Van Shock Absorbers

Hi Chris
SWMBO is more concerned with tyre life. Our van is 9 years old and we have done well over 60,000km but we've had 3 tyres delaminate which is a bit much we feel. The first one to go was definitely due to age (putting on an unused 6 y.o. tyre) but the others there seems to be no answer other than shock absorbers or increased tyre pressure. Tyre pressure will now be run ar 60 psi with Bridgestone LT's and I'll just have to check the increase in pressure when travelling.
Structurally I can see no benefit in our case for fitting shock absorbers. As I've said we've done a fair amount of travelling and did a laser alignment on the chassis just the other day and it is still perfect. Like you we've had no breakages whatsoever due to vibration etc , breakages only occur when a cupboard door is left unlocked.
Cheers
John

Thanks, John. My experience is also one tyre wrecked, probably through old age, and nothing since in 6 years and 40,000 km, all on LT tyres, at around 40psi. The Coromal system seems to cause tyre wear on one shoulder, and we replace tyres at 5 years or a bit more, and turn tyres on the rims during that time also.
I cannot see how shock absorbers (ie, acting between the axle and the chassis) would have much impact on the impact stresses on tyres (ie the tyre would surely cop the load before the shock absorber does anything?). Rough shoulders on the road are an obvious problem.
Hearing your description, I would add a check on each wheel loading (how much weight on each wheel, measured separately) if that hasn't been done.
But I doubt that 60 psi would do much good to either the tyres or the van.

John,

The reasons for fitting shocks will more than likely not be solved by the fitment of shocks. Like Chris has said, I would most certainly be looking at weight factors as well as tyre choice. I had plenty of trouble with tyres in the beginning with our Supreme Getaway but after a few choices proving their worthlessness we come across the correct tyre for the job. Since then the same tyre has been used 3 consecutive times with about 80000km from each set. All up my van has somewhere between 250-300 thousand k's on the axle.

Are you using new tyres? What is the tyre's load index and at what pressure? What is the load on each tyre from your van? Are these the tyres supplied by the van manufacturer from new? (and if so what is the manufacturer saying about the tyre problems?) If it is not the manufacturer's tyre choice, maybe ask their opinion of tyre choice but still answer the above questions for yourself and see if their choice fits the answers.

If your van has 15" rims, I used firestone cv3000 225 70 15's which have a very high load index for thier size and found them to be very suitable for my heavy, single axle van. I now have 16" rims on this van and am using B/stone Duelers 694LT 10 ply in the 265 75 size but have not done enough k's on these to give reasonable or accurate feedback but the first 6000km on some ordinary dirt roads have been very positive in my opinion.

Hope some of this helps.
Regards, Trevor.