Cruisemaster raises suspension bar

Leading Australian off-road suspension manufacturer, Vehicle Components, is releasing a ‘next generation’ premium off-road caravan suspension it claims will be the best available on the market.

Sitting above the Queensland company’s current range-topping XT off-road suspension, the new Cruisemaster ATX will boast greater load carrying capacity and more features including sealed-for-life, non-adjustable bearings and the option of wireless remote suspension diagnostics.

Displayed in prototype form at the Queensland Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow, the new top-spec, independent trailing arm ATX suspension will be available in coil spring, coil over airbag and rolling sleeve airbag configurations, with a maximum load rating up to 2800kg for single axle and 4500kg for tandem axle versions.

Available as a fully assembled kit sub frame (pictured), the ATX also boasts increased toe and camber adjustment and vertical wheel travel, bigger adjustable shock absorbers with “exclusive, designed registered dual rate operation”, and a bigger range of options including ventilated disc brakes, rebound cables and ‘anti-roll’ stabilizer bars for “improved on and off-road control”, according to Vehicle Components.

“We wanted to have a new flagship suspension that was bigger and better as a lot of people have copied XT,” explained Vehicle Components’ managing director Chris Goddard.

“No other (caravan) suspension we’re aware of in Australia has the same level of technology, it’s motor vehicle technology.”

Other additions including stainless steel ‘caps’ for the bushes, and thicker 63mm square stub axles are designed to improve “overall vehicle dependability”.

The ATX will also be the first Cruisemaster suspension in which the airbags can be wirelessly controlled via Bluetooth and a smartphone app, allowing the ride height of the caravan or camper trailer to be adjusted from the comfort of the tow vehicle.

Goddard said the optional anti-roll bars help provide greater stability over rough terrain, especially for big, top-heavy off-road caravans.

“The suspension is a longer travel than the XT, but the actual spring rate is quite soft, so it protects the van and gives it a really good ride,” he said.

He said ATX is not designed to replace the popular XT off-road suspension, but is instead targeted at “somebody who wants the biggest and the best”.

“It will find appeal at the premium end on the top (caravan) models. It’s not a cheap suspension but it’s the best one available on the market.”

Two years in development, Cruisemaster ATX has already been subjected to extensive ‘real world’ diagnostic testing under the company's 'Rat Run' trailer, which was also on display in Queensland. 

The ATX suspension will undergo further Outback testing in July before going into production at Vehicle Component’s Queensland factory around October.

Pricing is yet to be announced, but Goddard confirmed it will be more expensive as well as slightly heavier than XT, depending on configuration and options fitted.

Speaking on the second day of the Queensland show, Goddard said the ATX prototype with its striking Desert Sand premium powercoat finish, had already drawn plenty of show-goers to the stand.

“We’ve had far more interest than we expected. The very first one was sold a couple of hours after being on display, to a (well known Queensland off-road caravan) manufacturer. People want to be amongst the first to fit it to their product,” he said.

The premium ATX suspension follows the release of the ‘softcore’ CRS off-road suspension in 2013, which Goddard says is rapidly growing in popularity and could account for up to 50 per cent of all Cruisemaster production within 12-18 months.