How these high-tech shocks can improve your off-road caravan’s suspension performance.
Off-road caravanning is all about exploring the great outdoors and tackling rough terrain. One key aspect of making sure your off-road caravan can handle any challenge is having a high-quality suspension system. This is where remote reservoir shocks come in.
Remote reservoir shocks may look impressive, but they offer far more than just a flashy appearance. These shocks play a crucial role in maintaining your vehicle’s suspension performance. If you’re looking to improve your ride and enhance your off-road capabilities, upgrading to remote reservoir shocks is a smart choice.
So, what exactly are remote reservoir shocks, and how do they work? Monotube shocks contain a chamber filled with oil and a valving piston that separates the chamber. As the shock cycles, oil flows through the ports and shims of the valving piston, creating compression and rebound damping. The shock also has a free-floating piston that separates the oil from a gas charge. Pressurizing the shock with gas charge reduces aeration under harder use. Remote reservoir shocks, on the other hand, separate the free-floating piston and gas charge from the main shock body and place them in a separate reservoir.
One of the most significant advantages of remote reservoir shocks is their ability to cool down the shock system. Heat can quickly become an enemy of shock performance, leading to air bubbles forming in the oil. This aeration reduces the oil’s viscosity, causing a mushy feeling and a lack of damping control. By separating the free-floating piston and gas charge from the main shock body, remote reservoir shocks provide more room for shock oil. Additionally, the reservoir hose and remote reservoir itself help dissipate excess heat, maintaining shock oil temperatures and improving performance.
Another advantage of remote reservoir shocks is that they use lower gas pressure than non-reservoir monotube shocks. The lower pressure is more forgiving as the free-floating piston tries to compress it, resulting in less harshness as the shock runs through its full stroke. Lower pressure is also easier on seals, increasing their lifespan. Remote reservoir shocks are adjustable for tunability, allowing you to fine-tune your off-road caravan suspension for your specific needs.
So, are remote reservoir shocks the right choice for you? It depends on how you use your off-road caravan. If you’re mainly driving on trails in low-range without a lot of suspension movement, you may not need them. However, don’t assume that you have to beat your offroad caravan hard to require remote reservoir shocks. Even a 25km corrugated dirt road to a hidden camping spot can generate plenty of heat in your shock absorbers.
In conclusion, remote reservoir shocks offer more than just a cool appearance. They can play a vital role in maintaining your off-road caravan’s suspension performance, aiding in cooling, using lower gas pressure, and being adjustable for tunability. If you’re looking for the ultimate suspension for off-road caravanning, remote reservoir shocks are an excellent choice.
Remote Reservoir Shock Absorbers are now available for all Kimberley Kampers offroad camper trailers and offroad caravans.
Please check pricing and specification with your Kimberley Dealer when ordering.