Suspension - More of a whinge than a question.......

[Happy Jack]

Interesting. So a fully loaded up-rated spring will provide a harsher ride than a flat steel bar strapped the the chassis........ Damn, this is a mine field.

That's what I found. My springs were not quite flat and I was 400Kgs under max,weight.
You say your van is new, is that as in bran new or new to you.
A bran spanking new van if it's sitting that hard on the springs sound like it's overloaded.
Might be worth a visit to a public weighbridge

 

[Happy Jack]

Went hunting and found your old discussion. Your van was 320kg lighter overall and 260kg lighter on the rear. I think I'll load the double springs differently and hopefully they'll be less harsh.

So your 3120kg/1500kg flattened the springs. I'm at 3440kg/1760kg. To many bumps and they'll weld themselves to the chassis.

Can't remember what I wrote but just had a look at the weigbridge printout.
My total weight was 3160Kgs.
Front was1610. Rear was 1500.
Sure I said I was approx 400Kgs under the max weight.

 

[Oldrat]

It’s not really a surprise that the ride on standard springs, single or double, is harsh as the base vehicle was designed as a commercial van to most likely carry goods.

 

[CarlSN]

Yup, brand new and not overloaded, but fully loaded.

Had it weighed, came in at 3440kg all up, split F1680kg/R1760kg. So not a bad balance.

 

[Happy Jack]

Yup, brand new and not overloaded, but fully loaded.

Had it weighed, came in at 3440kg all up, split F1680kg/R1760kg. So not a bad balance.

Got mine weighed in full holiday trim and with all tanks nearly full so that I had an almost worst case scenario.
In practice we travel with grey tank empty and fresh water tank about 1/3. Fuel at least 1/2 full.

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[berni109]

Can you get parabolic springs for the Ducato etc.
I fitted them to the old land rover I had and it was a revelation.
The easy solution on the van was air bags.

 

[TrudeandDall]

Yup, brand new and not overloaded, but fully loaded.

Had it weighed, came in at 3440kg all up, split F1680kg/R1760kg. So not a bad balance.

Hello Carl.
What you have is a design fault of a campervan or MoHo due to the equipment that the van has to cart about full time! In your case, you are consistently loaded at 60Kg below the max all gross weight (unless you have up plated) so your springs and suspension system is consistently working close to its maximum - something a parcel van rarely does.
My 6.4 Ducato was exactly the same as yours, so I fitted semi air to the rear! The air units are now taking a lot of the load off the single springs and the springs are now more curved upwards. The ride difference is noticeable and the rear axle can now carry 2240Kg. Win Win.
My system cost £229 and was easy for me to fit.

 

[pappajohn]

In my opinion if it was a bump stop and the spring permenant sits on it it wouldn't pass an MOT......but they do so it has to be a spring assister

 

[CarlSN]

The van is nearly trip ready, 90% fuel, no water but would travel with 40L, no food which is more front loaded and no clothes, and this is how it sits. I stood/bounced on the rear bumper (110kg) and got it to flex a little more. Gap to wheel arch is F65mm/R25mm.

At the moment I’m not looking to up-rate chassis, just improve ride.

TrudeandDall who’s bags are those?

 

[Bill-H]

Hello Carl.
What you have is a design fault of a campervan or MoHo due to the equipment that the van has to cart about full time! In your case, you are consistently loaded at 60Kg below the max all gross weight (unless you have up plated) so your springs and suspension system is consistently working close to its maximum - something a parcel van rarely does.
My 6.4 Ducato was exactly the same as yours, so I fitted semi air to the rear! The air units are now taking a lot of the load off the single springs and the springs are now more curved upwards. The ride difference is noticeable and the rear axle can now carry 2240Kg. Win Win.
My system cost £229 and was easy for me to fit.
View attachment 1025539

That is exactly what I did. An afternoon to fit start to finish

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[Happy Jack]

Changed my double springs back to single and fitted semi-air from Martech on e-bay. Was under 300 squid for the full kit including Rubena air bags and the compressor/controls/gauges. But that was 2 years ago.

 

[TrudeandDall]

The van is nearly trip ready, 90% fuel, no water but would travel with 40L, no food which is more front loaded and no clothes, and this is how it sits. I stood/bounced on the rear bumper (110kg) and got it to flex a little more. Gap to wheel arch is F65mm/R25mm.

At the moment I’m not looking to up-rate chassis, just improve ride.

TrudeandDall who’s bags are those?



View attachment 1025591

View attachment 1025592

View attachment 1025593

I went for these ones from Martech. I didn't need the complexity of fitting a compressor.

Independent Air Suspension Kit for Fiat Ducato 1994-2023 - 4000 KG Rub

Semi Air Suspension Kit Designed For: Fiat Ducato Citroen Relay Peugeot Boxer Manufactured from 1994-2024 !Will not fit models with Al-Ko type torsion bars chassis or models with electric handbrake! Details Make/Model Fiat Ducato / Peugeot Boxer / Citroen Relay Year 1994-2023 Drivetrain Front...

martech-airsuspensions.co.uk