Suspension considerations for frequent hitch usage

[ECS_off]

The Koni oranges I've had for the last 70k miles are completely toast, potentially exacerbated by my using a hitch mounted bike rack to carry two mountain bikes all around the PNW. I love being able to have just as much fun driving to trailheads as I do riding trails, but consistently putting so much weight over the rear of the car is something I should probably factor into my next suspension set up. Going into this I just assumed I would throw on some Bilstein B6s and call it a day but they're perpetually backordered. That may be a blessing in disguise, as maybe coilovers would be better suited to my use case?

A few folks, like me, want to keep ride height as close to stock as possible. As I hunt for feedback on the various suspension setups out there I've been bumping old threads, making new ones, and scraping FB and Reddit. But I'm old school, and to me there's nothing better than a nerdy tech discussion on a good ole fashioned owners forum.

So besides simply setting up coilovers to be higher in the rear, should I also be looking at adjustable dampers? Stiffer springs? I haven't seen this particular use case discussed, but hopefully those more knowledgeable than I will chime in with some ideas.

 

[4St4r]

Very interesting topic, that I’d like to learn more about.

I have Bilstein b6’s and installed front 250ft/lbs rear 225ft/lbs springs Ala disclaimer’s instructions. Ride height is definitely taller, which is ideal for my use.
I have a hitch, and use a one up quik rack for 2 bikes. I also am aiming to do as many rally cross events as possible.

I have about 30 minutes of hooning in dirt roads worth of rough road experience, and so far it’s a huuuuge improvement over stock setup with 60k.

 

[ECS_off]

Very interesting topic, that I’d like to learn more about.

I have Bilstein b6’s and installed front 250ft/lbs rear 225ft/lbs springs Ala disclaimer’s instructions. Ride height is definitely taller, which is ideal for my use.
I have a hitch, and use a one up quik rack for 2 bikes. I also am aiming to do as many rally cross events as possible.

I have about 30 minutes of hooning in dirt roads worth of rough road experience, and so far it’s a huuuuge improvement over stock setup with 60k.

We have the same rack set up. I love the 1up rack, even if it's a bit heavier than something like a Kuat Sherpa, the compact design and robustness make up for it.

Where did you source your springs? And I'm curious how much droop you've got in the rear with two bikes loaded up.

 

[4St4r]

Highly suggest checking out Dialcaliper’s posts. The how to on budget stock ride height rally suspension was very informative. I only got the suspension installed in July, so I don’t have a ton of experience. I’ve only had one bike on since then, and it isn’t too heavy to notice any droop.

 

[4St4r]

 

[SteveS]

Koni STR.T shocks do have limited lifetime warranty. Have you looked into that?

 

[ECS_off]

Koni STR.T shocks do have limited lifetime warranty. Have you looked into that?

Yes, briefly. I found myself wanting something a bit more firm not long after installing them, but if I can get a free set to have as backup I might as well.

 

[Stubborn Approach]

This particular use case isn’t discussed because 2 bikes on a hitch isn’t going to change much of anything about the handling or ride height.

I primarily use my FiST as a “work truck“ carrying a couple hundred pounds of equipment at all times and have always had a 2 bike 1up rack on the car, mostly used for emtbs.

I have been using B6s with 250# 10x3” front springs & BC adjusters on B6 rear dampers w/ 350# Swift 8x2.5” springs. The adjusters allow the ride height to be dialed to any height, but also for corner balancing. I do track this car as well…

225# front springs will be noticeably more compliant with the B6 damping vs 250#, ride is about the same either way. Out of the 200-350# springs I've tried on the rear, 250-300 pair best with B6 shocks imo, but the DC Rallyspring method uses 200# 10x2.5” non adjustable springs.

More spring rate in the rear will allow the rear dampers to cancel out front oscillations faster and respond to inputs quicker. The slip angle will also improve which is important for rotation throughout corners.

