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Want to boost your tow car’s rear suspension?

Oh Dear

I am deeply disappointed that the magazine has seen fit to suggest this modification. Soft suspension is a symptom of either overloading or some mechanical such as a broken or worn components. Spring assisters do not cure broken or worn components, They don't increase the load capacity and in some cases they can compromise the vehicles stability control systems.

As for
"In the worst cases, the steering can be so light that it struggles for grip and the outfit is all over the road."
the effect on the front axle load is down to the turning moments centred on the axles, Changing the spring rates does not change the lever lengths so if you have so much load on the back of a vehicle spring assisters do nothing = you need to look at the loads you are applying.
 
I tend to agree with Prof, a car is generally designed to handle a cetain load such as four adults plus luggage and the suspension should be able to cope with this. If the suspension "bottoms" then to me it points at an overload situation .
 
Sorry to disagree

I have had cars with extra suspension aids fitted before and they transformed the towing performance,in the article Nigel says he has had several vehicles fitted with the strengthened rear suspension, bearing in mind his history I cannot believe he would consider writing such an article if he did not consider the modification to be safe and of benefit
 
Prof you, are wrong.
I had fitted MADS suspension units to three of my tow cars, Vectras a 2.2 diesel and also a 3 litre V6 diesel. and a 08 Sante Fe. The handing solo was not affected but towing the with a 1600kg caravan was greatly improved. Unless you have towed with a car before and after fitting these items do not state that they are of no use. They are well worth fitting. On many tow cars.
Hutch.
 
Only ever had one car that wasn't up to the job and that was my 2001 Espace. It was so wallowy with the van on that I had a bit of a sickness issue. It was only a fairly light Elddis Shamal. I solved the problem and bought a Discovery. Problem solved.
 
Well one thing is for certain,there will be no broken or worn components on the vehicle featured as its practically brand new.I, like many others dont like to see the rear of my car low down even when loaded to the correct weight,right or wrong some cars do have soft suspension.
 
Martin24 said:
Only ever had one car that wasn't up to the job and that was my 2001 Espace. It was so wallowy with the van on that I had a bit of a sickness issue. It was only a fairly light Elddis Shamal. I solved the problem and bought a Discovery. Problem solved.
Click to expand...

I still use a 2000 Espace, and don't find it a problem, in fact, it seem a very stable tug with all sorts of trailers. The only issue I had was front wheel spin when pulling away up a gravel incline with a TA box trailer full of Scouts camping gear. It needed a bunch of Scouts to give it helping hand but once moving it was fine.
 
Well done Nigel Hutson! :cheer:
Another excellent piece of DIY advice whether you agree or not.
These are the type of "Practical" articles I want to see more of please 🙂
 
Ever since 1990 I've used Citroens as my tow vehicles where with their hydropneumatic suspension whenever weight was added to the load area, the car always pumped up and maintained a level stance. That is until I got my latest car which because of PSA's cost-cutting, came without hydraulic suspension. Very quickly I realized the new car had too much bounce, especially going over speed humps. After damaging the jockey wheel I decided to change the rear springs. I went for MAD replacements. Nothing in the car's performance has changed other than they have improved it's towing qualities.
 
wow i'm hooked! is this serious? would have been far better and safer and maybe cheaper just to fit some up rated adjustable rear shockers, i wonder how many of the overturned caravans I've seen on the m/ways took this route with there old tired out suspension still in sit u...! Sorry Prof i whole heartily agree with you. what is the world coming to..
 
As Woodlands Camper points out you need to tell your insurer as it is a modification. Failure to do this could leave you without cover and doing so could cost you dear so I would not do it unless you have a problem. If you have a problem a new car might be a safer option.
 
Some people need to go back and reread the article it's not being sold as a fix for knakered suspension but as a modification to soft suspension, perfectly acceptable if done right. This method is not exactly a new thing either perfectly safe if done right.

Therorectly apart from third party parts you should inform your of any changes from the factory spec wether cosmetic, performance etc and that includes dealer fitted extras!
 
Mogwyth said:
it's not being sold as a fix for knakered suspension but as a modification to soft suspension, . This method is not exactly a new thing either .!
Click to expand...

Yes! I remember fitting Grayston Rubber Coil Assisters to a brand new Sierra Estate back in 1982.
 
Mogwyth said:
Some people need to go back and reread the article it's not being sold as a fix for knakered suspension but as a modification to soft suspension, perfectly acceptable if done right. This method is not exactly a new thing either perfectly safe if done right....
Click to expand...

