Towing a caravan with the Stag

[peterrc]

Hi Guys, after towing a caravan for 3000 miles last year my Stag is beginning to sag at the back. Can anyone recommend a solution. Possibly uprated springs and shock absorbers. I have also seen in the towsure catalogue a 'coil spring assister kit' would this help?

Another question. Does anyone use a motorised jockey wheel on their caravan and how successful is it ? Something like this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CARAVAN-MOTOR-...item27b9bc9b6e
Due to the age and value of the caravan I do not want to by a axle mover.
Your comments would be appreciated.
Peter, Cupar

[StagnJag]

Sagging at the back is usually due to the holes in the subframe arms where they attach to the diff extension wearing and becoming oval. Are you sure it isn't that?

Rgds

Dave

[mjheathcote]

When I bought my stag it was fitted with Monroe rear dampers with an air collar that you could inflate to raise the back of the stag when towing.
It even had a little compressor in the boot with remote control under the dash to increase/decrease pressure remotely!
It even had an air line to inflate the tyres too!!
As I did not tow, I took it all out and sold it to an caravan towing Stag owner many years ago.
Monroe might still do a kit?....it was over 20 years ago though....
Cheers,
Mike

[silverfox]

Hi Peter, I used to have something similar for my caravan. It worked quite well providing that your drive or wherever you're moving the van isn't too steep. It wasn't very good on soft wet ground. Also make sure your van battery's in good condition (or carry a spare). Hope this helps, Terry

[peterrc]

Hi everybody, thank you for your thoughts. I will check the subframe when the car comes out of storage next week. I have left a message on the 'Monroe' website and await their response. Lots of jockey wheel movers on e-bay at the moment I will keep looking until I find what I want.
Do not understand why this thread dissapeared from the 'Whats New' list after I read it.
Many thanks
Peter, Cupar

[mjheathcote]

These where the ones!

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/mon_air.cfm

[redstag]

I used these http://www.springassisters.co.uk/menu.htm when towing my 'van. Cheapest option I could find and they are easy enough to fit / remove. They worked well on my car with a van weight just under 1200kgs.

GE13 is the Stag size

Pete

[peterrc]

Hi Mike & Pete, I have had a reply from Monroe and it was not helpful. "Hi Peter thanks for the interest, however we wont be able to source your required parts for your vehicle, thank you".
The spring assisters are similar to the ones from 'Towsure' and they are a possibility. I have also asked the question of the 'Camping & Caravan Club' and await their reply.
Peter, Cupar

[peterrc]

Hi guys, for your general information here is the reply from the 'C & C Club'.
Your vehicle manufacturer would have designed the car taking into account the weight with which it can tow. Hence the springs would have been designed appropriately. I would, therefore, suggest that you replace the springs like for like. You could fit spring assisters but these would tend to make the vehicle solo ride, ie without caravan, harder.

[redstag]

Hi Peter,

The rear end of the stag is so soft that adding the assisters did not seem to make a significant difference to the ride - an improvement if anything.

It makes a bigger difference going up a couple of clicks on the spax adjustables.

Pete