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[omega squared]

Anyone out there used their Omega for towing and tried both models self levelling and standard suspension?

Reason I ask is I have bought a 3.0 Elite estate for towing my racing car, its rear shocks failed the mot (self levelling).

So I have 2 options

1) put standard rear shocks/springs on the car and disable pump

2) reach deep inside my pockets and buy two new self levelling shocks.


Before doing either wanted to hear of anyone's experience of towing with self levelling does it make any difference?

(my other Omega Estate 2.5 V6 with normal shocks tows just fine, so it there any benefit in having self levelling).

cheers if you can add to this

[Andy B]

.....
 so it there any benefit in having self levelling).

cheers if you can add to this

The car self levels when you put your trailer on the back of it!   
Given the choice, I'd go self levellers, infact I put them back on mine after the previous owner had put stnadard shockers on. If you have access to Trade Club prices, then a pair is 'only' around £150   

[Entwood]

I have towed for over 20 years, obviously early cars did not have self levelling. last 3 (Granada, 2 x Omega's) all have ... and IMHO it makes the whole thing much easier and smoother.

Yes, you still have to control noseweight, you can't just lump everything in and hitch up... but the car "sits" better and handles better I think.

When I bought the present Omega it was advertised with self levelling, and I had no reason to doubt it.. however the first trip out with the 'van had me worried as the handling was way off that expected.. quick check and someone had replaced the self levellers with standard ..   On contacting the seller they agreed to pay for self levellers to be fitted at their cost.

Next trip out the whole outfit was back to a luverly tow ..

I tow a 1600Kg single axle van and we use it a lot .. including trips to the South of France.

IMHO they do make a difference and I wouldn't be without them.

[Andy B]

..... you can't just lump everything in and hitch up.......

Can't you?     

    

[tigers_gonads]

can the self leveling kit be retrofitted to a cd spec 97 mod omega estate?
i.e  is there any wiring to do or is it just a case of fitting the shocks and the compressor ?

[omega squared]

thanks Entwood for that info.

I have done lots of towing in a variety of cars but never had self levelling before so was not sure if it was worth it - but sounds like it is.

How do I get access to the trade club discount then, £150 sounds great.

thanks for the info

[Andy B]

thanks Entwood for that info.

I have done lots of towing in a variety of cars but never had self levelling before so was not sure if it was worth it - but sounds like it is.

How do I get access to the trade club discount then, £150 sounds great.

thanks for the info

You could join Autobahnstormers which will cost you £20 a year. The membership fee is more than paid for the first time you buy 4 gallon of engine oil for £35-ish 

[feeutfo]

abs trade club card link below, or if your in the trade or can blag a vx one you can get vx one from dealer i believe.

[Cliffo B]

Hello all, I found another option for towing as opposed to Vx self levelling as is fitted to my Elite estate.My previous Miggy was an MV6 estate which as most of you will be aware due to different suspension geometry can't have elite self levelling retro fitted. I first of all tried Monroe Ride Levellers which worked super when in caravaning mode all that was needed was to know the measure from ground to top of the rear wheel arch in non loaded mode and pressure up the Ride Levellers, when hitched, to the same distance.Big  snag was in sport mode when not towing I lost my MV6 cornering and ride,what a sickener,obviously the ride levellers could not perform as the standard MV6 shocks, however I adjusted the pressures.Haveing had experience towing with a Cavalier estate some years back equipped with a product called Auto Ballans to assist the rear suspension,I refitted the MV6 shocks and fitted a pair of air bags inside each rear spring complete with a pump, pressure gauge, and control system located in the r/hand side locker to warn of an under inflated condition,5psi I seem to remember was the negative limit.I discovered that that with a pressure of about 10 psi I got back my Mv6 rear suspension with a possible improvement maybe due to slightly tired rear springs.It really did work and did the bis both towing and solo for more than 2 years right up to hitting a full size deer at speed on a 2mile straight bit of country road resulting in miggies write off. I did remove the system along with my Alco Kober tow bracket as I intended getting another MV6 Model. Anyhow age will tell I do love my present Elite and have become Autolazy. The only minor alteration needed was the spring pads require the bump stops cutting down.