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Post Info TOPIC: Weight Distro Headspins!
Mr Dodger


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Weight Distro Headspins!
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Hi, I have been trying to decide on options to help my ride with van and I'm reading about WDH's, loading techniques and shocks etc etc etc. 

A couple things I wanted to run by everyone for a bit of feedback and some possible answers!

For starters, a recommendation on the Polyair bags for my tug. This was by a mates old man who had a look at my caravan and just made the suggestion when we got talking about weight distributing as he had used them with a few of his utes in his line of business, carting heavy stone, and swore by them. 

He also highly recommended getting some shocks on my caravan which doesn't have any at the moment.

I have also been inquiring on the Hayman Reese WDH's and friction stays, a rep is sending me a DVD on them so I am going to check that out when it comes.

basically I am thinking shocks on the caravan, and either (or both) polyair bags or WDH. 

Am I overdoing it for a 13 odd ft van?? I just want it to be safe and smooth as possible.

And how can I find out which shocks to get for my old 1980 Capricorn?? The guy at Repco said I need to come to him with a part number..??? Part number for a part that doesn't exist yet! 

Any thoughts??

Cheers in advance!!!



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blaze


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The shockies need to be mounted as close to vertical as possible, this is most often not possible on suspension not designed for shockies. If you are really concerned maybe a rebound spring would be an easier fit (they sort of have a reverse leaf to counter the action of the spring, oftened used on offroad suspension instead of shocks). Polly airs are good in a rear coil spring application but not as good with leaf springs as they change the fulcrum/ load bearing point in the chassis and have been known to be the cause of bent and broken chassis. You can buy a progressive load spring that has soft ride for the first stage and progressive load capacity. I have polly airs in the back of my coil sprung discovery and like them. The swaybars seem an over kill on a small van and I think you would get a better aoucome from a visit to a suspension specialist
cheers
blaze

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PeterD


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This article explains why air bags are not a good idea. If the van in your avatar is the one you will be towing then I would not worry about anti sway devices, it looks too  light to worry about them. Just go for the WDH.

 



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PeterD
Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top
Retired radio and electronics technician.
NSW Central Coast.

 
Mr Dodger


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Ye I think I will have to see someone about shocks/springs for the caravan Blaze. The reason why I'm leaning toward getting the polyair is that I have a canopy on my tub now and that will be loaded with most of our storage as the van doesn't fit that much. I read on here about the potential chassis damage caused by them but it sounds like the damage is mostly caused by applying to much pressure inside them which I would have to keep an eye on. I think your right PeterD, I don't think I will need anti sway, especially if I get some shock out of the van and get my weight sorted. I'll have to have a close look at your article too, it looks like its designed for my reading on this kinda thing!

Cheers guys, much appreciated!

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Mr Dodger


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Just watching the DVD from Hayman Reese. They don't recommend using WDH's or friction stays with older caravans with override brakes (like mine). Because it will have effect the braking, which makes sense. Not 100% sure what to do about that. I'm not going to go change the braking system at this stage. I might just have to focus more on shocks and more importantly, my load distribution. Hmmm....

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