Caravan suspension systems absorb and disperse energy while your vehicle drives through bumpy terrain. However, as time goes by, the suspension system may start to deteriorate.
When caravan suspension systems suddenly fail, they are sometimes only a few inches away from touching the metal. This type of failure is what is referred to as a collapse. A collapse is usually caused by the breaking of a spring or other weight-bearing part in the caravan suspension system.
While a collapse rarely occurs, there are some reasons this may occur. Thankfully, with regular inspections and maintenance, you can prevent these issues and prolong the lifespan of your caravan’s suspension system.
Here’s the top 6 causes of caravan suspension problems:
- Bumpy roads
- Overloading
- Overinflated tyres
- Rust
- Moisture in the wheel bearings
- Age-related deterioration
1. Bumpy Roads
Many people may enjoy the thrill of speed and aren’t afraid of road bumps. If this sounds like you, chances are you’ll eventually face issues with your caravan’s suspension. These bumps cause strain to the caravan suspension system over time. Hitting these bumps at faster speeds only increases the strain on the springs. By not avoiding or slowing down for road bumps, you can cause significant problems to the caravan suspension.
Depending on the bump and the vehicle’s speed, it is possible to snap the suspension spring on the spot. If the impact is severe enough, multiple suspension springs could end up being broken. To safeguard your caravan’s suspension, it’s best to approach bumps with caution and go over them slowly.
2. Overloading
Every caravan has certain weight restrictions. The restrictions are put in place for a good reason. Going past these weight restrictions causes extra weight to be exerted on the suspension system and could lead to damage – Not only this but overloading your van is also illegal!
This doesn’t just damage the suspension springs themselves, but it can also quickly add wear and tear to the tyres. Even if the suspension springs are entirely new, they can be broken by too much weight. Always refrain from going past the caravan weight limits to get the best longevity out of them.
If you find you are carrying too much weight consider an ATM upgrade to enhance your vans suspension and keep you legal.
3. Overinflated Tyres
While having too little tyre pressure can be harmful, it can also be almost just as harmful to have too much. This is because it can impact the caravan suspension system.
When tyres become overinflated, their sidewall stops minimising the shocks from the surface of the road correctly. This can make the chassis and suspension components become cracked or damaged.
To avoid this, drivers should make sure they carry a good pressure gauge and air compressor with them. Many manufacturers have tyre pressure recommendations on the compliance plate for the caravan. Tyre pressure calculators may also be found online to help determine the specific amount of tyre pressure needed.
4. Rust
All suspension system components eventually rust. However, moisture can be one of your biggest enemies when it comes to speeding up this process. Environments containing more moisture can lead to increased rusting at quicker speeds. This is because once this moisture meets the air, it triggers the naturally occurring chemical reaction that creates rust.
These same reactions occur as vehicles travel through puddles or during stormy weather where water is unable to dry right away. This rust can eat through the caravan suspension system over time, causing it to break.
5. Moisture in the Wheel Bearings
Moisture can also be a factor for premature caravan suspension problems. This is especially common in areas that have a lot of wet weather, experience a lot of humidity, or are located by a body of water. This moisture can displace the grease as it enters the caravan’s wheel bearings. This causes the wheel bearings to lose their lubrication and wear out more quickly. These worn-out wheel bearings cause the wheels to rotate less smoothly.
Furthermore, this may cause the wheels to lock as they travel over bumps, take off, travel at slow speeds, or make turns around corners. Having unlubricated wheel bearings can be extremely dangerous and should be prevented by regularly relubricating them.
6. Age-Related Deterioration
Unfortunately, caravan suspension systems do not last forever. If you are having issues, it may not be your fault. These suspension systems are constantly vibrating when in motion. This happens even more frequently in more rough patches of the road.
Over time, this constant motion and vibration weakens the system and wears it out. While this may be the cause of your caravan suspension problems, it is not the most common cause. These issues are usually only experienced once the suspension is very old.
Increasing the Life of Your Caravan Suspension System
Caravan suspension problems can result from a variety of causes. Bumpy terrain, overloading, overinflated tyres, rust, moisture in wheel bearings, and age-related deterioration, contribute to wear and tear of the suspension system. This can potentially lead to significant issues such as a sudden collapse.
By understanding these causes and taking preventative measures, such as driving cautiously over bumps, adhering to weight limits or increasing your caravan ATM, maintaining proper tyre pressure, and regularly inspecting and maintaining the suspension system, caravan owners can significantly extend the lifespan of their suspension systems and ensure a smoother, safer travel experience.
Eddy and the DAPCO team are trusted suspension specialists with extensive experience with caravan suspension. Get in touch with us for more expert advice about your caravan suspension system or for specialist suspension servicing in Bunbury and the South West.
