Towing a Boat with a series II SS Sportwagon

[barraboy]

Took delivery of my first V8 a few weeks ago. Just Love it(apart from crap sound system) and i now understand why Aussies love their V8's.(I'm a pom but excuse that I've been here for quite a few years).
Anyway I ordered the 2100kg tow package because I tow a 6m boat on a dual axle trailer two or three times a year. I did not realise you get a Load distribution hitch which is useless for a boat trailer with long arm. Went into Boronia Towing and they recommended Springs from Pedders for the rear.
Does anyone have any experience with these? I assume you then dont need the distribution hitch. How is handling affected and what about warranty as Holden state you must use an approved towing package.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
cheers

[brad VE SSV]

I take it your car is auto, you can't legally tow that much with a manual.

Not sure bout answers to your questions, but keep in mind holden won't allow you to tow within first 3000kms, otherwise they'll dismiss warranty..

Or pull out the hitch.. Can't see how they would tell..

[RiCeY]

Id imagine they would improve handling being a stiffer spring but reduce ride quality. They will possibly also increase the ride height if they are a taller spring, which would then in turn reduce handling hahaha

[pjdm1980]

Maybe try some air bag inserts, I don't know if they make them for VE's but worth a look?

[Reaper]

Took delivery of my first V8 a few weeks ago. Just Love it(apart from crap sound system) and i now understand why Aussies love their V8's.(I'm a pom but excuse that I've been here for quite a few years).
Anyway I ordered the 2100kg tow package because I tow a 6m boat on a dual axle trailer two or three times a year. I did not realise you get a Load distribution hitch which is useless for a boat trailer with long arm. Went into Boronia Towing and they recommended Springs from Pedders for the rear.
Does anyone have any experience with these? I assume you then dont need the distribution hitch. How is handling affected and what about warranty as Holden state you must use an approved towing package.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
cheers

I have done around 250,000km in VE's and much of that has been towing (often right up to the 2100 kgs).

1. Don't touch pedders.
2. Check out your boat trailer. Often you are able to slide the axle forward and back a little to distribute the weight of your particular boat correctly. You should aim for around 25kg of towball weight which will mean your standard springs will work fine. You will find the shocks will wear out a bit faster if you tow a lot and when this happens I'd suggest you call site sponsor GSR Rallysport for some replacements. Pedders is nothing more than overpriced rubbish.

The best thing you can do is make sure your trailer is weighted correctly. **Everything** will be so much more pleasurable to drive when this happens.

Reaper

[Reaper]

Id imagine they would improve handling being a stiffer spring but reduce ride quality. They will possibly also increase the ride height if they are a taller spring, which would then in turn reduce handling hahaha

Stiffer springs at one end but not the other will not necessarily improve handling. Particularly when unladen.

Reaper

[wing_nut]

I will give you 2 pounds for the Load Hitch

Took delivery of my first V8 a few weeks ago. Just Love it(apart from crap sound system) and i now understand why Aussies love their V8's.(I'm a pom but excuse that I've been here for quite a few years).
Anyway I ordered the 2100kg tow package because I tow a 6m boat on a dual axle trailer two or three times a year. I did not realise you get a Load distribution hitch which is useless for a boat trailer with long arm. Went into Boronia Towing and they recommended Springs from Pedders for the rear.
Does anyone have any experience with these? I assume you then dont need the distribution hitch. How is handling affected and what about warranty as Holden state you must use an approved towing package.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
cheers

[barraboy]

Is that 2 English pounds?
Thanks for the replies. yes its an Auto.
I'll hitch the trailer and give it a test.
cheers

[SV6 shopping trolley]

I agree bwith reaper, had heaps of drama's with Pedders with other cars.They don't know what they are talking about.
Keen to know how you go Barraboy, looking at getting a 2100 kg towbar for my SV6wagon

[EnFoRcEr_001]

ive got the 2100 kit for my sv6, i also have a 6.2m boat, the standard setup will take it fine. Mines even on a single axle. Just make sure the weight is evenly distributed i found that there is 10 or 20kg difference on the toeball so there isnt actually that much weighted pushing down on the rear of the car.

[wing_nut]

Is that 2 English pounds?
Thanks for the replies. yes its an Auto.
I'll hitch the trailer and give it a test.
cheers

I will buy the Holden hitch off you if you dont want it
tell me a $$$$$$$$ price

[EraserHead]

Don't change your springs - that's just BS and will potentially void your warranty. Use the load levellers GM supply - they work great. I also have a boat - 6 metre - with the single pole leading up to the coupling. I had to make up a bracket to attach the load leveller ends. I believe you may also be able to buy one like this from Haymann Reece...

Checkout my car/boat combo - http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/v...4-24152154.jpg

And this is how the load levellers hook up - http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/v...4-24152222.jpg

[Rusty]

Sorry to drift slightly off topic but how do you guys go for traction getting off slippery boat ramps? I have been in 4wd's that lose traction on some of the launch points I've been at. That was in the country mind you, may be better grip and maintained ramps here?

[barraboy]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll stay away from the Pedders option as advised and see what weight is on the towball hitch. I'll let you know how I get on. Sounds like the WDH with the adapter is the way to go.
As far as retrieving on wet ramps goes I find its best to 'go slow' in low gear. As Commodores have Active select use that, and stay in first or at most second once your moving. I retrieve on the Murray (safety boat for the Southern80) and some of the ramps are terrible, especially at the end of the day when all the ski boats have retrieved, but stick to above and you'll be Ok.(Apart from this year when everything was muddy. We used a small folding spade to remove mud as necessary and did not slip at all)

[barraboy]

Thanks Eraserhead, that looks perfect to me. Does your trailer have mechanical brakes and does the hitch affect these?(Just heard it can affect their operation)

[EraserHead]

Barraboy - if the load levelling hitch is set up correctly the override brakes work perfectly although my trailer has 4 wheel discs! You have to set the load levellers up so that when the coupling is compressed (i.e. brakes fully on) the chains should be vertical. This way they don't go 'overcentre' which may affect braking.

[EraserHead]

Rusty - slippery boat ramps are not a problem. Had a RWD Territory before the SV6 - never had an issue with that either. Just nice gentle application of power and common sense. Although the boat ramps are generally pretty good these days thanks to the money raised by boat regos etc.

Just think back 20 years ago before every man and his dog had to own a Pajero/Patrol/LandCruiser/X5 or similar to take the kids to school - how do you think they towed their vans and boats around this country? RWD Holdens, Valiants and Falcons of course!

[barraboy]

Great, I'll just follow your advice. Now I have to find that bracket but I'll give hayman reece a call first.
best wishes.

[EraserHead]

Yep - I made mine 'cause I couldn't get exactly what I wanted - dead easy. Oh yes, with the speakers in your car - I upgraded my door speakers to Polk DB651's within a week of getting delivery!! Original speakers are cheap and nasty Korean crap -iMoss.

i-Moss client list includes prestigous marques such as Hyundai, Kia, Daewoo, Tata, DongHee, Ad Motors, DuckYang..... and now, Holden... (how embarrassing)...

[barraboy]

Went into ARB in Kilsythe(melbourne) today. They rang Haymen Reece who confirmed the adapter(similar to picture posted by Eraserhead) is available. Its called a "Boat trailer Adapter" for load distribution hitch.
Should arrive next week and I'll post the part number when I get it. So if anyone else needs one go to your nearest ARB centre and they will get it in for you. By the way its $168.
Thanks to everyone who posted advice.

[barraboy]

Part Number is T31141