Suspension

I have a caravan that has 2 ton axles and 2 ton 8 leaf springs.Can i upgrade the suspension to 3 ton without changing the axles.
Cheers
Baker
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Reply By: Member - Bigred13 - Wednesday, Aug 23, 2017 at 17:58

Wednesday, Aug 23, 2017 at 17:58
Short answer is NO ,if you want to upgrade to 3 T you will need a 50mm axles ,10" electric brakes 195x14 LT tyres ,and recertification from a registered trailer examiner ,with new compliance plate .If you are rated at 2 tonne ,the chassis may need to be upgraded as well to get 3 T
AnswerID: 613264

Reply By: RMD - Wednesday, Aug 23, 2017 at 23:13

Wednesday, Aug 23, 2017 at 23:13
Axles is plural, so I presume you have a BIG van, ie 2 axles.
If each axle is 2 tonne, as stated, then the rating must be nearing 4 tonne for the van which is more than 3 tonne.

AnswerID: 613279

Reply By: Member - Racey - Thursday, Aug 24, 2017 at 12:01

Thursday, Aug 24, 2017 at 12:01
Why not check with the caravan manufacturer. If they are uncooperative then try the chassis manufacturer.
AnswerID: 613288

Reply By: The Bantam - Friday, Aug 25, 2017 at 11:53

Friday, Aug 25, 2017 at 11:53
Lets start at the very beginning, because it's a very nice place to start.

A/ so we have a dual axle trailer with 4 wheels.

B/ exactly what axles, hubs and wheels do you have?

Is it 2 tonnes combined or 2 tonnes each axle?

What is the current plated GVM of the trailer?

C/ What are you actually trying to achieve?

If you are trying to recompliance with a higher GVM ..... that could be more expensive and complicated than you may be prepared for.

IF you are simply looking for a stronger suspension with the same GVM, that is another story.

You can do 1.5 tonnes per axle on ford bearings.

IF you have 45 or 50mm axles and you are running Ford bearings you may already have 1.5 tonne axles.
AND those load capacities can be achieved on 14 inch light truck tyres

Remember this is bearings ..... not stud pattern.

Now if you want 3 tonnes per axle ...... yeh well the game now gets far more expensive, particularly if you want a 6 tonne GVM.
You will be on 6 stud rims and 15 or 16 inch tyres.
AND
That takes you out of the light trailer catagory and you will be towing with a truck on a truck license.

If you have 2 tonne axles, they will be at least 50mm and you will be running landcruser or some other 2 tonne specific bearing
.
Most commonly you will be running 15 or 16 inch tyres, though there are some specifically made 6 stud wheels that take 14 inch tyres and if you are very specific about the tyres you can run 2 tonnes on 14 inch light truck tyres (just)

SO
Back to the ABC and the doug ray me
cheers
AnswerID: 613303

Follow Up By: humpback - Friday, Aug 25, 2017 at 13:46

Friday, Aug 25, 2017 at 13:46
Thank you to every body who took the time to reply especially you Bantam,I have spoken to G&S Chassis who informed me that to run 3 ton springs i would have to change my axles from 50mm to 65 mm change the brakes and a few other expensive things at a cost of around $6000 i think i will leave as is.
cheers
Baker
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FollowupID: 883708

Follow Up By: PeterInSa - Friday, Aug 25, 2017 at 20:33

Friday, Aug 25, 2017 at 20:33
If you have a G&S Chassis the chassis should have a G&S Chassis ID plate with from memory the GTM printed on it. Its on the inside of the A frame

Am Interested in the GTM figure. And Do you have 2 axles.

Peter
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FollowupID: 883724

Follow Up By: humpback - Friday, Aug 25, 2017 at 21:41

Friday, Aug 25, 2017 at 21:41
GTM is 4 ton and it is a dual axle.
Cheers
Baker
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FollowupID: 883728

Follow Up By: PeterInSa - Saturday, Aug 26, 2017 at 09:51

Saturday, Aug 26, 2017 at 09:51
Baker, need your email address for an upgrade solution, send it to PeterInSa@yahoo.com.au
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FollowupID: 883733

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