Saturday, Mar 17, 2012 at 16:43
I have not seen under a Jayco to see the simplicity
suspension but many people talk about it.
My view is:
Any
suspension, unless hydrolastic dampened type as Austin 1800 had, will benefit from an appropriate shock absorber.
As a shocker doesn't really stop spring deflection but acts on the rebound and subsequent spring oscillations it is an advantage to have them.
When I hear "simplicity" I read, cheap as possible in the circumstances.
It may be quite good in normal operation where, on road, you don't have too many corrugations these days but off road does require damping of the
suspension action.
I have seen Jayco products after offroad
Mereenie loop road travel where the non compliance of the
suspension system used caused the axle to fatigue and the wheel break off the vehicle.
Beside the shock absorber yes or no issue you should also be concerned with the "compliance" of the
suspension as it is this which allows the
suspension and shockers to absorb road conditions and not destroy axles/frames and caravan internal construction.
Heavy everything doesn't mean reliability though.
You can use a lighter constructed van with brilliant
suspension and it will perform
well. Don't know who makes these though.
I believe many caravan
suspension systems are a compromise of good enough
suspension for the cost of the van, not brilliant by any means.
Despite the
suspension you have or may get, the practice of frequently matching your tyre pressures to the road conditions and travelling at an appropriate speed according to those conditions will be of great benefit.
This is something which many people don't do. To manage this you need an airtank and small compressor with easy access hose to reinflate whenever necessary. The tyre is a vital part of the
suspension performance as too high a pressure on any
suspension will not be suited to corrugations and stress vehicle componentry, often to the point of destruction.
A softer tyre pressure would have saved this happening.
I don't want to be alarmist but people have to learn to live within the laws of physics, if you try to become master you will lose.
Have a look at the army trailer which have to perform and not fail. Some variations of their successful suspensions are around. They carry sensitive electrical gear and it must work at the end of the trip.
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