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Topic: Torsilastic suspension, GV 3600 U225 (Read 454 times) previous topic - next topic

Torsilastic suspension, GV 3600 U225

I'm looking for some hand holding here.  I need to pick up a very small car, slightly less than 1400 pounds curb weight, and I've grown paranoid about my , appears to be original, rear torsion bars.

I have 4 shims all around on the rear, and 32 and 1/2" ride height if not 33".

Do I need to sweat this?
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Torsilastic suspension, GV 3600 U225

Reply #1 –
Are you flat towing the car or will there be weight on the coach?  If weight, how much?
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: Torsilastic suspension, GV 3600 U225

Reply #2 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Are you flat towing the car or will there be weight on the coach?  If weight, how much?
I'm using my motorcycle trailer, and I plan on placing the minimum amount of weight on the coach.  It's a rear engined car so that works in my favor. 

Somehow I have in my mind a maximum tongue weight of 300# for my coach.  But I always plan for the worst.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Torsilastic suspension, GV 3600 U225

Reply #3 –
300 pounds should not be an issue.  I would fill the potable water tank to help compensate.

OK, you have my curiosity up-- what  are you towing?  Fiat 500?
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: Torsilastic suspension, GV 3600 U225

Reply #4 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
300 pounds should not be an issue.  I would fill the potable water tank to help compensate.

OK, you have my curiosity up-- what  are you towing?  Fiat 500?
Potable water tank is always full.  I use a meat syringe to measure in the appropriate amount of bleach and use the tank up once a month.

1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring built on the Fiat 850 Chassis.  Any distance farther than that car can take us, we use the coach and it has room for the dog.  I wanted to be on Warm springs, GA right now but satellite imagery showed that local travel with the coach was not practical, especially the Little White House.

I worried myself into wondering about catastrophic torsilastic torsion bar failure. Once the car is fully serviced I plan on flat towing it.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Torsilastic suspension, GV 3600 U225

Reply #5 –
Fiat 850 chassis is rear engine with a transaxle of some sort.  I guess you have verified (with who?) that it is flat towable?

I rented a Fiat 850 Spyder for 6 months (in 1972) while stationed on Guam during the SEA fiasco.  It was what the servicemen referred to as a Guam Bomb...cuz the rental cars were in such bad shape that they frequently self destructed.  I lucked out...the one I had never failed to produce every one of its 50 screaming horses for the time I had it.  Fun little car!
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: Torsilastic suspension, GV 3600 U225

Reply #6 –
Here is a photo of one-same color but not ours.
1992 U225 36'
Build #4134
1987 Rockwood 32'
Ham radio/Motorcycles and old cars
Both of us are Retired
Married 32 years
Other half is "Old Toolmaker"
Dog named Duke.
 

Re: Torsilastic suspension, GV 3600 U225

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Fiat 850 chassis is rear engine with a transaxle of some sort.  I guess you have verified (with who?) that it is flat towable?


If the gears in the transaxle dip into the oil for lubrication, I'll take the chance that it's flat towable.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.