Caravan Damage from Roads can be Disastrous
Caravan shock absorbers have an elementary science behind their function: a dampener removes energy created by rough roads.
In the early 20th century, Henry Ford thought shock absorbers were not essential equipment on his cars.
Henry said, “The driver and passengers are the shock absorbers”.
Caravans, trailers, recreational vehicles and off-road utility trailers all suffer from vibrations caused by corrugated rough road conditions.
Road Vibrations and Fatigue
Road vibrations can cause excessive wear and tear on caravan components, such as bearings and household items inside your unit.
Caravan shock absorbers help reduce bearing wear by dampening the road shocks transmitted through the bearings.
You may also be interested in learning about vibration fatigue in your caravan.
The visual impact of wear and tear on your household components is quite evident after a trip in the outback.
Rough road conditions can affect the fit and operation of expensive components, such as refrigerators, stoves, and other items in your caravan.
Couplemate™ Trailer Parts, a long-time Australian supplier of caravan shock absorbers and vehicle and camper trailer suspension parts, is pleased to announce its latest product release: a line of shock absorber products specifically for caravans and off-road campers.
Americans have been hitting the wide-open road with recreational vehicles and off-road equipment for years.
Enjoying this lifestyle has been a hallmark of being a part of the “Grey Brigade” fraternity.
Future generations are embracing the culture of hitting the open road, as Mum and Dad have done.
Couplemate Trailer Parts™ is well-known as the manufacturer of “The Marriage Saver” or Trailer Guide.
Exceeding the Allowed Range of Spring Movement (Rebound)
Couplemate Trailer Parts™ also suggests that without caravan shock absorbers, your RV or trailer will have a “bouncing” ride during off-road trips. Energy is stored in the spring and then released to the trailer, possibly exceeding the allowed range of spring movement.
Steader (higher rate) springs are required to help control excessive suspension movement without absorption, which would lead to a “harsh” ride.
Caravan shock absorbers allow soft (lower rate) springs to control the rate of suspension movement in response to bumps.
Caravan shock absorbers dampen the motion of the unsprung weight in the direction of spring travel.
Caravan springs do not absorb shock, as they only store energy and do not dissipate or absorb it.
Science has not changed since Henry Ford’s days. If it’s got wheels, then it probably needs shock absorbers.
Types of Shock Absorbers
There are two main ways that caravan shock absorbers are designed to absorb shock. Let’s walk through how the mono-tube shock absorber and twin-tube shock absorber works.
Mono-Tube Shocks
As the name “mono-tube” suggests, there is only one tube inside this caravan shock absorber. This tube houses oil, gas, and a piston valve.
Let us explain how the mono-tube shock absorbers work. This single cylinder is divided into two compartments: the first compartment contains fluid where the piston and shaft move. The second compartment contains the gas. What separates these two compartments, is a floating piston and seal.
Mono-tube shock absorbers are more responsive due to producing no aeration or foaming. This fact and the mono-tube’s better heat dissipation are some of the reasons mono-tube shocks are more ideal for race cars, off-road rigs, and other performance applications.
The mono-tube shocks Couplemate sells are Couplemate shocks and AL-KO’s red, blue and black shocks.
Twin-Tube Shocks
There are two tubes inside a twin-tube shock: an outer tube and an inner tube. The outer tube contains the reserve hydraulic fluid and the gas charge. The inner tube contains the piston rod, piston valve, hydraulic fluid and base valve.
So, how do twin-tube caravan shock absorbers work? The inner tube’s piston rod that connects to a piston valve moves up and down as the vehicle travels over bumps and dips: the fluid in this inner tube is then forced through the piston valve or the base valve to control excess vehicle movement.
When the shock is compressed, the piston pushes oil through the base valve into the reserve tube area. When the shock is extended, oil is forced through the piston valve and flows back into the inner tube.
Twin-tube shocks are most commonly used for light trucks, SUV’s and passenger cars.
Couplemate sells ALKO Enduro shock absorbers, which are twin-tube shocks.
Purchase Caravan Shock Absorbers and Kits
Mono-Tube Shock Absorbers
Twin-Tube Shock Absorbers
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© Steve Wotherspoon 17th August 2014
Henry Ford thought shock absorbers were NOT NOT NOT essential equipment on his cars.