Raising the Height of Van

[LJS]

Hi all,

Just inquiring if anyone has raised the height (ground clearance) of their van. If so, was it successful. I am considering raising the height of my van approximately 60mm allowing some breathing space when negotiating driveways etc. My main concern is that by doing so it may effect the stability, although by this small margin I wouldn't think so.

Regards, Les

 

[otherclive]

Hi all,

Just inquiring if anyone has raised the height (ground clearance) of their van. If so, was it successful. I am considering raising the height of my van approximately 60mm allowing some breathing space when negotiating driveways etc. My main concern is that by doing so it may effect the stability, although by this small margin I wouldn't think so.

Regards, Les

I’ve never heard of anyone doing that, and I wouldn’t condone it. Caravan suspension is totally different to that of cars, how would you propose to raise it? Raising the CoG is certainly not a good idea. I raised a Pajero by 50mm and even with its sophisticated suspension it’s on road driving character changed.

 

[Buckman]

I wonder if fitting shock absorbers would help? Not so much for lifting the caravan but negotiating tricky areas. Maybe if you explained the issue in more detail, we could give better advice?

 

[RogerL]

60mm is a big lift, even by the standard of off-road vehicles.

First thing to check is that the caravan isn't overloaded and then whether the suspension has "relaxed" giving lower clearance than when new in both cases.

You might do better focussing on creating a raised trackway for the wheels over whatever the obstacle(s) are.

 

[otherclive]

I lifted my Pajero by 50 mm by fitting off road springs but it didn’t increase the ground clearance of differential, gearbox etc that was improved by fitting 33 inch tyres on 15,inch wheels cf the standard 30 inch tyres. But on a caravan increased tyre diameter risks damaging the fragile wheel arches.

 

[Lutz]

Such a major technical modification which could affect the handling characteristics of the caravan and consequently safety would require IVA approval if the caravan was built after whole vehicle type approval was introduced in 2012. Insurance coverage could otherwise be jeopardised. Also, by raising the caravan, the hitch height will probably be outside limits unless a modification is done there, too.

 

[Buckman]

On a certain brand of the caravan, it was renown for the suspension collapsing. In this case we do not even know the brand or model of caravan?

 

[JTQ]

If your intention in raising the van is just to gain ground clearance during entry or exit to a particular driveway I assume the "need" only occurs at one or two places where the slope changes?

The same can, and as I have previously had to use myself, by getting the wheel(s) to roll over a wooden block, placed where that wheels lift is required. In my case the dip of a road side gutter presented a change from the camber of the lane with rise of our drive.

In my case it was used with the van moved by a mover so I could take my time and stop and place my pair of blocks precisely just where the lift was needed.

All achieved without any modification to the van, its towing dynamics or weight. ( blocks simply left at home)

I these days have two portable steel channels for the wheels to roll over, made for me specifically to bridge the dip. Only issue here is to protect mine from what appears as the covetous interest the odd contractor or builder has taken in them!
I designed them and had them folded up from 3 mm steel plate by a local fabricator.

 

[otherclive]

We have had posts on the Forum wrt Bailey and Swift caravans having suspension failings and these have occurred on both new and older caravans, with no real evidence of overloading. So it’s a distinct possibility that this caravan could be similarly affected too. But if it’s just the length of the van wrt the configuration of the drive some long lengths of timber or similar like grp waffle boards to lift it could resolve the issue.

 

[otherclive]

I use these for the front lawn when visitors need to park. 40 mm height lift. Easy to move around and position.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plastic-Paving-Driveway-Protector-Drainage/dp/B091MH4G16/ref=asc_df_B091MH4G16/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=439763758941723826&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9189744&hvtargid=pla-2281435177618&psc=1&mcid=33c919213fab32a5abc146b7cb6f7116&hvocijid=439763758941723826-B091MH4G16-&hvexpln=74&gad_source=1

 

[Lutz]

I have never heard of a caravan suspension collapsing on both sides at the same time. Therefore, I doubt whether a collapsed suspension is the issue in this case.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I don't normally research the poster, but there was something about the OP which made me wonder, so I looked up his previous postings, I discovered this:

" I am considering upgrading from my current van, a 2013 Swift Challenger Sport 584. In the mix I was giving serious consideration to the Adria's. I reside downunder (Australia) and...!"

