Changing wheel size on caravan
Submitted: Saturday, Nov 26, 2011 at 14:10
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Ray H5
I currently own a Concept tandem axle 18'6" caravan with 195/14 alloy mag
wheels. I would like to upgrade the wheel size to 16", does anybody see any problems with this?. Additionally, I have been giving some thought to upgrading the existing
suspension with either airbags or shocks as part of the overall setup. This is all in effort to get some decent ground clearance and reduce the impact of dirt road corrugations. Any help would be appreciated, thanks. Ray
Reply By: Member - John and Lynne - Saturday, Nov 26, 2011 at 14:25
Saturday, Nov 26, 2011 at 14:25
It may
well be easier and cheaper to sell your van and buy one with
suspension and interior designed for dirt roads! Any of this would be expensive and you would probably still have a van with the interior fittings too lighweight for dirt road travel. Check how your cupboards are fastened to the walls!
One other issue is the design and size of your wheel arches. They could need to be replaced to accomodate larger
wheels. John and Lynne
AnswerID:
470988
Reply By: member - mazcan - Saturday, Nov 26, 2011 at 14:51
Saturday, Nov 26, 2011 at 14:51
hi ray h5 in adition to whats been mentioned if you already have an annexe that has been made for existing van check that
if you change to 16inch
wheels and tyres make sure that the 16's are the same overall height other wise your annexe walls may not reach/ meet the ground as it did before ????
cheers barry
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470989
Reply By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Saturday, Nov 26, 2011 at 15:58
Saturday, Nov 26, 2011 at 15:58
Hi Ray. Have you checked your Coromal dealer for the price of an upgrade to a genuine off road model? We got an almost unbelievable deal at the
Brisbane Caravan Show from the dealer from who we had bought the original van.
If you did what you have suggested the tyres on each side will be very close together. Might increase tyre operating temperatures.
Kevin
AnswerID:
470996
Reply By: luhuanhuan l - Saturday, Nov 26, 2011 at 17:22
Saturday, Nov 26, 2011 at 17:22
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Reply By: PeterInSa - Saturday, Nov 26, 2011 at 17:36
Saturday, Nov 26, 2011 at 17:36
Agree with the above on checking the wheel arches the annex and annex skirt, From memory the 14inch
wheels have 10inch brakes and the 16 inch
wheels ahve 12 inch brakes, someone more knowledgeable that I can comment on this, but if you have to change over your brakes, I think in SA you would need and engineering certificate and an RTA check which could set you back up to $1,000.
To get more ground clearance suggest spring over the axle to give you another 4 inches, but then again If I did it I would get an engineering certificate/RTA, becasue in case of accident insurance companiies have been known to follow up the manufacturer re your original van spec.
Re shocks, do a search, another thread a month or so ago on caravannersforum, gave the correct method of installing shocks and how not to do it, if its done incorrectly you could have major chassis problems.
I would also talk to Concept, a mate has a Concept and he has received good advice from them in the past.
Peter
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471028
Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Sunday, Nov 27, 2011 at 06:49
Sunday, Nov 27, 2011 at 06:49
Ray!!
I know of a guy who had the same problem on his own personal van, it is a 22 foot van from memory, he simply removed the axles and springs and added 50x 100 RHS to the chassis rails and new hangers and is now 100mm higher. You obviously need to know what you are doing, he owns his own licensed caravan repair business. He left the
wheels and tyres. He simply wanted to gain some clearance and I guess there are some options in the
suspension area if you go down that track. So its not impossible without changing your van but as mentioned above, a trade may be simpler Michael
AnswerID:
471059
Reply By: Member - Kevin S (QLD) - Sunday, Nov 27, 2011 at 11:23
Sunday, Nov 27, 2011 at 11:23
Ray, I can't check this myself as my van has gone as a trade and I am waiting for my off roader to arrive. But look under your van to see if
the springs are above or below the stub axle. They are probably above. Then go to this link
Coromal suspension and scroll through the gallery and you will see that for the current off road Magnum
the springs are under the stub axle. Yours may be able to be changed. Others may find this interesting as Coromals do not have a full cross axle.
Kevin
AnswerID:
471086