Suspension recommendation for campervan.

[CRS Performance]

Hi looking to lower the suspension on my Camper ideally by 40mm or so, what is the best option on standard shocks.

Regards Richard.........

Hi Richard

The shocks are the problem in these vehicles , BUT if you have to keep them and still want to lower it we must put springs that can drop it 35 to 40m mm only , other wise the ride will be disgusting .

We have the largest range of lowering springs available and we have developed them specifically for campers . After working on approx 1000 vans in the last 2 years ( many of them campers ) we have learned a lot about the suspension in Transporter vans , We have also developed a lot of parts that specifically suit campers .

Buying an " off the on line shelf " spring kit will undoubtedly disappoint and you will find that a 40 mm kit will drop the van 60 maybe even 70 mm and this simply cant work. the shocks will not have any travel .
£255.00 incl vat for the EVO Technik springs and we will spec the correct spring for you once we know more about the van and the mods done to it .
Bear in mind these springs will work really well with our range of matching shocks which give the best ride and handling on the market if you do get fed up of the ride quality later on .
Give us a call if you want more info .

 

[JOG]

Thanks just spoken to him, really nice guy the recommend Koni Shocks and Springs with a 40mm drop which comes in about £1,175. Think I need to wait a bit and save up as I have spent a fortune thus far !!

I was lucky, I read up here on the forum about all options before I contacted @CRS Performance - this is what I discovered:

• Whatever suspension mod someone makes is the best possible mod and everyone else is wrong
• Massive wheels and lowering are the only way to achieve comfort (never mind what strain someone puts on gearbox and drive train)
• Changing springs alone is the answer - remind me what the question was?
• No one ever, ever, ever replaces the mod they’ve made (because of the first point above) so all those “cheaper” suspension sets in the waste/recycling skip were obviously put there by the fairies
• “Buy cheap and buy twice” is a fallacy

Just my thoughts - I am not a sales rep for @CRS Performance but I drove two hours to get my suspension sorted and two hours home again! SWMBO drove the van for 30 seconds when I got home before she conceded that it was money well spent! That said, she absolutely resents that VW allowed such an expensive van (we have a California) out of the factory with such useless suspension and left it for the user to fix at additional cost!

 

[BognorMotors]

Thanks just spoken to him, really nice guy the recommend Koni Shocks and Springs with a 40mm drop which comes in about £1,175. Think I need to wait a bit and save up as I have spent a fortune thus far !!

Make sure you try before you buy, anything will feel better than your standard setup. And the difference between setups can be night and day.

For a little more money than you’ve mentioned above, you can get a quality set of height adjustment coilovers, fitted and correctly hunter aligned. STX by KW is our recommend and work really well on campers, as we have proved so many times. The height adjustment works really well with the uneven weight distribution on a camper.

Alignment is key to correct setup, and Hunter is the best - this alone is £80+vat and included in all of our suspension fits.

HTH

 

[CRS Performance]

Thanks just spoken to him, really nice guy the recommend Koni Shocks and Springs with a 40mm drop which comes in about £1,175. Think I need to wait a bit and save up as I have spent a fortune thus far !!

Just so you understand the difference between the kit we have recommended and a "Ride Height adjustable Kit " ( this is the PROPER term for suspension kits that can adjust height . "coil over " ) If it was designed to carry more weight it would likely be called " Increased weight adjustable kit " ?? It would probably involve stronger springs of course .
The industry has been using height adjustable kits to lift vans that have been made heavier by conversions for many years . This isnt the reason Ride height adjustment was invented . Its to enable a change in height , not to carry more weight , Of course this was the problem the industry had with the B14 kit breaking rear springs , the kits were supplied in to vans that were too heavy and the rear springs were compressed too much to try and get them higher but the additional stress on the spring broke them . we have removed the 40 to 70 mm kits that were fully adjusted to the top , but the vans still sit 90 mm down ????? Springs Not fit for any purpose as i have said many times .

So to get back to my recommendations We have a range of 8 specifically designed spring kits that were purpose built and designed for all vans, campers and California's . After redoing the suspension in over 1000 vans in the last 2 years we have learned a lot and had most configurations on our Corner weight machine to see what actually happens when a camper conversion is done, where the weight goes and what impact it has on the handling, balance and comfort , Using all this data we have the most comprehensive range of springs on the market worldwide. They have been engineered to work brilliantly with the KONI range of shocks which are the most comfortable shocks on the market.
Comfort is achieved many ways and keeping as much travel in the suspension as possible is one of the best ways to maximise comfort .
Coil overs by nature go low and low means less travel , less comfort .
To bring balance to this debate , we also supply and fit Ride height adjustable kits , The market demands it . The need for coil overs is normally created by suppliers who only sell coil overs ?? , We will of course discuss options with clients and explain the difference between the two set ups . If a camper owner wants to go low we will do it. BUT If the van goes too low and out of the spec for the coil over height adjustment range we will remove it and fit an alternative that can do the job , Having said this most of the camper vans we do go for the KONI Kit because comfort levels are normally a priority .
A simple search on this forum will show with out doubt this isnt a money choice , Its how well the kit suits your needs and the KONI kit comes out on top in all aspects .

 

[JOG]

Make sure you try before you buy, anything will feel better than your standard setup. And the difference between setups can be night and day.

