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Topic: Torsilastic Ride (Read 914 times) previous topic - next topic

Torsilastic Ride

I assume only the 36 footers came with the Torsilastic ride suspension, what year were they introduced, or was it an add-on? Any issues?  Sure is a GREAT ride!  ^.^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: Torsilastic Ride

Reply #1 –
I think it came out on 94 models and the issues are usually that the rear end sags after a while as it should have been built (as modified ones were) for a few thousand pounds rear end more. Parts are available from a San Antonio co' and they are made in Mexico out of recycled rubber. Thousands of Buses in Mexico have that system.
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: Torsilastic Ride

Reply #2 –
We had a 68 Eagle  bus conversion with that system and it rode very well, not as nice as our u300
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: Torsilastic Ride

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Andy 2 –
We had a 68 Eagle  bus conversion with that system and it rode very well, not as nice as our u300 
THAT was a nice coach, don't see many of them these days.  Thanks for the info, this coach sits perfect. I'd wondered if the PO before the PO converted ours (my hero, you all know who he is).  ^.^d  We've also got some custom heavy duty shocks on this dear, as well, also done by my hero. Even on our "Blue Highways", she tracks and steers perfect!
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: Torsilastic Ride

Reply #4 –
Nope, Torsilastic/velvet ride was the OE suspension on 1991-1995 U225 and U240 Foretravels: Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year
The suspension was made by B.F. Goodrich Aerospace Division in Jacksonville FL.  It has since been sold to Lord Corp who has not and has no plans to build it.

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 Ride

Reply #5 –
Sulastic. Contact Us
This is the one I was talking about and the parts are made in Mexico by a company that makes many shocks/wheels etc with Rubber.
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: Torsilastic Ride

Reply #6 –
Eagle buses are now made in TN since the owner moved it from Brownsville, TX. They'll make you one to order with whatever you want. I saw a band tour bus with six bunks and mesquite wood floors that was beautiful
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: Torsilastic Ride

Reply #7 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
  Torsilastic/velvet ride was the OE suspension on 1991-1995 U225 and U240 Foretravels:  Foretravel Specifications, Floor Plans, Photos & Brochures by Year
Thanks, Brett, I seem to remember seeing in my files where some work was done on the Torsilastic, will check.
Quote from: John Haygarth –
This is the one I was talking about and the parts are made in Mexico by a company that makes many shocks/wheels etc with Rubber.
I will bookmark , John. Appreciate the link.
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: Torsilastic Ride

Reply #8 –
Yes, Mike, your suspension is quite custom:

I worked with the engineers at Goodrich to choose more appropriate rear springs (which Foretravel then ordered for all subsequent U240's).  Custom Koni FSD shocks (our coach was the test coach for the development of the FSD's). Custom Roadmaster HD sway bars. Custom Roadmaster rear panhard rod.......
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 Ride

Reply #9 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Yes, Mike, your suspension is quite custom: I worked with the engineers at Goodrich to choose more appropriate rear springs (which Foretravel then ordered for all subsequent U240's).  Custom Koni FSD shocks (our coach was the test coach for the development of the FSD's). Custom Roadmaster HD sway bars. Custom Roadmaster rear panhard rod.......

No wonder she rides so well.  Without even looking in the files, I had a sneaking hunch YOU had something to do with the absolute smoothness: no sway, no roll, no "attack" on bumpy roads. You done good, my friend!  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: Torsilastic Ride

Reply #10 –
Quote from: mike leary –
No wonder she rides so well.  Without even looking in the files, I had a sneaking hunch YOU had something to do with the absolute smoothness: no sway, no roll, no "attack" on bumpy roads. You done good, my friend!  b^.^d

Loved driving the u225 and 240's new.

Saw a u225 I sold new at the local cummins dealer last month.  Looked at the rear suspension and it still had shims left.

VonVolkenbergs were still the owners.  125k miles I think.

Outside needed refreshing although.

Only snivel was that you cannot lower the coach to allow more leveling ability in un level areas.

But the drive was excellent.  The cat was fast.  Too fast sometimes as I remember a twisting road by organ pipe cactus park in az and looking down at the speedo and be going 75.  Had to use the cruise empty
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Torsilastic Ride

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
The cat was fast.  Too fast sometimes as I remember a twisting road by organ pipe cactus park in az and looking down at the speedo and be going 75.  Had to use the cruise empty

This dear, at 170K, STILL wants to gallop! Prolly the hardest thing I've had to get used to is keeping an eye on the speedo, where in my previous coaches, I drove by the tach. At 2100 rpm (70/75 mph) she tends to "scamper" upwards, like she is seeking her own comfort level.  ^.^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: Torsilastic Ride

Reply #12 –
Mike,

OR, you can putter along at 60 MPH and you will see 10+ MPG.
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 Ride

Reply #13 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
OR, you can putter along at 60 MPH and you will see 10+ MPG.

Yup, but you can excuse someone who's top speed for thirty years was 55-60 (downhill).  ;)  Those Isuzus gave us 15 mpg, but I could walk faster climbing a grade (and have my eyes glued to the pyro and temp gauge) Sure never had to worry about getting a ticket on the Interstates, though!
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'