Suspension Enhancements and Trailer Hitches: Why You Need to Upgrade and Your Best Options in the Market
- on August 30, 2021
- Categories: News and Resources
Auto manufacturers design their cars, trucks, SUVs, and other vehicles to provide a smooth and safe driving experience. They also do their best to meet their customers' luxury and comfort demands.
However, they also leave rooms for upgrades and extra accessories. Well, most car owners will do anything to modify their rides. A suspension upgrade is one of the most common changes that drivers make to their vehicles.
Tow hitches are vital equipment. One of their functions is to help you haul a trailer. Their strength and versatility make them useful for effective cargo management. Whether you want to use your vehicle for camping, sporting, or any outdoor adventure, a trailer hitch can be coupled with a super bumper, hammock, or bike rack. In this guide, we will discuss the benefits of suspension systems and trailer hitches. You will also learn about the best types to buy.
What Are The Benefits Of Upgrading Your Suspension?
Enhanced visibility: It is vital to be able to see the road at every moment. An elevated vehicle from a suspension upgrade will keep you aware of any potential hazards while driving. A few seconds might be the difference in preventing an accident.
Better comfort: Suspension upgrades helps to keep car occupants at equilibrium, even on a rough road. |
Better off-road performance: A taller truck will help you plunder through rough terrains, move up steep hills and drive through shallow rivers.
Easy access to your vehicle’s belly: An elevated vehicle will help check and repair your undercarriage easily. You will be able to reach those seemingly tight spaces. |
What Are The Best Options for Upgrading Car Suspension?
Strut Tower Braces
Strut tower braces (strut bars or shock tower braces) help to increase stability and decrease structural tensity while cornering. They link the two anterior strut towers of your vehicle. It is relatively easy and inexpensive to install strut bars. If you decide to do it yourself, all you need is a measuring tape, sharpie marker, measuring tape, and torque wrench. When combined with other suspension kits, you will see an improvement in your chassis stiffness. This tool will transmit the vehicle weight to the ground while under centrifugal forces.
Coilovers
Coilover (Coil spring over shock) is made up of a coil spring around a damper. This suspension add-on is perfect for people who love that low ride feel. In a nutshell, coilovers give cars a lower sense of gravity while increase stability while cornering. It gives you a sense of smooth handling and versatility.
Sway Bars
Sway bars (or anti-roll bars) are a simple modification to your vehicle’s suspension system. A sway bar is a crank that links two opposite wheels. It helps the tires to grip the road effectively.
When a vehicle turns around a corner, the centripetal force gives it a natural tendency to tip over in the opposite direction. A sway bar between the rear wheels or front wheels will twist along its axis to improve precision while cornering.
Timbren Suspension Systems
Sway bars (or anti-roll bars) are a simple modification to your vehicle’s suspension
If you are looking to get a good suspension enhancement system, Timbren is a good choice. This company has been in the business for over two decades. Their goal is to deliver high-quality suspension upgrades at an affordable price.
Timbren’s designs undergo more testing and examination at the General Motors Automotive Center of Excellence. Some of their products include:
- Aeon springs
- Axle-less trailer suspension
- STI trailer suspension
- Silent-ride trailer suspension
- Timbren SES
- Active off-road bump stops
- Dakota air travel suspension
Add-On Trailer Hitch
A trailer hitch (or tow hitch) is a piece of equipment that you can connect to your vehicle’s chassis for towing purposes.
What Are the Types of Trailer Hitches?
According to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), there are four classes of trailer hitches. This classification is based on the amount of weight the trailer can support. They include:
- Class I (Up to 910 kg)
- Class II (Up to 1600 kg)
- Class III (Up to 2300 kg)
- Class IV (Up to 4500 kg)
How to Properly Install Trailer Hitches?
Here are some of the best trailer hitches in the market in 2021. We have selected them for you because they are durable, adjustable, and suitable for heavy towing jobs.
- Read the instruction manual for the installation of the tow hitch. This way, you will know if you are capable of performing the task.
- Get your hand tools ready for the task. The most essential tools are safety glasses, work gloves, racket extension, swivel socket, socket set, ratchet, shop light, and a torque wrench.
- Activate your vehicle’s emergency brake.
- Jack up your vehicle to get more workspace. This might not be necessary because it depends on the kind of hitch you are installing.
- Place a pair of wheel clocks on your front tires.
- If possible, remove your spare tire. It might hinder you while performing the installation.
- You might need to lower an area of your exhaust system and remove your tailpipe.
- Remove any necessary hardware to accommodate the hitch installation. For some trailer hitches, you might need to remove certain rubber plugs or bolts. For others, you will have to remove your heat shield.
- Place the tow hitch in place and screw up the required bolts and nuts. You will need someone’s assistance to complete this task. Tow hitches are quite heavy.
What Are The Best Trailer Hitches in 2021-2022?
Here are some of the best trailer hitches in the market in 2021. We have selected them for you because they are durable, adjustable, and suitable for heavy towing jobs.
- Andersen Greaseless AlumiBall Rapid Hitch
- CURT 13201 Class 3 Trailer Hitch
- Reese Towpower 51156 Class III Custom-Fit Hitch
- B&W TS20049B Tow & Stow Receiver Hitch Tri-Ball
- Reese Towpower 21542 Class III Towing Starter Kit
Are Suspension Enhancements Worth It?
The combination of a suspension upgrade and tow hitch is a perfect combo for your vehicle. It will save you the headache of future repairs in the magnitude of thousands of dollars. With a trailer hitch, you can lift more load.
Enhanced suspension systems give you more control over your vehicle, as well as efficient weight distribution. They give you better visibility and a smoother ride while navigating the roads. Timbren suspension systems are cost-effective and durable.
Upgrade your vehicle and up your game!