When fitting a new suspension system, the surface condition of your chassis is more critical than many realise. Cruisemaster has issued a new Technical Bulletin (TB080) warning about the risks of applying suspension over thick coatings such as Raptor, galvanising or polyurethane finishes.
What the Cruisemaster bulletin says
The new Cruisemaster Technical Bulletin TB080 highlights a common issue: coatings or paints between the chassis surface and suspension mounts can compress or break down under load. This reduces bolt clamping force and can lead to joint movement or bolt loosening.
In some cases, this can cause premature suspension wear or even loss of warranty coverage if the installation instructions weren’t followed.
DIY Guide – Cruisemaster Suspension kits
Why coating thickness matters
- Thick coatings (e.g. Raptor, galvanised zinc, heavy polyurethane) can be soft and compress under torque.
- Once compressed, the bolt tension drops and allows micro-movement in the suspension mount.
- Over time, this results in vibration, noise, or misalignment in your caravan’s suspension system.
How to prepare your chassis before installation
Cruisemaster recommends removing all coatings, paint and galvanic layers from the contact surface before fitting the suspension brackets.
The goal is to have bare metal-to-metal contact for full clamping force.
After installation, a corrosion protection spray or sealant can be applied around — but not between — the contact areas.
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Recommended torque checks
Cruisemaster chassis coating suspension bulletin
- Recheck bolt torque after the first 300 km of travel.
- Recheck again after 1000 km or the first major trip.
These checks ensure any minor settling or coating compression is corrected early, maintaining safe and reliable operation.
What this means for DIY caravan builders
If you’re building or upgrading your caravan, it’s easy to overlook surface coatings when fitting the suspension.
This update shows how crucial correct preparation is — even a thin Raptor or paint layer can impact the safety of your build.
By following Cruisemaster’s updated guidelines, you’ll protect both your investment and your warranty coverage.
Summary
Always install your suspension on clean, coating-free chassis surfaces.
Avoid thick coatings beneath mounts, recheck torque after initial travel, and keep a record of your installation.
It’s a small step that can prevent costly issues later on.
Images and content courtesy of Cruisemaster Australia.
