Redneck Engineering or.........

[mountainkowboy]

Let start by saying I'm sorry I couldn't safely get a picture of it. I went to the recycling center today and on the way back home I see this late 80's early 90's Chevy CC dually with a BIG camper on it. Didn't see a name, but it looked like an 80's Vacationeer 12 footer. Anyhow the truck had an inverted leaf spring pack between the front wheels, attached to the lower A arms by the look.

Anyone ever seen this? I watched it working in my mirror under the truck.

[burningman]

I had an ‘80s crew cab dually Chevy with the A-arms and the biggest Vacationeer camper and I’m surprised anyone did that, mine handled and drove like a dream, with absolutely zero mods.

However, having owned many truck and camper combos over the years, I’ve found the sway often comes from the FRONT end. It seems everyone concentrates all their efforts on the rear end regarding that.
This may have been a clever device.

[mountainkowboy]

noteven wrote:
Sounds interesting - like the rear suspension on Jaguar E Type and older Corvettes?

Exactly!!

free radical wrote:
Fwiw
I had 70 something Jimmy Blazer 4x4 which had front springs like that stock from the factory.
Not sure the reason for that but with both solid axles it rode perfectly fine.

No, it was an independent coil spring front end with a transverse leaf pack on it not like a Blazer.


Just thought it was strange. I've been into RV's and trucks forever and haven't ever seen one on the road.

[free_radical]

Fwiw
I had 70 something Jimmy Blazer 4x4 which had front springs like that stock from the factory.
Not sure the reason for that but with both solid axles it rode perfectly fine.

[noteven]

Sounds interesting - like the rear suspension on Jaguar E Type and older Corvettes?

[Kayteg1]

Those things were popular in 1980's and 1990's mid-weight chassis.
Lot of Class A and ClassC had narrow front tires, riding at 80 or 100 psi.
They would make the vehicle pretty hard to keep in straight driving line.
When the springs on steering rods were patch, having 1 of those motorhomes, I bought wider rims, made specially for the purpose by Carlsie (?) and riding on 60 psi was day to night.

[romore]

Sounds like somebodys attempt at sway control.