| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: Most bang for your buck: Sway Bars or Shocks?
Hi Vern,
My opinion, is to do KYB monomax shocks & stable loads first. If you don't want to install the shocks yourself - Les Schwab carries the KYBs.
Check out summit racing for pricing - the KYB Monomax are best bang for the buck - less expensive than either bilstein or Rancho.
If you still want to reduce the sway further - then look at the sway bar.
Jeff
|
dmax lover
|
03/15/10 01:00pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Mattress
Oh you are going to like this everyone. I called Tempur-Pedic for a quote for a custom mattress. Guess how much they want for a 48x76 mattress. $1,799.00. You got to be kidding.
I replied to your post over on northern-lite.org as well -
I have a futon bed made by cotton cloud futon in Portland, OR. And their website says they do make custom sizes for RVs. Their website is www.cottoncloudfutons.com
The futon bed type I would recommend is the wool/cotton/foam...
http://www.cottoncloudfutons.com/onlinefutonstore.01/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=23
We used our bed for about a dozen years and then had it restuffed - like new again...
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
03/11/10 06:13pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: KYB Shocks. Alternative for Ranch 9000 shocks?
The piston size on the KYB is much larger than the Rancho - allowing it to be valved to work over a wider range of terrain - so it works well loaded or unloaded without the need of a manual adjuster.
How does the shock know when the camper is in the truck bed and when it isn't?
Brad
Hi Brad,
I have alot of experience valving motorcycle suspension - the concepts are the same here - so I am very familiar with the topic.
The oil flow control is determined by size of holes in the piston combined with thin shims on the face of the piston that restrict flow in a manner that is variable and related to the force applied (e.g. loaded versus unloaded).
The stack of shims is referred to as the "shim-stack". With a larger piston (46 versus 35) - you have more freedom in defining this shim-stack - using larger diameter shims and a "more progressive" stack. You use smaller shims as you add them on and possible a 2 stage or 3 stage stack.
Shock manufacturers won't go into the detail above - they will usually just refer to the shock as having "adaptive valving", etc...
jeff
Jeff,
So, you would valve a m/c shock the same for a 155 lb rider as a 455 lb rider?
I think we may have had this discussion before. :)
Brad
At this point, I think we can just agree that we disagree...
Comparing a monotube and a twin-tube shock is fairly straightforward - the monotube will perform significantly better under heavy use (better = less fade and greater durability). Add an adjuster knob onto the less expensively built twin-tube Rancho shock and the waters get muddied really fast...
Based on what I know (as an engineer who has done alot of suspension work)and what I personally wanted in a shock - I chose to go with a high quality monotube shock and find the valving on the KYB Monomax to be focused towards carrying the load and is very firm, but not harsh when unloaded - so e.g. it works in the case of the 155 pound rider and the 455 pound rider.
For what it's worth, I have also used Bilsteins for many years and find the valving to be more focused on the lighter load and have much lower nitrogen pressure than the KYB MonoMax....
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
03/08/10 04:27pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: KYB Shocks. Alternative for Ranch 9000 shocks?
The piston size on the KYB is much larger than the Rancho - allowing it to be valved to work over a wider range of terrain - so it works well loaded or unloaded without the need of a manual adjuster.
How does the shock know when the camper is in the truck bed and when it isn't?
Brad
Hi Brad,
I have alot of experience valving motorcycle suspension - the concepts are the same here - so I am very familiar with the topic.
The oil flow control is determined by size of holes in the piston combined with thin shims on the face of the piston that restrict flow in a manner that is variable and related to the force applied (e.g. loaded versus unloaded).
The stack of shims is referred to as the "shim-stack". With a larger piston (46 versus 35) - you have more freedom in defining this shim-stack - using larger diameter shims and a "more progressive" stack. You use smaller shims as you add them on and possible a 2 stage or 3 stage stack.
Shock manufacturers won't go into the detail above - they will usually just refer to the shock as having "adaptive valving", etc...
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
03/08/10 02:47pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: KYB Shocks. Alternative for Ranch 9000 shocks?
