For as long as I can remember there's never been check-straps to mine. For years I didn't know I was supposed to have them. I'm not fretting too much, I've kind of worked out they're far from essential. Am I wrong, if so, what have I missed?

Nothing ...

Technically if you have the remnants or they are in poor condition (ripped, shredded, frayed) it is an MoT fail 

Modern, "upgraded" shocks have built-in bump stops/limiters and so check straps aren't needed.

They're to stop excess articulation in extreme off-road situations. If you don't encounter such occurrences, you won't need them. I don't think I have ever been in a situation where they'd have been necessary in thirty years of ownership.

I got the idea they were about articulation, so I wasn't far off. As GA says, he's not found use for them, and if ever conditions are such, can't see the point in being stupid enough to be stuck - or I'll have fallen out anyway.

They're redundant with parabolics.

There are many owners who enjoy off-road trials.
Here you test the limits of the vehicle and driver.
Axle articulation come into its own when you are trying to get through difficult section and through the final gate.

In some classes parabolic springs are allowed under ALRC rules as they were fitted to Santana versions of Land Rover. Parabolic springs give you slightly more articulation over standard springs and you could well exceed the limits of standard shocks. Many who fit parabolics also upgrade their shacks to gas filled and remove the axle straps that would restrict axle articulation.

This is all rather academic for road use as Glenn has pointed out.


 

Depending on the model, springs, terrain. shockers etc. the U-Js could  dictate the limit, if no straps are fitted.
.W.

Quote from: Alan Drover on Sep 24, 2023, 10:41 PMThey're redundant with parabolics.

RM Paras void the warranty without them. Or they used too.

Quote from: biloxi on Sep 24, 2023, 11:34 PMDepending on the model, springs, terrain. shockers etc. the U-Js could  dictate the limit, if no straps are fitted.
.W.

Thats what I was just going to add the same. Spoke to LR engineers on the subject back in the 1970's & that was the answer

  Ive  recently installed (2 years ago) rocky mountain parabolics (3 leaf rear) on my Nada Dormobile and they come with new check straps. The warranty is void with out them as in certain conditions and with longer reach shocks they can flex too much which damages them.

  Just so you know the 3 leaf parabolics have the new higher reach shocks extended pretty much to their limit I had originally wanted to put 4 leafs springs on and was talked out of it by rocky mountain they said 4 leafs are only for extremally heavily loaded 109s. Glad I went with the 3 leafs.

  Victor

Those check straps look like they won't allow much articulation.

  Hi gcc130

    Your right the way it is sitting high right now the shocks are pretty much extended to their limit but I have not driven more than about a mile since I finished the restoration and put the new springs on, it is sitting very high in the back compared to my other dormobile with rearched old style springs
The new shocks are from rocky mountain as well and are supposed to be the extended shock specifically for parabolic springs. I think the vehicle will settle a bit when I get some miles on it, hopefully soon.

  Victor

  Okay I have no clue why the picture came up twice and have no clue how to get rid of one of them. (sorry)

Hi there of topic but what are the curved things on the corners of you Dormobiles 

  Hi Malcolm

  Air brakes. Not much use on the 2.25L 4 banger but they may come in useful on the Nada with its higher power 125 Hp Weslake head equipped  6 cylinder.

  Just kidding....... they were a option available in the early 1960s to supposedly deflect dust snow and fumes away from the rear window on station wagons. I have seen them on American style station wagons and a Chevy suburban from the early 1960s but the only landrover I have ever seen them on was my dads (the blue one).It came with them when he bought it in 1964 from the doctor who had met it in Africa for a Safari in 1963. They were put on either at land rover or dormobile when it got converted. I have seen them in an  Land rover optional equipment book somewhere.

  They dont work we tried them in all kinds of differant positions on the dusty Alberta prairie back roads. About all they are good for is drying your dish towels when your out camping.
  But I like the way they look so made a set up at work for the Nada.

  Victor

Learn something new everyday must be like hens teeth those things.

Back to the topic, probably one of the things that is bottom of the list of jobs to be done if not fitted.
This is the 3rd series i have had the first didn't, was unaware they existed back then, the 2nd a Series 3 Dormobile had them and the SWB Series 2 i have at the moment had them so i kept them on.