1500 vs. 2500

Doug

Doug

Member
Hi

I haven't checked this yet but as our Commer is a minibus originally, I think it's a 2500 (according to Mr Osylager).

I understand that campers were based on 1500, meaning softer suspension and I would guess more wallowy handling ?

Can anyone tell me how they compare in terms of driving / handling ?

The reason I ask is because on the book of face dot com, people sometimes post up a pic of a Commer PA/PB (often a camper), on which at least one person will say they're awful to drive. latest = "Awful van. Lethal to drive". This is then rebuffed by several people who have a much better experience.

Ours is no hot-hatch, but he handles just fine and is fab to drive. I'm wondering whether the harder suspension (assuming he's a 2500) might account for the difference of opinion, and the 1500s are a bit more tricky ?
 
Its more the front wheel track being narrower that caught people out - don't throw it around and treat it with respect and its fine!
 
It's more likely to be worn steering and knackered dampers causing the negative comments. People also try and compare Commers to more modern stuff and it's obvious which will come second. The only difference between the 1500 and 2500 chassis is stronger rear springs and fatter tyres which is easily achieved if you want to up grade. I fitted new standard dampers to the front of Harvey a couple of years ago and it made a real differenc in how he handled, later I filled the rear dampers with heavier oil (SAE50) and again a step change in handling and ride. Bonnie's springs were well beyond their best when we got here so I got them re-tempered and an extra leaf put in so I guess I uprated the chassis to 2500 spec. That, along with the addition of heavier oil in the dampers again, made all the difference and she's not half as wallowy and the ride is greatly impreoved.
 
Ooo I thought the front springs were different to on 1500 vs 2500 too. In that case, yeah it might be more about maintenance.

It's interesting what you say about the oil in the dampers, Panky. When following our commer home (day of purchase, wife driving), I noticed the rear wheels actually leave the ground a bit on relatively small, hard bumps.
I'm guessing the dampers might be a bit limp.
 
They must be goosed:(
Try the SAE 50 trick - or even SAE 30 which is easily available from garden centres as it's used in motor mowers'. A litre of SAE 50 cost about £8 off ebay and I've done both vans and Ted the traveller and still got about a quarter of it left - cheapest suspension up grade there is:D
 
Another difference between the 1500 and 2500 chassis (according to Mr. Olyslager), is the size of the rear brake drums, 9 to 10 inch i.e. slightly bigger brakes for the 2500.
If he handles fine and is fab to drive, sounds just like a Commer :cool:
 
Forgot about the brakes, I'll have to get one of those little books they're full of useful info.
 
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