Washboard Driving

[Carl]

I would agree that reduced tire pressure/speed is key.

[j.whitbread]

In vans there is too much body flex. And the body is one piece. A pick up truck has a separate cab and bed. There's just no way around washboard rattle in vans. Larger tires and less air is about it.

[MadScience]

Higher speed does help, but unless the road is wide-ish and very straight, it sometimes takes more nerves than I can muster.

The ride in front is actually fine, the back however gets rattled around pretty well at times. Even the dog has been known to leave the bed in back to come hang out between the seats.

My front suspension is pretty plush with loads of travel. In the back (stock e350 springs and blocks) I've sometimes wondered if going to lighter weight springs plus airbags wouldn't give me more coverage of the (weight) range I actually use. (minimal DYI build out, my only friend who also has a camper is an airstreamer, so I'm biased towards light weight stuff.)

That said, my rear shocks are potentially suspect for just being old and cheap. Bounce test isn't terrible, but with such a heavy vehicle it's hard to tell if they are really 100%.

[Aldercrest]

You'd be amazed at the difference between stock springs and Deavers. I know the rear rattle you are talking about - that's my brother's van. Mine, with Deavers, is a whole different experience.

[daveb]

Originally Posted by Aldercrest

You'd be amazed at the difference between stock springs and Deavers. I know the rear rattle you are talking about - that's my brother's van. Mine, with Deavers, is a whole different experience.

[loren85022]

Alder rest, aside from the cost, was there any downside to the Deavers?


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[quigley513]

It is reported that Deavers sag under load.

[Greggd]

Speeds and Air Pressure should predicated on the weight and wheelbase of your vehicle as well as the type of tire and even rim size and width that you are running , if you experiment you will find that special speed and remember that all Wash boards are not the same . If you take the time to look you will find that Wash Board Roads ruts are shallower on the High Side of the road because of water born erosion and the prevailing winds . As mentioned above the Deaver Springs and upgraded Shocks will make an unbelievable difference in ride and handling ! With all of this said I have always felt that the noise of items moving around is the worst part of the Wash Board Road experience , I hate squeaking and rattling !
greggd

[j.whitbread]

I think washboard driving may be a misleading term. It is an issue as pointed out thoroughly here.

But these vans go farther. They bring a whole new meaning to the word "rattle". The vans seem to build vibration to a point where every part of the van is moving in the opposite direction. Sometimes I wonder why it isn't coming apart. You don't have to be going very fast either.

[BIGVANS]

In the back of your mind you always wonder if it will ever reach a point of “Harmonic Balance”