Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 23:03:19 -0800
Reply-To: Jeff and Deb <jeffndeb@GCI.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeff and Deb <jeffndeb@GCI.NET>
Subject: Re: The Spring is Sprug (Westy Springs)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hmmm, I have an 86 ASI conversion with the ASI top, propane tank,
furnace,stove top, water tank, refrigerator, and water cooled engine (that I
assume weighs a bit more than your air cooled version). I have never looked
at the rear springs, but with new "C" rated tires by Kirkland and run of the
mill KYB shocks that I got from Bus Depot, it seemed to handle very well
this summer with my family of 3 and quite a bit of gear all through our
3,000 mile trip we took on the Alaska highway, and then on up to Fairbanks,
Anchorage the Kenai Peninsula, and back. These roads were full of pot holes
and dips by lower 48 standards.
How would one tell if they have "Camper" duty springs?
Jeff Hartman
Juneau, AK
, ---- Original Message -----
From: Undetermined origin c/o LISTSERV administrator
<owner-LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 7:25 PM
Subject: Re: The Spring is Sprug (Westy Springs)
> There is a very noticable difference between the passenger model and
> camper springs. My experience is a bit of apples vs. oranges, but not
> so much that it doesn't pertain. I have a 1983 ASI camper that is built
> on a passenger model van. The kitchen and cabinetwork are very similar
> in size and weight to a Westfalia. To its credit, the ASI has the
> propane tank mounted under the right side and interior cabinets on both
> sides of the van. The cabinets are "thinner", so the rear seat/bed is
> the same size as in a Westy.
>
> The van seems to be better balanced than my 1982 Westfalia and does not
> lean, even with the weak springs. On the downside, the passenger
> springs are not up to the task of carrying a loaded camper. Even with
> new shocks, the suspension flexes way too deeply on small dips in the
> road. One company that makes coil springs for race cars says that the
> spring rate does not change over time, but the length gets shorter. My
> van rides nearly identically in height to a very clean 1982 passenger
> model van owned by my friend's sister, so my springs are not overly
> compressed for their age.
>
> I would like very much to have a set of camper springs for this van. It
> would be a great improvement in handling and comfort. I have no
> experience with air springs, but they seem like an unnecessary
> complication to me (flame bait for sure).
>
> Mike Snow
>
>
> Rich Propsom wrote:
> >
> <<snip>>
> >
> > A check at a local salvage yard came up with regular vanagon springs for
> > about 35 bucks a pop. Their concern is they may be to light for the
> > Westy. My question to the group is will it be that noticeable? Granted
> > the Westy is the heavy weight because of the camping gear, but isn't
that
> > somewhat offset by the smaller number of people it normally
> > carries. Considering that I normally never haul more than 4 people or 2
> > people with gear, would the 7 passenger springs be that under sprung.
What
> > about the 7 passenger springs with that air bag everyone seems to be
trying
> > out?
> >
> <<snip>>
| 
