Swirly182

The Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric 5 offers decent rim protection, shown here on 19" rim.

Mine doesn't have this! Owned it from new.

I have a Westfalia detachable on my 2018 vRS estate with the electrics that beep with the indicator - yes shock horror! But it'all been fine for well over 3 years. I always remove the tow ball after a caravan trip and clean / lubricate as necessary maybe twice a year.

Being an Octavia estate, I assumed all at the same time 💪

My discs and pads are original from Feb 2018 and have lasted over 52000 miles. New set in the garage ready to replace once we're back from Cornwall! Thanks for sharing the tool needed 👍

Like these types of modifications, nice one 👍

I called the supplier of MAD and they didn't offer any helper springs compatible with the vRS. The only option was the 'red' air bag insert system.

As per the linked thread - basically after some education from forum members, I bought some slightly longer and stiffer (I think) Eibach springs which went someway to levelling out the car when loaded up. Also some rubber assistors to fit only when towing the caravan. To be honest, if I wasn't towing anything I would have left it. I quite liked the lowered look!

Just to close this thread off, changing the standard 'Q' springs to the 'S' springs (see details earlier in the thread) plus rubber spring assisters, I think has improved the towing experience. I should really have done this sooner with the previous caravan and even when loaded up to go on holiday solo, pre-caravan purchase. The recent tow this weekend with the bigger and heavier caravan was completely stable. It seems the early 245 edition from 2017 to 2018 (and possibly the pre-facelift 230) has these slightly shorter rear springs. My dad's later 245 looks a similar height to what mine is now. This is all anecdotal. So this cost me less than £100. Other option would have cost ££££s. Thank you again to everyone that contributed.

Do you fit and remove as needed or did you leave them in all the time?

Uprated springs installed this morning. Towing next weekend so will find out if it's problem solved! I need not have worried about the looks, slightly higher but doesn't look like it's on stilts. Photo for comparison:

I'm going to order some of the 'S' type springs. I'll possibly be the only person to want to lift a vRS, rather than lower it 😳 Slightly nervous about it's (unloaded) appearance if I'm honest! Thank you again @Carlston and @J.R. for the advice.

Thanks. So twice the improvement whilst towing / loaded up but what about the other 80% of the time? I know there's going to be a compromise somewhere. My only other option is the MAD Red Airbag system, which you air-up and down as required. This is around £270... I can't find many reviews about it though. https://mad-suspension.co.uk/know-your-springs/mad-air-bags/

Looks like I have the 'Q' type according to the label on the spring itself. Are these shorter / softer than the R and S types?

Thought I'd better report back on this after the helpful advice I've received. Overall the trip went very well - I didn't do any damage to the hitch whilst grounding out, didn't snake and we didn't end up on the roof! Power and torque was never in question. There is plenty of both for this size and weight of caravan. It still can maintain 60mph up hills in 6th with the cruise set. Stability is very good on motorways and A roads which has backed up my initial impression from collecting the caravan last week. Loading the caravan up a bit always makes it feel better. B roads were more of a problem with this new caravan. As JR predicted, undulations in the road caused suspension bump stop strikes and there wasn't much travel before this happened. I also had four or five jockey wheel strikes on speed bumps. So really have to slow right down to have a chance of clearing them. Because of how well the car performed overall, I am going to try a suspension upgrade (yes, as JR stated above!) whether that's a helper spring or uprated spring I'm not sure yet. Should also add to the already good stability at higher speeds with more weight towards the front wheels.

Really interesting and helpful comments J.R. and others - thank you. The limiting factors with this tow car are the gross train weight of 3558kg and the lower max towing weight of 1600kg. I am having to be obsessed with weights (of everything!) and I am admittedly at the upper end of the car's capability with this caravan, so clutch / gearbox life and hill starts are potential issues, in addition to the squatting rear end as JR has pointed out. Towing miles only make up 20%, if that, of the car's annual mileage. This is an important factor as you say JR. The A4 Allroad 3.0 TDI is heavier, will have a significantly higher gross train weight and a higher max towing weight meaning I can load the caravan up to the MTPLM. It has a higher roof load so the roof box could carry heavier items. Suspension is lifted by 35mm but I'm unsure if I wouldn't have the same issue with the boot loaded up. Some Allroads have adaptive damping so having a firmer dynamic setting may help. I have test driven a couple of A6 Allroads with the air suspension which would eliminate this issue and are capable of pulling pretty much any caravan, but I didn't enjoy driving them. Anyway, we're off to Wales on Monday so I'll load the car up as best I can, ensure the noseweight remains at 75kg and see how the rear looks. I'll also have more miles experience with this combo and if my positive first impressions continue, I may install the uprated springs as opposed to swapping cars. The ZF 8 speed automatic gearbox in the Allroad is calling me though 😂

It's not on the bump stops though. The jockey wheel would ground before the suspension bottoms out. The rear of the car squatted as much with the previous, smaller and lighter caravan. Had many trips with this one and didn't get any tyre inner edge wear and stability was also very good. Good discussion 👍 A4 Allroad. Will this offer significantly better towing performance?

Only one journey so far and stability is good. The car is within it's gross weight, the caravan is 100kg below MTPLM, outfit is within the car's gross train weight. Tyre pressures good. Caravan is loaded well. Nose weight is correct. The only thing not satisfied is the 85% guideline. I'm yet to find any hard data to justify this. All you get is that it's 'meant for beginners'. I take your point on the low rear suspension. However the vRS is stiffer than standard. I guess the Octy will have a slightly shorter overhang than the Superb? Having said all this, I am considering swapping to either an A4 or A6 Allroad.

I personally wouldn't want to go lighter on the nose weight. I think a better alternative would be to put some heavier items in the roof box, without exceeding the 75kg roof load. As you can probably tell, I'm obsessed with weights at the moment 😴😴😴

Nose weight is correct at 75kg, but there's a lot in the boot! Actual van weight is 1554kg. (MRO 1430kg / MTPLM 1650kg). Length is 8.3m including hitch. Car weight loaded ready to go on holiday is 1890kg.

Had it over 5 years and this car still amazes me. (For the concerned, I have a spreadsheet with all actual weights for car and caravan. Also if anyone's bothered - a manual 245 estate with spare wheel, tow bar, tools and roof bars weights 1460kg without driver, confirmed at weighbridge).

Didn't put a foot wrong and you've discarded it, the poor thing! I've had the same experience minus the battery and washer jet issues. It's been 100% fault free. Been looking at other cars recently but can't bear the thought of someone else having my vRS. I'll be genuinely upset when the time comes to abandon it in a dealers car park 😢

In a world of corroded diamond cut alloys, these look fantastic 👍

The red estate is definitely standard as I've had the car from day one. I know in the top photo the car looks loaded up but it had just been emptied at the caravan site. I suppose the only way to confirm either way is to measure the distance from ground to sill. I also failed to recognise that yours is a pre-facelift so not a like for like comparison - as said the facelift rear track is wider and the arch gap might appear less. I'll be quiet now!