I have a Pajero towing a Jayco 17ft. But a lot of gear in rear of car. fridge, battery tools etc. So a bit of weight there the van isn't overloaded and we have weight distribution hitch. So the problem is it the tow bar, although looks level we hit the ground on speed humps or deep gutters coming onto road. We already have heavy duty springs on rear So are air bags an option or just raise the tow bar... Decisions decisions?. We are on the road full time so difficult to lighten the load. Any ideas greatly appreciated.
I have a Pajero towing a Jayco 17ft. But a lot of gear in rear of car. fridge, battery tools etc. So a bit of weight there the van isn't overloaded and we have weight distribution hitch. So the problem is it the tow bar, although looks level we hit the ground on speed humps or deep gutters coming onto road. We already have heavy duty springs on rear So are air bags an option or just raise the tow bar... Decisions decisions?. We are on the road full time so difficult to lighten the load. Any ideas greatly appreciated.
Hi Bruce.....from memory,your car has only a 1780kg rear axle capacity,so the first step is to check that.With all your gear loaded,and the van connected,put the front axle of the car on a weighbridge,note the weight,and drive forward until both car axles are on the weighbridge.This will give you your rear axle load,which may well be too high.You say that the van isn't overloaded, so you may be able to transfer some weight there? Good luck.Cheers.
Hi, you have not stated what is hitting, is it the Tow Bar Ball or locking nut or is it the chassis/bottom of the Cvan drawbar or part of the WDH set up.
You state you have Heavy Duty springs but did they raise the rear end as well ? i.e. are they lift springs also.
It is possible to have the hitch on the draw bar lowered thus raising the chassis/drawbar itself, (if it is hitting), would need a welder/boilermaker to do it.
Air bags will help to keep the rear up to what may be normal height also, I have them and am very happy with them.
My set up rides nearly level but the cvan drawbar occasionally scrapes on short deep drains/dips, e.g. service station or driveways (waiting for a son to redo hitch !)
And yes check your weights to see what is being carried over the rear axle.
Airbags worked very well on my Pajero, they helped to keep the rear up with a load. Also helped in stopping the independent suspension scrubbing the tyres as it moved.
Ok thanks everyone for your replys suggetions . I am rearranging some gear and leaving some out but will still probably get the air bags as well. All good advice thanks again
Sounds like springs not suited to load. Did new springs raise height (not connected). If not get rerated springs to raise height by 40-50mm, so when van on all level. Spring rate will aloow good ride and good load capacity. Did this on a Paj I had for 11 years, not a problem towing 1200 kg boat aroun the NT. Issue is spring rate and load capacity, focus on the issue. No need for air bags.
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Why is it so? Professor Julius Sumner Miller, a profound influence on my life, who explained science to us on TV in the 60's.
We have AirBagMan air helpers in the rear of our Land Rover Disco 2 with standard springs.
With all our stuff in the back and about 100kg on the tow ball the rear sags a bit. I put about 30psi in the bags and all is level again. It must be said that the standard springs a bit on the soft side when it's loaded to about 85% of its GVM.
All of our weights and axle loadings are well below their maximums - we just use the bags to keep it closer to level.
