Suspension recommendation for campervan.

[drinfinity]

where have you got 500KG from?
as best i see it, RnR seat and interior, maybe 50, kitchen, no more than 50 more, wiring and accessories, 20, battery, 20 more.
I dont rate the suspension on my camper at all, but i dont think that its 500Kg heavier than unladen before i put the kids in the back and the wife in the seat?
anyone actually weighed their van before and after the conversion? maybe a conversion company will have done.

R&R bed is at least 65.5kg (Cambee claim to have the lightest on the market)
Furniture 80kg basic units (Evomotion design)
Fridge 17kg
Cooker sink 6kg
Table 8kg
Battery 24kg
Water tank 7kg
Floor 16kg
Heater 3kg
Pop top 100kg
Bed board 10kg
Noise killer 50kg
386.5kg so far before any gas, water carpet windows wiring charger roof rack bike rack bedding lights subwoofer…

So 500kg is quite likely, and very easy to end up overweight.

 

[DaveD]

I had koni special active on standard springs before and found them too soft, was getting a lot of dive under breaking etc.

Suspension is so subjective, a lot depends on what you are used to, what you want and how you drive I've got that same setup and I find it suits my needs very much, but the last time I actually did any hard braking was a very long time ago, my van has no dive under "normal" braking.
I wouldn't want my suspension any harder. A lot of us just pootle about and value comfort more than cornering ability. I guess it's not easy to design a van that drives nicely empty and still drives nicely with nearly a tonne in the back.
On the standard shocks my van felt dreadful, it was like being on a bouncy castle!
The Koni's seem to control the ride much better, I'm sure other brands would too but I have no experience of those.

 

[Aggers]

FWIW a while back I looked at the difference in weights between an ocean and a panel van. Both 4motion with a DSG box and it came out at 560kg extra.

The ocean does have a lot of kit in it though.

My 2021 4motion with DSG with 5 seats 1/4 tank of fuel and my 14stone comes in at 2450. Im running B14komforts with anti role bars, the drive is fantastic

 

[Epic-Rob]

R&R bed is at least 65.5kg (Cambee claim to have the lightest on the market)
Furniture 80kg basic units (Evomotion design)
Fridge 17kg
Cooker sink 6kg
Table 8kg
Battery 24kg
Water tank 7kg
Floor 16kg
Heater 3kg
Pop top 100kg
Bed board 10kg
Noise killer 50kg
386.5kg so far before any gas, water carpet windows wiring charger roof rack bike rack bedding lights subwoofer…

So 500kg is quite likely, and very easy to end up overweight.

Yes and add say 60kg of fresh water.
i was guessing but as above probly not too far off.

 

[T12]

Hello, i had before Eibach pro kit -30, drove it for 150000km in 4 years, i got tired of the hard ride, so last weekend i installed this set, it is Bilstein OEM sprins, with stronger back springs.
The results was better than i expected, the ride is now really smooth.
The ride rised about +40mm
In the van i have really heavy stuff, large dog cage + full of locksmith parts.
Hopefully this gets you some advices.
The parts is ordered from autodoc.
-Timo

 

[MATT WHEELS]

Lowered with H & R -40
H & R ARBs
Koni special active
By CRS. Transformed the drive, Absolute joy to drive now

 

[CRS Performance]

Stx worked for me. It's on the firm side but more than bearable. If you were regularly doing any sort of off-road track so it would be too much.

I had koni special active on standard springs before and found them too soft, was getting a lot of dive under breaking etc.

Uprated anti-roll bars are a must whatever you do.

That is very odd. The special active has the same bump characteristics as the more sporty normal shock , it’s the rebound that is softer after a harsh bump is experienced. There fore bump and rebound react the same in braking harsh or not ?…

 

[CRS Performance]

Hello, i had before Eibach pro kit -30, drove it for 150000km in 4 years, i got tired of the hard ride, so last weekend i installed this set, it is Bilstein OEM sprins, with stronger back springs.
The results was better than i expected, the ride is now really smooth.
The ride rised about +40mm
In the van i have really heavy stuff, large dog cage + full of locksmith parts.
Hopefully this gets you some advices.
The parts is ordered from autodoc.
-Timo
View attachment 144350
View attachment 144351

View attachment 144352

View attachment 144353

Lifting a van 40 mm will improve comfort for sure. It must have been extremely low if it still looks like the picture after lifting it 40 mm. The B4 shocks are standard replacement and not performance orientated at all . They simply wouldn’t have worked at the lower settings.

 

[T12]

Hello, i had before Eibach pro kit -30, drove it for 150000km in 4 years, i got tired of the hard ride, so last weekend i installed this set, it is Bilstein OEM sprins, with stronger back springs.
The results was better than i expected, the ride is now really smooth.
The ride rised about 40mm
In the van i have really heavy stuff, large dog cage + full of locksmith parts.
Hopefully this gets you some advices. -Timo
View attachment 144350
View attachment 144351

View attachment 144352

View attachment 144353

Lifting a van 40 mm will improve comfort for sure. It must have been extremely low if it still looks like the picture after lifting it 40 mm. The B4 shocks are standard replacement and not performance orientated at all . They simply wouldn’t have worked at the lower settings.

It was +40mm from when I have the Eibach -30mm suspension. Not from original hight.

 

[Pete C]

where have you got 500KG from?
as best i see it, RnR seat and interior, maybe 50, kitchen, no more than 50 more, wiring and accessories, 20, battery, 20 more.
I dont rate the suspension on my camper at all, but i dont think that its 500Kg heavier than unladen before i put the kids in the back and the wife in the seat?
anyone actually weighed their van before and after the conversion? maybe a conversion company will have done.

