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If the problem is overly soft suspension of the tow vehicle, a single leaf spring that can be flexed by hand is unlikely to have any real effect unless noseweight it lowered to practically zero.

Perhaps spring assisters would be of more use in your case?

Yes, I was wondering that too.  What is your MTPLM and your car kerbweight? 

We have for the last 9 years towed our 1300kg MTPLM van with a 2 litre automatic (Volvo 940) so I do not see this as a problem SD

We have the self levelling suspension fitted, which has been a good investment..

CAR  (GVM 1970kg)   (MPAC front 1020kg rear 1020kg) (towbar load 75kg) (Towing capacity 1300kg) (Tire pressure front 35psi rear 35psi + 2.8psi when towing)

CARAVAN (unladen 902kg) (max laden 1100kg)

85% if i am right 

Quote: Originally posted by gazza12345 on 20/6/2007

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i will try & get the nose weight down. but i think i will still have a fair bit of pitching becouse of the avensis soft suspension setup. I was just thinking that the 200q would help stop alot of it.

i have only ever towed with range rovers & volvos before & never had this problem. so it makes you think twice about it.

always in the back of your mind when towing.

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Hi

You mention above that you have only ever towed with Range Rovers and Volvos before & never had this problem;  Have you actually got a problem with your setup that makes it feel "dangerous", or does it just feel "different" to when towing with the previous vehicles ?

The reason I ask the above, is that I quite often see people stating on here (and other places) that whilst they were towing "they didnt even know the caravan was on the back".  This concerns me slightly, as if that is the case, does their average speed creep up, do they attempt overtaking manouvres as if travelling solo...etc,etc...

Incidentally, I am relatively new to towing a caravan & tow with a Passat Estate.  I and am always extremely careful checking the noseweight, etc, but even so, I always feel the caravan bouncing and pitching on uneven roads.  I guess I'm just getting used to "thats how it is", but I would still know instantly if it felt "different", and would stop and check, as the safety of me and my family is always paramount.

I must disagree with takisawa on the previous page

The traditional blade stabaliser only works in one plane, that of side to side to stop sway. This is done with the friction pads. The spring or blade serves to keep the blade in its guide which is attached to the A frame. there may be some restriction of pitch bot this is coincidental.

AKS 1300 works side to side only while the AKS 2004 works on sway and pitch.

Pitching is usually caused by too heavy nose weight or weighting the back to counteract the heavy nose weight.

Remove all heavy weights from both front and back, put them over the axle.

I never have the spare in the front locker.

petersandyglen

The 2004 has an extra pad that sits top/rear of the ball to restrict the pitch.

We all get some pitching but it can usually be improved by good loading techniqies.

Glad to hear you found a good balance. Correct loading can be a bit of a trial & error black art. In my van I have two large gas bottles and a 110 battery all at the front, so the best load out for me actually means putting the awning just behind the rear axle as I suggested.

I would not however load the back of the van with heavy items if there was not all that weight upfront acting as a counterbalance.