Cure for "the squat"?

J

JTT

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Aug 25, 2000

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• May 30, 2003

• #1

I am occassionally towing my 6x10 trailer with my "company car"...a 2001 Buick Century. It tows alright, but the rear end squats alot under the tongue weight. If I shift the weight off the tongue too much the trailer gets too "bouncy".

I was thinking of trying those little "Spring booster" things, that basically isolate a couple of the coils in the rear spring, effictively shortening them and therefore making them stiffer. Has anyone ever used these things?

I know the "right way" would be to use air type shocks, but as I said, this is not my car and I will only have it for a short time before replacement. Basically I am looking for a cheap way around the problem...or I could just ignore it ;)

 

Zerotact

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Dec 10, 2002

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• May 30, 2003

• #2

If your car has rear coil springs, the auto parts stores have spacers you can wedge in there and kep the spring from collapsing. You could also load the trailer with the weight on the other end to try and even the load out.... Also stiffer/new rear shocks help a little.......

 

J

john stu

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Jan 7, 2002

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• May 31, 2003

• #3

you said squat lol

 

J

JTT

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Aug 25, 2000

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• May 31, 2003

• Thread starter
• #4

:laugh:

 

Zerotact

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Dec 10, 2002

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• Jun 1, 2003

• #5

try Jcwhitney.com they may have some kinda heavy duty rear shocks. Either spring overload, or air...

 

F

Fark

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Aug 12, 2002

438

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• Jun 17, 2003

• #6

How about air bags, the kind drag racers use. Drop out the rear coil springs and put the bags in there. Inflate when towing. Prolly $50 for both.

 

J

JTT

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Aug 25, 2000

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• Jun 18, 2003

• Thread starter
• #7

Thanks for the help guys, but I guess I'll just leave it alone. I'll be turning the car in in the fall anyways, but may put the suggestions to work on the new ride for next year.

 

lawman

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Sep 20, 1999

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• Jun 18, 2003

• #8

i had a shop install a booster system in an explorer that i was using to haul a bike on a moto jack. cost about $70, worked great--even made the car handle better unloaded, took out some of the wallow.