daveboylloyd wrote:thanks for the help/advice guys
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my caravan comes in at around 2000lbs and an additional gearbox oil cooler is on the cards. also ive seen some rear shocks for sale over here with built on coil springs. i was thinking about getting these fitted. anyone seen them there or even use them ? regards dave.
2,000 lbs for a Caravan? Sounds light to me. As per
http://www-5.dodge.com/vehsuite/VehicleCompare.jsp "DATA Sheet" - Base Curb Weight - with Automatic Transmission [lbs]
4,321. For "math numbers", lets say stripped down Caravan is 2,000 lbs. Let's say your trailer is scale weight at 1,000 lbs. That's 3,000 lbs - behind your Safari van (as the tow vehicle). A properly loaded trailer should have 13% tongue weight (of its load). Therefore, your trailer's tonque will have 390 lbs. Will the Class III hitch installed in your van support this 390 lbs? Most class IIIs have a max weight load of 300 - 350 lbs. Do check your numbers. Especially "real world" scale weight numbers. Sounds like you need a WD (Weight Distribution) System on the tonque of your trailer. If it were me, I'd buy a WD System - based on "scale weight" of your Caravan loaded trailer.
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As a general statement. Shocks only reduce "ease of" up/down movement on your vehicle. Shocks do NOT allow more weight support of your van. In other words, your tow vehicle will have the same "Rear Sag" as before the HD Shocks are installed.
With this in mind, do focus on Timbrens or Air bags for your Astro/Safari van - to eliminate rear sag. They can be installed using the existing "leaf spring" system. If you install a steel upgrade solution (like new stronger leaf replacements) or +1 leaf upgrade, the rear of your van goes up. When the rear of your van goes up 1 (or more) inches, it changes its front wheel alignment. Thus, more nose dives, more wearing of front breaks and more faster wearing of idler arms. Besides this, the rear of your van has more "road hop". Very dangerious hopping of the rear - especially if you live in snow / ice belt regions.
If you want to "beef up" the rear suspension of your Tow Vehicle van (without changing its existing vehicle stance or creating "road hop"), go with a non-steel upgrade solution. Timbrens SES (2,000 lbs) and Firestone ride right systems work great. Great to allow more load support and to eliminate rear sag. For more details, surf:
http://www.timbren.com/ses-van-suv.htm
http://www.towshop.com/page19.html
If wondering, I have Timbren SES 2,000 lbs on my van and never regretted installing them. Simply install and leave them. And yes. Both Timbrens or Air Bag systems that are properly adjusted do work great with a WD System.
Hope this helps as well...
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