Hi I have just purchased a small caravan and I am towing it with my 3 door Stilo Abarth 2.4 2002 model, the only thing i am worried about is are the springs on the Stilo up to the job or do i need to get them up-rated? If I do does anyone have any info on how or where i can get this done please? It towed the caravan fine when i collected it but it did bottom out on one part of the journey. Any help will be very much appreciated. I live in Wiltshire.

if your shocks are ok anyway then you shouldn't need upgrading but you can get coil spring assister kits.. differing types out there that would help as would making sure your towball weight [the weight of the caravan is not too high] Fiats /alfa have low towball weights or they did around 50 kg if your were 60 or 70kg you need to get it down to the correct weight for the towball...ie the cars max towball weight...

Hi thank you for your help, sounds like a plan to me. When you say 50 Kg that is just the weight on the tow ball correct? I looked up the maximum towing weight for my car and it said 1250 Kg so thought i would be OK, but found out today that the 3 door Stilo has been factory lowered and it has been suggested that i fit a set of heavy duty rear springs that are normally fitted to a Stilo 19 JTD ? Does that make sense? I know it will alter the cornering ability of my car but i would rather that than having it bottom out all the time !!

The weight pushing down on the ball should only be about 40kg. That is you should be able to fit it easily without resorting to the jockey wheel. Redistribute the weight to balance caravan better if required. So the standard springs will be fine. Just don't load up the luggage area at the same time. You will need good shock absorbers though as there will be more inertia involved going over bumps which is probably what you experienced.

Hi folks thank you for all your advice been most helpful as ever.

I've been towing a 1000-1300 kg caravan at least 15.000 km, despite my car's limit is 1100 kg (1.6 petrol). In addition fully loaded car (4 people and luggage) and 150 kg roofbox (also too much). Wheight on the ball has been 50-100 kg, where 40-60 is preferred.

Now my Stilo is on Eibachs and Greenstuff pads / Brembo discs, but it has been no extra wear or tear on the car. Front and rear tires wear equally.

I think that on standard rear springs and shocks it would ride a bit lower, but not if you take care when loading the caravan. More than 50 kg downforce on the ball/hook will be uncomfortable.

Hi thank you for all your advice the car tows very well so i am happy with it, as it is the 2.4 version it has a good power ratio for towing.
Basil.