For a little more money than you’ve mentioned above, you can get a quality set of height adjustment coilovers, fitted and correctly hunter aligned. STX by KW is our recommend and work really well on campers, as we have proved so many times. The height adjustment works really well with the uneven weight distribution on a camper.

Alignment is key to correct setup, and Hunter is the best - this alone is £80+vat and included in all of our suspension fits.

HTH

Oh, this did make me chuckle!

My précis: a well-regarded specialist speaks with customer and makes a recommendation. Customer shares convo! A well-regarded generalist proposes alternative, perhaps more expensive solution without analysis of requirements!

In a free market, all is fair in love and war! It’s an observation, not a criticism. It did tickle me though!!!

 

[BiTurbo]

I have H&R springs with Koni sports shocks. My bus looks fantastic ( in my opinion that is, others my differ)
The ride is absolutely fantastic even though it’s a heavy van as far as conversions go.
Steve’s advice and knowledge is by far the best out there.

 

[CRS Performance]

Oh, this did make me chuckle!

My précis: a well-regarded specialist speaks with customer and makes a recommendation. Customer shares convo! A well-regarded generalist proposes alternative, perhaps more expensive solution without analysis of requirements!

In a free market, all is fair in love and war! It’s an observation, not a criticism. It did tickle me though!!!

Well said.
the assumption that the STX is better because it’s more expensive???? In our store the STX is our cheapest kit, it was never sold as an expensive kit. The kits are actually designed to do different things and give different results. When you only have one style of kit in your stock that is what everyone will get offered but it is why there are so many disappointed customers out there. At our store Each customer gets what suits his needs not what we happen to have in stock.
We are pulling another so-called comfort kit this week - guess what, not that comfortable after all. Van too heavy and dropped too low because not fit for all purposes.

 

[Paynewright]

I don’t really understand the fixation of coilovers on a road vehicle, both vans and cars. To me they are instruments to fine tune the ride heights and corner weights on a race or track day car. The carefully machined adjusters are exposed to the elements with salt causing them to corrode and seize in no time. Further more I think the inclusion of an adjuster on the rear of vans further shortens the spring, compromising its functionality.

If owners want a particular slammed look and are happy with a firmer ride then thats the choice they make.

It is very easy to research a topic on a forum and think a particular set up is the best - I did this with my 996. I picked the OEM M030 suspension kit, however, its based on 20 year old damping technology and slightly too firm springs for UK roads. Its good, much better than the 17 year old suspension I took off, but I wish I’d gone for modern design dampers and springs. Interestingly, an owner has just fitted H&R lowered springs and Koni special active dampers and after a geometry set up feels he has the perfect 911 for UK roads.

For me, I have to have very specific reasons to fit coilovers on a purely road vehicle.

Just my 0.02p worth.

 

[CRS Performance]

I don’t really understand the fixation of coilovers on a road vehicle, both vans and cars. To me they are instruments to fine tune the ride heights and corner weights on a race or track day car. The carefully machined adjusters are exposed to the elements with salt causing them to corrode and seize in no time. Further more I think the inclusion of an adjuster on the rear of vans further shortens the spring, compromising its functionality.

If owners want a particular slammed look and are happy with a firmer ride then thats the choice they make.

It is very easy to research a topic on a forum and think a particular set up is the best - I did this with my 996. I picked the OEM M030 suspension kit, however, its based on 20 year old damping technology and slightly too firm springs for UK roads. Its good, much better than the 17 year old suspension I took off, but I wish I’d gone for modern design dampers and springs. Interestingly, an owner has just fitted H&R lowered springs and Koni special active dampers and after a geometry set up feels he has the perfect car for UK ro

Just my 0.02p worth.

What he said. Ha ha.
too many Van accessory suppliers fixated with coil overs. Only 25 %of the kits we sell are actually coil over kits. there will always be a place for them and the kits we use are the best out there , but the bulk of van owners want comfort over looks .
the Koni shocks are amazing . Good enough for the London eye anyway. Ha ha

 

[Vegasphil]

You have to commit to looking after coil overs too. Lots don’t bother then wonder why they break or seized up.

 

[CRS Performance]

You have to commit to looking after coil overs too. Lots don’t bother then wonder why they break or seized up.

They can seize up in a matter of months. When trying to adjust a kit that has been on for years It’s best to remove and free up on the bench otherwise damage to the threads is inevitable. The kits we do have a square Thread which isn’t too fine and makes it easier to adjust.

 

[Epic-Rob]

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.

 

[T6ARF]

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

I’d speak to Steve @CRS Performance and see what he recommends. If you’re happy on the standard springs then maybe some Koni shocks and uprated H&R Anti Roll Bars will sort out the ride? If you’ve got some rear end sag (because of the extra weight) then he’ll have a solution for that too?

 

[JOG]

^wot he said!

 

[Ayjay]

Wot e^ and e^ send.

 

[bytejunkie]

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.

 

[Ayjay]

I regret not having actually weighed my van before it was converted because I looked on-line and found a pretty wide range of values quoted for the supposed kerb weight. What I can say is that with what I would call a 'standard' camper conversion with side kitchen, R&R bed and pop top the local public weigh bridge tells me that my SWB T6 150PS Highline weighs 2280 Kgs with a nearly full tank but without passengers. FWIW, it's a T28 that I have had up-plated to T30 equivalent.

 

[t6_tom]

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.

 

[Salty Spuds]

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.

Have you actually weighed it or just guessing?

 

[t6_tom]

Have you actually weighed it or just guessing?

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.