Caravan springs

Wily Wanderer · Member

Caravan springs

gwb · Senior Member

Our 2011 23ft Jayco Sterling is nearing 90,000 kms and the to date we have not had a problem with the springs.

macka17 · Guru

Price of leaf kits and the Quality of Jayco.

If spending any extra money.
I would buy a new set of decent quality (EFS, etc) leaves and bushes.
With coupla shockers to match.
That WILL give you a much smoother. softer ride for your van.

But. In any case. Even if it has shocks. They'll be cheapies.
Buy a set of EFS (I like them) or similar for any van you have.

Take your phone with you sometime. And ride in van at road speeds for a while.
Just to realise how Bloody ROUGHLY.. Most do ride.

They only a wooden box on leaf springs mostly.

Wily Wanderer · Member

Thanks gwb. You give me heart. That's what I thought

Wily Wanderer · Member

Thanks Macka 17 for your thoughts. I'll take them on board

Brooksy48 · Veteran Member

On the contrary. I also have a 2010 Jayco Sterling (21'). Went in for rego check last year and they found a broken spring. Am now a bit jittery (especially after traveling on a dirt road) and regularly check the springs. Other than that little problem, I love the van. Have not experienced other problem in six years.

Cheers

macka17 · Guru

You'll find a lot use Chinese Steel springs (cost)
Even Simplicity used too.

Now????

The best thing anybody can do to make THEIR caravan travel smoother.
is buy some LONGER. Aussie steel leaves. Rated to their van's weights.
and fit coupla shockers.

It'll be a different van behind you believe me.
Both Easier. and Safer to tow.
And. In relation to other costings of a van.
Not too more exxy.

Cupie · Guru

My long suffering 21'6"Jayco Westport has their standard load sharing leaf springs with no shockies.

We have done >200,000 Km, no dirt, with no problems. About to have shackles/rubbers replaced mostly as a precaution. Quote $250 per side.

But I drive conservatively & watch my weight. (and the van's weight).

Onedodger · Guru

I have changed the suspension on my Jayco from rocker load sharing springs to rocker roller load sharing springs and the difference was noticable. Now the van rides much better and the contents seldom move.
The cuttlery used to dance and change sides in their draw but not anymore.

-- Edited by Onedodger on Wednesday 14th of June 2017 06:58:04 PM

Cupie · Guru

Onedodger wrote:
I have changed the suspension on my Jayco from rocker load sharing springs to rocker roller load sharing springs and the difference was noticable. Now the van rides much better and the contents seldom move.
The cuttlery used to dance and change sides in their draw but not anymore.

-- Edited by Onedodger on Wednesday 14th of June 2017 06:58:04 PM

I don't understand the difference in your suspensions ... but my van has always ridden extremely well. The 1/2 full jug & toaster remain on bench tops & never move just like the fruit bowl on top of the fridge. I keep the tyre pressure a bit on the low side .. 35 usually & change them on a time not wear basis.

Edit ... Just checked on the description of my Suspension type ..

Seems that it is "Dual Axle with load sharing rocking arm independent leaf", if that means anything.

2nd Edit ... Curiosity got the better of me so I used Dr Google & came up with this, which explains it all

http://caravanlifestyle.com/caravan-suspension-types/

-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 15th of June 2017 10:06:53 AM

-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 15th of June 2017 10:12:50 AM

Bello · Veteran Member

I have another brand of 'van, and had trouble with the springs. Kept braking the middle leaf right in the centre of the spring, which caused the tyre to blow. We emptied the 'van right down to as delivered, and had it weighted. Should have been 1650 kilos, correct weight was 2200 kilos. To correct this, had new suspension fitted, 3 tonne axle and springs, certified and fitted the breakaway electric brake system. ALL FIXED.

Now I feel that the 'van is safe.

Good luck with the travells. there is no better life.

macka17 · Guru

And if you updating
eplacing springs and having access to a welder
or a few extra $$'s. Get Longer main leaves.
Mark axle centre's and grind off Hangers.
Repositioning to suit the new spring UNladen lengths.

The LONGER the leaves. the more travel\Softer. The ride.
with shockers helping rebound.
Plus, Normally, ground clearance increased.

Just make sure leaf packs suit gross AXLE weight of trailer.
WELL worth the money, believe me.

Bit iffy about welding to rails.
Galv Angle iron\C Chanel to suit. Weld hangers to them\it.
and through bolt to chassis rails.
Both ways work.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Thanks for that link Cupie, it certainly shows the suspensions in detail.

Just a comment about the "cheap & nasty" shocks from Jayco. My Eagle went through a couple of sets & then I lost one (not el cheapo one, either). I queried the shocks that the local agent had. The great news! Jayco only handles one shock absorber for ALL vans, campers!!
So I went & bought a Munroe-Wylie set.

I was also told that the little springs that are on top of the elliptical springs also absorbs shock.

Warren