Caravelle suspension options

TallPaul_S

Senior Member
VIP Member
T6 Legend
I've had my caravelle for about 10 months now, and I'm coming towards the end of what I need to do to make it usable as a camper, which means I need to start looking at the rest of the van.

Next on this list is wheels and suspension.

It's a 2018 T6 Caravelle Executive, so as standard 20mm lower than normal, with shorter shocks as far as I know. It's also been fitted with a set of sportline -30mm springs all round. It's currently sitting on std Cascavel 17" wheels with 235/55 R17 tyres.

Ride height at present (wheel centre to arch) is as follows:

395mm drivers side front
390mm passenger side front
410mm rear

Which if I'm not mistaken, equates to 70mm lower than standard at the front?!?!

It's quite, erm... Firm. Very crashy over bumps and potholes, and the mudflaps scrap at the front on the little speed bump at my work!

I don't have the 100kg caravelle rear bench seat, but I do have a semi camper set up, so probably not far off that 100kg.

Fully loaded I'll have a bit more weight in the back:

2x bikes at 15kg each
16l water
Possibly up to another 40-50l water in an underslung tank

So another 50-100kg to add to the current set up when I'm fully loaded.

Wheels: I want to fit OZ rally raids with (ideally) 245/65R17 Bridgestone K02'S. Possibly 235/65R17 Falken wildpeak or similar. The 245's really won't give me much movement before hitting the arch liners at the front, there's about 50mm of room between my current tyres and the arch, with the 60mm bigger tyres of 245/65 and 30mm arch gap loss that would be 20mm of room.

So, basically I need (and want) to get my suspension sorted before I can fit the wheels and tyres I'd like to fit.

Paging Steve @CRS Performance - tbh I'd probably make the journey up to you guys as quite frankly the feedback from guys on here is nothing short of spectacular!

Or possibly as you're a little closer - @The Van Cave

I'd like to firstly give enough clearance to fit the bigger tyres, improve comfort, and also give a bit more clearance for muddy gravel tracks, potholes, etc. so essentially back to std height (non caravelle) suspension, or even a slight lift from std. Getting under 2m barriers isn't an issue, tbh I don't try it now as my awning would take me over 2m I think. And I'll probably be fitting a rigid solar panel at some point down the line. Edit: just checked and the very rear of my van is exactly 2m tall.

I'm thinking (probably wrongly!) that a set of Koni Special Actives, going back to std springs, and a set of +25mm lift spacers will get me to around std non caravelle height, with the extra weight of the caravelle - IE lifting the front back up 70mm or so.

Thoughts?

1000007392.jpg
1000007391.jpg
1000007390.jpg
 
Last edited:
I've had my caravelle for about 10 months now, and I'm coming towards the end of what I need to do to make it usable as a camper, which means I need to start looking at the rest of the van.

Next on this list is wheels and suspension.

It's a 2018 T6 Caravelle Executive, so as standard 20mm lower than normal, with shorter shocks as far as I know. It's also been fitted with a set of sportline -30mm springs all round. It's currently sitting on std Cascavel 17" wheels with 235/55 R17 tyres.

Ride height at present (wheel centre to arch) is as follows:

395mm drivers side front
390mm passenger side front
410mm rear

Which if I'm not mistaken, equates to 70mm lower than standard at the front?!?!

It's quite, erm... Firm. Very crashy over bumps and potholes, and the mudflaps scrap at the front on the little speed bump at my work!

I don't have the 100kg caravelle rear bench seat, but I do have a semi camper set up, so probably not far off that 100kg.

Fully loaded I'll have a bit more weight in the back:

2x bikes at 15kg each
16l water
Possibly up to another 40-50l water in an underslung tank

So another 50-100kg to add to the current set up when I'm fully loaded.

Wheels: I want to fit OZ rally raids with (ideally) 245/65R17 Bridgestone K02'S. Possibly 235/65R17 Falken wildpeak or similar. The 245's really won't give me much movement before hitting the arch liners at the front, there's about 50mm of room between my current tyres and the arch, with the 60mm bigger tyres of 245/65 and 30mm arch gap loss that would be 20mm of room.

So, basically I need (and want) to get my suspension sorted before I can fit the wheels and tyres I'd like to fit.

Paging Steve @CRS Performance - tbh I'd probably make the journey up to you guys as quite frankly the feedback from guys on here is nothing short of spectacular!

Or possibly as you're a little closer - @The Van Cave

I'd like to firstly give enough clearance to fit the bigger tyres, improve comfort, and also give a bit more clearance for muddy gravel tracks, potholes, etc. so essentially back to std height (non caravelle) suspension, or even a slight lift from std. Getting under 2m barriers isn't an issue, tbh I don't try it now as my awning would take me over 2m I think. And I'll probably be fitting a rigid solar panel at some point down the line. Edit: just checked and the very rear of my van is exactly 2m tall.

I'm thinking (probably wrongly!) that a set of Koni Special Actives, going back to std springs, and a set of +25mm lift spacers will get me to around std non caravelle height, with the extra weight of the caravelle - IE lifting the front back up 70mm or so.

Thoughts?

View attachment 240186
View attachment 240187
View attachment 240188
Give us a call , we do have the most comprehensive range of systems ( not air however , we dont do show ponies ha ha )
 
Give us a call , we do have the most comprehensive range of systems ( not air however , we dont do show ponies ha ha )
Cheers! Yeah I'm not looking at air, the budget didn't stretch that far!

I'm probably going to enjoy using the van without spending too much money for a month or 2 to let the bank balance recover - as I'm probably looking at £2k for the wheels and tyres, and probably best part of £1500 if I went for the full Koni active/std springs/H&R anti-roll bars/25mm lift spacers.

FYI this is the rear spring
1000007693.jpg
And the front spring - can't see any writing on them but it's probably hidden.
1000007714.jpg


I will say it doesn't roll much when cornering, but over any sort of broken tarmac it really does thud loudly and firmly over them.
 
Last edited:
I have done my Caravelle on the cheap. I did std sort of OEM new struts, tops and poly bushes on the front. I then went for steel t32 wheels I painted myself with Falken Wildthingy tyres. 235/65 17. The rear was saggy when not loaded and when loaded it looked like a boat at speed. After a chat with Chris I installed Koni red shocks on the back and found some delivery mileage grey/grey/grey rear springs. I really like it now.

Maybe next tyre change I will get some new wheels. Tyres are amazing have smoothed out the polybushes. Its a pleasure to drive now. I guess Koni red shocks all round and the wheels change.

I did the brakes at the same time rebuilding one of the calipers, replacing all the bent and broken bolts etc and bleed the system.

I love these wheels - https://www.roguealloy.co.uk/product-page/1x-17-rogue-cc3-satin-grey-1250kg-load-rating

IMG_5698.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Back
Top