Goodbye Camper, Hello Caravan | Part 3 - The Suspension

[@glenhopes8233]

Great instructional video!! I take by your shed setup that you are not the usual DYIer.

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Hi Glen, I live on 5 acres so I do have a big shed!!

[@philandclarepatch6262]

Thx Rusty for all of your details in each of your videos. Just started watchingbthem and I'm enjoying them a lot, cheers phil

[@RustysMetalCutSignsDesigns]

Hi Phil and Clare...thankyou for your kind words. I hope my videos have helped you in some way.

[@glenjones4009]

Cheers Rusty, also looking at doing something similar. Also in Perth, thnx

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

If you go with a standard length axle, it will save problems down the track, should you need to replace it. You might have to look for rims with an offset to suit your installation...something else to consider when upgrading the axle, springs, etc.

[@andrewwhittaker2613]

Great work Rusty. My only suggestion is to weld in a reinforcement plate/gusset between the front spring hanger and the chassis as the hanger is only relying upon the two horizontal welds. I've seen many a front spring hanger pull out/break welds after the wheel hits a large up bump at speed

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Hi Andrew, and thanks for your comments. I'll definitely look into what you suggest.

[@dominicvelten8847]

Couldn’t agree more I’ve repaired tones of 2tone builders trailers that have ripped the hangers off.. specially that you’ve only used 50x50x3mm those mounts will rip off over time with abuse I’d run some 5x50mm plate from the hangers all the way up to the factory chassis if you want piece of mind

[@donovanlucibello379]

Well done!

[@shanepotito5864]

Good work Rusty, those bloody dogs😁

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Thanks Shane. Roy makes an appearance in the latest video I'm shooting now!!

[@Bobcamau1]

Mate Job is well done very good welding also !!

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Thanks Bob, appreciate your comments. The van is a great upgrade from the camper trailer, which served me well for several years. The van just offers a higher level of 'creature comforts'.

[@billbing6415]

You've done a great job, thanks for sharing it enables others to see what's involved

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Hi Bill, thanks for your kind words. Yes, I hope it can help others who are keen to undertake this sort of thing.

[@jothamar]

Grate video Rusty, I just contacted South west trailer and see if they can upgrade the suspension and drawbar for my 1989 viscount . thanks

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

I'm glad you found my video helpful. You look like you have plenty of work to you on your caravan and I look forward to seeing your progress videos.

[@markjohnson6130]

You got style Rusty, I love the sense of theatre when you drove out the shed, must have been the music lol Very entertaining and a job well done. Will be a great rig to go off grid looking for that gold reef. 👍

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Thanks Mark. I thought a bit of dramatic music would set the scene for the 'big reveal', showing off the van's new suspension and stance. Still got a heap of little things to do, but it's getting there.

[@robertlewis7237]

THANK YOU FOR DETAILED VIDEO

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Hi Robert, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Hope it was some help to you.

[@markthomas4594]

Coming along nicely rusty

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Thanks Mark. I'm really pleased with the way the van is coming along, but there's still a bit more to do! Stay tuned for an update soon.

[@nucopia]

Nice upgrade !

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Thanks. It's been a bit of a challenge, but very satisfying now that it's finished. However, there's still a few more things to do on the van before it's licensed.

[@tomh7708]

Wow! Great video. I'm impressed with your work.

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Hi Tom, thanks for your kind words and I'm glad you're enjoying my caravan build. Stay tuned for the last couple of episodes coming up soon.

[@goldfools5445]

Nice job. Quality work.

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Thankyou for your kind words. The van is working a treat and is living up to my expectations. Just waiting for the cooler weather before heading out bush again.

[@rustywalsh56]

Certainly gives the van a real off road look now. Are you replacing the corner wind down stands, they probably wont touch the ground now. Love the extended draw bar

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Hey Russell, it definitely looks the part now, for heading off-road. Yeah, those wind down stands will need to be extended, as they are almost all the way down before touching the ground. The extended drawbar was what attracted me to this particular van, as the quad bike will fit nicely on it.

[@tullysika]

nice job

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Thanks Malcolm.

[@detrackozi6292]

Boy you have spent some time on the mod now and looks a treat, no issue now with clearance, would be good to know the weight once finish to the start weight. Looking forward to the Quad mount and the interior workout. Cheers

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Thanks David, I'm really pleased with the way it's turned out so far. I'll be heading to the weighbridge next Friday as it's booked in for it's inspection....fingers crossed it's all ok and I get it licensed.

[@craigpollard9993]

Looking good 👍 Might have to change the rear stabilisers for the height change?

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Hi Craig, yes it's on my list to either extend them, or replace them with the swing down style.

[@mickcollins5502]

Hi Rusty, I am soon to do the same suspension upgrade to my Prattline hi-low caravan, great video, it will make my upgrade very easy having your video to follow. Do you mind sharing the cost of the suspension upgrade that you used? Cheers Mick.

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Hi Mick, from memory, the axle, springs, electric brakes, tow hitch, etc came in around 1200 - 1300. On top of that, I bought the rims 2nd hand but put new tyres on them, so all up, I probably spent around #2000 on the whole suspension system. Good luck with the upgrade to your van.

[@mickcollins5502]

@@RustysOutbackAdventures thanks Rusty.

[@donaldclarke7635]

I was going to do the same..on my baravan.

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Hey Donald, if you upgrade the suspension, make sure you choose a standard length axle rather than a 'custom length'....makes it easier if you need to replace it in the future.

[@marcellebaudry5786]

cool

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Thankyou Marcelle.

[@shreckm6470]

Put 6mm gussets on my hangers as I have broken one before on corrugations on our car trailer.

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Thanks for the tip, I'll certainly look into it.

[@malcolm5256]

Great video Rusty, could you me us an idea of the approximate cost in doing the suspension upgrade given that you have done in install yourself. Cheers

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Hi Malcolm, the suspension components cost $1700, including the 2 lengths of 50x50x3 SHS and some paint. Hope this helps.

[@darrengray2309]

Did you think about putting shockers on to control the rebound on rough roads

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Hi Darren, no I didn't. Nor did the trailer parts place make that suggestion...and I told them what I was doing and where I was intending to go. Do you think it's a good idea??

[@glenfdoss]

Next time don’t f up your trailer and go with smaller tires that fit after the lift

[@RustysOutbackAdventures]

Hi Glen, unfortunately I didn't really have a choice because I had to fit 12" electric brakes because the ATM was more than 1600kg. 12" electric brake hubs suit a minimum of a 16" rim, and even using a 245/70/R16 Light Truck tyre, some cutting of the wheel arch was inevitable. Also, the increased ground clearance with the bigger tyres, was something that I was looking for, too.