I posted last year re doing this and have followed the advice given .
i.e heavy duty trans cooler. heavy duty coil springs and gas strut shockers. It raised the car a few inches but when I hitched my van to it today it is way too low. Been to weighbridge weight was just over and I can get rid of some payload.
I understand the load leveller will help but I need more height and wheel clearance.
Can I do this without spending thousands ?I am sure some of you experience3d guys have some ides and will be grateful for help,
Mim
PJK said
10:03 AM Mar 3, 2014
Mim, I assume the back of the car, and the front of the caravan, is too low??
If so it sounds like the van is loaded too heavy on the front.
You will need to check the following -
1. Will the car and van disconnected and both sitting level, is the tow bar and the caravan coupling at the same height?? If not you are behind the eight ball to start with. You can buy different offset towbar tongues to adjust the tow bar height.
2. As well as the overall caravan weight, you will need to check the weight at the caravan coupling. This needs to be about 10% of the overall caravan weight, but must not exceed the allowable tow bar weight on the car.
I see from a previous post that your van is 16'.
In my opinion, provided the caravan weight is below 1600 kg the Fairlane should tow that, so you just need to get your coupling heights and weight distribution sorted out.
Regards
PJK
Cloak said
02:32 PM Mar 3, 2014
Ditto.
I used to have a premium model Ford (AU II) which was a bugger to tow with due to the prestige (soft) suspension. The thing used to drag it's arse along the road.
I ended up getting rid of it and buying a wagon - live axle and leaf springs and never looked back.
You can take it to Pedders and get new springs and dampers but is the expense worth it?
deverall11 said
04:10 PM Mar 3, 2014
Can you fit airbags in the coil springs( assuming it is coil suspension). The wagon is a better option as it is built differently and can tow a heavier load the the sedan. At any rate DO NOT compromise your safety and the safety of others on the road.
Larry
valiant81 said
05:09 PM Mar 3, 2014
Hi;
I had the same problem with a 89 Holden Calis and the rear would also drop with the camper on the back. After a long talk with the minister of finance, i ended up buying a 95 pajero 4x4, best thing that i have ever bought. To rework the rear end of a 15 year old car, stonger springs,coils and or pump up shockers etc, and then once that work had been done and once the caravan was off of the car you would end up with car that has lost all of it's solf ride on the road due to the beefed up rear end . Don't forget the COST that would be involved in the transformation of your tow car, several $1000.00 for the up grade. Maybe time to look at up grading.
Aus-Kiwi said
10:03 PM Mar 3, 2014
Fit some firmer springs .. Between $120 / $200 .. A large wheel base car actually rides better imo with firmer springs..
Check with Pedders etc ?? They will have spring shock package... They are REAL easy to fit..
Disc auto cooler from radiator and fit external trans cooler..
pastaqueen said
11:24 PM Mar 5, 2014
Thank you fellas for your response. I have put on a distribution hitch and sorted out height and weights..All looks good. I have an ford wagon with heavy duty springs also but the boss of me wont even get in it. The fairlane we like so lets hope all is well. I dont want a 4 wheel drive. Many thganks to you all. Mim
pastaqueen said
11:27 PM Mar 5, 2014
Thank you I have done as suggested. sorted out height and weights put on distribution hitch and it seems good. Guess i will see . Mim
pastaqueen said
10:57 PM Mar 11, 2014
Updating my progress with this project. Thank you all so much I have had a levelling hitch installed and it is really altogether different . Happy as a pig on the road again xx cheers all
Mim
I posted last year re doing this and have followed the advice given .
i.e heavy duty trans cooler. heavy duty coil springs and gas strut shockers. It raised the car a few inches but when I hitched my van to it today it is way too low. Been to weighbridge weight was just over and I can get rid of some payload.
I understand the load leveller will help but I need more height and wheel clearance.
Can I do this without spending thousands ?I am sure some of you experience3d guys have some ides and will be grateful for help,
Mim
If so it sounds like the van is loaded too heavy on the front.
You will need to check the following -
1. Will the car and van disconnected and both sitting level, is the tow bar and the caravan coupling at the same height?? If not you are behind the eight ball to start with. You can buy different offset towbar tongues to adjust the tow bar height.
2. As well as the overall caravan weight, you will need to check the weight at the caravan coupling. This needs to be about 10% of the overall caravan weight, but must not exceed the allowable tow bar weight on the car.
I see from a previous post that your van is 16'.
In my opinion, provided the caravan weight is below 1600 kg the Fairlane should tow that, so you just need to get your coupling heights and weight distribution sorted out.
Regards
PJK
I used to have a premium model Ford (AU II) which was a bugger to tow with due to the prestige (soft) suspension. The thing used to drag it's arse along the road.
I ended up getting rid of it and buying a wagon - live axle and leaf springs and never looked back.
You can take it to Pedders and get new springs and dampers but is the expense worth it?
Larry
Hi;
I had the same problem with a 89 Holden Calis and the rear would also drop with the camper on the back. After a long talk with the minister of finance, i ended up buying a 95 pajero 4x4, best thing that i have ever bought. To rework the rear end of a 15 year old car, stonger springs,coils and or pump up shockers etc, and then once that work had been done and once the caravan was off of the car you would end up with car that has lost all of it's solf ride on the road due to the beefed up rear end . Don't forget the COST that would be involved in the transformation of your tow car, several $1000.00 for the up grade. Maybe time to look at up grading.
Check with Pedders etc ?? They will have spring shock package... They are REAL easy to fit..
Disc auto cooler from radiator and fit external trans cooler..
Thank you I have done as suggested. sorted out height and weights put on distribution hitch and it seems good. Guess i will see . Mim
Mim