Speed - what speed is safe untill it starts feeling like a boat!

Got my camper back and it’s the first time I have ever driven it since I have restored it.
Now – it feels good at 40mph – ok at 50mph, but it wonders a little – the steering is quite stiff (also the ball joints are as stiff as hell) in fact the only thing that is not new is the steering box.
I think I would fill my pants if I took it up to 70 on the motorway – or is that why when I drive down the motorways the VWs are going at 50mph?
Just feels a tad unstable at anything over 55 mph, Have a got a problem or is it normal.
oh yes it has no anti roll bar yet- will fit that this weekend.
Marc

 

Your van should feel perfectly stable, even at 70 in a stiff breeze.

Need to get your steering and maybe shock absorbers sorted. The balljoints shouldn't be overly stiff.

 

what tyres you got? when I got my van it had real good tread (looked nearly new) but no name cheapo sukiyaki tyres on - van rated but obviously poo....... used to wander about like a hooker on crack - fitted proper good tyres and it improved no end, still not great in winds but I carry a boat on the roof......

 

70-80 MPH is fine it's just i don't like the MPG at those speeds

just remember these vans are what white van man drove 40 years ago

 

Just been a 100 in a van with a 911 engine in and a red9 beam felt Amazing. He said it was good for 130 too but was too windy for that.

Now can't stop smiling.

 

You will find the speed that suits you. Mine is 55-60, but the choice should be because of noise and fuel consumption, not handling. Unless it's blowing a gale that is ......,

 

Oh looks like I have a problem then

Tyres are all van rated stuff, and all the shockers are new as well, does sit high.
I do like the quote from rickyrooo "used to wander about like a hooker on crack"
80 mph you say - well if im a million miles away from going that speed - and I like going fast!! - so warp factor ant going to be happening soon.

 

Have you had new ball joints fitted to the trailing arms??

If you have, that could be the problem... Ask zed about all the trouble he had with his!!
New ones are oversized for old arms that have had a few ball joints through them!! Problem is, if yours is a low mileage van, then the arms won't be worn, and fitting new joints make them incredibly tight, and you suffer all sorts of bump steer issues!!

 

we 'trundle' at 45-50....nowhere to go and all day to get there as far as I'm concerned!

 

For me when I gave mine pedal to metal on M3 many years ago ,I realised it was way to fast when I was too feart to touch the brakes ,and let it slow by removing my foot from the loud pedal, and drifted ,I stopped, I thanked some "higher power "and resolved to fit >new shocks/steering box /tyres . the bloke in the Merc I overtook ? boy, was his face a picture !(prob thought same re mine)

 

all of the above + make sure your tyres aren't over inflated and check how far you can move the steering wheel before the wheels start to move.
anti roll bar will help too. it might also be worth getting the wheel alignment checked out

 

Definitely, fit the anti roll bar, I put the heavy duty one on mine, really sharpened it up, also, new shockers and I also just replaced the steering damper, not sure what effect that had but it feels better!

 

Sat nav said 85mph at one point returning from France last year. It's a '73 westfalia with 1700 engine. Felt ok to me.

 

Ha ha

 

At least it goes gradually lighter as you speed up.I have been scared at 50 with a roll bar fitted in a gale in my bus and happy at 70 more recently without a roll bar because I broke the roll bar.

And it puts my experience driving Rigid Inflatable Boats around laying bouys for sailing races to use on the road...

And I prefer the ride on rough roads without the bar - less twisty lurching. Have harder front shocks than standard because of banging issues with lowering.

Unlike my Peugeot 309 that would suddenly feel like it was going airborne at 110 air speed ( 70 into a gale)

 

I cruise between 50 and 60 depending on hills Maximum I do is 75 downhill, to get enough momentum to get up the other side at a speed above 30 joys of 1600 TP.

 

I happily stay at 65 on the motorway. However I tried out a GPS app on my phone the other day and apparently 65 indicated is actually 61.5.

 

I am happy at 90000000. Seriously i drive around 55-60 around town local area and 75-80 on motorway, sometimes 90 when overtaking woody, LOL You need your anti roll bars on, proper tyres, ball joints should not be stiff,