I have

Our T30 camper weighs 2400kg mostly unladen (no pop-top either).
Add a full fuel tank, awning, camping equipment, full roof box, passengers, bikes on the back etc and it gets too close to the limit for us to add 8 cases of wine at the ferry port

Pete

 

[Salty Spuds]

where have you got 500KG from?...
.....anyone actually weighed their van before and after the conversion? maybe a conversion company will have done.

Brand new dealer fresh T32 LWB 4 MOT DSG delivered to converters, brochure weight circa 2200KG, Same van on council weighbridge post conversion, fully loaded ready to go camping 2940KG, NO PASSENGERS!! I'll let you do the maths.

 

[JOG]

Brand new dealer fresh T32 LWB 4 MOT DSG delivered to converters, brochure weight circa 2200KG, Same van on council weighbridge post conversion, fully loaded ready to go camping 2940KG, NO PASSENGERS!! I'll let you do the maths.

740kg

Do I get a prize?

Joking aside, it’s actually easy to rack up weight (not just my “Dad bod” either!) I often wonder when I will be pulled onto a weighbridge when heading to Cornwall!

 

[Salty Spuds]

740kg

Do I get a prize?

740kg

Do I get a prize?

Joking aside, it’s actually easy to rack up weight (not just my “Dad bod” either!) I often wonder when I will be pulled onto a weighbridge when heading to Cornwall!

Yup, stick a couple of bikes on the back, BBQ, awning, beer & it soon starts adding up.

 

[bytejunkie]

Brand new dealer fresh T32 LWB 4 MOT DSG delivered to converters, brochure weight circa 2200KG, Same van on council weighbridge post conversion, fully loaded ready to go camping 2940KG, NO PASSENGERS!! I'll let you do the maths.

thanks for that. saves me doing it.

when i had to get a last minute MOT from the local kwik fit, they had to send me toa certain branch. if you google the unladen weight of a T6, you get some very differing results!!!.

 

[Salty Spuds]

.....if you google the unladen weight of a T6, you get some very differing results!!!.

That's because there are so many variants SWB/LWB/4mot/DSG to name a few. Even the trim level affects the UL weight.

 

[VR46]

Just got back from a visit to @CRS Performance in Cannock. Steve fitted KW STX adjustables and our van has dropped about 50-55mm. The result? Much sweeter handling and really noticeable changing 1st to 2nd and braking.....no front dipping like Colin Jackson anymore. Well worth the 2hr drive for friendly service and advice. Can't recommend enough and I know that if I get any issues whatsoever, Steve will happily put it right!

 

[BognorMotors]

Ok not trying to open up a minefield here as everyone will have an opinion...

I have a new t6.1 (T30) LWB just converted to camper so i guess thats added 500kg in weight
I currently have std 17" steel rims with some AT 225 x 65 x 17 on, also have a set of 235 55 17 rd tyres.

The ride is a little bit vanny and crashy over bumps with quite a bit of roll on corners/roundabouts etc. i have no desire to put 20" wheels on or lower it, quite happy with 17" and std height.

so with all that in mind what suspension upgrade should i be looking at to smooth things out a bit? and maybe stiffen the rolling.

View attachment 144207

Every kit we fit transforms the van, literally. We only fit the very best products.

We stock STX, STXA, KWv1, B14K and have a new product shortly from Bilstein.

I don’t think you are far away? - pop over and have a go in one of our demo vans - you can make your own mind up then. We can obviously advise what we think will work best then you can demo it.

 

[CRS Performance]

As the original request clearly states, No 20 inch wheels and no lowering , practicality and comfort is obviously the main objective Here . there is only one suitable brand to fit , the choice would simply be Koni specials or Koni special actives. both give fabulous results at standard height And It will be the most comfortable set up possible in a transporter.
Epic rob is in New Zealand so testing vans will not be easy
The details of the NZ importer for Koni and part numbers have been sent over to assist with this .
If you need any more info let us know .
also offered to post him some rear spring spacers to sort the camper sag .

 

[Ads_Essex]

where have you got 500KG from?
as best i see it, RnR seat and interior, maybe 50, kitchen, no more than 50 more, wiring and accessories, 20, battery, 20 more.
I dont rate the suspension on my camper at all, but i dont think that its 500Kg heavier than unladen before i put the kids in the back and the wife in the seat?
anyone actually weighed their van before and after the conversion? maybe a conversion company will have done.

To quote you “some of the stuff you're coming back with needs to be corrected”

Got her weighed

View attachment 52344

That’s a SWB T28 with an early HiLo sport, a Cali 2-seater on rails, Propex, MDF kitchenette including Smev 9722 and BI41 top-loading fridge, and 18 Sportline alloy wheels.
The water tanks are empty and the fuel tank around ¾ full. 0 passengers.

My mass in service shows as 1947kg, so 453kg has been added during the conversion.

 

[Epic-Rob]

Suspension is so subjective, a lot depends on what you are used to, what you want and how you drive I've got that same setup and I find it suits my needs very much, but the last time I actually did any hard braking was a very long time ago, my van has no dive under "normal" braking.
I wouldn't want my suspension any harder. A lot of us just pootle about and value comfort more than cornering ability. I guess it's not easy to design a van that drives nicely empty and still drives nicely with nearly a tonne in the back.
On the standard shocks my van felt dreadful, it was like being on a bouncy castle!
The Koni's seem to control the ride much better, I'm sure other brands would too but I have no experience of those.

Hi - so you rated the koni special active? did they improve roll on cornering? not hard cornering but like rounabouts etc