks/item/eaz-lift-600-series-22-23mm-tow-ball (http://www.coastrv.com.au/products/car-accessories/hitches-shanks/item/eaz-lift-600-series-22-23mm-tow-ball)
edit: with all the gear on the draw bar check to make sure a wdh fits before buying one
now that your loaded up with all the options you'll be more confused than before ???