As staycations continue to dominate the plans of happy but cash- strapped campers across the UK, could you add another revenue stream by taking on campervans for service and repair? Suspension manufacturer Bilstein certainly thinks so. Here, the German firm explains why camper van-specific shock absorbers are a worthwhile investment.
Bilstein’s B6 Camper Advanced shock absorbers have been developed specifically for the campervan segment, giving workshops the opportunity to move into this exciting market and enjoy the associated benefits – or to expand their motor home portfolio with an attractive new option. As an additional feature compared to the also recently released B6 Camper, the Advanced includes the firm’s DampMatic technology. This automatically adjusts to one of two characteristic curves depending on the situation, giving customers two shock absorbers in one – all without complex and expensive electronics. Bilstein claims this shock absorber concept fits in with its new “Way Ahead” brand claim and provides genuine added value. Campers, both panel vans as well as semi-integrated vehicles, based on the Fiat Ducato (from model year 2006) and the largely identical vehicles from Citroën and Peugeot are covered.
More than simple van shock absorption
Despite the steep prices camper vans command, they still tend to “rattle” off on their holiday adventure on simple van suspension supplied by the platform sponsor. This leads to a lack of travelling comfort, poor stability in bends or annoying driving noises, which do not exactly make the journey all that relaxing. In defence of van suspensions, from a technical perspective, it must be said that they are simply not designed for use in a motor home because the loading situation is completely different. For example, while the additional load in a delivery van is constantly changing, the heavy fittings in motor homes mean that they are constantly loaded near the permissible weight limit.
According to the manufacturer, the new B6 Camper high-performance shock absorbers already “dramatically improve” driving performance. That’s because the shock-absorbing properties have been tailored to the parameters of motor homes (semi- integrated as well as panel vans) based on thousands of hours of road tests. The special set-up provides added safety in crosswinds and on bends thanks to optimum grip and a more intense driving experience thanks to high traction and precise handling. At the same time, campers can look forward to a more comfortable driving experience: thanks to the reduction of driving noise through better shock absorption as well as the increase in comfort due to the optimised rolling behaviour on cobblestones and at level crossings. Aiming to go one better, Bilstein introduced a shock absorber that could change its characteristic curve depending on the situation – the B6 Camper Advanced with amplitude-selective shock absorption based on the DampMatic principle.
How it works
The B6 Camper Advanced has a soft characteristic setting when cruising and a tight setting during evasive manoeuvres. The shock absorber selects one of two characteristic curves completely automatically based on a mechanical process using the vibrations transmitted by the road. In the “soft setting”, the shock absorber oil flows through both the main piston and a special bypass. If the vibration amplitude becomes greater due to the driving situation, the control piston moves to its stop due to the sudden excitation. This closes the bypass and the complete volume flow is handled by the main piston. Since the flow is thus reduced, the shock absorber behaves “tighter”.
The purely mechanical DampMatic technology thus ensures that the shock absorbers can adapt to changing driving conditions instantly. This is otherwise only possible with complex active suspension systems with additional components. Bilstein argues that for workshops as well as customers, this means that the installation effort is no greater than for any other shock absorber. This saves money and makes a switch even more attractive.
