Levelling 100 Series when Towing

Plunger,

I put Firestone coilrite airbags in my rear springs to stop that problem, Worked a treat.
Polyairs are probably just as good.

Give TJM or ARB a call.

There will be people on here that will tell you to try Trucksprings in America, All I can say is don't.
I got caught out and it cost me a lot of money, The reason is they don't have 100 series Landcruisers in America.

Hope this helps
Regards
japmel

The best solution is a weight-distributing hitch from Hayman-Reece or similar. It consists of a pair of spring bars (and other hardware) that takes some of the extra towbar weight from the rear wheels and puts it back on the front wheels. Instead of the rear dropping and the front rising the WDH should cause the vehicle to remain fairly level. The downside of a WDH is that it only works on fairly flat roads. The bars need to be removed if the angle between the vehicle and traileris likely to get a bit extreme, e.g. off-road work.

Heavier springs or Polyairs might bring the rear up but don't address the problem of weight distribution (think about what happens to the front wheel when you push down on the handles of a wheelbarrow).

Stephen.

If you are towing this van for a lot of the time, or are on the road with it weeks at a time, then I would look at replacing the rear springs with heavier rate springs.However, if the towing is occassional then look at Polyair springs as an additional boost to your rear springs. Give Pedders Suspension a call, they will be able to help you with either option, or both.

A mate of mine had the same problem in an 80, He put the heaviest King springs in it. No sag at all now. He was told it will ride real rough if not loaded, but he keeps all recovery gear in back all the time and it rides pretty well he says.

Yep - welcome to a big issue that hoards of campers have has to address - zillions of words have been typed on that subject in hoards of web and magazine forums. I used polyair bags (from Truckspring - ordered mine without a hitch - they have Jackaroo's in the US ! - fitted them myself). My sag was minor - the bags look after that fine - if you have considerable sag (the car that is :-0), you'd need expert independent advice I think, because bags, stronger linear springs, or stronger progressive springs and the load levelling hitch would all work one way or 'tuther - an expert (a real one) probably could advise on the best option. Suggestions here may be on the money. I tossed the load levelling hitch idea because I was advised that it needs to be dismantled when you get into low gear, tight-up-down terrain crawling - extensive articulation of the hitch is said to stress the load levelling hardware too much - may break - once rolling again with purpose you maye need to have it all reconnected, unless you can opt to dawdle along for awhile.... and the bags were fine for my "minor sag" anyway.

Plunger,
I would say idealy you would have a WDH AND polyairs or similar for times when the WDH is off-serious off road. No springs will do what a WDH will do-This is a fact that so many cannot grasp.
Matt

In my opinion, the first thing to check is the tow bar height BEFORE you connect the trailer. The trailer hitch could be way out. You can buy replacement hitches to get the right height.
Next thing I would do is to put Polyairs on - They are brilliant and should solve your problem. The standard 100 series suspension is good and does not necessarily need upgrading. I tow a Kimberley that has a fairly hefty draw bar weight and although I HAVE upgraded suspension you will find the Polyairs will do the trick

A set of steel blocks instead of springs will stop the back from sagging.
But they will not transfer the weight back to the front wheels.
In the case of draw bar download the back axle becomes a fulcrum point.
Push down on the towball and the front come up. Simple geometry.
With a sprung vehicle the back will go down first and then the front comes up.
WDH systems correct the problem correctly.

Have a look at the Hayman Reese site for a better explanation.

Regards
Bob

Hi Plunger,

I had the same problem with my Safari being towed by a Pathfinder. Replaced rear coils with medium King Coils and a set of poly airbags... levels the ride and makes towing a pleasure, stops the pitch (if that's the right term).

We have just completed 9 months of trip round oz with a vast amount of dirt road driving without any problems with the trailer or suspension.

Regards

Graham and Sandy