Anyone here drive a detailing van?

Addicted2Bling

Addicted2Bling

New member
Did you have to upgrade your suspension???

I have a 97 astro that I load down every day just about. It's not a cargo astro, it's an LS. I have a 55 gallon tank in the back, pressure washer, generator, I'm guessing there has to be 1000 pounds loaded in the back. My tires have been blowing out left and right, I had those things set at about 4 PSI which is kinda high, but after I've had the 2 blow outs I set them at 3.5 PSI and only fill the tank half way. I've asked a mechanic about this problem and he tells me that I need to put more leafs in the back which will cost me 450 bucks. A friend of mine is telling me to get coil overs, this seems like a good cheap fix, but I'm not sure if it will last. I'm pretty much directing this post to those of you who have vans and who know about suspension. What is my best option here? I don't want to dump a ton of money in this van, but I want something that will last...
Will coil overs do the trick???
 
are you using truck tires ? the number of plys in a truck tire is much higher than those in regular tires and hence they can handle the heavier weight loads. suspension upgrades will definitely make the vehicle handle better.
 
I think what I've heard is that some of the Astro vans had fiberglass leaf springs and others had steel, so some guys have swapped out the 'glass springs for steel....
 
I dont know what coil overs are but I have a good friend who owns an alignment shop and can ask fro you.

When I had my Chevy I needed to upgrade because I had too much weight also. I cant remember what I had put on.

Also had to use truck tires, I remember I had a problem with tires because they kept putting on the wrong type .

I have a Toy Sienna now and asked the service manager about the suspension and he said I should be fine and are built for extra weight . We shall see !
 
tropicsteve said:
are you using truck tires ? the number of plys in a truck tire is much higher than those in regular tires and hence they can handle the heavier weight loads. suspension upgrades will definitely make the vehicle handle better.
Click to expand...

Truck Tires??? Hmmmmmm, so maybe if I got some better built tires that should do it then. I just don't want the big bulky tires that stick out, maybe they have truck tires that are small. I'll have to look into that
 
Is it to much weight for the tires causing heat build up, or is it suspension? By suspension I mean is the body making contact with the tires because of suspension sag? If it is not hitting the tires then having springs upgraded or installed will not help save tires.

Upgrade the springs will allow you to carry more weight and you will have more stability and control. Upgrading the tires will allow you to haul that weight with out damaging the internal parts of the tire.

BTW I assume you mean 40psi and 35 psi? One other sugestion i have is check the sidewall of the tire. You can run up to the pressure listed on the sidewall, but be sure to keep the minimum pressure somewhere close to what the vehicle calls for.
 
Addicted2Bling said:
My tires have been blowing out left and right, I had those things set at about 4 PSI which is kinda high, but after I've had the 2 blow outs I set them at 3.5 PSI and only fill the tank half way.
Click to expand...

What are you running at 4 PSI? I'm sure you aren't talking about your tires. Air shocks run at higher rates that this as well.
 
Addicted2Bling said:
^^Yes my tires. Last time I checked the gauge it looked like it read 4.0, I guess there was no dot there...
Click to expand...

If you were running 4 psi, you would know! (anything under 10 is going to look very flat on my tires). Suspension upgrades can help if you having issues with the van bottoming out or with alignment issues that are wearing out the tires (and it cannot be permanently adjusted). Truck tires or higher load tires seem to be the first thing I would upgrade as well.
 
Contact Tex Star Detail on this forum. He knows his stuff when it comes to Astros. He could probably answer any question you have with hands on experience.
 
^^Yes I've talked to him about suspension in the past. But I didn't even think about replacing the tires. Sometimes you talk to a mechanic and you want to believe them, but I'm glad I came on here first and asked because 450 bucks is not cheap!
 
Addicted2Bling said:
Truck Tires??? Hmmmmmm, so maybe if I got some better built tires that should do it then. I just don't want the big bulky tires that stick out, maybe they have truck tires that are small. I'll have to look into that
Click to expand...
I asked my friend for you and that was the first thing he recommended was to put on truck tires and if there was visible sagging after that then to do some upgrades with the suspension.

He mentioned loaded tires, C or D and also said thats why your blowing your tires out, from not having the propper tires.

Hope you get it all owrked out and dont have to spend a ton of money !
 
detailchick said:
I asked my friend for you and that was the first thing he recommended was to put on truck tires and if there was visible sagging after that then to do some upgrades with the suspension.

He mentioned loaded tires, C or D and also said thats why your blowing your tires out, from not having the propper tires.

Hope you get it all owrked out and dont have to spend a ton of money !
Click to expand...

I think you mean "load rated tires" :bigups
 
Detailchick I appreciate it. It is such a pain in the (_|_) when you are having problems and things are breaking down on you, then your mechanic tells you something completely different that has nothing to do with the problem. I appreciate the info and I'm glad I came here and asked first before spending all that $$$ on something worthless!
 
Addicted2Bling said:
Detailchick I appreciate it. It is such a pain in the (_|_) when you are having problems and things are breaking down on you, then your mechanic tells you something completely different that has nothing to do with the problem. I appreciate the info and I'm glad I came here and asked first before spending all that $$$ on something worthless!
Click to expand...
I can imagine how much trouble it is to go through tires . I was given the wrong tires for years by a tire shop before finally a manager there pointed out to me those were the wrong tires they had been putting on . No wonder I was going through tires so quickly!



But your problem may not be over with just the tires . You will have to see if thats enough for the weight you carry.

But when I started my detail business I had to upgrade my struts as well.

He did also mention he thought (wasnt sure)you only had one leaf spring on your van and it wasnt steel .

He said some other things but Im not going to say anymore because I probably wont remember exactly what he said .:D

Also he would have to visibly look at the vehicle to give the right advice.:inspector:
 
You need to do one of two things (both if possible)

1- go on a diet. Why are you carrying so much weight? A full water tank will be the heaviest thing in your van. Explore going waterless or rinse-less washing. Either of those two wash styles will considerably reduce your need for water.

2- Beef up. Purchase a vehicle with a higher weight rating. There are tons of older vehicles that can be purchased cheaply that will be more than sufficient to carry safely all your equipment. I recently purchased a 1995 Chevrolet cargo Van for $1600.
 
imported_Superior Shine said:
Explore going waterless or rinse-less washing. Either of those two wash styles will considerably reduce your need for water.
Click to expand...

No

imported_Superior Shine said:
2- Beef up. Purchase a vehicle with a higher weight rating. There are tons of older vehicles that can be purchased cheaply that will be more than sufficient to carry safely all your equipment. I recently purchased a 1995 Chevrolet cargo Van for $1600.
Click to expand...

Hell no
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top