RV FEATURE
independent coil setups are available for this
sort of caravanning and are widely applauded.
But, again, there’s a cost factor.
An alternative is to fit a load-sharing roller-
rocker system – a solid all-rounder that should
perform well on the bitumen and in semi-
offroad situations. (Always remember to lower
your tyre pressures to suit, just before turning
left down that corrugated bush track!)
Finally, something else to consider:
Australia’s primary and secondary roads can
potentially be harsher on a suspension system
than any dirt road. If you’ve ever hit a pothole
or broken road shoulder at high speed, you’ll
know what I mean.
WEAR AND TEAR
Once you’ve decided on the type of suspension
that suits your touring intentions best,
satisfy yourself that it’s comprised of quality
components. A cheap suspension system of
unknown or vague overseas origin is probably
worth avoiding.
Along with the quality of the steel, much
comes down to the quality of the bushes and
the shackle bolts, as well as the centre rocker
arm if it’s a tandem-axle load-sharing setup.
This is because these are the components
that keep the suspension moving – they are
subject to lots of wear and tear.
Eventually, individual suspension
components, from the bushes to the springs to
the shock absorbers (if applicable) will need to
be replaced. A worn or faded shock absorber
will lose its compression and its ability to
Beam-axle eye-to-eye leafspring suspension.
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gorv.com.au
“ IS YOUR VAN LEANING TO ONE
SIDE? IF SO, YOU CAN BET IT’LL
BE LEANING TO THE SIDE THAT IS
CARRYING THE MOST WEIGHT.”
control the oscillation of the spring. The van or
camper will begin to tow in a less predictable
manner.
Coil springs in need of replacement will
become compressed – the size of the gaps
between the coils will reduce from, say, 20mm
when new to 5mm. Is your van leaning to one
side? If so, you can bet it’ll be leaning to the
side that is carrying the most weight, such as
the kitchen with its heavy fridge. In any event,
it’s a sure sign that the coils are done.
Leaf-springs, however, flatten out. Slipper
springs on a single-axle caravan typically need
to be replaced when the ‘knuckle’ of the spring
(where the spring starts to flatten out, just in
front of the spring hanger) starts to rub on the
chassis.
If the front or rear shackle plates on a
tandem-axle load-sharing suspension are out
of vertical alignment when the van is stationary
and on even ground, then it’s probably time to
replace the springs. If the front spring has lost
its original curve, the front shackle plate will tilt
backwards, perhaps even at a 45-degree angle.
If the rear spring has flattened out, the rear
shackle plate will also tilt backwards.
The shackle plate on an eye-eye single-axle
leaf-spring system will lean forward if the
spring is in good condition. If the spring is
worn, however, it will lean rearwards. Again,
this is because the spring has flattened,
effectively increasing the distance between the
two eyes.
As for roller-rocker suspension, the loop
around the shackle pins and roller at the front
or rear will twist around – again due to the
worn, flattened spring.