Shocks and/or leaf springs on Casitas

[Donna D.]

For those with Casitas, have you been following Larry Gamble's thread on the CasitaForum about the shock kit Orbital is building for torsion axle Casitas and Larry's thread about changing to a leaf spring axle?

Cool beans!

IF you are a member, and you have to be to view the thread, it starts right at this direct link: What's in the Works How we stay busy at the shop, post 265

[Ian G.]

Help me get my head around this. The purpose of shocks is to dampen spring oscillations from either coil or leaf springs which would continue to "bounce" without dampening (a shock absorber) . The rubber in our torsion axles has a natural dampening characteristic. In my mind shocks would just add additional stiffness to an already firm ride.

[Donna D.]

Ian, it would be best to read the thread. Sounds like there may be a YouTube video coming up, showing the same trailer going down the same lumpy road at the same speed. One with the shocks and one without. You'll be able to judge for yourself.

Larry seems excited about it...

[WizWid]

That video is coming very soon.
Before and after under more or less controlled conditions
It should make a believer out of you.

And Dan just reported back on his weekend jaunt with the shocks fitted.
Since this forum has a family audience I wont repeat his excitement here.
Suffice to say he is very pleased with them.

Jim

[Donna D.]

Thanks for responding Jim. I think the vid is going to be great to watch. I don't own a Casita and will never own one now, but know plenty of folks are looking to smooth out the trailer, especially when towing down rough roads going boondocking.

[Francesca Knowles]

Don't speak so soon, Donna- doesn't this mod start out with the same axle you're getting on your Escape (x2)? In fact, I think that most if not all present day fiberglass trailers run the Dexter. Since most are so similar below-the-floor one would think this mod could be done om any one of them.

If results are as impressive as they sound, one would think that the setup would be just as beneficial for any torsion-equipped trailer whose owner intended to use it in the conditions this was designed for.

[Donna D.]

It appears the new Escape 5er is going with leaf springs Francesca. Although leafs can be made better with shocks as well. Orbital is first building for the Casita brand, then I bet they'll move on to Scamp and then maybe on to other brands...

[Francesca Knowles]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

It appears the new Escape 5er is going with leaf springs Francesca. .

Really? The online brochure only says "• Tandem Axle Suspension (Size TBA)". I didn't realize that type was up in the air as well as size!

Thanks for the correction...

[MCDenny]

Airstreams have had torsion axles AND shocks for decades.

[Donna D.]

Yes Francesca. In the original post from Reace he spoke to perhaps going to leaf springs because it's easier when determining the correct height for the different truck beds to tow level. Different height perches and hangers, since they're adjustable. No final decision has been made yet... as far as I know. I've pointed out Larry Gamble's thread about his experiment using leaf springs on his Casita to Reace. All of us that have a 5.0TA on order on sitting on pins and needles!

[Donna D.]

The kit is now available and YouTube video is posted. See the thread from Orbital here: CasitaForum, Bolt on shock absorber kit and see the video here:

YouTube, Casita Bolt on Shock Kit Demo

Be sure to turn up the sound.

[WizWid]

Thanks Donna (our honorary West-Coast agent!)
I started a new thread on Casita Club to unclutter Larry's original thread

Bolt-On Shock Absorber Kit - Orbital Machine Works - The Casita Club Forums

Jim

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by widgetwizard

Thanks Donna (our honorary West-Coast agent!)

Jim

Hardly, I'm just all over the all molded forums reading and gaining knowledge and trying to provide good info to members.

This looks

[WizWid]

First batch of Casita Shock Absorber kits are shipping today...

jim

[WizWid]

Originally Posted by Ian G.

Help me get my head around this. The purpose of shocks is to dampen spring oscillations from either coil or leaf springs which would continue to "bounce" without dampening (a shock absorber) . The rubber in our torsion axles has a natural dampening characteristic. In my mind shocks would just add additional stiffness to an already firm ride.

Ian,

Did that video convince you of the benefits of shocks on a Casita?

Cheers,

Jim

[WizWid]

Originally Posted by widgetwizard

Ian,

Did that video convince you of the benefits of shocks on a Casita?

Cheers,

Jim

Well I guess it didnt convince Ian.
Meanwhile we have some customer testimonials for your delight here.

Jim

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by widgetwizard

Ian,

Did that video convince you of the benefits of shocks on a Casita?

Cheers,

Jim

That video didn't convince me either. The tires are supposed to bounce a bit and absorb the roughness. Now you might convince me if I could watch the bumpers of with and without to see how much the cabin is moving around.

[Ian G.]

Originally Posted by widgetwizard

Well I guess it didnt convince Ian.
Jim

Sorry Jim ... don't know how I missed this.
I would not say I am either convinced or not convinced me, but this does intrigue me. The video definitely shows oscillations dampened, my question is what are the compression and rebound rates on the shocks you are using? I would guess (and recommend) a 10%/90% or a 20%/80% where the majority of the dampening takes place on the rebound, this would allow the suspension to work and absorb compression loads without greatly increasing compression rates but dampen extension resulting in controlled oscillations. It also appears that there is a considerable amount of flexing on the outboard shock bracket, although this could be just the positioning of the camera and the illusion that the bracket is flexing.
This is something to think more about

[MC1]

Originally Posted by MCDenny

Airstreams have had torsion axles AND shocks for decades.

So true Denny and Airstreams have the reputation of being the best towing trailer money can buy.

Tires work best when they stay firmly planted on the road surface. Shocks help them do that.

I commend this company for making available shock kits for the Casita trailers. As the Vid shows and explains they will work and will help with the towability.

Has anyone installed shocks on a glass egg trailer and not noticed an improvement. Don't think so.

[steve dunham]

Larry Gamble had the shock kit on display at the 2014 Green Eggs & Ham Rally.
From what I saw they were well designed and solidly constructed . I am seriously looking at installing a set on my 2013 Casita , If they work as well as others have testified I see them as a worthwhile investment . I have read several posts on the Casita Forum stating that after installing the shocks , the contents of the trailer is subject to far less abuse .