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Has anyone had any experience of using them and fitting them? We have just brought some for our towing car which is a 1999 Vectra.

Any advice or comments before we open them and fit them would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Hi, this may help

http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp?id=165

Cheers  Ratty

Hi Paul, they are the rubber inserts not the ones shown in Ratty's link.

Jim, I'm pretty sure we are ok weight wise. I think the issue is that the car is 12 years old and the suspension is a little soft, but we will check.

Thank you.

Sheryl

Always best to be sure.

Jim

Jim

Is there somewhere that I can find the maximum weight easily?

Sheryl

There should be a plate on the car, sometimes in a door opening, and sometimes uner the bonnet.  Also should be in the handbook.

The following information should be given.

Maximum Gross weight

Maximum Front Axle weight

Maximum Rear Axle weight

Maximum Train Weight

The Train Weight is the total of the car, its contents, plus any caravan or trailer, pus its contents.  The whole package, leaving nothing out.

If you can't find it, although it really has to be there, the dealer would help.

Don't forget, when you have all your passengers and luggage in, to add the noseweight of the caravan.

Jim

Jim

Years ago I used MAD auxillery springs on my Peugeot 405 and found them very good. They are a bit more expensive than the rubber insert types but are progressive. A point worth remembering is to discuss it with your insurance company as they may see it as a performance upgrade!

David

Thanks everyone.

Jim, I'll get the hubby to check when he gets home from work. We are going on our first long distance trip to Weymouth soon, so I want to make sure that everything is ok.

Sheryl

Quote: Originally posted by SherylWarwick on 27/7/2011

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Hi Paul, they are the rubber inserts not the ones shown in Ratty's link...

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Hi

I had the rubber insterts on my last car and will probably fit them to my new car if it does the same thing as the last.

The car pulled fine but the back end of the car was low.  To get out of my street I have to go over 3 speed humps (the big ones) as I am next to a school.  The caravan jockey wheel would catch on them.  After fitting the spring assistors everything was perfect and much less bouncy.

I think it due to car manufacturers making the ride as confitable as possible for the passingers but when you are towing you need the rear suspension to be pretty firm as it encounters weights from the towball then it doesn't when driving solo.

Fitting is easy.  Just put them 1 at a time into a boiling pan for 10 mins to soften them up (be careful taking out as it will be hot).  Jack one side of the car up at a time, take the wheel off, and spread a little washing up liquid onto the spring assistors as it will make it easier to insert.  Start at the bottom as it is at its widest here and slide them round like you were going up a helter skelter backwards, until you get half way up your springs.  Put wheel back on and drop the car and repeat for other side.

Make sure you have the correct ones for your car as there are different one available.  If you go to http://www.springassisters.co.uk/menu.htm it gives you the sizes but remember to measure the point half way up your springs.

Hope this is of use and remember these will only stop the car from droping to to it's lowest point and will not raise the car at all.  The ride may be a little firmer when driving solo but they can be taken in and out so you only need them fitted when towing.

Cheers

Richard