I think my new van is threatening to make me bankrupt! Given that I've had a T6 VW camper conversion before I've become aware that the steering on my new van is slightly 'skittish', it feels lighter and during recent poor weather the traction has been poor, the van looks rear heavy as well.
I had a look at the thread about back heavy and traction and several others but the wealth of information means I'm better informed but not really any wiser how to improve matters. What looks to me to be a case of dropping the front seems to be a case of lifting the rear....
I have what I believe to be standard Devonports with 205/65/R16C Hankooks, in time I'd be swapping these onto Michelin Cross Climates or similar but they're on there for the moment.
The distance from wheel centre up to the arches is 430mm rear, 460mm front.
My suspension springs are grey + green on front and 4 yellows on the back. It may be worth mentioning that the van failed its first MOT last year, both front shock absorbers had a leak, so they've been repaired/swapped out.
I took the van to a weighbridge this morning (good job I'm on holiday this week!) and got the following results, overall, 2320kg, front 1300kg, rear 1020kg. I've a T28.
The relevant info on the sticker says 1BA 0JD 0YB.
The van is not likely to be loaded much further, there's a full tank of diesel in there, perhaps 10L of water to be added and some climbing/hillwalking gear and food for a couple of days, that's the standard usage anyway. It tends to be only me in the van and I will be removing the double swivel with a front swivel which may or may not affect the weight distribution.
What do you reckon best way to resolve - rear springs (which?) and better tyres?
I had a look at the thread about back heavy and traction and several others but the wealth of information means I'm better informed but not really any wiser how to improve matters. What looks to me to be a case of dropping the front seems to be a case of lifting the rear....
I have what I believe to be standard Devonports with 205/65/R16C Hankooks, in time I'd be swapping these onto Michelin Cross Climates or similar but they're on there for the moment.
The distance from wheel centre up to the arches is 430mm rear, 460mm front.
My suspension springs are grey + green on front and 4 yellows on the back. It may be worth mentioning that the van failed its first MOT last year, both front shock absorbers had a leak, so they've been repaired/swapped out.
I took the van to a weighbridge this morning (good job I'm on holiday this week!) and got the following results, overall, 2320kg, front 1300kg, rear 1020kg. I've a T28.
The relevant info on the sticker says 1BA 0JD 0YB.
The van is not likely to be loaded much further, there's a full tank of diesel in there, perhaps 10L of water to be added and some climbing/hillwalking gear and food for a couple of days, that's the standard usage anyway. It tends to be only me in the van and I will be removing the double swivel with a front swivel which may or may not affect the weight distribution.
What do you reckon best way to resolve - rear springs (which?) and better tyres?
Last edited: