Skid Wheels

[jagmanx]

Top marks for no jokes !!
But seriously Our Motorhome (see avatar) has a longish overhand and on a few occasions minor damage has occurred.
The latest being the demolition of the waste water drain pipes and tap.
I have sourced suitable items here in Thailand to bring back to UK (for the drainage items)
But I am also looking to prevent similar damage by fitting said "Skidwheels" to a suitable cross member (NOT A WC Cross member).
The cross member being behind the rear wheels and suitably strong

​

I attach photos and ask
a) which ones would you recommend
b) what size
c) how to fix

Any ideas from such as Runnach (Terry), Trev(skoda)or and others with suitable experience knowledge

Thanks in advance
Phil

 

[n brown]

i think wheels are unnecessary , i'd use metal skids made from flat bar

 

[jagmanx]

Thanks

i think wheels are unnecessary , i'd use metal skids made from flat bar

But I would rather use wheels if possible...
Ridiculous prices (low) here...in Thailand..available as well in local "B&Q".
Plan is to buy 2 here and bring to uk in April.

 

[n brown]

just thinking of building the framework inc axles,most of which you'd want inside the bodywork ,and any repairs that might become necessary. also whichever method hopefully wouldn't get much use.sort of problem i'd enjoy lying under a van thinking about !

 

[jagmanx]

Thanks to the previous 2 posts

1 some of the wheels I posted do swivel.
2 thinking of locating them at 20% in from the side and about the same distance from the Rear end.

 

[harrow]

A roller would require less height

 

[n brown]

ah , castors - i'd be chopping up supermarket trollies and roping the bases on for a test !
a flat plate across the back,mostly inside the bodywork ,with heavy castors bolted on would do it

 

[jagmanx]

The 2nd picture wheels are

A bit like castors.
What size roughly and I will take a selection of pictures next week.

 

[Snapster]

How about trying to raise the rear end? I wouldn’t be happy putting skids or wheels at the rear, if they come into contact with the ground they will be taking the weight that the rear axle takes, but not at the strongest point of the chassis.
I would consider adjustable air suspension on the rear axle or stronger rear springs. Most vans sit higher at the back than the front, if yours doesn’t, the rear springs may be weak or it could be overloaded at the rear.

 

[caledonia]

I’ve seen small metal rollers fitted to the ends of the rear crossmember/ bumper. I think Runnach Arto has them and its very neat and tidy compared to shopping trolley wheels which would naff. IMO.

 

[n brown]

I’ve seen small metal rollers fitted to the ends of the rear crossmember/ bumper. I think Runnach Arto has them and its very neat and tidy compared to shopping trolley wheels which would naff. IMO.

yes but shopping trolley wheels are only a quid for 4

 

[jagmanx]

Thanks

How about trying to raise the rear end? I wouldn’t be happy putting skids or wheels at the rear, if they come into contact with the ground they will be taking the weight that the rear axle takes, but not at the strongest point of the chassis.
I would consider adjustable air suspension on the rear axle or stronger rear springs. Most vans sit higher at the back than the front, if yours doesn’t, the rear springs may be weak or it could be overloaded at the rear.

Fresh Water tank and gas are amidships .
Springs ok..just too low skirting plastic bumper etc.
Would be possible to redesign from rear wheels back but too much hassle for many reasons especially rear light cluster.
Will look to do something bearing in mind all the warnings re strength etc.

 

[izwozral]

How about trying to raise the rear end? I wouldn’t be happy putting skids or wheels at the rear, if they come into contact with the ground they will be taking the weight that the rear axle takes, but not at the strongest point of the chassis.
I would consider adjustable air suspension on the rear axle or stronger rear springs. Most vans sit higher at the back than the front, if yours doesn’t, the rear springs may be weak or it could be overloaded at the rear.

Air suspension is the route I took, it has lifted the back end by 10cm on the mid setting so I am guessing on a full inflate it will lift it by 20 cm approx. There is also the added bonus of smoother ride, added stability in cross winds and is quieter when hitting bumps and pot holes. Maybe I am seeing a problem that wont happen but I am not sure I would like to be responsible for a caster flying through someones windscreen after it has been whacked in a pothole or bump in the road.
I bought my kit from Ebay for £250 and fitted it myself [I am no mechanic]. Took off the bump stops, bolted the airbags in the same spot, ran the airlines from the bags to a 12v compressor fitted under the drivers seat and the gauges fixed to the front panel of seat base. Each bag can be inflated/deflated independently.
Took me about 3 - 4 hours and believe me, I am a complete amatuer when it come to mechanics, I don't even change my own oil!

 

[saxonborg]

The problem I see with using wheels is that you are not guaranteed to hit both wheels at the same time, this then could lead to higher loads on one wheel and potential for damage, as somebody mentioned earlier fitting rear air bags would be a better bet because of there versatility, not only can raise the rear but can also be used for levelling when parked up, you alsohave the stability benefits when driving.

 

[n brown]

don't know your van, but extending the chassis might not be too bad a job

 

[jagmanx]

Renault master

don't know your van, but extending the chassis might not be too bad a job

Lunar build but based on the Renault.
The grey water tank is behind the rear axle and from memory has x members front and back.
Cannot check now We are in Thailand.
May well take a punt on a pair of castors wheels and then see how they might help.
Problem usually occurs at low speed entering or leaving campsites or carparks with poorly contoured areas.

 

[izwozral]

This is the sort of kit I fitted Air Suspension KIT with Compressor for VW Volkswagen LT 1995-2006 - 4000kg | eBay but mines for a Ducato and bought from a Slovnian seller. Looks like the cheapest available now is £280 but it all depends on your model.

 

[dalspa]

Don’t forget that anything you add underneath will reduce your existing clearance height. Castors, unless extremely strong, will get bent and in need of replacing before next use. Similar with angle fixings for whatever system you use. Simplest method would be bolting a piece of hardwood to underside of cross member, recessing the head of the bolts into the wood. F1 cars have wood skids underneath to prevent underbody damage.
I have never grounded but always go slow and often at an angle when boarding a ferry. I have thought about putting something under, just in case, but never got round to making up my mind as to what method to adopt. Some form of rollers, rather than wheels, always come to the top of the list in my mind.

 

[jagmanx]

Air suspension

Maybe the best.
I like the idea of levelling independently when stood.
The idea that you can go from medium to high when needed also appeals.

 

[wildebus]

i think wheels are unnecessary , i'd use metal skids made from flat bar

reading comments on this thread about wanting to use wheels or castors i.e. things that turn round - and expanding on the idea above, how about using the rollers that are used in conveyor belts when they have to turn corners?
They are generally heavy duty (much more so than plastic wheels) and would not add much to the reduced distance from ground to rear compared to a skid plate.
And they can be had for not much money (I have a box of around 12 or so I got from eBay (I think?) around 5 years ago to use in a wheel prep station I built)