Camper Trailer Suspension

[crusher]

We are looking at doing a trip to either Simspon Desert or the Cape next year. The camper trailer I have has five leaf springs with the axle reversed for extra clearance.

Was wondering if this suspension will be adequate for the corrugations I will encounter or do I need to beef it up more
crusher

[Grimsey]

You would need to put a good set of shocks on it. Otherwise everything in the trailer will be bounced to bits and the leaf hangers on the trailer will either break off or the spring will pull out of the hanger.

[Baldeagle]

On the basis of my past experiences out in the desert country, I think you would be tempting fate with only a 5 leaf set-up over many kms of heavy corrugations. The manufacturers of the best of the off-road camper trailers will tell you that a 9 leaf set-up is the way to go, especially if you've got the trailer loaded with gear. I took one out on to Len Beadell's tracks, including the Gunbarrel, last year and travelled over many hundreds of kms with a 9 leaf set-up and no shock absorbers without any problems at all. At the same time, a very solid hanger set-up is an absolute must, as are top quality tyres, preferably ATs. Also make sure your wheel bearings are in top condition, packed with top quality grease and adjusted correctly. Remember, prolonged heavy corrugations are a killer on gear not built strongly enough.

[flappan]

5 Leaf to me , sounds like your standard Box Trailer setup. Not likely to cope with the corrigations.

I'm not sure Shocks will really help , if the Springs aren't adequate.

I would think 7 leaf springs , and possible Rebound Springs would be bare minimum for a CT these days. Then , depending on weight , whether shocks are required.

[2 BRUTAL]

not only a good set of leaves but a dam good chassis as well. if it's only light weight forget about it, you won't ven get 1/2 way. we did the cape in 91 and it killed our trailer and it was a pretty heavy duty one as well.

[kitch76]

The number of leaves is not realy an issue. The big thing is to look at the load rating of the springs, Also make sure you have hangers and not slipper set up and definatly get some decent shocks

[Coza]

Arrrrrh The old need shocks or not on the trailer ??? ???

Coil springs would say Yes Yes.

Just having a look November 2004 4WD Monthly I got today. And the Adventure camper trailer has a solid 50x50 beam axle rated to 1500 kg and 9 leaf springs and shockers. Good looking unit and so is the price.

So yer I would beef up the spring a tad and as far as shocks go, the problem is that under a trailer it is hard to get them in a more straight up and down position. there for if they are more so horizontal then vertical they are less effective and hardly worth the trouble off putting them on, or so I have been told.

[flappan]

On shockies, when we bought our CT , I spoke to 2 blokes that had been building CT's for close enough to 25 years each.

OBriens , and Simon Heard.

Both said , for unbraked trailers (below 750 kg) , it was marginal whether shockies provided any benefit. They were happy to fit them , and would charge accordingly , but both recommended not to (easy couple of $100 they missed out on).

I didn't get shocks , and so far , I haven't seen a need to.

On larger , heavier trailers , provided they can be located properly , would be worth while.

[cruiser1]

I need to replace the springs on my CT aswell. Not sure weather to go 7 or 9 leaf. The height of the trailer is important to consider as the floor wiil not line up if I go too high. Should this be a concern?

[flappan]

I've got 7 Leaf Rebound Springs on mine , and they work really well.

As for the extra height , probably an inch or so , wont make any difference (or rather much difference) but I would think over that , Yes , it would definently cause some drama's. The more you decrease the floor area (by it being higher) , the more problems the extra Roof length will cause (never get it tight). Then there is also the sundry items like Awning Walls , draft skirts etc

[cruiser1]

I've got 7 Leaf Rebound Springs on mine , and they work really well.

As for the extra height , probably an inch or so , wont make any difference (or rather much difference) but I would think over that , Yes , it would definently cause some drama's. The more you decrease the floor area (by it being higher) , the more problems the extra Roof length will cause (never get it tight). Then there is also the sundry items like Awning Walls , draft skirts etc


I had my trailer made originally as just a high-sided box trailer to begin with. Added the camper 2 yrs later. That was 2yrs ago, and the height has gradually sagged since then. I wish I had paid more attention to quality springs back when I built it ::)
Are 'Leaf Rebound Springs' the brand name of your leafs?
Cheers

[flappan]

Are 'Leaf Rebound Springs' the brand name of your leafs?

No they aren't a Brand name. I don't honestly know WHO makes them , or if they are different makers.

I understand though , you can get 6 or 7 leaf "Rebound" Springs.

Do you know what they are ? (sorry , not trying to be rude).

[cruiser1]

Do you know what they are ? (sorry , not trying to be rude).


Hell mate I'm not offended :) I'm the one asking the dumb questions.
I know very little about leaf springs, what's the diff between Rebound springs and regular springs?

[flappan]

I didn't want to get into details if you already knew what they were.

Ok , basically , Rebound Springs are Eye to Eye Leaf springs , that have 2 "W" shaped pieces , on the top of the leaves.

http://www.4wdlinks.com.au/albums/album30/aal.sized.jpg

Hmmm , bit hard to see on the photo.

The idea of these "W" pieces is , in effect , to act a bit like a Shockie. It controls the rebound of the leaves . . . hence rebound springs.

Apparently you can get rebound springs in 6, 7, 8 or 9 Leaf.

Also I came across a Mob called All Terrain Rebound Springs. When I looked at their website though , it didn't show the extra "W" pieces . . .

Just about all CT makers these days (middle money ones anyway) all use a Rebound Spring.

[cruiser1]

Thanks for the info. Still not sure what the W pieces are. But I can now go do some research. ;D

[flappan]

I found a better picture

http://www.industrialsprings.com.au/outback.htm

see the extra smaller pieces on top . . . . thats the "W" (loosely :-[ ) I'm referring to.

[cruiser1]

Rebound Springs.......I know what they are..........now...... :) I can see how this design would work well.
How does $210+GST for 7 leaf rated 1 tonne or $250+GST for 8 leaf rated 1.5 tonne sound? All rebound type.
Cheers

[flappan]

Not sure on prices . . . never looked . . . sorry.

As for the springs themselves.

I have the 7 Leaf , and my trailer is designed for max weight of 1000kg's braked.

I would look at what weight you have , and use accordingly.

My info was they work best within the weights. Use something designed to high (eg 1.5t) , when your trailer is say 650kg , it wont work as effectively.

[crusher]

Thanks for all your suggestions guys will take them on board
crusher

[oldfart]

I never see as much garbage written as when it comes to trailer and caravan suspension. Have you ever heard of a Falcon or Holden ute or wagon breaking springs? Of course not-they would get sued!

So the solution is very simple. Weigh your trailer fully laden and then log on to www.ford.com.au and under "Downloads" look up the rear axle weights of Falcon utes. Match the ute to your trailer weight and then buy a set of those springs. These springs will last forever under any conditions. When installing make sure the rear hanger top eye is at the same height as the front spring eye, and that the hanger is pointing slightly towards the axle when the load is on it. Fit Falcon shocks as well, or equivalent, and you have built in rebound stops.

Those caravan and trailer springs are so stiff they will shake the guts out of your trailer and everything in it. And they are likely to break. You wouldn't punch a brick wall because it has no give in it, but you would punch a mattress. The trailer springs are the equivalent of smashing your trailer against a brick wall. The Falcon springs are the inner spring mattress. With the Falcon springs you also reduce the likelihood of breaking axles by about 10 to 1.

I did a trip around Australia, including the Gibb River road, in 1975/6 with a used home-made camper trailer that I fitted with Falcon wagon springs. The CT rode much better than we did in our G60 Patrol and never missed a beat.

Enjoy your trip.