This is the outfit just as we arrived home from the last trip last year. There are no assisters fitted and the usual gear in the back, eg Awning, chairs etc.
Quote: Originally posted by leegilbert on 14/3/2010
The profile of the tyre will not make any difference to the ride hight as the wheel diameter is ajusted to suit. it shouldnt matter if you are pulling a 700 kg van or a 1800kg van to the back end of the car as your nose weight of the van would be around 80-100 kgs. (1 x fat bloke) and im sure that tow bars are fitted to a regulation height, so as said if it looks a bit low there could be a problem with the car or excessive nose weight on the van (or to many fat blokes in the back of the car).
Spot on.......
I have two sets of wheels for my Mondeo LX estate. I have the original 16 inch with standard 205/55/16 tyres for winter and I have a set of 18 inch Mondeo ST wheels with 225/40/18's for summer. Both sets of wheels have the same overall diameter and rolling circumferance. So the ride height doesn't alter. Also my LX measures exactly the same from the ground to the wheelarch lip as my mates ST estate. The ST just looks lower because of the body kit. Towbars are designed so that the ball does sit at a specific height.
Well, one complete season (last year) and two trips so far this year, and here is an update. All last year and the first trip this year, we were satisfied with the way the outfit handled, generally. No problems with pitching/swaying/overtaking/being overtaken (even by rapid white van man)
However, just over a week ago on our second trip, just for the hell of it I fitted my Graystons. The ride height solo is unaffected, as the Graystons sit loosely in the centres of the springs (cable ties prevent them coming out) With the 'van on, they are just starting to be 'nipped'. The difference towing is quite obvious - very 'planted' and the whole outfit seems like just one unit. Fully stable right up to XX mph. I know that to fit Nivomats, if they are available, would be prohibitively expensive as the springs would also be necessary, and I still cannot ascertain if Monroe Ride-Levellers can be obtained, but even if I had needed to purchase the Graystons, they are very inexpensive and do a great job.
I have MAD replacement progrssive springs on my 2010 Mondeo & with them fitted in my opinoin the car is a better and more stable towcar than the Peuget 4007 4x4 we had before. Towing a 1480kg mtplm van at 60 mph gps speed even in windy conditions the car stayed in complete control.
Before the car was a good towcar, but with non sport suspension there was noticable sag. However now with 90 kg noseweight, a sensibly loaded car & 3 bikes on the roof the car sits level. Unladen the car still has the standard excellent handling / ride compromise.
For me the replacement springs give the confidence of towing with a 4x4 but with the day to day running costs of a standard car. As a towing accessory they are the best £233 I have spent.
We have this model car I asked the same thing when I had my tow bar checked out . The firm where I went said there is no need .
Yet I said the same it seems so low . But they said no it don't need it . Again as others have said they have self levelling.
Check with a tow bar fitters to reassure yourself.
I have a 2004 Mondeo hatch back and don't have any issues with the tow ball / ride height. Check you have not exceeded the maximum noseweight for the Mondeo. This is 75kg for the hatch back, but possibly lower for the estate as the body extends farther behind the axle.
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Topic: mondeo spring assisters needed?
