Independent versus Fixed Axle Suspension

Independent versus Fixed Axle Suspension

We came across this very good explanation whilst researching hand brakes for campers. There is more info on the Bustracker website at http://www.bushtracker.com. Very interesting vans they are too as you can go into 3 feet of water with ZERO internal leaks, doors are Tassie Oak so you can refinish if they get damaged. A very clever thing they are doing is giving you a computer produced schematic of your custom designed van - a great idea. Very nice site, well worth a visit even if you are not even remotely interested in a large off road camper - these are the Rolls Royce's!!

"LOAD SHARING IS VITAL!!

The popular belief of the main benefit of Independent Suspension is the extra ground clearance via a tunnel effect, thus the suspension doesn't act like a boat anchor when the wheel falls into a rut. This only a side benefit!! The main benefits are below:

1. Acts against Harmonic motion

The first main reason for an Independent Suspension is that it breaks up harmonic motion.

Harmonic motion is the biggest destroyer of caravans! It occurs with all forms of axle suspension.

Harmonic motion occurs when the speed of the moving suspension coincides with the ruts in the road so that the bounces build on themselves creating a destructive force. The fully independent suspension cancels out this harmonic motion. That’s why the military demands independent suspension, so does Bushtracker.

2. Load sharing

The second main reason is that Load sharing makes the vehicle articulate over obstacles rather than transfer the entire shock to the van twice...

The reason for this particular independent design of the three available is the fact that it is the most rugged and the only one that is load sharing as well. Rather than each of the tandem wheels delivering the entire shock to the caravan twice. In our Load Sharing system, the front wheel transfers 1/2 of the load onto the rear wheel, and when the rear wheel hits the obstacle it shifts 1/2 of the load on to the front wheel."

(Bushtracker Website)