Ive tried coilovers, most of them are too short. I ran B14s with a 30mm spacer to correct the ride height and it was pleasant for street driving, but they are poorly damped with comfort being the main consideration. B6 damping is vastly superior for any kind of spirited driving imo. A lowered FiST will have more body roll & need more spring rate to control it. Not to mention, the increased bumpsteer is a problem the aftermarket refuses to address, so coilovers have their issues.

Bilstein said they would have B6s back in stock this month. I’d recommend contacting them directly to see if that’s still the case.

View attachment IMG_3069.jpeg

 

[Downsy]

I use mine as a mini truck quite a bit and tow small trailers with it. It's not been an issue here. I can't imagine a couple of bikes on a bike carrier is doing much to put strain on even a stock suspension. FWIW I run factory springs with B6s front and back.

 

[ECS_off]

Highly suggest checking out Dialcaliper’s posts. The how to on budget stock ride height rally suspension was very informative. I only got the suspension installed in July, so I don’t have a ton of experience. I’ve only had one bike on since then, and it isn’t too heavy to notice any droop.

I've been reading through his threads. Good stuff. It's got me pretty set on B6s, assuming they really do come back to retailers this month. Some places told me August, others told me November, others just said no ETA, and all Bilstein said was they're not discontinued.

This particular use case isn’t discussed because 2 bikes on a hitch isn’t going to change much of anything about the handling or ride height.



I primarily use my FiST as a “work truck“ carrying a couple hundred pounds of equipment at all times and have always had a 2 bike 1up rack on the car, mostly used for emtbs.



I have been using B6s with 250# 10x3” front springs & BC adjusters on B6 rear dampers w/ 350# Swift 8x2.5” springs. The adjusters allow the ride height to be dialed to any height, but also for corner balancing. I do track this car as well…



225# front springs will be noticeably more compliant with the B6 damping vs 250#, ride is about the same either way. Out of the 200-350# springs I've tried on the rear, 250-300 pair best with B6 shocks imo, but the DC Rallyspring method uses 200# 10x2.5” non adjustable springs.



More spring rate in the rear will allow the rear dampers to cancel out front oscillations faster and respond to inputs quicker. The slip angle will also improve which is important for rotation throughout corners.



Ive tried coilovers, most of them are too short. I ran B14s with a 30mm spacer to correct the ride height and it was pleasant for street driving, but they are poorly damped with comfort being the main consideration. B6 damping is vastly superior for any kind of spirited driving imo. A lowered FiST will have more body roll & need more spring rate to control it. Not to mention, the increased bumpsteer is a problem the aftermarket refuses to address, so coilovers have their issues.



Bilstein said they would have B6s back in stock this month. I’d recommend contacting them directly to see if that’s still the case.



View attachment 70763

I never thought about using coil adjusters in the rear outside of a full coilover setup, but it makes sense given the rear shocks are divorced anyway. I'll have to look into that.

Regarding ride height, I definitely notice sagging when loaded up with two bikes. ~45 lb in bike rack, ~50-60 lb in bikes plus the weight of the hitch itself is not nothing. I'm not really pushing hard when loaded up like that but I do miss the travel on the gnarly roads that lead to some local trailheads.

And that's good feedback on B14s. Most reviews out there are pretty vague so it's good to hear from someone who uses the car like I do.

 

[Intuit]

Didn't realize we were talking about bicycles. (was think'n motorbikes) Hitch and rack weighs how much?

I have a hatch mounted bike rack that supports two. Mountain bikes may have an extra 20lbs over what I got but stock suspension doesn't even notice them.

Prior car of similar size had a bike rack supporting three. Suspension wise, that car didn't notice them either.

 

[ECS_off]

Didn't realize we were talking about bicycles. (was think'n motorbikes) Hitch and rack weighs how much?

I have a hatch mounted bike rack that supports two. Mountain bikes may have an extra 20lbs over what I got but stock suspension doesn't even notice them.

Prior car of similar size had a bike rack supporting three. Suspension wise, that car didn't notice them either.

Yeah, a 1Up Qickrack + one extender is 45lb. One modern full suspension mtb and a hardtail come to about 60lb. Not sure how much the hitch weighs. 20 lb maybe?

Maybe I'm hyper analyzing the droop