Adjustable suspension

[Watch_Cowspiracy]

That's right, I'm talking about hydraulic or air bag suspension systems that gangsters put on their bling cars in the early 2000's. But what if it could be used for practical applications to navigate rocky forest and blm roads? Anyone ever done it? I'm thinking of putting it on my tow vehicle so it will have standard cornering when on the paved road, but the ground clearance will be lifted when on bad roads.

Before Suanne chimes in about her Prius getting to the same spots as offroad vehicles, I just want to say I did a trial run in a vehicle with 6" ground clearance and found it to not be enough to get me to the spots I wanted. I ended up mangling that car's undercarriage. Good thing it was a rental...

 

[johnny b]

What kind of vehicle?

If a van with standard solid rear axle, the differential will still be the same low clearance no matter how high the body. A lot of money for little gain.

The only way to increase axle clearance is larger tires.

 

[Watch_Cowspiracy]

I'm not 100% sure yet. I'm thinking of a Ford transit connect.

 

[John61CT]

Get the truck designed for the job.

Aftermarket add-ons do not change the fundamental qualities of the vehicle

 

[Watch_Cowspiracy]

There's no vehicle designed for the job that gets decent gas mileage that I'm aware of.

 

[John61CT]

That is correct.

You can't have everything, compromises are required.

I'm looking for something to tow a 14K# trailer. The vehicles that are capable of doing so safely are also gas guzzlers.

 

[highdesertranger]

well forget hydraulics if you want me to go into a lengthy explanation why I guess I could. you could put air bags on all for corners but all they can do is max out the factory suspension. more than likely a couple of inches max and doing the front end is not the easiest job. remember that's only going to lift what's above the airbags. everything else will still be at the same height.

the best you can do is what John said and get a vehicle designed for that, or live within the limitations of your vehicle.

what's the tallest tire you can fit on that vehicle? a taller tire will lift everything.

highdesertranger

 

[Moxadox]

That's right, I'm talking about hydraulic or air bag suspension systems that gangsters put on their bling cars in the early 2000's. But what if it could be used for practical applications to navigate rocky forest and blm roads? Anyone ever done it? I'm thinking of putting it on my tow vehicle so it will have standard cornering when on the paved road, but the ground clearance will be lifted when on bad roads.

Before Suanne chimes in about her Prius getting to the same spots as offroad vehicles, I just want to say I did a trial run in a vehicle with 6" ground clearance and found it to not be enough to get me to the spots I wanted. I ended up mangling that car's undercarriage. Good thing it was a rental...

LOL you should know that I met Suanne in a deserted Forest Service campground, down a road that had signs warning of bad conditions. My 4WD van rode the high spots just fine, but I was glad for the 4x4! The person who turned out to be Suanne was already there, looking cool as a cucumber. Her Prius wasn't even out of breath ;-)

The Dire Wolfess

 

[Moxadox]

Hydraulics.

The Dire Wolfess

 

[John61CT]

Besides the importance of the skills and experience of "the nut behind the wheel"

I bet the short wheelbase low COG and crazy strong torque of an EV are significant advantages a Prius has over a big tall Euro van.

Check out stock clearances, I believe frater's wiki lists them, one was a fair bit taller.

Note on these very modern fuel efficient fly by wire vehicles, departing from stock tire size can radically change how well they operate.

The computer may even refuse to allow them.

Also, Toyota makes a hybrid-EV 4WD Highlander now. . .

 

[crofter]

Hydraulics.

The Dire Wolfess

HA HA no need for ground clearance, just have your rig jump over those rocks and mudholes. That vid was too funny.   ~crofter

 

[DLTooley]

There's no vehicle designed for the job that gets decent gas mileage that I'm aware of.

I think heavier low mpg vehicles win out for durability reasons, unless you are a daily commuter. 

Driving less can save you more than a high mpg vehicle. One way to do this is to plan longer trips so you resupply between campsites as you move toward your destination. Another is to resupply less often, utilizing a 12v fridge as a freezer, etc.

 

[bullfrog]

Getting to a campsite is one thing. Scouting and exploring for a campsite is another. This is why most people walk in first. Next comes a TW200 or a ATV, then a UTV and in our case a Suzuki Samurai on a toyhauler trailer pulled by a 1 ton 4x4. As you get older tyou start to look for easier but it ends up just being more stuff.

 

[DannyB1954]

I used to go 4 wheel camping with buddies. We took turns pulling each other out.
Unless you are with a group, I wouldn't go farther in then that where a tow truck would be willing to get you.
Many tow services will not leave a county maintained road. If you brake something major, how are you going to get it out?
Most of those Euro vans are front wheel drive. Modifying the suspension may be impossible.