Hi all. I’ve been reading with interest re GVM upgrades, and general suspension ideas. We recently completed a 5 week trip up the middle towing an off-road Cub camper, which was great! I noted a few issues, however, and would love some advice!
The setup:
- 2015 150 series VX (KDSS) Prado 3.0l diesel
- Toyota towbar
- Cub Escape camper - about 1600kg loaded
As pictured, we have 3 big kids in back seat, and a boot full of bags. We need the rear extra 2 seats back home, so I don’t wanna take them out.
The camper ball weight sits within proper limits - around 150kg.
The camper normally sits quite tall (independent springs/shocks, big wheels).
For the trip, I fitted a Hayman Reece tongue to lift the ball height on the car. This gave much less “head down” on the trailer, but 1)not enough and 2)didn’t allow barn door on Prado to open.
I also noted that we came close to bottoming out on a lot of tracks, and indeed lost an Anderson plug at one point. I really noticed this crossing dry creek beds, even very slowly.
I assume the answer is a GVM upgrade with a bit of lift and stiffer springs and adjustable airbags? I am considering adding a winch and Smartbar (lighter) on front, and maybe a second battery for trips without the trailer (fridge in the back) (which will add weight). I also want to change to a different full roof rack so I can move some items up there. We also plan to add bikes to trailer front (which may add to ball weight).
Have a look at pic. I’d like to:
- have a flat-riding trailer with a standard flat tongue (not a lifted one)
- no or minimal sag in the car rear/lift in the front. Note that the missus still needs to drive it around town! Thus, something easily adjusted for empty city driving vs loaded car only vs loaded car and camper in tow.
- some lift (despite careful lines, I scraped the side rails a few times)
I also noted a fair bit of “porpoising” and “wallow” on undulating roads.....would be great to settle this down.
I am in Melbourne. I’d love some ideas for a relative novice!
Cheers, Mat
The setup:
- 2015 150 series VX (KDSS) Prado 3.0l diesel
- Toyota towbar
- Cub Escape camper - about 1600kg loaded
As pictured, we have 3 big kids in back seat, and a boot full of bags. We need the rear extra 2 seats back home, so I don’t wanna take them out.
The camper ball weight sits within proper limits - around 150kg.
The camper normally sits quite tall (independent springs/shocks, big wheels).
For the trip, I fitted a Hayman Reece tongue to lift the ball height on the car. This gave much less “head down” on the trailer, but 1)not enough and 2)didn’t allow barn door on Prado to open.
I also noted that we came close to bottoming out on a lot of tracks, and indeed lost an Anderson plug at one point. I really noticed this crossing dry creek beds, even very slowly.
I assume the answer is a GVM upgrade with a bit of lift and stiffer springs and adjustable airbags? I am considering adding a winch and Smartbar (lighter) on front, and maybe a second battery for trips without the trailer (fridge in the back) (which will add weight). I also want to change to a different full roof rack so I can move some items up there. We also plan to add bikes to trailer front (which may add to ball weight).
Have a look at pic. I’d like to:
- have a flat-riding trailer with a standard flat tongue (not a lifted one)
- no or minimal sag in the car rear/lift in the front. Note that the missus still needs to drive it around town! Thus, something easily adjusted for empty city driving vs loaded car only vs loaded car and camper in tow.
- some lift (despite careful lines, I scraped the side rails a few times)
I also noted a fair bit of “porpoising” and “wallow” on undulating roads.....would be great to settle this down.
I am in Melbourne. I’d love some ideas for a relative novice!
Cheers, Mat
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