Hi All (again) Need help. Took our new (2nd hand 2011 Goldstream RV pop top off roader) away for first time last week and our fellow travellers followed us to our destination. He commented that that the van was rolling a bit from side to side. Not swerving from side to side but where the top is moving from side to side (does this make sense). Anyway hubby is now wondering if the shock absorbers have had it. How do we test to see if they are ok or not? The van was not top heavy and both water tanks were full. It has a Hayman Reese hitch (which we haven't had before).
Shock absorbers would be my bet. If they are over three years old, just replace them, they are cheap enough. Otherwise, go to Pedders or similar and they will test the old and then supply the new.
Iza
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Iza
Semi-permanent state of being Recreationally Outraged as a defence against boredom during lockdown.
try bouncing the van it should stop moving as soon as you stop if it keeps moving the shocks are faulty if you can't manage to bounce it take one shock off (two nuts) an try compressing it by hand if it is easy its faulty your springs may not be up to the job as well as they can soften with age an use
Years and years ago when we owned a 17ft full height van a friend made a similar comment, the single axle van was fitted with radial car tyres that could take more than the vans weight. However I could get to the rear of the van, push the side of the van and the van would move by flexing the side wall of the tyres, from memory I changed over to Light truck tyres and improved the situation.
My first step would be to try it without any water in the tanks.
Perhaps it is the water sloshing about from side to side that is causing the rocking/rolling.
That would be my last step, as full water tanks sitting over the axles will aid stability not make it worse.
I would think worn shockies would make it bounce up and down, unless only one side is shot.
Was the the road surface smooth or uneven? If it was uneven, maybe you were travelling a tad too fast. I'm not trying to be a smart arse, just trying to save you some money.
Check out the link and work your way through it. You may just find something that could be causing the problem
Thank you all - again. I love this site for the assistance it gives. I agree that full tanks gives stability as it lowers the centre of gravity. I don't drive over 95kmh so not that, Bruce hwy is always terrible. But most of you were correct. It is the shockies. Hubby removed them and he could push them down to the bottom easily. So thank you all, hopefully that problem is sorted.
Now to the New Topic for another.
Kim and hubby
Great to see you found the problem Kim, I have heard that the Bruce Hwy is a bit average, will find out for myself in 2 or 3 weeks. It is hard to diagnose problems via the internet but every little bit of information may help some one eliminate one option so that when you spend your money on repairs, it is the right decision and solves the problem.
Hopefully many happy hours motoring down the road.
