Torsilastic spring / Torsion Bar for Magnum chassis for Foretravel / Safari
TORSION BAR suspensions use a steel bar in a sleeve connected to a lever arm to provide the up and down action. Newer torsion bars are encased in hard rubber inside the sleeve to further buffer the road noise and vibration between the axle and the chassis. Eagle passenger buses made this suspension famous and many entertainers will only use Eagle buses for touring because of their ride characteristics. Torsion bar suspensions are less affected by porpoise(ing) and have excellent resistance to tipping. Foretravel and Safari are the major motorhome builders that use or have used this suspension system.
No component in the VELVET-RIDE Suspension System requires lubrication, only periodic height adjustments are necessary, and these are easily accomplished by adding or removing shims, or loosening or tightening threaded adjustment rods.
The VELVET-RIDE Suspension System is built for a long service life. Its simple and proven engineering design ensures that the VELVET-RIDE Suspension System will operate virtually maintenance free. Your vehicle will never be stranded or inoperable due to a catastrophic spring failure, which can happen when operating air bag systems.
Picture from Velvet-Ride Suspension
To determine if you need suspension parts:
Look at your shackles-- they attach the torsilastic beam to the shim stack (two rubber joints). If the rubber in the shackles is bad, the metal will no longer be centered in the rubber and will need to be replaced.
To determine if you need torsilastic springs, you need to measure your ride height AND count the number of shims in front/behind each wheel position.
FOR FORETRAVEL U225 AND U240: From the flat area at the top of the wheel well behind each wheel position to the ground (loaded as you travel, flat surface, jacks stowed) should be 32-33". If below 32", BUT you have shims left in front/behind a wheel, removing one shim (1/4" thick) from the front and behind that wheel position will RAISE the coach at that wheel position by 1/4". Shim count in front/behind a wheel position MUST be the same, but each wheel position can be different.
FOR SAFARI, The concept is basically the same as for the Foretravels, though the measurement point will be different.
If you are out of shims or close to out of shims and you are at or under the minimum ride height spec, consider replacing the springs.
If you need to replace the springs, I recommend 2 springs, 4 shackles.
Magnum chassis specifications:
Blue max (Continental)
Engine - Caterpillar 3126 Electronic Diesel Engine
Horsepower - 330 HP @ 2,200 rpm *Torque - 860 ft-lb @ 1,440 rpm
Transmission - Allison MD3060 World 6-speed w/2 overdrives
GVWR - 29,000 lbs.
GCWR - 33,000 lbs.
Suspension - Velvet Ride
Brakes - hydraulic over hydraulic disc
Blue max (Serengety & Ivory)
Engine - Caterpillar 3126 Electronic Diesel Engine
Horsepower - 330 HP @ 2,200 rpm *Torque - 860 ft-lb @ 1,440 rpm
Transmission - Allison MD3060 World 6-speed w/2 overdrives
GVWR - 28,000 lbs.
GCWR - 33,000 lbs.
Suspension - Velvet Ride
Brakes - hydraulic over hydraulic disc
Blue max (Sahara)
Engine - Caterpillar 3126 Electronic Diesel Engine
Horsepower - 330 HP @ 2,200 rpm *Torque - 860 ft-lb @ 1,440 rpm
Transmission - Allison MD3060 World 6-speed w/2 overdrives
GVWR - 29,000 lbs.
GCWR - 33,000 lbs.
Suspension - Velvet Ride
Brakes - hydraulic over hydraulic disc.
