Do I "need" any mods for my situation?

[Sword]

<newbie warning>

My 100 has had a 120 litre rear gas tank fitted and is going to be used for pulling a 1800kg (4000lb) caravan (holiday trailer).

While I currently have 11" clearance below the lpg tank - and that's about 2" more than the rear diff has, I'm wondering if this is going to be enough or what I should do - so as not to risk pranging the tank while towing the trailer. Car has a stated nose weight limit (tongue?) of 150kg or 330lbs.

I have AHC which is another consideration ...

So, when towing the van, should I:

1) set the ride style to comfort or hard to reduce vertical travel as much as poss when towing;
2) upgrade the springs and/or shocks to give a siffer ride
3) just get some bigger tyres (currently using stock as in the pic below) to give more clearance
4) anything else?

Please bear in mind that I'm really a novice here and the car was really bought as a family mover (6 of us) that can pull a huge-ish van easily, as opposed to a purpose built rock crawler.

The car ...

and the lpg conversion tank (you can just see the rear diff) ...

and the van (26 footer) ...

I wouldn't have worried a moment about going stock were it not for that heavy, low hanging lpg tank ...

Thanks

Sword

 

[calamaridog]

I don't see a problem with running what you've got. If you are truely worried about the tank, then have a skid plate fabricated or maybe have the tank covered in Line-X for additional impact resistance.

I assume you are satisified with the way it tows?

 

[Sword]

Oh yea, Calam, it tows like a peach - fully loaded uphill with the trailer on the back and it still overtakes with grace and poise as if it were cruising unladen on the flat.

This really is a superb machine!

Sword

Edit: I need to find out if this "line-x" is avail in the Uk ...

 

[i4c4lo]

I second calamaridogs comment about the skid plate, with the 330 pound tongue weight I would worry about scraping it and having most of the load onto the lpg tank.

If you put bigger tires, you will loose power, if you do lift it, that might help you a little bit with a stiffer suspension and handle the tongue weight better, also better clearance in the rear.

i4c 4lo

 

[hoser]

With AHC, the ride height will stay the same no matter what the tongue weight (within system's limits).

Whenever carrying heavy loads or towing, I set my suspension to 4 (sport).

Are you using a weight distribution hitch?

Did you check to see if there was anymore room above your LPG tank?

Yes, keep the stock diameter tires for optimal towing performance. If you wanted a little more ground clearance, there is an easy way to adjust the suspension to do so.

 

[Sword]

If you wanted a little more ground clearance, there is an easy way to adjust the suspension to do so.

Hi Hoser - would you be willing to elaborate or link to a post please?

Oh, and I'm using something called an al-ko stabiliser hitch with a Witta tow bar - both about the best of a limited range over here. And there wasn't any more room above the (huge) tank :-(

Thanks ever so,
Sword

 

[hoser]

Here's the link to the AHC lift mod. However, for just 1" of lift, there is no need to cut any heim joints or make any brackets. First take a measurement of ride height from fender lip to the bottom of the allow wheel on the front and rear. Locate the rear height control sensor and adjust the arm upwards. There should be enough adjustment there for 1" of lift. Do the same for the two front sensors. You want about 1" of rake between the front and back. Front being lower.

Important: make sure engine is off when you are making these adjustments otherwise you could crush yourself!

 

[Sword]

Thanks Hoser - so do I really need to measure anything? Couldn't I simply jack the car up and raise each of the 3 control sensors (2 front and 1 rear) up by 1" thereby maintaining the current rake difference from front to back also? First, I'd mark the receptor in some way so if something hapened, I could put it back to, or measure from, the same point again.

Suppose I would still need to then get the wheels balanced afterwards ?

Sounds almost too easy! Will the only disadvantage be a marginal stability decrease / roll due to raising the centre of gravity?

Thanks again,
Sword

ps - oh, and when towing, you recommend setting the ride to Sport or hard as opposed to soft then ...

 

[hoser]

IIRC, 1" adjustment on the height control sensor does not equal a 1" ride height change. It's more like 3/4" adjustment per 1" ride height but I can't say for sure... and that's why I recommend measuring.

Getting an alignment job afterward would be ideal but I don't think there is that much of an alignment change for 1" of lift.

The answer is "Yes" on your other questions.

 

[Sword]

ah, thanks

Sword