ARV pumps up caravan suspension market

The Australian off-road caravan suspension market is really starting to heat up, with a number of new set-ups as well as upgraded products rolling out onto the tracks in 2023.

Now one of Australia's biggest caravan chassis producers, Melbourne-based ARV Chassis, is aiming to steal market share from well established homegrown brands with its recently released, new in-house range of independent trailing arm, coil spring and airbag suspensions.

ARV Chassis' General Manager Ian Broomfield said it made sense for Australia's second biggest builder of caravan chassis to offer its own purpose-built line of off-road suspension systems.

"ARV Chassis have been going eight years now, and in that time we've grown to become the largest independent supplier of chassis in Australia," Broomfield explained.

"We decided over a two year process of R&D to get into suspensions because it's the only part of the chassis we couldn't control; they're normally supplied by third parties like Cruisemaster, AL-KO, Alpha Suspensions, etc," he continued.

"So we took all the knowledge on board from the past eight years listening to customers (to come up with the new ARV Titan range)."

Designed for either semi off-road or full off-road use, the new ARV independent trailing arm suspension range kicks off with the 3300-3500kg ATM rated, Titan coil set-up with either 10in or 12in drum brakes and a single shock per wheel, followed by the Titan-X 2750kg-rated single axle and 3500-4500kg-rated tandem coil set-ups, with 12in drum brakes and twin shocks.

A 3000kg ATM-rated single axle coil option is set to join the range shortly.

ARV's range-topping Titan Air airbag suspension is available in four 'types': an airbag set-up with external inflation points; an onboard heavy-duty 12V compressor and remote actuated valves; an onboard air tank and tire inflation kit; or a self-levelling mechanism with automatic and semi-automatic controls.

Broomfield said the top-spec 'Type 4' Titan Air is unique in that it allows for individual airbag controllability, making it easier to level out the caravan on uneven ground.

"Our airbag suspension is not only better for manufacturers because of its 'plug 'n play' capability, but also for the consumer as you can alternate between every single airbag, whereas you can only do one side or the other (on some rival tandem axle systems)," he said.

"Each airbag is individually controlled so if you get in a rut on one side, you just lift that wheel or the other to even it out."

The new ARV Titan range also boasts a "unique" shock absorber location in relation to the trailing arm, that helps relieve pressure on other suspension components as well as "deliver a better ride".

The ARV suspension has been subjected to durability testing, and is backed by a three year structural warranty.

"We only use quality Japanese bearings and high marine grade grease, and Pedders shockers so if there's ever a problem you can always find a Pedders store to change it over," he said.

ARV Suspensions is also promising to provide superior after-sales back-up, and reduce some of the stress if there's a warranty issue out on the tracks.

"If there's a problem just call us and we'll get you going and worry about the paperwork later," he said.

The new Titan suspension range is built at the same Campbellfield, Victoria production facility as the ARV chassis, and available either through the caravan manufacturer or dealer, or directly from ARV, with custom options also available.

Pricing is "very competitive" with other off-road suspension systems, with further cost savings available if the ARV suspension is fitted to an ARV chassis at the time of manufacture.

With an estimated 40 per cent slice of the local caravan chassis market, ARV currently supply chassis as well as its new suspension to a number of caravan builders including Retreat, ProRV, Option, Domain, Ideal/Latitude and Salute.

The fast-growing business is hoping to ramp up chassis production from 115 to 140 a week (or up to 6000 chassis annually) with the move to a new Melbourne factory later this year.

"The new purpose-built factory will include our own laser cutter which will not only increase our capacity, but improve quality by eliminating third parties that we currently use for our Truss chassis and other products," he said.

ARV has also recently introduced a new Line-X polyurea spray-on coating option, as an alternative to galvanised protection for its welded steel chassis.

"We think (Line-X is) the next big thing (in chassis protection)," Broomfield said. "You hit it with a hammer and there's no dints, and it's waterproof. It's a much better alternative to galvanising."

"We also looked at the Raptor coating... but we don't think it's as good or robust as the Line-X."

ARV will also be offering the Line-X coating for other applications including ute tub liners under a new business, ARV Coatings.