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I'm considering my next 2nd hand purchase including the Touran 2.0 Tdi and the Toyota Rav4. They both have a current ball hitch limit for towing of only 75Kg. Has anyone advice/advisability on uprating the suspension on these vehicles? I'd hoped to get it rated up to give me about 90- 100 Kg ball hitch limit for towing my caravan. Otherwise I'll have to go for a Tiguan or perhaps the more expensive Honda CRV. The problem is I've had to fit a Motor Mover on the 'van which increases the nose weight.
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Would a CRV really cost that much more than the RAV4 (ditto Tiguan vs. Touran) by the time you factor in modifying the suspension and whatever the extra cost of insuring the now non-standard car is?
Worse case scenario, surely you'd get a slightly older/higher mileage SUV for the same money?
Remember, if you don't declare the modification, your insurance may be invalidated.
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Spotted at weekend that FiL's Volvo XC60's Thule towbar is rated for 90kg noseweight. Which makes me wonder if you need to look to larger SUVs or MPVs for that rating rather than Touran/Tiguan size?
I recall FiL checking the spec to fit with the supplying dealer before it was fitted, but I can't remember whether it was actually done by the Volvo dealer.
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Uprating the suspension won't change the hitch load limit, otherwise it would suffice just to observe axle limits and ignore the towball limit. For that matter, changing the suspension won't change the plated axle limit, MAM or maximum train weight either.
The type approved towing bracket will be designed to the limit, which could also have regard to the mechanical characteristics and location of the attachment points. The towbar and if applicable detachable hitch are probably placarded too as the "S value". The detachable ball if you have one may be rated higher as they are used with different towing brackets.
Don't forget the caravan hitch also has a limit - most Al-Ko chassis are 100kg IIRC but the on on my Eriba is only 75kg.
The C-Crosser, Peugeot 4007, Outlander will take 100kg on the towball too.
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That all makes sense, Manatee.
So, the OP is back again to changing his choice of car, not modifying the car(s) he's chosen.
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Volkswagen Touran MPV - 20 2.0 Uprating suspension - Gromit
