Washboard Driving

[rob_gendreau]

The speed you need varies depending on who made the washboard. In areas were tractor trailers and real trucks are to blame you need a different speed than where it's just regular vehicles and cars, and the kind of surface makes a diff. I've had little vibration in a vehicle with a very short wheelbase (Sidekick) while my long wheel based pals in trucks were dying. You just have to adjust to conditions.

Or avoid it altogether.

I once had a can of sweetened cream churn to butter on a road somewhere in BC. Amazed the van had a single screw left in the interior.

Rob

[Ketcham]

Has anyone with a 2010 or newer 4x4 converted to deaver/belistine system and felt it was well worth the investment? I so far have been happy with the springs of the 2010. But I am also colour blind.

[maxacceleration]

These vans are sensitive to tire pressure. E rated tires at 70-80 psi on pavement ride rough.
As Daveb says 60f/65r is a smoother ride. Any softer on the pavement and your van (my van) gets rollie pollie, plus tires probably run hotter and fuel mileage decreases (what fuel mileage lol).
Off road air down! Its been done that way forever. On a 9000 lb van 35 psi feels pretty soft and takes much of the chatter away on washboards. Softer for sand maybe 25. On sharp craggly rocks you still need to air down for bump absorbtion. Even at 0-5 mph.
With so much crap (sorry) bolted, screwed & glued to these vans, they are rattle traps.
I avoid fast washboard and look for the slow roads.
On board air in what ever fashion is really a plus on these vans. They need air pressure changes for varying conditions.

[quigley513]

Any mention of on board air get me interested. I have found that a nice tank of CO2 with a 175 psi fixed regulator and about 50 feet of hose is the way to go. Nothing against little compressors, or even big compressors, I have both, but the CO2 tank fills the tires really fast and can run pneumatic tools like a die grinder (with metal cut off wheels, one of the most useful tools off road) and put out a small fire. A set of deflators is a big help too.

[maxacceleration]

Your set 513. A good set-up IMO.

[PatO]

I've done my share of washboard (Rockhouse Canyon Road by Borrego Springs and Picacho State Park to S4 camp site comes to mind) and having replaced my starter batteries today I suspect that there is a price you pay on their longevity too. Now a total discharge hastened the failure of one of my batteries prematurely at the 3 year mark but still there is a lot shaking going on in those wet cells. Actually shortly after one long washboard trip my power window cable broke which I think was related. So just saying going fast on the humps has increased expenses involved in the long run.

[1bajaboy]

If you ever go to Baja you learn to drive on washboard! Depending on tire brand you can air down to 20 psi for sand or washboard! Never make sharp turns at high speed with low airpressure! But striaght aways 50 to 60 mph is cool.........Brad

[BajaSportsmobile]

Originally Posted by 1bajaboy

If you ever go to Baja you learn to drive on washboard! Depending on tire brand you can air down to 20 psi for sand or washboard! Never make sharp turns at high speed with low airpressure! But striaght aways 50 to 60 mph is cool.........Brad

Road out of San Ignacio - one of top 10 worst washboard road in the world!

[E350]

"Yes, 40 MPH will seem scary fast. But slower than that, the bumps get worse."

X2. at least on the washboard to Deadwood Resevoir, Idaho.

[TwoVans]

.02

Quit worrying about tire pressure when you are off road. Just watch the tire. When it starts to bulge ever so slightly, you are good. This method takes into account differences in loaded weight. Has been working like a champ for me for years. Makes a huge difference on "washboards".