Let me comment on your answer in three parts:

The first, The car manufacturers have to go to considerable lengths to ensure the standard specification for the vehicle will perform correctly for all the permitted loading described in its specification. That means provided the user does not exceed any of the specifications the suspension should be more than adequate to cope the applied loads. There is therefore no need to supplement the suspension. Any actions taken by the user to do so is purely for personal gratification. Basically it means you have not purchased a car that meets your needs.

Secondly the fact this has been practiced for many years does not mean or make it right. You should always question the validity of "traditions" and accepted "customs and practices", Under scrutiny some are still fine but many are often revealed to be ineffective, outdated and even downright dangerous.

Thirdly, Safety? by changing the suspension rating you have changed the cars standard characteristics. Do you have the necessary resources to test and demonstrate the cars safety? No! Again I go back to the car manufacturers who have invested probably millions of pounds in the the development of the car. You have no way of knowing if your modification actually compromises some other safety feature. Whilst it was virtually unheard of in cars up until the 1980's ESP or SPS systems are now increasingly common. They are set up for each individual model and will rely on taking inputs from various sensors around the car to work out an appropriate intervention. By changing the spring rates you will change the way the car reacts to certain maneuvers and the ESP system may not intervene when it should or it could over react. Some vehicles do have ride height sensors and obviously spring assisters will definitely compromise their effectiveness.

I still maintain that spring assisters are not necessary, and if the suspension is too low under load then it implies the vehicle is being overloaded or something is worn or broken.
 
That's a very good post Prof. 🙂
Why do you think there are specialist manufacturers like Mad making all sorts of suspension parts for most cars to "stiffen "the rear end? 🤔
I haven't needed them personally but there must be a demand otherwise the Company and indeed others wouldn't exist?
I see MAD are a Dutch Company and on the surface appear to be talking sensibly technically.
As an aside Ford used to offer stiffer springs on the Cortina. They came off the estate model but could be fitted to the saloon to , dare I say it , increase the load capacity. I ask this for the sake of the Newbies . Thanks
 
If we accept the suggestion that car manufacturers build their vehicles with suspension designed to cope with a full boot and 4/5 adults, what happens when you hook up a caravan to a fully loaded car, the suspension will be under load from the luggage and adults and then the nose weight of the caravan will be added, with the exception of some 4x4 makers I don't believe other manufacturers spec their vehicles for towing,in some cases the suspension set up is for comfort , in the case of Hyundai Santa Fe the suspension is allegedly specifically set up for UK roads as opposed to elsewhere in the world. I still think it unlikely that Nigel would put his name to an article that was suggesting something dangerous or unsafe
 
He wouldn't these parts are designed and tested before being put into production, its not a back of envelope get the local blacksmiths to knock a couple up job, Could you imagine the court case if anything went wrong and there was no evidence of any testing!

There is no such thing as the perfect car, personally I have modified nearly every car I have owned ranging from simple customising to road going race cars (dont ask, younger and more stupid), full blown off roaders (road legal), my current main car the D3£ is only mildly modified compared to others I have owned but do have other toys. Its been highly useful have a a senior Ford design engineer, a Roils Royce factory trained mechanic (old school) and a master Land Rover technician in the family and I did mt first engine swap on my mums minibus when I was 13 and spent virtually every holiday while at school and college from the age of 14 working at a Rover garage. Not that I know much about these things 😗
 
woodsieboy said:
If we accept the suggestion that car manufacturers build their vehicles with suspension designed to cope with a full boot and 4/5 adults, what happens when you hook up a caravan to a fully loaded car, the suspension will be under load from the luggage and adults and then the nose weight of the caravan will be added, with the exception of some 4x4 makers I don't believe other manufacturers spec their vehicles for towing,in some cases the suspension set up is for comfort , in the case of Hyundai Santa Fe the suspension is allegedly specifically set up for UK roads as opposed to elsewhere in the world. I still think it unlikely that Nigel would put his name to an article that was suggesting something dangerous or unsafe
Click to expand...

Like Mogywth states, modern cars are not back of the *** packet thing, They have maximum load limits. as stamped on the cars data plate. It could be the car can carry 5 adults, but may not have the capacity for all their luggage. And caravanners must take into account that when a trailer is coupled the nose load will affect the load on the rear axle and perhaps you may not be able to carry 5 adults and their luggage as well. The driver is required to ensure the do not overload their vehicles.
 
When you chang e the suspension units on your car , you are not changing the load on your vechile just the amount of compression on the springs, , I think you will find your Insurance company " note" you have fitted different rated. springs, when I mentioned it to my insurance companys before, they just said ok it was a designed fitment and not a welded or engine /brake modificarton. As was my factory fitted tow bar, as new. .
 
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