Hi,
I would like to increase the rear height of our Falcon FG MK II (2014) sedan when we are towing the Penguin.
The towball weight is about 130kg. According to the vehicle handbook, this means 1.4 x 130 = 182kg load on the rear axle.
We also have about 100kg of other stuff in the back seat and boot. So, about 280kg of extra load on the rear axle.
Had a talk to someone from the Airbag Man at the camping show yesterday. They have an airbag kit to suit this vehicle.
The cost of their airbags is about $295 plus fitting.
What I would like to do is to increase the height of the rear suspension and restore it to around the same height as when the car is unloaded.
I guesstimate that I need to raise it about 40-50mm). The problem is that currently I have very little clearance when going over gutters or clearing the centre raised sections on rutted dirt roads. Normally, without the load and towing the Penguin, I would not have a problem.
My current towbar (1,600kg) does not support a WDH. I would need to upgrade to a 2,300kg Heavy duty towbar.
I have absolutely no experience in this area and would value greatly any advice to help me make an informed decision.
(No, I do not want to get another vehicle!)
Some possibilities I thought might be:
1: Adding airbags. (Are there other alternatives to the AirBag man?)
2: Getting higher profile tyres for the existing rims
3: Getting a WDH and upgrading to the heavy duty towbar
4: ???
Are there other possibilities? What are the pros and cons of any of these ideas?
cheers
Mike
I would like to increase the rear height of our Falcon FG MK II (2014) sedan when we are towing the Penguin.
The towball weight is about 130kg. According to the vehicle handbook, this means 1.4 x 130 = 182kg load on the rear axle.
We also have about 100kg of other stuff in the back seat and boot. So, about 280kg of extra load on the rear axle.
Had a talk to someone from the Airbag Man at the camping show yesterday. They have an airbag kit to suit this vehicle.
The cost of their airbags is about $295 plus fitting.
What I would like to do is to increase the height of the rear suspension and restore it to around the same height as when the car is unloaded.
I guesstimate that I need to raise it about 40-50mm). The problem is that currently I have very little clearance when going over gutters or clearing the centre raised sections on rutted dirt roads. Normally, without the load and towing the Penguin, I would not have a problem.
My current towbar (1,600kg) does not support a WDH. I would need to upgrade to a 2,300kg Heavy duty towbar.
I have absolutely no experience in this area and would value greatly any advice to help me make an informed decision.
(No, I do not want to get another vehicle!)
Some possibilities I thought might be:
1: Adding airbags. (Are there other alternatives to the AirBag man?)
2: Getting higher profile tyres for the existing rims
3: Getting a WDH and upgrading to the heavy duty towbar
4: ???
Are there other possibilities? What are the pros and cons of any of these ideas?
cheers
Mike