I don't know the outcome of his deliberations but the fact he is based in Australia might affect what is possible or not. Some manufactures do make modifications to models they export, and some of those mods might include the chassis design options.

But if the caravan he has is a standards UK specification, then there is no normal approved ride height modification, in fact its not clear how you can raise the ride height of an AlKo chassis without major component changes.

And to address another comment regarding dampers. Dampers do not affect ride height, they control the motion of the moving arms. And I am not aware of any UK dampers that have any spring assistance or lift function designed for caravans - but there might be some in AU.

 

[RogerL]

I don't normally research the poster, but there was something about the OP which made me wonder, so I looked up his previous postings, I discovered this:

" I am considering upgrading from my current van, a 2013 Swift Challenger Sport 584. In the mix I was giving serious consideration to the Adria's. I reside downunder (Australia) and...!"

I don't know the outcome of his deliberations but the fact he is based in Australia might affect what is possible or not. Some manufactures do make modifications to models they export, and some of those mods might include the chassis design options.

But if the caravan he has is a standards UK specification, then there is no normal approved ride height modification, in fact its not clear how you can raise the ride height of an AlKo chassis without major component changes.

And to address another comment regarding dampers. Dampers do not affect ride height, they control the motion of the moving arms. And I am not aware of any UK dampers that have any spring assistance or lift function designed for caravans - but there might be some in AU.

Maybe the OP is trying to emulate a typical Australian-built caravan which have much higher floors and are off-road capable - I don't think it's possible to modify a UK/EU caravan to do the same job.

 

[Lutz]

Maybe the OP is trying to emulate a typical Australian-built caravan which have much higher floors and are off-road capable - I don't think it's possible to modify a UK/EU caravan to do the same job.

It's always possible to modify any caravan to achieve an off-road configuration, even if it means replacing the entire chassis. It's just a matter of the effort involved and what one has to do to make it legal.

 

[Tobes]

I have never heard of a caravan suspension collapsing on both sides at the same time. Therefore, I doubt whether a collapsed suspension is the issue in this case.

Ours collapsed on both sides at the same time. 2016 Bailey Unicorn S3 Vigo. It's a very wide spread issue on Alko chassis Baileys (Pegasus and Unicorn) from 2014 to 2017 with an entire face book group dedicated to owners looking for a soution. Bailey washed their hands of it and private fix is all that is available.

 

[KiwiVanner]

From a forum I'm involved in (New Zealand). Just passing this on as I have no knowledge of what's really involved

Re: Lowering the axle, lifting the van​

Unread post by Nut17 » Wed Oct 05, 2022 7:44 am


I achieved an 80mm chassis lift using a system similar to your idea in December 2019 on our then almost brand new Elddis Supreme 860. I fabricated some channel section spacers using 40 x 40 x 4 mm L iron. Some large washers and oversized holes were needed to match the large recessed swages. I also replaced the tyres with a size larger and taller aspect ratio effectively providing another 20mm lift.
Some photos below. The first one shows the original ride height but on some X VW Golf 15" wheels which ended up being unsuitable as the off set was incorrect and did not provide sufficient back clearance.
Attachments
Cheers Chris

 

[LJS]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your many responses. I realise by your many replies that I was not totally specific in my question.

First of all, Professor John, you have been doing your detective work as yes it is indeed I in a previous post that was looking at the Adria range however decided to stick with the Swift Challenger.

I have had my van for 9 years and I did look at a height modification back then, however, dropped off the idea. I'm now revisiting the concept as there are a number of workshops here in Australia that offer this service and have raised a number of satisfied Swift owners van heights.

Shortly after I purchased my 2013 Challenger, Swift introduced a model specifically designed for Australian conditions such as raised height, beefier chasis, higher ATM etc.

Because I have done so much to my van, I was hoping for a height modification to complete the picture. The other alternative would be to sell my van and purchase the Australian model.

The one thing I don't want to do in any modification is to interfere in the dynamics of the van. Being lower to the ground does have it's pros. As I said, I have survived the past 9 years, seems a little counter productive perhaps in starting now. The money may be better spent elsewhere such as an alternative to the notorious Swift Panoramic Sunroof crack.

I may install a couple of trolley wheels as illustrated in the attachment on each rear corner to assist in the van from bottoming out.

Thank you all, your replies have been much appreciated.