Three sets of Ranchos? I've never heard of this problem; I'd be interested to hear from others out there who have had repeated failure with Ranchos.
"Failure" may be overly dramatic. He said while they didn't leak, they just lost damping effectiveness.
Because they were not leaking, the seller was not happy about replacing them, but did, with huge improvement at each replacement. I guess the internal piston seals wear?
Bob
The rancho is a twin tube shock that used to use a closed cell foam impregnated with nitrogen - this is the point of failure if the shock is overheated.
I tried to find a really good article I read that gives a good description of the benefits of a monotube shock but couldn't find it. I did find this writeup :
http://pinoyfortuner.14.forumer.com/a/shock-absorbers-for-dummies_post2134.html
The main take-away is this :
"Again a twin tube but an interesting design where instead of allowing any gas to come in contact with the hydraulic oil, nitrogen impregnated foam cells are used. These shock absorbers virtually eliminate aeration and will generally hang on a bit longer than the twin tube gas shock absorbers before fading. Unfortunately if this type of shock absorber is overheated, it will not regain its damping qualities when cooled."
Rancho now simply nitrogen charges the 9000XL twin tube shock - which will aerate (foam) quite quickly - so I guess you get to "pick your poison"...
A monotube shock - like the KYB Monomax - uses a piston to separate the nitrogen from the oil in a separate chamber and will not fail in the same situation.
The piston size on the KYB is much larger than the Rancho - allowing it to be valved to work over a wider range of terrain - so it works well loaded or unloaded without the need of a manual adjuster.
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
03/08/10 02:10pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: KYB Shocks. Alternative for Ranch 9000 shocks?
I too have been wondering about a cheaper alternative to Ranch 9000. When my truck isn't carrying the camper it's carrying a slide in tool box that weighs about 2,000 lbs. so it's never really unloaded. I didn't think I really needed an adjustable shock. I may give the KYB Mono Max a try. Anyone here using those, specifically on a SRW Chevy?
I am using the KYBs on a chev 3500 SRW truck. They work great - built the same as a bilstein - but firmer valving for carrying a load and higher nitrogen pressure. Two thumbs up.
I used to be a bilstein fanatic - after switching to kyb monomax - I am now a kyb fanatic.
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
03/08/10 12:41pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Rock and Roll
My camper has about 1800 loaded weight on a Dodge 2500 Cummins and I found the rock and roll a little un-nerving when I accidently put my wheels off the pavement onto the shoulder at speed.
I have Tembrens mounted. I am in need of new shocks and wonder if a good pair of air shocks would help with this.
You shouldn't need air shocks - but some shocks have higher nitrogen pressures that help with body roll etc. KYB Monomax has higher pressure and stiffer dampening than the Bilstein; The KYBs are also the best bang for the buck.
With that light a weight in the bed - I think new shocks would do wonders. Again - I would recommend KYB monomax over all the other options mentioned here. They are better than bilsteins in terms of dampening characteristics for carrying a load and of better design than the Ranchos...
I would take it a step at a time and add the KYB Monomax shocks first.
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
03/05/10 12:50pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Bed (sleeping) length
The Northern Lite "Q" and 10.2 models come with a full 60 X 80 queen bed...
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
03/03/10 06:59pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Silverado Camper tiedown Setup
FYI - I do know that if you go for a torklift superhitch then the rear tie downs are different (compared to staying with the oem rear hitch).
I agree with calling torklift - absolutely fantastic customer service.
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
02/26/10 09:36am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: 19'5s and MPG
My mileage (hand calculated) did not change when I switched to 19.5's. It has improved slightly over time but I attribute it to the engine breaking in fully and me driving with a lighter right foot.
The rolling resistance of the tire also decreases as it "breaks in".
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
02/24/10 02:11pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: delamanation
As far as the adhesive goes - I would use sikaflex brand adhesive. But you can call sikaflex tech line to get the right product for the job - probably sikaflex 252.
