Rear Suspension Recommendations for towing a twin axle caravan

[Love Womble]

Good morning all,
1st question (of many I suspect)

We’ve got a 2021 T6.1 DSG Highline T28 (150) which has a removable witter tow bar fitted (never used).
I’ve had it from new as a works van but just decommissioned her from service.


We’re about to embark on a pop roof camper conversion but I really want ensure we have the right set up for the rear suspension?
We’ll be towing a twin axle Elddis Crusader at 1.750kg’s MPTLM with the finished conversion.
I want to get it setup and classified as a T32 as well if we can to increase the weight allowances.

The big debate we’re having is whether to lift her slightly and go for a ‘gentle’ swamper look to keep the height at the rear or upgrade the current rear setup and avoid the swamper look?
I know VW offer an upgrade option for towing but don’t know if anyone has used this option?

Any rear suspension suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I really don’t want her backside to be really low down when towing.


Thanks in advance

 

[bp_porcaro]

List of things to consider.

1. Transporter towbar nose weight rating generally max 100kg. Your twin axle Crusader will be pushing this limit if you have 2 full gas bottles in the front locker. maybe get yourself a caravan nose weight gauge to keep an eye on this.
2. UK Legal requirement of towbar ball height is 350~420mm (ground to ball ctr) measured when the tow vehicle is fully laden.
3. If you stick with current fitted Witter tow bar, put it on and load the vehicle to check resting ball height that will give you a figure to work with when considering suspension changes.
Another option is to look at replacing the Witter with an adjustable height ball system, and just doing the suspension as you like on the van.

I towed our Buccaneer (1950kg) 300miles each way last summer to Norfolk with my T6-T32-206-DSG and it performed really well. I used a nose weight gauge, checked measurements and tyre pressures before travel. The van did have AL-Ko stability control which really helps make you feal a bit safer.

Good luck and happy holidays

 

[Sackmycook]

@JOG

 

[dubber36]

Most of the weight of the caravan will be supported by its own wheels. The load on the tow ball should be no more than 100kg, or 4 bags of cement in the very back of the 'boot'.

As above, use a nose weight gauge to help with distributing the load in the caravan. Put the heavy stuff over the axles etc, or better still, in the van for travelling. Don't be tempted to add weight to the rear of the caravan to bring the nose up. That will just result in the tai wagging the dog.

Once you know your weights I'd speak to Steve at @CRS Performance about better suspension options.

 

[Love Womble]

List of things to consider.

1. Transporter towbar nose weight rating generally max 100kg. Your twin axle Crusader will be pushing this limit if you have 2 full gas bottles in the front locker. maybe get yourself a caravan nose weight gauge to keep an eye on this.
2. UK Legal requirement of towbar ball height is 350~420mm (ground to ball ctr) measured when the tow vehicle is fully laden.
3. If you stick with current fitted Witter tow bar, put it on and load the vehicle to check resting ball height that will give you a figure to work with when considering suspension changes.
Another option is to look at replacing the Witter with an adjustable height ball system, and just doing the suspension as you like on the van.

I towed our Buccaneer (1950kg) 300miles each way last summer to Norfolk with my T6-T32-206-DSG and it performed really well. I used a nose weight gauge, checked measurements and tyre pressures before travel. The van did have AL-Ko stability control which really helps make you feal a bit safer.

Good luck and happy holidays

Thanks bp,
I’m happy with the weights and balancing the caravan.
We’ve been towing for about 15 years now and had this van for the last 3.
I always check the nose weight of the van with a nose weight scale, so many people don’t bother
100kg, brings her just under 6% and within the 5-7% nose weight guidance.

If you run with standard suspension pulling your Buccanner then I guess we’ll be just fine as is.
The caravan does have ATC fitted too.

We currently tow with a Mercedes GLS but having air suspension all around we really don’t have to worry about it.
I was just a little concerned that the standard springs and shocks may have been a bit too weak.

 

[bp_porcaro]

I think your only concern is after you have done all the conversion and pop top etc and then see how the van sits when full loaded ready to go away. If the back end is drooping on standard springs then some suspension upgrades would need to be looked into.
I had Koni Definition and 40mm lower fitted by CRS last April, and they fitted a pair of rear adjusters in case the height need a tweak in the future (my van is a standard SWB Kombi with VanKing bed set up)

 

[JOG]

You’ll be fine towing! I’ve happily towed my Crusader in a California fully loaded with kids and dogs. Now I tow a Buccaneer with no issues.

However, I did have @CRS Performance work their magic on my van and that makes all the difference in the world. I would strongly recommend you chat with Steve at @CRS Performance who will advise.

 

[CRS Performance]

Good morning all,
1st question (of many I suspect)

We’ve got a 2021 T6.1 DSG Highline T28 (150) which has a removable witter tow bar fitted (never used).
I’ve had it from new as a works van but just decommissioned her from service.
View attachment 317541

We’re about to embark on a pop roof camper conversion but I really want ensure we have the right set up for the rear suspension?
We’ll be towing a twin axle Elddis Crusader at 1.750kg’s MPTLM with the finished conversion.
I want to get it setup and classified as a T32 as well if we can to increase the weight allowances.

The big debate we’re having is whether to lift her slightly and go for a ‘gentle’ swamper look to keep the height at the rear or upgrade the current rear setup and avoid the swamper look?
I know VW offer an upgrade option for towing but don’t know if anyone has used this option?

Any rear suspension suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I really don’t want her backside to be really low down when towing.


Thanks in advance

View attachment 317542

We do help quite a few Caravan owners with their transporter tow vehicles ,At the very least we would say put a strong spring on a variable platform to get the rake and stance as close to level as possible in the rear , more importantly however some Damping adjustable shocks so they can be adjusted to keep the rear stable when towing the caravan .