I think this should go in "Techies Corner" but looking at other posts you seem to get a better response here, so sorry to those that don't agree with me putting here. Plus I am trying to keep clear of there at the moment.
Here goes,
Does anyone know about underslinging the axle. I have a Avan Camper and find it very close to the ground and have been thinking of how to increase the distance from the ground so I went to Avan in Pakenham Victoria today who I got the camper from new and they couldn't help me as they seem to only sell the things then forget you, so it seems. They don't even service anything after they sell it. Not happy Jan. They did mention I could undersling the axle.
Has anyone done this, how easy is it to do and is it legal. I don't ask much do I.
I look forward to any help I can get on this subject.
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DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
i did it to our old pop top you have to get new centre bolt plate i got them and new u bolts together give you about 50 ml raise you cant just pull out the axle and slot it in without the centre bolt plate dont know about the legal side as some are over and some are under .
on that subject i thought the axles in our van would be illegal there got a stub welded on top of the axle shaft and its on the high of the axle to me its a weak point
Gidday Dougwe, Yes it can be done and is quite common on a lot of different Vans. The caravan repair place in Geelong does it all the time, not so difficult and not all that expensive, but its a long way from you?? Look for a caravan repair centre out your way ??
I know what you mean about Avan dealers, they don't give a stuff once your pull out the driveway, I had a 16'6'' Avan Poptop before i got the Lotus, and even though i only had a couple of minor problems, the dealer who i bought it from did not want to know about it, and the Avan factory was even worse ?? even though the Avan was a good van in the 8 years i had it, I did not even Consider dealing with them again, when I updated, in my opinion Avan factory is the Pig Pen, and the dealer network are all little Piglets,
It's a good Idea, to raise the hieght a little so it won't bottom out on the river tracks etc, And it should go to most places your Prado will take it. Daryl.
Hi Doug,my old van a jayco had the axle under slung and gives about 100mm lift. Jayco do them at thier factory when ordering the van and cost around $200 also caravan repairers will do them so i'd say it would be legal.
I was really annoyed with the Avan people in Pakenham.
It sounds good to have that extra clearance Daryl but it won't raise the actual axle though, so I would still have a problem there. Apparently I can put the next size wheel on and that should raise the axle a little I spose. Problems, problems. It's not a problem really.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Dougwe, your A Van has an Alko suspension and is a rubber type torsion axel. ( no springs ) I have checked my van and I thing it is not very dificult to alter it.A bracked needs to be cut off and a longer one welded in place ,also I think you would need a longer shockupsorber. Not a job for amateurs .
Thanks for the info Hans, I'm not up with all the techo stuff so would honestly say I know nothing about it. I just thought if I could raise the camper up a bit it might just give a little more clearance. I will get extra clearance form ground to floor of Camper but not much extra from ground to axle it self so I am now thinking, is it really worth the expense. Maybe Solar Power would be a better expense. That is another post and subject.
__________________
Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Dougwe, bigger wheels is the only solution I think , I got the same problem, I got to back the van down a steep drive and then the stabilisers will hit the floor.I had to take them off ,but I still had to put some planks down to levell it out. Photo shows drive with planks,now without stabilisers on the back the planks are gone and I use only two short ones.
