Uprated springs V60 Redesign?

[mcouchard]

I have a 2011 V60 Rdesign as pictured with my 1300kg Bailey pageant Bordeaux, first image in the way back in France second image in UK before heading over to France. In neither was in bottomed out but it was lower at the rear than I would like. Carefully loaded gas cylinder in car boot way out caravan on back as had used up lots of gas.
Checked nose weight and got it to 70kg, can't really go lighter without upsetting the van balance.
Have checked springs they are intact no breaks even at the end but appears the os rear spring may been replaced I think with a non Rdesign one and the ns looks lower and original, so it sits a little higher on OS especially when not loaded this is clearly not okay not sure what previous owner was thinking so going to replace both.
Is there any uprated spring options from Volvo or elsewhere, or should I fit Rdesign or non Rdesign springs I assume that although Rdesign aren't as high they are stiffer so better for towing?
I know about MAD springs but not keen as insurer is Churchill and they won't even permit a stage 1 remap.
I have changed the wheels to 17 inch ones with correct offset since as well.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by mcouchard

I have a 2011 V60 Rdesign as pictured with my 1300kg Bailey pageant Bordeaux, first image in the way back in France second image in UK before heading over to France. In neither was in bottomed out but it was lower at the rear than I would like. Carefully loaded gas cylinder in car boot way out caravan on back as had used up lots of gas.
Checked nose weight and got it to 70kg, can't really go lighter without upsetting the van balance.
Have checked springs they are intact no breaks even at the end but appears the os rear spring may been replaced I think with a non Rdesign one and the ns looks lower and original, so it sits a little higher on OS especially when not loaded this is clearly not okay not sure what previous owner was thinking so going to replace both.
Is there any uprated spring options from Volvo or elsewhere, or should I fit Rdesign or non Rdesign springs I assume that although Rdesign aren't as high they are stiffer so better for towing?
I know about MAD springs but not keen as insurer is Churchill and they won't even permit a stage 1 remap.
I have changed the wheels to 17 inch ones with correct offset since as well.

I guess you weigh around 75 kg ( I do ) I cant imaging the car going that low if you stood on the ball , does it ? have you got active suspension by any chance?

[mcouchard]

Originally Posted by Clan

I guess you weigh around 75 kg ( I do ) I cant imaging the car going that low if you stood on the ball , does it ? have you got active suspension by any chance?

I don't think it has active suspension its fairly low spec otherwise, it did have a full boot, two children 9 & 12 in the back seats and four bikes on the roof, then the caravan noseweight. I struggled similarly with my last car a Mk3 Laguna as well (even after replacing the rear springs), but not with the 4WD before that, but I don't like SUV's and deadlifting four bikes onto a SUV was losing its amusment.

Being an R Design it is low anyway of course, but those wheels were also the wrong offset ET 42 instead of the correct ET 55 hence I have changed them but even on those it wasn't rubbing either, but should be better now. Although I would like it to ideally bit 5KG heavier on the nose than 70KG which is just okay as should be 5-7% of the overall caravan weight.

[watto64]

Hi,
You made reference to MAD springs, I had these fitted to the rear of our previous tow car - Hyundai Santa Fe. I enquired with our then insurer Saga who's approach was it was a non performance modification but had to be fitted by a VAT registered garage and retain proof.

I always declared the springs year after year and several different mainstream insurers with no increase in premium.

They made a massive difference to towing as the SF from 2013 had softer suspension and our nose weight is around 90-100kg plus awning in boot and two folding bikes and usual junk.