Preparing to get Hitched?
Kiwis love a road trip, perhaps we can blame this on an overactive adventure gland? Or maybe it’s intrinsically stamped into our DNA to take that road less travelled, get lost on it, and discover a yet to be tagged but totally insta-worthy campsite, where we then take up residence for the next five days in complete isolation, basking in our own resourcefulness.
And perhaps isolation isn’t so scary for a nation tucked down in the corner pocket of the world, a place where that number eight wire mentality breeds self-sufficiency. But there’s another aspect of our road-tripping nature that has flourished from this too, and that is our ability to be prepared for anything. And by this I am referring to the packing of everything we may possibly ever need – and yes, that does include the kitchen sink!
This is only made worse, or as we say ‘better’…by our complete need to cling to all the comforts of home, while away for a seemingly short period of time. Do we really need a freezer just so we can have ice cream during the summer holidays… darn tootin’ we do; it gets hot lazing under the Pohutukawa at the beach you know! And what about the free-standing oven you disconnected from the sleepout back home – well, how else do you cook up properly flaky lunchtime sausage rolls for the whanau and the neighbouring campsites while staying in a tent!
So, it’s probably no surprise then that Kiwis have flocked like sheep to the perfect camping solution tailored just for us – the one where you tow everything you can possibly carry behind you, using your everyday vehicle!
Caravans, Off-road Trailers, Hybrid Pop Tops … all completely packed to the rafters and being towed round the narrow, windy, steep hills of Aotearoa using the same family vehicle that picks up groceries, drops off school kids and drives you to work most days. Sound familiar? Upgrading your camping set up to something that allows you to go further and stay out longer is a fantastic idea, but you should also consider that the vehicle towing this equipment may also need an upgrade. There’s a big difference between carrying a few passengers and your everyday gear around town, which is what the vehicle was manufactured to do. But hitch up additional weights that can range from 800kg to up to 4 tonnes, and that same vehicle will need some upgrades to ensure safety, improve ride comfort and handling, and to protect the two substantial investments doing all the work!
Towing is not a one solution fits all approach, and the experts at ShockPro Workshops can tailor an upgrade that will fit the needs of your towing set up, based on the vehicle you are towing it with. We work with a range of reputable brands that can upgrade your steering, suspension, braking and handling, and can also help prioritise your everyday needs for round town driving, or if your truck is also a service vehicle too.
We recently advised a customer on the perfect suspension upgrade for their 200 Series Landcruiser towing a large 3 tonne caravan. It clearly sagged down at the back with the additional weight, causing the handling to become soft, the driver to feel uneasy at speed, and the draw bar on the hitch would bottom out on the slightest angle or bump. The best solution for their set up was the Pedders TrakRyder 4WD Suspension kit. The shocks have a considerably larger bore, allowing for more oil volume and piston area. This gives more precise valving control, a smoother ride, and better vehicle handling. This popular system utilises foam cell technology to eliminate shock fade, upweighted heavy duty coils for a firmer higher ride, specifically designed to maintain height under load. And the increased spring rate helps to reduce vehicle roll and distribute that tow load better.
It was the perfect set up to combat the 3 tonne of weight pulling the Landcruiser down at the rear. Now the handling has been restored, the caravan doesn’t bottom out or the draw bar scrape, and the driver feels confident about their safety and the safety of others on the road again.
Towing isn’t a one size fits all approach. Consult the experts at ShockPro Workshops to see what the options are that best fit your towing needs.
Go further, stay longer, pack more into life!
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