Hi all
I by the time many of you read this I will have posted this question on a couple of other forums too, so I apologise if you have had to read it twice.
I have just paid a deposit for my new camper trailer. Long story, but we sold the Cavalier and are getting RV trailers in Para Hills West (SA) to make the trailer, and Sar Major will be our choice of tent top - because of there is no need for extra poles inside even though it is a 11 ft soft floor model.
The trailer is 7x4, 50mm high, 100x50 galv drawbar, electric brakes, polyblock, large toolbox on front to house the spare wheel horizontally and have extra room on top, heavy duty axle/bearings,65L
water tank, 3 x jerry holders plus one extra on tailgate, led lights, 2 x gas bottle holders etc, but enough bragging.
I have a couple of questions. First relates to
suspension. It will be coming with 7 leafs, with rebound springs. I oringinally wanted shockers and the builder was happy to put them on, but said that he would either have to house the tops of them on the outside of the trailer (over the mudguard with a bracket) in a little box, but it would be necessary to widen the track of the vehicle to allow for this. I wanted to avoid this to maintain the same track as the Jackaroo. The other option was to house them inside the box section which would take away much needed room (the kitchen wouldn't slide in flush with the side of the trailer). He said they would be a waste of time if they were not mounted vertically or near vertically, and refused to put them in on more of an angle which he said would be a waste of time. How important are shockers if rebound springs are fitted, and has anyone else found a remedy to the problem on their 7x4?
Secondly, the other decision I need to make is tyres. I have sourced some 16inch
wheels which will fit the Jackaroo (make them interchangeable). I Currently have Cooper ATRs on the Jack (which I am very happy with to date), and would be happy to pay for and fit them to the camper, but am a bit concerned that they may not have enough 'knobbieness' to dig into gravel/dirt enough, resulting in a bit more trailer movement or drifting of the trailer when on gravel/gibber etc. Anyhave have any first hand comparisons between chunkier tread (like the Cooper ST) vs ATR tread on a camper weighing less that 1 tonne fully loaded? Ideally I would like all tyres the same, but will put STs on the trailer if advice leads me that way.
Thanks for listening!
D-Jack