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Does anyone have spring assisters in their tow cars?  If so, are they worth having?  We seem to have spent so much getting this caravan on the road already that we don't want to go and buy these unnecessarily.  Any comments on them greatly appreciated.

Nora

Have not got them fitted but i asked a similar question a while ago. The general impression i got was that they give a smoother ride but are mainly necessary when driving a full car and a near maximum towing capacity caravan.

I priced them up for my  55 Zaffira and was quoted £140 by my local garage. As i have only towed the van once i am going to wait until later in the year to make my decision.

I know what you mean about all the needs and need nots as we are going through the same thought processes. All i do is come on the forum as you have done and ask, i am truly grateful to all the knowledgable people on here who offer an opinion to assist in the final decision...........

Good luck with you caravaning.............

That's my idea, too, Bill, so long as you've got all the safety and security, I think the other things can wait until you decide they're necessary.  We sold an almost new wheel clamp and hitch lock with our folding camper a couple of years ago and have now had to replace them and get a stabiliser etc. etc. (good old ebay!) but you can get a bit carried away with the few quids here and there.

£140 sounds quite expensive - you can buy the kits from Towsure for between £7.95 and £15.95 depending on the size and I don't think they take long to fit - or at least so we were assured by the used car salesman who sold us the car !

Nora

As Bill has already intimated spring assisters are generally for those who maybe concerned that the imposed load upon the rear of the vehicle may over-compress the existing springs generically fitted to the vehicle.

After taking the van out on a test drive I decided that assisters were the way to go and as I indeed ride quite near to the maximum I bought a set from Towsure for  atenner or so and me and a pal fitted them in about 15 mins if that. Well he jacked the car up and fitted them while I made the tea!!

....and no they have no adverse effect whatsoever when driving solo....wouldn't like to tell you of some of the speeds I hit as I'd only get the "old tarts" brigade nagging at me!! 

Thanks, Rumple - I thought it wasn't a difficult job (not that I'm suggesting that might be the reason you were making the tea!).

Nora

OH put them on the Audi last year, they lifted the back end fractionally (1/2 inch) but most importantly did the job they are intended for, to stop the back end dropping, since then he has also put them on our BMW and says they are well worth the money and easy to fit

Great, Gaynor, thanks.  Looks like it's probably one of those jobs to go on the list then.

Nora

I tow with a Nissan Primera and the drop on the back end when hitched up was quite severe. The company I work for supply them to the trade so I was able to pick a pair up and fit them to the car. They did raise the car slightly at the rear and 'firm' up the ride and they do assist the Coil Springs & help strengthen them.

In order to fit them you should jack up the relevant wheel until the Coil Spring is completely uncompressed. You then boil the Rubber Assistors until they become soft which makes them much easier to fit and whilst they are still warm/hot they should just sit between the Gaps in the Spring. Once they cool they then harden back up so that they hold themselves in place.

When we had our Rover400 I fitted spring assistors to the rear and it did make a difference. The ride was stiffer with the van on the back and it didnt sit down as far. When driving without the van they make no difference what so ever. They are worth the money. Try Towsure. I paid about £12. Money well spent.

oops sorry Nora. i misread your origional message and got confused, shows what happens when you get up early after a hard days work and a night on the pop lol. The £140 i mentioned was to have stronger springs fitted as i was lookin at carrying cycles aswell as everything else. I was also recommended the assisters but told as i was putting all that extra weight on would be better with heavy duty springs.

 The hard work yesterday was the 3rd day of building a hard stand at the side of the garage to store caravan on. We looked at size for storage but did not reckon on the soft grass in the wetter times of year and the fact that we have to manually manouvre the van. Another expense not considered and as you said this morning the list goes on and on .

let us know what you think if you have the assisters fitted...................

 Try this firm mad suspensions tel no 01327 831313

 www.mad-suspensions.co.uk

Quote: Originally posted by kanno on 04/6/2006

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Just back today after my first outing after having a set of spring assisters fitted. I pull with a Picasso and have got to say they made a big difference, not nearly as much bouncing at the rear when going over undulating roads. Caravan seemed to be a lot more stable as well. it lifted the car about 3-4" though so I'm hoping thet will reduce as they settle down.

Only thing is they are not the rubber type but actual small springs and cost £120. the Picasso doesn't have rear springs but a torsion bar and shocks.

IMHO they are worth having.

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Great, everyone, thanks. Looks like they're a good idea so will probably get them done.

Nora

Quote: Originally posted by chris owens on 05/6/2006

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Kanno.... i am looking at having these fitted as well were these the ones you bought from mad suspension?  and is the £120 price per pair or individuals? How easy were they to fit and what piccasso do you tow  with as mine is a 1.6 petrol desire. and i found the back end does drop quite a bit

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Chris yes they are the MAD ones. I bought them from Larkspead in Leeds. The price was for the complete kit inc P&P. as for fitting them I got my local garage to do the fitting    it was under £20, (great Garage) he said he had a little bit of of trouble fitting them because the axle didn't drop to give enough clearance he compressed the springs in the vice and attached a couple of bits of wire to keep them compressed while he fitted them. strong cable wraps should do as well.

  I have the 2.0 HDI. The back didn't drop a great deal but I didn't like the bouncing effect without them plus I mus be towing around the 90% mark and keep the nose weight at 80Kgs.

I have taken some pictures of the kit, instructions and the fitted springs.if you need any more info just just ask
http://www.brian-davies.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/mad.htm