Cars With Self Levelling Suspension

[WatsonJohnG]

We are possibly changing the Xtrail later in the year and would like a similar size 4X4 to tow a 1500kg caravan but we would like self levelling suspension

I would be interested to know which manufacturers offer self levelling as Nissan and Honda which I would consider don't and I can't recall seeing offered on many cars of this size

 

[Sproket]

John

The speck on this hyundai santa fe 2.2 CRDi looks quite good....

Performance

0 to 60 mph (secs): False

0 to 62 mph (secs): 10.2

Engine Power - BHP: 194

Engine Power - KW: 145

Engine Power - PS: False

Engine Power - RPM: 3800

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 322

Engine Torque - MKG: 44

Engine Torque - NM: 436

Engine Torque - RPM: 1800

Top Speed: 118

Max. Loading Weight: 583

Max. Roof Load: 100

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2000

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Minimum Kerbweight: 1987

Brakes

ABS/EBD

ESP

Traction control

Chassis/Suspension

Self levelling suspension

 

[WatsonJohnG]

John

The speck on this hyundai santa fe 2.2 CRDi looks quite good....

Performance

0 to 60 mph (secs): False

0 to 62 mph (secs): 10.2

Engine Power - BHP: 194

Engine Power - KW: 145

Engine Power - PS: False

Engine Power - RPM: 3800

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 322

Engine Torque - MKG: 44

Engine Torque - NM: 436

Engine Torque - RPM: 1800

Top Speed: 118

Max. Loading Weight: 583

Max. Roof Load: 100

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 2000

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Minimum Kerbweight: 1987

Brakes

ABS/EBD

ESP

Traction control

Chassis/Suspension

Self levelling suspension

Thanks --will Google it

 

[Lutz]

The Volvo XC60 is also available with self-levelling suspension.

 

[Martyn_374542202]

I have a citroen c4 picasso 2.0 hdi exclusive which tows 1500kg and has self levelling suspension. Also has 7 seats which is useful. Tows very well! Martyn

 

[JeffD]

The Ford SMax can also have self-levelling suspension if it is specified as a required option when the car is first purchased.

I have this capability and married with the 2.2 diesel engine it tows very well.

Jeff

 

[WatsonJohnG]

The Volvo XC60 is also available with self-levelling suspension.

Great I had that at the top of the list Thanks

 

[ProfJohnL]

The fact that a vehicle has self levelling suspension should not affect its ability to tow.

If a vehicle sags too much with a trailer, then the trailer is too nose load heavy, or something else is out of specification.

SLS does not give any additional loading capacity.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

The fact that a vehicle has self levelling suspension should not affect its ability to tow.

If a vehicle sags too much with a trailer, then the trailer is too nose load heavy, or something else is out of specification.

SLS does not give any additional loading capacity.

I was asking for cars with self levelling suspension not a sermon

 

[Dustydog]

Some good suggestions so far . The sls on our Sorento is done by the very clever Sachs shock absorbers rather than a complex "pump" method used. If anything did go wrong, as it's out of warrany now , it shouldn't cost too much. I think the Santa Fe uses the same system , but only on the 7 seat version. 5 year warranty is good too.

The new Sorento doesn't have sls.

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Guest]

Not to comment sideways, but you could consider fitting self levelling shockers and springs to any vehicle you take a fancy to. The costs, depending on make, will probably be around

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I always seem to need to fit some MAD spring assisters of some sort to get the "look" I want and to avoid grounding of the JW

Funny you should say

 

[Lutz]

Seems like the way to go then, John, but I am still confused by your concern about the jockey wheel grounding. I know that you have mentioned that you have experienced an A-frame crack due to grounding, but somehow I find it difficult to believe that grounding alone was the cause. I have never removed the jockey wheel while towing because I have always relied on it taking the shock of a bump rather than scrape the chassis frame. On occasions, bumps have been so severe that the whole back end of the car was raised due to a grounded jockey wheel, but with no resultant damage to jockey wheel or A-frame.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

It was the A frame plastic cover and I became aware of a thin black line which was the tyre of the jockey wheel showing through the crack

 

[Lutz]

Ah, OK, I thought you meant the A-frame itself was cracked. If it was only the cover then the caravan manufacturer obviously didn't provide enough clearance between it and the cover to allow for a grounding condition.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

That is exactlt right and the dealer reported several others

You can see on this pic that the Swift cover actually is lower where the JW is in when its in line and raised

 

[Gafferbill]

That is exactlt right and the dealer reported several others

You can see on this pic that the Swift cover actually is lower where the JW is in when its in line and raised

WatsonJohnG......you might want to read this post by

Parksy(Moderator) regarding the security isues of posting a photograph especially the blue type.

http://www.practicalcaravan.com/newforums/fm_messages.asp?FO=16&FM=486296

 

[Guest]

Coincidence that! My

 

[Dustydog]

Hi John

You seem to have the same centre mounted JW as me.

Are you using a pneumatic JW tyre?

I find it is relatively critical to get the JW fully retracted into the centre of the A frame without fouling the brake rod. The side mounted JW at least lets you see what you are doing.

There are numerous web pages on the Sach sls shockers . IMO they do what they say without compromising damping.

Initially the rear end will look saggy at first . After the first few hundred yards , once the Sachs have pumped up and down they settle at the predetermined height .

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[WatsonJohnG]

That is exactlt right and the dealer reported several others

You can see on this pic that the Swift cover actually is lower where the JW is in when its in line and raised

Thank you for that --have now done it

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Thanks another coincidence my friend showed me that in his Volvo handbook yesterday

All valid information and appreciated

The side mounted is far better and on the Alko chassis the clamp is much firmer

 

[James3]

The new Sorento can be bought with self levelling susp. it is a

 

[WatsonJohnG]

The new Sorento can be bought with self levelling susp. it is a

 

[xtrailman]

John

Just a thought, but i would think a land cruiser would serve your needs, and with out suspension levelling aids, if i recall correctly, some one posted that the rear tyre pressures required no increase for towing, the implication to me hints at a vehicle with the ability to carry heavy loads?

 

[WatsonJohnG]

John

Just a thought, but i would think a land cruiser would serve your needs, and with out suspension levelling aids, if i recall correctly, some one posted that the rear tyre pressures required no increase for towing, the implication to me hints at a vehicle with the ability to carry heavy loads?

I don't really want to go bigger than the X Trail as my wife(HRH) has Parkinsons and the XT is just the right height for her to get into the car easily.

We live at the top of a very steep hill from one direction and 4 wheel drive is an advantage