Ride "quality" on unsealed roads

[greymad]

Hi greymad, I'm on my fourth VW. Mark iv Golf, two T4 transporters and now a T5 Multivan
They've all suffered from 'crash' suspension, compared to other makes
That is, they 'crash' over sharp bumps, such as railway crossings
You do get used to it, and in fact if I hadn't read this complaint from motoring writers on numerous VWs', might have thought the vehicle I had was faulty as well
But perhaps might be worth getting your shockers checked
Get a bit of air in them, or broken mount or any number of other things, they will bang and crash around much more


M

Thanks Cousin .. the word "crash" certainly describes what I'm experiencing - and surely after 15 months and a mere 17,000k's the shockers should be near brand new: almost all driving so far has been on tarmac.
I'm of a generation which was brought up on crossply tyres, and anyone who hasn't ever driven a car on s**t roads using those will never understand just how different (especially how smoother/quieter) they are cf radials.
It's being a bit old fartie to say so, but there seems to be nothing more stressed these days than roadholding capabilities - over all else.
And as for 35 profile tyres on a street car? ... absolute w**k. Here endeth the sermon.

[Transporter]

In my 4Motion T5 the left rear shocker was leaking and was replaced under the warranty. They were Monroe made in Belgium. Later I've replaced both of them with Pedders HD shocks and King Springs. I can't complain, now almost at 100,000km and 7 years later, even on a bit rough road I'm happy with the ride. Tyres pumped to 51PSI at all the time.

Check the shocks for any sign of oil leak on them, you will see it as a wet patch at early stage.

[greymad]

In my 4Motion T5 the left rear shocker was leaking and was replaced under the warranty. They were Monroe made in Belgium. Later I've replaced both of them with Pedders HD shocks and King Springs. I can't complain, now almost at 100,000km and 7 years later, even on a bit rough road I'm happy with the ride. Tyres pumped to 51PSI at all the time.

Check the shocks for any sign of oil leak on them, you will see it as a wet patch at early stage.

Check your PM's ... I think we need to get together & compare vehicles.
We're not so far apart ... Eden Hills/Flagstaff Hill. Cheers...

[greymad]

Well... a very interesting experience in a Multivan over the weekend. Noticeably quieter and softer than our van.
I'm wondering if, as our camper is based on a commercial vehicle, the spring rates are higher (ie stiffer).
Admittedly the Multivan is a SWB, so the other one to use as comparison would be a Caravelle, but then too, ours is a 132kw 4motion so whether the springs are altered along with those options...who knows?

[Transporter]

In the 4motion you have extra transfer case (bevel gearbox), drive shaft from it to the rear diff and 2 more drive shafts from the diff to the wheels; all that is missing on 2WD vans. This alone will make more noise.

The other thing to remember is that the insulation level from the factory could be different in the Multi and Caravelle.

[greymad]

In the 4motion you have extra transfer case (bevel gearbox), drive shaft from it to the rear diff and 2 more drive shafts from the diff to the wheels; all that is missing on 2WD vans. This alone will make more noise.

The other thing to remember is that the insulation level from the factory could be different in the Multi and Caravelle.

Yep, I can see that could be the case, 'though I suspect there's more to it than just that.
I wonder if there's any possible way of comparing the spring rates between the various models?

[Transporter]

You could ring to the dealer and compare the part numbers?

[greymad]

You could ring to the dealer and compare the part numbers?

Thanks Miro ... I have to ask myself, though - why am I so cynical about $olitaire?
Maybe it's unjustified .. I'll give it a try when I take the van in for the EGR job in a week's time.
Thanks for the response.

[Seano]

Commercial versions have different spring sets from the Multivans. And each has different sets based on wheelbase. Toss on top of that the specialist spring sets for ambulance etc.

You only have to look at the VagCat to see the number of different options.

Add to that the simple fact that the commercial versions don't have anything like the sound proofing of the Multivan...and you have a recipe for a bit of noise.

As someone who belted his T4 over dirt roads for much of the first half of its life...I have some suggestions. Your shocks are probably useless...especially your front ones. Mine snuffed it after only 20,000km. The Konis have been there ever since.

Don't bother changing springs since anything else in the T5 won't cope with the weight of the camper. Aftermarket is an option though but its difficult to imagine how they'd help the ride.

Your tyre and wheel combo is a weak link that you probably can't fix given the size of the brake disc. 55 profile tyres on dirt roads are recipes for mediocrity...

Soundproofing is your other option - Dynamat will be your friend. If you can't hear it then it won't be a problem!!!

[greymad]

Commercial versions have different spring sets from the Multivans. And each has different sets based on wheelbase. Toss on top of that the specialist spring sets for ambulance etc.

You only have to look at the VagCat to see the number of different options.

Add to that the simple fact that the commercial versions don't have anything like the sound proofing of the Multivan...and you have a recipe for a bit of noise.

As someone who belted his T4 over dirt roads for much of the first half of its life...I have some suggestions. Your shocks are probably useless...especially your front ones. Mine snuffed it after only 20,000km. The Konis have been there ever since.

Don't bother changing springs since anything else in the T5 won't cope with the weight of the camper. Aftermarket is an option though but its difficult to imagine how they'd help the ride.

Your tyre and wheel combo is a weak link that you probably can't fix given the size of the brake disc. 55 profile tyres on dirt roads are recipes for mediocrity...

Soundproofing is your other option - Dynamat will be your friend. If you can't hear it then it won't be a problem!!!

I put the outfit on a weighbridge last w/end ... all up with driver/passenger & with full tanks both fuel & water it was 2650kg.
Agreed on the brake disc limitation of tyre choice, but I note that Bridgestone do ER300 215/60 R17 (96H) with rolling OD 690, the current 235/55's having OD of 695. A profile of 60 cf 55 isn't much, but it might just be that bit more cushioned. Comments?