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Topic: 240/Torsilastic Suspension discussion (Read 1524 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from 36' vs 40'

240/Torsilastic Suspension discussion

Our U240 is a wide body but still has the narrow track of the 96" coach.  I suspect that Foretravel had a supply of narrow axles to get rid of as they reached the end of production on the Unihomes. 
Dave and Kelli
1997 U295 40' Build #5188 CSGI
1995 U240 36' Build #4621 SBID-SOLD
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Re: Re: 36' vs 40'

Reply #1 –
Dave,

That is unique to one model (U240) and one model year (1995).

1995 was the only year of the "wide body" U240 and was the last year of that model.

Be sure to check RIDE HEIGHT, as it is important with the Torsilastic Suspension.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Re: 36' vs 40'

Reply #2 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Be sure to check RIDE HEIGHT, as it is important with the Torsilastic Suspension.
I know it has shims, but never fooled with the suspension, yet. Is this a "yearly" deal or??????  Do I need to go to "CBC" for inspection? Thanks, Brett.  ^.^d  "Torsilastic" cracks me up, it seems like it should be out of a Dick Van Dyke/Julie Andrews song!
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Re: 36' vs 40'

Reply #3 –
Quote from: mike leary –
I know it has shims, but never fooled with the suspension, yet. Is this a "yearly" deal or??????  Do I need to go to "CBC" for inspection? Thanks, Brett.  ^.^d  "Torsilastic" cracks me up, it seems like it should be out of a Dick Van Dyke/Julie Andrews song!
Mike,
You can easily measure it yourself.  Look for Brett's guide, but it simply is to measure from the ground to the horizontal flat surface near the tires.  The spot to measure the front suspension is behind the tires and rear is on both sides.  Best results will be on flat, level concrete.
Dave and Kelli
1997 U295 40' Build #5188 CSGI
1995 U240 36' Build #4621 SBID-SOLD
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Re: Re: 36' vs 40'

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Dave Larsen –
Best results will be on flat, level concrete
Do they still make them? Mods are welcome to make this a new thread, but I know Brett dealt with BF Goodrich about the low -carry ability the Torsilastic Suspension had on the 240 with the extra engine weight of the CAT.  My files show Brett was at FOT in 2000: the invoice says, " Replace rear torsion tubes and arms, replace shackles and brackets, replace spring assembly". At the same time, FOT "checked all front end components for wear: all rings, tie rod end and drag link."  b^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: 240/Torsilastic Suspension discussion

Reply #5 –
Eagle Bus Company used this suspension for years

and years. It was thought to be the smoothest ride

in the bus industry (Continental Trailways had more

than a thousand busses, over the years) and there

are many still on the road to this day. Think their's were

superior to the ones used by FT.

Carter-

Re: 240/Torsilastic Suspension discussion

Reply #6 –
The Eagle torsilastic springs were very different from those used in either Safari or Foretravel.

They are unrelated, as the weight of an Eagle is 2X that of an RV.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: 240/Torsilastic Suspension discussion

Reply #8 –
I always thought torsion bar suspension was a neat idea.  I had opportunity to play with them in several VW vehicles, and a '68 Plymouth GTX.  The simplicity is appealing...also the easy adjustability.  But I guess they had engineering drawbacks, or would still be in common use today.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: 240/Torsilastic Suspension discussion

Reply #9 –
As I recall my '56 VW window van had a torsion suspension except it used a steel torsion bar rather than a rubber bedded application.  It was possible, after long service, to reset the splined arms to account for any sag.

So are these parts being manufactured again or is this NOS?  Has anyone ever worked out an airbag mod for these suspensions?
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: 240/Torsilastic Suspension discussion

Reply #10 –
If you are out of ride height shims and ride height is below spec (spec is 32-33" from the "shelf that forms the top of the wheel well behind each wheel position) there several options:

1. New springs from Sulastic.  I have no first hand knowledge as to their quality.

2. Air over the torsilastic springs.  Have seen and have pictures of a very good installation on a Safari DP with the same suspension. Have not delved in deep enough to find out if this would be a bolt up or would require a different bracket or would be flat impossible. If someone with a U225/U240 wants to get deeper into this and can take some measurements/pictures, just PM me.

3. As I recall, at least one owner supplemented the torsilastic springs with SUMO springs.

Were I to be addressing this on a coach today, I would start with #2 to see if the air over torsilastic is feasible.

When I and then Foretravel went from the 15k to 19k rear springs for the U240 (I worked directly with the engineers at B.F. Goodrich Aerospace on this), this solved much of the rear loss of ride height.  Front should never be a problem as most have a stack of shims even at correct ride height.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: 240/Torsilastic Suspension discussion

Reply #11 –
As brett has mentioned a few times the air over Torsilastic would be a good idea and I have looked at this as a fix for Brother's (Geoff) coach but still not actually done anything. They are bringing their coach up to our home in May I think so along with some other things to do hopefully will get a chance to look at this again and may even make a mock up for this change.
The parts shown can also be bought from a dealer in San Antonio TX and are same price, they also have the shackles at $100 each.
Brett, I would appreciate if you have a picture/info on the smae fix for the Safari I would appreciate it by email if possible.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: 240/Torsilastic Suspension discussion

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Texas Guy –
Eagle Bus Company used this suspension for years

and years. It was thought to be the smoothest ride

in the bus industry (Continental Trailways had more

than a thousand busses, over the years) and there

are many still on the road to this day. Think their's were

superior to the ones used by FT.

Carter-

My 1957 Flxible Starliner has a torsion bar suspension and I'll agree that it delivers a very smooth and confident ride.

http://www.gadgetguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/IMG_5477.jpg
A fully restored 1957 Flxible Starliner and a 2014 Marathon Coach
 

Re: 240/Torsilastic Suspension discussion

Reply #13 –
Quote from: TheGadgetGuru –
My 1957 Flxible Starliner has a torsion bar suspension and I'll agree that it delivers a very smooth and confident ride.
Given Brett went toe-to-toe with Goodrich and got them to increase the weight capabilities of the 240 with the CAT, I'd heard FT used them from "then on", what I have no files on, is when "then on" was? Never driven a bus FT, but have driven a Marathon/Prevost and the ride of our 240 is just as smooth. ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'