1997 American Eagle vs 2000 Safari Zanzibar
Hi, we are just starting our full timing journey. We have been sitting in the same park basically for a year waiting for our house to sell.We finally have a contract-so we are thinking about the futur...
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B.F. Goodrich made the Torsilastic Suspension (aka Velvet Ride) at their Aerospace Division in Jacksonville FL.
They sold that division over a decade ago. Lord Corp who bought it scrapped that part of production-- i.e. there are no parts available with OE quality control. There is a company in Mexico who recently started offering replacement parts-- I have no idea as to quality.
The Safari rendition of the Torsilastic suspension left a lot to be desired, leading to a whole cottage industry of aftermarket parts to improve ride and handling. http://www.pioneermetalworks.com/ was the best of them. Sadly, with the passing of the owner, Ralph Andrews, focus on RV suspensions has wained. Ralph designed and sold a number of aftermarket products that improved ride and handling, including: track bars, radius rods, double shock mounts, etc.
A significant issue on Torsilastic suspension coaches is RIDE HEIGHT. As with any diesel pusher, ride height, particularly in the rear is critical. The very short driveshaft found on diesel pushers is not very tolerant to out of spec drive line angles. Once all the ride height adjustment shims have been removed, efforts to restore proper ride height can get very expensive.
They sold that division over a decade ago. Lord Corp who bought it scrapped that part of production-- i.e. there are no parts available with OE quality control. There is a company in Mexico who recently started offering replacement parts-- I have no idea as to quality.
The Safari rendition of the Torsilastic suspension left a lot to be desired, leading to a whole cottage industry of aftermarket parts to improve ride and handling. http://www.pioneermetalworks.com/ was the best of them. Sadly, with the passing of the owner, Ralph Andrews, focus on RV suspensions has wained. Ralph designed and sold a number of aftermarket products that improved ride and handling, including: track bars, radius rods, double shock mounts, etc.
A significant issue on Torsilastic suspension coaches is RIDE HEIGHT. As with any diesel pusher, ride height, particularly in the rear is critical. The very short driveshaft found on diesel pushers is not very tolerant to out of spec drive line angles. Once all the ride height adjustment shims have been removed, efforts to restore proper ride height can get very expensive.
