Yesterday I travelled 30 miles to collect seven 3 x 2 paving slabs from a farm in N. Wales. I checked, they weigh around 1.5 hundredweight each, so I had over half a ton on the van floor (Hi-Top camper on good condition standard suspension).
Interestingly on the journey home (lots of windy, bumpy "B" roads) whilst you could obviously "feel" the extra weight on acceleration and braking, (but not to an extent worth any concern) I did notice the ride quality and general "feel" of the van was actually better than normal. The suspension was working much better over undulating surfaces and even in cornering. There was a more "controlled" feeling to it and less jolting over bumps etc.
Now I know these vans were designed as work horses and to carry heavy loads and an average camper conversion will weigh much less than even a half laden builders T25 van.
So, in the light of all this, it set me wondering if, on a camper van conversion, the standard springs and shocks are too stiff ? Maybe softer springs and shocks would actually improve ride and handling ? (the opposite to most suspension upgrades
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