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[robson]

From reading forums it seems that fitting these for towing is a good idea Has anybody had reservations about them

[Mr Skrunts]

They are fitted as standard on a few Omega models, I have them on my Elite and standard shocks on my GLS, not used them for towing so cant comment there, but wouldnt be without them on the Elite. 

[Impact Pete]

From reading forums it seems that fitting these for towing is a good idea Has anybody had reservations about them

having towed a big caravan with mine on a number of occassions I am so glad I paid a bit more for the air replacements (some members said I could replace air with standard to save money)
The ride is excellent caravan and full boot and it sits on the road where it should

[Lazydocker]

They are fantastic... The only downside is that it's easy to forget you've got all the weight back there

I had about 20 cases of beer/soft drinks in the boot/back seat area of the car and because it rode so well I forgot quite how much weight was in there on my way off a roundabout whilst "playing" with an Audi driver Was a real Brown Trouser moment

[2woody]

air springs are ok when towing, but are no replacement for getting the tow hitch vertical weight right in the first place.

you should have 55kg MAX on the hitch, under which circumstances, you won't need air-adjustable dampers because the vehicle will still be level.

air-adjustable dampers are really more for maintaining a consistant level of handling under different loading conditions and to maintain a constant attitude, thus negating headlamp beam adjustment and to allow passengers to get into and out of at a constant "drop" to the ground.

[robson]

Thanks for that Woody The only reason I was thinking of air shocks was because my rear end seems to be a bit low about 26inches floor to wheel arch, I have checked my load on the hitch and it is around 100kgs so will have to examine loading in caravan

[Andy B]

air springs are ok when towing, but are no replacement for getting the tow hitch vertical weight right in the first place.

you should have 55kg MAX on the hitch, under which circumstances, you won't need air-adjustable dampers because the vehicle will still be level. .......

75 kgs 

Pg 171 http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.reynolds983/Manuals/Omega2002Manual.pdf 
The maximum permissible coupling socket
load (75 kg) for the towing vehicle should
always be aimed for, particularly in the case of
heavy caravans/trailers. The coupling socket
load should never fall below 25 kg

[Impact Pete]

air springs are ok when towing, but are no replacement for getting the tow hitch vertical weight right in the first place.

you should have 55kg MAX on the hitch, under which circumstances, you won't need air-adjustable dampers because the vehicle will still be level.

air-adjustable dampers are really more for maintaining a consistant level of handling under different loading conditions and to maintain a constant attitude, thus negating headlamp beam adjustment and to allow passengers to get into and out of at a constant "drop" to the ground.

don't think any of us are suggesting letting the car take up the slack, the point is even 55 or even the allowed 75 does not seem to make a difference, plus when you hit an uneven road caravan nose weight correct or not the air shocks stop the exhaust dipping into a country road! trust me on a long caravan chassis this can really raise and lower the caravan if you understand what I mean

[robson]

Impact Pete not sure what you are saying could you clarify ,expand your thoughts

[Impact Pete]

Impact Pete not sure what you are saying could you clarify ,expand your thoughts

I will try not good at explaining but if a caravan pivots on 2 wheels (sometimes even on 4), when a car and caravan outfit is travelling even slowly and at correct nose weight, if you hit uneven roads(plenty at the moment about ) like small hidden dips etc, the suspension on the rear dips and so sends caravan front down then up making weight of caravan shift all over, caravan hits seconds later the same dip..   :-?
I know what I'm trying to say, driving a caravan you should know roughly what I mean.

MY opinion put the decent air shocks on especially towing, pm andyc for trade club price see http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1275411186 he even has added current price 

[acura]

It's tricky to get the noseweight right without compromising stability. Some argue that the caravan should be loaded to lower the noseweight when it's on the heavy side but this can entail putting weight to the rear of the caravan axle to effectively 'pivot' the caravan nose upward. I don't subscribe to this myself as weight at the rear will cause a tendency to 'swing' which in fact can get the 'van into a snake. If the van is loaded with all the heavy stuff on the floor, preferably over the axle then the outfit should be stable. If all of the weight is out of the front locker and the van is still too heavy at the nose then one has to consider if the car is 'man' enough to cope in the first place.

I use the air shocks and donuts, as do some others on here. My van is 1500Kg fully laden which is as heavy as I would tow with my 2.2 saloon. To save overloading the van I put all the weight I can in the car, hence the beefed-up suspension to cope. The air shocks and donuts keep the car level and stable and I would highly recommend. The ALKO stabiliser hitch reduces pitching (up & down) to a minimum. Just my 2d worth. 

[Glyn]

It's tricky to get the noseweight right without compromising stability. Some argue that the caravan should be loaded to lower the noseweight when it's on the heavy side but this can entail putting weight to the rear of the caravan axle to effectively 'pivot' the caravan nose upward. I don't subscribe to this myself as weight at the rear will cause a tendency to 'swing' which in fact can get the 'van into a snake. If the van is loaded with all the heavy stuff on the floor, preferably over the axle then the outfit should be stable. If all of the weight is out of the front locker and the van is still too heavy at the nose then one has to consider if the car is 'man' enough to cope in the first place.

I use the air shocks and donuts, as do some others on here. My van is 1500Kg fully laden which is as heavy as I would tow with my 2.2 saloon. To save overloading the van I put all the weight I can in the car, hence the beefed-up suspension to cope. The air shocks and donuts keep the car level and stable and I would highly recommend. The ALKO stabiliser hitch reduces pitching (up & down) to a minimum. Just my 2d worth. 

You are quite right and shouldn't use a lower nosewieght, not only can this cause a nasty snake it also gives you a ride like a boat. Always as the manual says aim to get as close to 75kg as possible, 55kg is realy way too low.

[2woody]

apologies. for my "55kg", rear "75kg"

[robson]

woody what do you mean rear 75KGS

[Andy H]

woody what do you mean rear 75KGS

Guessing rearread 75kG

(the 'r' key is quite close to the 'd' )