WHAT TYPE OF SUSPENSION DOES YOUR CAMPER RIDE ON POLL?

[offcampn]

interesting read ( insert thinking smiley face here ) 

another one for the  Solid Axle Leaf

[Raptor 1]

Hi boys and girls, I have a desert edge with independant rubber and i wouldn't p..s on it if it was on fire. You need to have it fully loaded to work properly otherwise it bounces around too much and recks your gear inside.

[geordie4x4]

Hi boys and girls, I have a desert edge with independant rubber and i wouldn't p..s on it if it was on fire. You need to have it fully loaded to work properly otherwise it bounces around too much and recks your gear inside.

Raptor, it is interesting that you say that as I was looking at at the rubber trailing arm independant suspension  ALKO or Martins Trailer Parts WA to replace my boat trailer springs and even the salesman told me that it is only good at the design load. If it is either too light it will bounce and too heavy it sags.  Pitty because they look like a neat simple idea.

I put a new axle and leaf springs on the boat trailer as it was the cheap reliable option.

On my camper trailer I replaced the long suffering leaf springs with a coil spring independant trailing arm set up from Martins Trailer Parts WA. The coils are progressive rate so it rides well if loaded or empty.



The short blue shocks that came with it were crap, so I up-graded to Patrol rear shocks and it has been fantastic whether loaded heavily or lightly loaded and on the beach, on rough corrugated outback tracks or rough hilly tracks, or even going fast on the highway. 

It tacks really well, does not wander or waggle its tail and takes the hard bouncing of corrugations. 

[Raptor 1]

I think the rubber suspension would be good for a boat trailer for the rust and maintenance side of things but yes , for it to ride properly it needs to be loaded to its rating. I'm looking at another camper this weekend and if I dont purchase it I will be doing a cruisemaster conversion.

[GG]

The mechanic I bought my 8o's Jayco Dove from had replaced the old suspension with leaf...just not sure if it's independant or solid... Haven't looked underneath at the chassis either...I know, should have done that before I bought it...my knees just won't co-operate! 

[corynmelnkids]

Our runs on a 45mm solid square axle running parallel bearings 10" electric brakes and 7 leaf slipper springs with Teflon wear pads for the slipper to slide on. It had 5 leafs on it previously but it was bottoming out so i have just upgraded. I run the slipper set up as it has minimal moving parts and if i happen to brake a spring i can get one from any Auto Shop or trailer place as they are all the same length.

[1HDT]

Hey Guys,

Have ordered a CC with independent coils, so that will be my vote. I'm hoping this will work well with the weight of the trailer as the rebound leafs I understand can jump a little with a heavy trailer. I will have to wait and see a suppose.

Any thoughts?

1HDT

[pigd4d]

didnt realise there was so many options and combinations

[Coolblue80]

Alko rebound leaf with Alko shocks. Solid axle.
Cheers, Mike.

[Shauno]

Independant coils

[Darren v]

my complete has independent coil tows very well

[NevandVicki]

Our Sunset offroad camper runs solid axle leaf suspension

[dcg]

Independent coils with trailing arms fitted to mine.  But in my opinion any of the suspension with shockies must have limiting straps fitted.
Get airbourne to many times and the shocks top out and eventually snap in half.

Then you need to get the tools out !!! Always fun when you're away from home.....

Chris

[KeithB]

Shocks laid back at 45 degrees have to do 40% more work for the same result than do shocks that are set vertical. For every 10kg of up or down push or pull from a 45 degree shock, you get the same amount of unwanted front and rear directed load on the suspension and 14 kilos of load along the shock itself.

More work for the shock and more load on its bushes for no nett result. That's why they are a lousy idea. I guess that's why pretty much every decent 4WD you see has its shocks close to vertical.

For better of for worse, for my current build I am using a hollow beam axle with Landcruiser trailing arms, pan hard rod, 9 inch air bags and two vertical Landcruiser shockers each side. Load rating will be 3,000 kg on road and 2,000 kg off road.

[Brumbypt]

9leaf springs and solid axle..

But i would like to try air suspension later on..

Happy to stick with leaf for now.. And no shocks dunno why u put shocks on trailers ??

[GeeTee]

Shocks laid back at 45 degrees have to do 40% more work for the same result than do shocks that are set vertical. For every 10kg of up or down push or pull from a 45 degree shock, you get the same amount of unwanted front and rear directed load on the suspension and 14 kilos of load along the shock itself.

More work for the shock and more load on its bushes for no nett result. That's why they are a lousy idea. I guess that's why pretty much every decent 4WD you see has its shocks close to vertical.

For better of for worse, for my current build I am using a hollow beam axle with Landcruiser trailing arms, pan hard rod, 9 inch air bags and two vertical Landcruiser shockers each side. Load rating will be 3,000 kg on road and 2,000 kg off road.

Keith, from your light yet stiff 'space frame' drawbar, appropriate-sized trailing arms, excellent packaging of your springs/dampers to keep the floor low and minimise wasted space, and your use of a beam axle for overall simplicity, load carrying ability, good tyre wear etc etc.... that is really lovely stuff! 
Finish it off my placing the heavy spare low within/under the chassis near the axle centreline and you'll get two Gold Stars!!   

[KeithB]

Unfortunately, I had no option but to put the two spares on the swing-out gate at the back. Under the floor will be all water tanks, which will form a structural part of the floor. You can see progress (or lack of it) on My Camper Trailer Build. Thanks for the kind words.
Keith

[berlitza]

Solid Axle Leaf here aswell ,but reading through i think i will upgrade, there goes the budget

[Brumbypt]

Love the look of that coil sprung tandem.

[christover1]

Solid axle. Spring over,  1.5 leaf shackle springs. Suzuki Sierra Shocks. F100 Hubs.

[Brumbypt]

Looks like i am going to have to install shocks on my new trailer.. She bounces a little empty.. I will see what happens after a few more bigger tests

[GeeTee]

Looks like i am going to have to install shocks on my new trailer.. She bounces a little empty.. I will see what happens after a few more bigger tests

Don't make the mistake of 'checking' suspension when the trailer is empty... the 'ready to travel' (loaded) weight and performance is what matters

[Brumbypt]

Ok thanks. Will do


*******.....PETER......*******

____________________________________________

I am a 2 shed family, one for me and one for living in..

1993 80 series landcruiser
Dual movement hip
Love the high country

[Brumbypt]

Is there somewhere that i can buy independant suspension kits.. In vic or online?.


Tapa Tapa talker

[christover1]

Is there somewhere that i can buy independant suspension kits.. In vic or online?.


Tapa Tapa talker

http://www.couplemate.com.au/index1.html?c641.html&1

http://www.couplemate.com.au/index1.html?c641.html&1