Shock absorber
Author
Discussion

R1 Indy

Original Poster:

4,487 posts

207 months

Friday 1st June 2012
quotequote all
Im refurbing an old car trailer (its a old caravan chassis).

One thing I've noticed is that the shock absorbers seem to be seized, as there is no movement in the suspension.

I know i won't be able to get some direct replacements, so thinking of getting a pair off a production car, and then make some new mounts for them.

The bed prob weighs about 500Kg, plus car of 500KG's, so a total weight they will take will be about a ton, so the shocks will take about 500KG's each.

Im thinking of along the lines of shocks from a land rover like these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVER-SERIES-2-3-SW...

I think these should fit (not sure of the length of them, but they look pretty short), and id imagine the rear weight from an old land should be about right?

This is what the trailers look like, and they are 10" long:




So does anyone have any ideas/suggestions.

Cheers


wildoliver

9,220 posts

240 months

Friday 1st June 2012
quotequote all
Mini.

Special K

893 posts

183 months

Friday 1st June 2012
quotequote all
wildoliver said:
Mini.
Yep smile

R1 Indy

Original Poster:

4,487 posts

207 months

Friday 1st June 2012
quotequote all
Good shout Re mini.

But just managed to get the shock off, and there is still no movement in the suspension, and the shock does go in and out.

Are trailer/caravans suspension normally so stiff, that jumping up and down on the chassis doesn't have any effect?

Or are the springs at fault?

Pontoneer

3,643 posts

210 months

Friday 1st June 2012
quotequote all
If you do want to change the shocks - just take the old one down to a motor factor and ask what they might have to match . Most people in these places are knowledgeable and helpful .

The springs won't be seized , but caravans of old weighed a lot more than modern ones , so you probably aren't putting enough weight on the chassis to move it - try with a car sitting on it .

R1 Indy

Original Poster:

4,487 posts

207 months

Friday 1st June 2012
quotequote all
Urm just had another look, and struggle to see how the suspension will work anyway.

As there is nothing attached to the top of the spring, and the hub is welded to the chassis, which is welded to the bed, so nothing could move anyway.

I think whoever converted it couldn't be bothered to incorporate the suspension, and its obsolete.

I think i will just put it all back together, and leave it with no functioning suspension.

Im sure it doesn't really need suspension for towing a 500KG car anyway does it?

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

279 months

Friday 1st June 2012
quotequote all
R1 Indy said:
Im sure it doesn't really need suspension for towing a 500KG car anyway does it?
Without suspension, hitting lumps and potholes will put a lot more stress onto tyres, wheels, hubs, stub axles, and the chassis itself so make sure it's going to be up to the job.

R1 Indy

Original Poster:

4,487 posts

207 months

Friday 1st June 2012
quotequote all
Yes, but it has 80 profile tyres, so they should take most of the bumps?