Hi all,

 

The car, Superb Estate 190 Dsg has just had it's first towing trip. 

 

All went well. It's the tiniest of caravans (900 kg approx 2002 Abbey Iona) and we always load for sensible hitch weight. We even try to distribute cargo weight across the whole car ie not just in the boot as I have FOSS (Fear of Squashed Suspension)

 

Only joking of course. But saying that, I do wonder if rear suspension settles naturally, and more/more quickly when towing. 

 

Looking at a photo of the car  just after delivery it does look look more raised at the back than now, 1500 miles later, also empty of course. 

 

Does anyone have a view on this?

I fitted Graystone spring assisters to my old Honda Accord tourer as had same concerns but which the assisters dealt with straight away and the car got back to its old taller self

 

I guess I'm just wondering if an extra load of towing can ever permanently compress the springs, or are there bump stops prevent the spring going beyond their limits?

Re a small caravan. I always used to assume that a small caravan would never load a car downwards as much as a larger one until I suddenly realised that like a see-saw, a larger caravan will not necessarily be heavier at the hitch, due to the equalising weight behind the caravan axle. 

 

So really, at least in a static situation, when there's no dynamic changes on an undulating open road, a larger caravan won't necessarily squash the suspension any more than my small van 

 

Thanks, Dave

 

I think all springs will inevitably settle a little over time and load will accelerate that process. There are bottom and top synthetic rubber foam bump stops to stop the suspension hitting hard at the limits. These do deteriorate and disintegrate over time as well and even quicker when used. Just make sure hitch weight is correct.

 

DCC in sport setting for suspension would help reduce spring fatigue if you have that option.

https://www.lesjoforsab.com/technical-information/durability.asp

I'd agree that any steel spring will settle over time. As for the Greystones, on the Honda I'd guess that they opened out the compressed coils they were fitted between, and will give a dual rate response on large bumps.