Reinforced shock absorbers for VW Crafter motorhomes

The VW Crafter in its current form has been registered since 2016. Its predecessor was called the VW LT, and the first version was built from 1975 to 1996. From 1996 to 2006, the LT was virtually identical in terms of chassis design to the Mercedes Sprinter. The LT was then renamed the VW Crafter in 2006 and retained the Sprinter chassis until 2016. Since 2016, the Crafter has been fitted with a completely newly developed chassis, which is also used in the MAN/TGE.

“I’m not happy with the standard shock absorbers,” writes one customer. How does this manifest itself? Many Crafter drivers complain of significant body roll whilst driving – the vehicle tends to sway rapidly even on slightly uneven roads or in tight bends. For example, after overtaking a lorry, constant steering corrections are needed to keep the Crafter on course.

Driving in crosswinds often causes problems. Roof-mounted items such as kayaks or a motorbike rack at the rear make the situation even worse. Many people also find the wobbling when stationary a nuisance. The driving experience is anything but comfortable, according to numerous customers.

This suggests that the shock absorbers on your Crafter campervan are too weak or even faulty. Campervans are usually based on standard light commercial vehicles or on a stripped-down truck chassis. Original shock absorbers from a VW Crafter are usually not up to the diverse demands of motorhomes, as they do not take into account the significantly altered usage and the fact that motorhomes almost always operate at their weight limit. The standard chassis is usually not designed to withstand this constant strain:

• A completely different vehicle height and width,
• a long rear overhang,
• additional tanks (moving load),
• a motorcycle bridge at the rear (shifted centre of gravity) or
• Load on the roof (raised centre of gravity).

Failing to adjust the dampers to these new requirements is negligent.

Marquart Germany offers suspension components for the VW Crafter to suit every need. Stiffer and firmer shock absorbers for the rear axle, and firmer yet comfort-oriented shock absorbers for the front axle. What’s more, not only do we offer different characteristics in the rebound and compression stages for the dampers, we also supply them with springs tailored to your requirements. We stock these in various combinations of stiffness and height. You decide how comfortable or sporty your Crafter’s handling will be.

• Greater stability in crosswinds and when crossing bridges,
• Improved handling in stormy weather and gusts,
• Stability on winding roads; no more body roll or being pushed out of bends,
• Excellent handling in roundabouts,
• Swaying, bouncing and spongy steering are a thing of the past.

We are often asked by VW Crafter drivers: “What can I do to improve the handling of my motorhome? What are the benefits of air suspension for my Crafter?”

Air suspension is particularly useful when you need to raise the vehicle’s height or compensate for uneven ground at your parking spot. This is especially beneficial for vehicles with a long rear overhang (from the centre of the rear axle to the rear of the vehicle). For example, if you frequently use ferries or drive on steep ramps. An air spring can also be beneficial if the vehicle is sensitive to wind. However, an air suspension system only ever works vertically.

However, to improve driving safety, it is particularly important to take account of horizontal forces (lateral roll and sway, and all pitching and rocking movements). To significantly improve a vehicle’s handling, fast-acting shock absorbers are the first choice. As soon as the body moves out of its horizontal position, it must be held in place by a strong yet finely tuned rebound damping. The compression stage of our dampers then allows for rapid compression without letting the cab ‘bottom out’.

You can read here how optimising a motorhome chassis works, using the example of a Knaus Van TI MEG based on the VW Crafter.

Reinforced shock absorbers for VW Crafter campervans, with perfectly matched rebound and compression settings for the front and rear axles, keep the vehicle safely on track even in tricky situations. No matter what body type you’re driving – whether it’s a Knaus, Westfalia or another make – our chassis optimisation will make your VW Crafter’s handling significantly more composed and safer. Choose reinforced shock absorbers for VW Crafter motorhomes

Gerald R. from Mönchengladbach

We have a wide range of suspension upgrades available for the current VW Crafter (2016 onwards). Naturally, this includes our reinforced shock absorbers (rear) and struts (front), including dust cover kits and, on request, strut bearings. We can raise the Crafter using lift springs and spacers at the front and rear, or fit an additional air spring. We also carry out load-bearing modifications.

For the Crafter based on the Sprinter 906 (2006–2016), we naturally also fit our reinforced shock absorbers (rear) and struts (front), including dust cover sets and, on request, strut bearings. We offer a wide range of springs: additional springs for the rear axle, additional leaf springs and additional air suspension. The rear axle can also be raised using spacers. We also offer load-bearing upgrades for the Crafter.

For the VW LT up to 2006, we offer our reinforced shock absorbers (rear) and struts (front), including dust cover sets and strut bushings.

We are happy to take your preferences into account when determining the perfect suspension setup for your needs. The result could be, for example, a more comfortable ride, improved directional stability, greater ground clearance, or a level alignment of the Crafter.

Click on the testimonials from our satisfied customers below to see how we can optimise the suspension of your VW Crafter/LT. Send us an enquiry!

Tip!

We have recently added an additional coilover spring to our range for the Crafter with Sprinter 906 chassis. The advantages of our coilover solution include reduced stress on the leaf spring, less bottoming out and a higher ride height. Our coilover solution is ideal for drivers looking for greater stability, comfort and durability from their suspension. They are perfectly suited for off-road use, transporting heavy loads or for vehicles that are frequently used in demanding conditions.