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
02/23/10 12:23am |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Bilstein Shocks
I ran bilsteins for years and recently switched to kyb monomax. I think the bilstein has been going with lower pressure and softer valving in recent years - the KYBs are much firmer and handle a load *much* better than the Bilstein.
The KYB Monomax is a much better shock for hauling/towing... Made in Japan - so quality is good and cost is lower than bilstein...
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
02/16/10 06:22pm |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: smoked my converter
FYI - Progressive Dynamics recently came out with a slide-in upgrade unit for the parallax/magnatek - The 4600 series makes for a much easier install over the 9200...
https://bestconverter.3dcartstores.com/4600-series_c_133.html
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
02/16/10 06:17pm |
Tech Issues
|
|
RE: Get to bring the Motorsycle along now.
You are not wrong -
Well there ya go !.... I even have it in writing, and posted on the World Wide Intertube :B
Just don't neglect the first law of marital physics - the spouse is always correct and you are always wrong! ;)
Enjoy the new hauler - I have a few motorcycles myself - Husqvarna TXC510, Honda XRs and a few old honda trials bikes....
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
02/12/10 05:54pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Get to bring the Motorsycle along now.
... And I'll be taking off the chain. i dont think the counter shaft would like it with out the engine running( maybe I'm wrong.)...
You are not wrong - the countershaft bearing oil supply is pressure fed by the oil pump. My best friend is a factory trained honda master tech - one time we were low on fuel and had to coast a few miles down a mountain with motor off. He told me to bump start the motor very 1/2 mile or so to lube the countershaft bearings.
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
02/12/10 03:27pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Would this type of bed work?
I have no clue...I saw it at the CW in OR along I-5 when heading home to Tacoma. But Highway Products in OR can build you what you want in Aluminum. They make all sorts of truck stuff. Capt PJ
Website for Highway Products :
http://www.800toolbox.com/
Nice stuff...
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
02/09/10 11:14pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: New TC!! NOW W/PICS
I also purchased my torklift equipment from Gibs RV - I purchased my camper from them and had them install everything. I wouldn't hesitate to deal with them again. Very smooth transaction.
Gibs RV has an e-bay store that lists all of their prices (tie downs, hitch, fastguns, etc.)
http://stores.ebay.com/WHOLESALE-DIRECT-PARTS-STORE
For shocks, you should also consider the KYB MonoMax - in my opinion, they are the best shock for camper hauling. They are also the best bang for the buck...
No Hellwig rear sway bar on the list?
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
02/07/10 11:35pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Northern Lite Fabric ceiling
It's a marine headliner (aka hulliner) - one of it's claims to fame is that it's easy to clean. It is made from polypropylene. It is recommended that it be installed with a non water soluable adhesive. I would use a carpet cleaner with a hand attachment and use a mild soap.
But, I would check with the manufacturer prior to cleaning to see what their recommendation is.
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
02/07/10 12:21am |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Bigfoot questions
If you want advice on what to do, there are many here who have experience.
Also, an ex bigfoot employee makes himself available for consultation via the web - you have the option to donate whatever you think his advice was worth. Check out www.holmesonbigfoot.com.
I wonder if he will be working for the new bigfoot organization...
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
01/31/10 06:27pm |
Truck Campers
|
|
RE: Accumulators for airbags ?
That's a great idea and something they did on front motorcycle suspension in the late 1970s/ early 1980s. On the yamaha yz motocrossers of the day - they increased the air volume inside the front suspension by adding a bladder/chamber on the top of the fork. The increased air volume resulted in a more linear "spring rate".
And just to clarify - the issue here is the non-linear spring rate - the spring rate increases as the suspension (and the airbag) is compressed. Using upgraded springs or spring upgrades (supersprings, etc.) deliver a more linear response (versus airbags) - the net spring rate doesn't increase as much when compressed.
To get what you want in terms of spring behavior - it seems to me you have two options. You could spend money on the tanks - 2 of them. Or simply go to a spring shop and have them beef up your overload spring (or add one). Frankly, I am thinking about heading to the local benz spring shop and doing the latter.
jeff
|
dmax lover
|
01/30/10 12:21pm |
Truck Campers
|
