Air presure for camper trailer

Hello Melissa,

I run 285/75/16 Cooper STT on my Gu and usually run on the bitumen with them around 36PSI I figured that the load on the axle of the camper trailer was around 20% less, so run with 20% less in the trailer tyres which is around 29 PSI and at this satge it seems to stop the trailer jumping around and shaking everthing to bits in it.

Sounds reasonable Kevin. We used to run with a lower pressure on our old camper for the same reasons. Back then we had 9 leaf springs and no shockies and only about 800kg so there was a lot of shaking and jarring going on. The new Camprite has independant swing arm suspension with dual coil spring set-up and Rancho shocks. The manufacturer tells us this set-up is specifically designed to cope well with both light and heavy loads without causing the trailer to jump about etc. So far, this seems to be the case, although usually our trailer is about 1000kg when loaded up. With this suspension set-up and load the trailer sits on the road very nicely. This means our main tyre concern goes to wear and tear on the tyres themselves rather than effect on the load.

Trailer tyre pressure, particularly in sand, has been debated on the campertrailer list in the past. It was quite interesting as everyone seems to have their own ideas.

:o) MelissaPetrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper

Melissa,

How do you find the independent suspension? we had our camper custom made as we could not find anything we liked and was advised against Independent so we went 7leaf Offroad suspension with ranch shocks for a Jeep wrangler it seems nice and sutle without sag.

Hi Kevin,

Having had both leaf suspension and now independent, I would have to say the independent suspension is the better of the two. This is mainly because it seems to afford a more supple ride under both light and heavy loads.

Having said that, if the trailer had leaf springs rather than independent, we still would have bought it and been happy. IMO, in 99% of cases, well matched leaf springs to the trailer/load perform very well. Some people make a an issue of reduced clearance but also in 99% of cases the diff housings on the 4WD would stop us before the trailer axle.

Interestingly, a trailer manufacturer recently told me that they use independent suspension purely and simply because the market wants to see flashy suspension with bright coils and shockies. He himself was far from convinced there was any real gain over leaf spring set-up.

BTW, I'm interested to know what your trailer is.

:o) MelissaPetrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper

Hello Melissa,

We had the Trailer custom made by a coach builder, who now only does custom trailers and after market fabrications. We meet him through a friend of a friend and said he could build exactley what we were looking for whithout the ridiculous price tag. The trailer has our 73litre Auto fidge mounted on rollers that come out of the side of the trialer and is feed by 2 x 135amp heavy duty batteries. The suspension is 7 leaf off road suspension with jeep wrangler shock absorbers. The brakes are off road electrics.

It is currently being fitted out with a fairly well appointed kitchen, with a low pressure cooktop and grill, sink and storgae for untensiles and pot and pans.

We will be taking it on its first big trip in January to the High Country, which is why we are now putting on the final touches.

The tent was done by Freedom Canavas!!

My email is kevjulie@bigpond.net.au , if you give me your email I will send a picture of it when the kitchen fitout is complete.

Cheers
Kevin

Hello Melissa,

We had the Trailer custom made by a coach builder, who now only does custom trailers and after market fabrications. We meet him through a friend of a friend and said he could build exactley what we were looking for whithout the ridiculous price tag. The trailer has our 73litre Auto fidge mounted on rollers that come out of the side of the trialer and is feed by 2 x 135amp heavy duty batteries. The suspension is 7 leaf off road suspension with jeep wrangler shock absorbers. The brakes are off road electrics.

It is currently being fitted out with a fairly well appointed kitchen, with a low pressure cooktop and grill, sink and storgae for untensiles and pot and pans.

We will be taking it on its first big trip in January to the High Country, which is why we are now putting on the final touches.

The tent was done by Freedom Canavas!!

My email is kevjulie@bigpond.net.au , if you give me your email I will send a picture of it when the kitchen fitout is complete.

Cheers
Kevin