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NEWS
Off-road suspension market heats up
Melbourne’s Simplicity is working on a novel load-sharing coil suspension for off-road caravansFollowing the low-key introduction of its new Simplicity Coil independent trailing arm suspension last year, long-standing and respected caravan industry engineers N.P.Hauffe & Co are now working on a novel load-sharing tandem coil spring system that it hopes to launch in 2016.
Like Al-Ko’s new Enduro system that followed it onto the market in October last year, Simplicity Coil (pictured) was developed to meet the expectations – more than the needs – of an increasing number of caravan buyers who believe leaf spring systems under modern caravans are passé.
Losing market share (again, like Al-Ko), Simplicity Axle found itself caught with its proven load-sharing leaf-spring tandem axle that has been used by many of Australia-best known caravan makers from Jayco and to Bushtracker since its introduction back in 1975.
However rather than copy rivals’ coil systems, Simplicity broke new ground in its use of variable rate conical coil springs developed in conjunction with its South Australian spring supplier, Industrial Spring Works, to offer a progressively more controlled ride, depending on road conditions.
According to Simplicity, these load-graded conical springs that are patriotically painted white, blue or red depending on their different load ratings and sit in a common-size cradle, obviate the need for radically different systems for on and off-road caravans.
Systems rated from 1400kg to 2600kg are available for single axle caravans and trailers and from 2500kg to 4200kg for tandem operation, with Bushtracker and Paramount amongst major caravan makers to fit the new system to date.
Rather than employing traditional twin trailing arms, load sharing Simplicity Coil is expected to use both leading and trailing arms in a tandem layout.
Simplicity’s founder, Norm Hauffe, said the system, when fully developed and tested, would offer caravan and chassis manufacturers not only a weight saving, but – equally important in today’s tight market conditions – reduced fitting time over conventional systems.
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Written byMichael Browning
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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