JustCarsForum - Your Ultimate Automotive Community

Previously, I have operated many distinct automobile manufacturers prior to acquiring the Mazda CX60.
Due to the fact that our previous vehicle operated on Diesel fuel, we made the decision to choose a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) as an alternative, since a fully electric vehicle would not have met our requirements.

With an applied force of around 80 kilogrammes on the towbar, my spouse and I started our journey towards the southern region of Italy. It is important to note that the road conditions in the Netherlands, as compared to Germany and Italy, are often characterised by their smoothness. The maximum allowable speed in the Netherlands while towing a caravan is 90 km/h.

During the first km, I exercised caution and refrained from driving at excessive speeds, since it was my inaugural experience towing a caravan.
I had a state of stability until I was overtaken by a vehicle. The phenomenon of the caravan being attracted to the van was reminiscent of a previous occurrence I had seen with one of my prior vehicles, but not observed with my most recent one. I had a degree of confusion. The vehicle has the capability to effortlessly carry a load of 2,500 kilogrammes. My score was 2.000.

The rear portion of the automobile had a sleek and plush texture. The maximum speed at which it is deemed safe to drive is 90 km/h.

In the Italian context, the tyre pressure was increased to 3.3 bar (psi). Nevertheless, the road infrastructure in Italy is characterised by narrower dimensions, and the driving behaviour of the local population may be described as erratic, which led to a sense of discomfort on my part. On few occasions, I attempted to use the emergency lane; however, the vehicle's system promptly intervened, issuing a prominent warning and autonomously steering the car back into its designated lane. Moreover, it is important to note that the situation was hazardous, particularly due to the narrowness of the route. In instances when more lines are present due to road construction, the system exhibits behaviour that poses a potential threat to one's safety.

Subsequently, I initiated communication with Moerman, a Mazda dealer known for retailing Koni shock absorbers. It is important to note that Moerman is not my personal dealer. The assistance provided by him was of exceptional quality. During our discussion, we addressed the issue of the combination's instability and I inquired about the potential of Koni absorbers to enhance stability. The vehicle is equipped with the enhanced shock absorbers.

He proposed increasing the pressure exerted on the towbar to 100 kilogrammes. Furthermore, I successfully completed the task at hand. Subsequently, the amalgamation shown a notable improvement. The vehicle maintained a steady condition, enabling me to safely operate it at a speed of 100 km/h.

In general, the CX60 does not meet the expectations I had for it. The dorsal surface of the object remains excessively smooth and has a texture that is notably supple.
In my own opinion, I do not believe that the installation of Koni shocks would much enhance the aforementioned sensation, since the springs remain unaltered. I maintained the tyre pressure at a level of 3.3 units, which resulted in a perceived increase in stability for the Toyo tyres. The most recent vehicle in my possession was equipped with larger tyres manufactured by Continental, including reinforced sidewalls. The assistance provided also contributed to my understanding. The Toyo vehicles in question lack the desired attribute and exhibit insufficient strength.

I am considering the possibility of transitioning to the Koni's. According to Moerman, the inherent nature of the automobile remains unaltered, but its operational patterns may undergo modification.

Nevertheless, I did not encounter any problems with the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Due to the closure of the Gotthard route on our return journey, we were compelled to traverse the St. Bernadino pass in Switzerland. The engine power exhibits a commendable level of performance. Moreover, there were no prior indications or alerts, just the customary vexing auditory signals. Moreover, the radar exhibits suboptimal performance. When attempting to pass a large vehicle, the system intervenes and engages the braking mechanism. The occurrence of the event was observed on a minimum of three occasions.

Thank you for sharing your insights. I now reside in southern Germany and have traversed the Alps on many occasions over the last year, for both winter and summer vacations.
Indeed, I have not yet had the opportunity to pull a Caravan over the Alps; but, I am now in the process of preparing to undertake this endeavour in the next year. Consequently, your insights and advice have significant value for me.

In my assessment, the vehicle exhibited satisfactory performance over extended roadways, with a few isolated instances of deviation.

The radar and line assist system is seen as quite problematic. The vehicle exhibits frequent malfunctions, particularly while overtaking trucks in the right lane. Additionally, the lane assist feature fails to maintain a steady position between the lines, causing the car to veer back and forth. Following the most recent service visit and implementation of software upgrades, the interaction between the lines seems to have transitioned from a more aggressive nature to a more gentle and subdued one.
I have a question for you. Have you encountered any instances of hazardous behaviour resulting from the use of lane assist when towing the Caravan, such as frequent lane adjustments leading to increased oscillations towards the rear of the Caravan?

The experience of suspension, in my own perspective, might be likened to a state of being "killed," since I consistently felt the vibrations on extended journeys. I did not see the vehicle as being inherently unstable, but rather had a sense of discomfort. It is worth noting that I am now using the original Bridgestone tyres for summer conditions, but during the winter season, I opted for the Pirelli Winter Scorpion 2 tyres specifically designed for SUVs with strengthened capabilities. Additionally, the Pirelli tyres are wider, measuring 255 in width.
I also observed that the vehicle exhibited enhanced comfort when it was completely loaded, with the suspension demonstrating reduced levels of bouncing compared to its previous state. I appreciate the advice on the maximum pressure of 100kg on the tow bar, which I believe is also the allowable limit for Mazda vehicles. It is beneficial to be aware of this information for future reference.

Kindly inform me if you possess any other recommendations pertaining to the towing of the Caravan using the CX-60. Are there any other aspects that need further attention?
Additionally, please provide me with your comments should you decide to switch to Konis.
Greetings.

I would like to inquire if you have encountered any instances of hazardous behaviour resulting from the use of lane assist when towing a Caravan. Specifically, I am referring to the continuous readjustment between the lane markers, which may potentially lead to increased oscillations towards the rear of the Caravan.

I refrained from using the lane keeping or lane assist features. The functionality pertaining to the green lines on the dashboard, which may be deactivated, is seen as very inconvenient and raises concerns about safety. I had many instances of compromised safety when the vehicle attempted to maintain my position inside the lane boundaries. In instances when additional lines are present, such as the orange lines seen in Germany during road construction, it is imperative to exercise caution and be vigilant. On many occasions, I used the emergency lane as a means to increase the space between vehicles. The dimensions of my caravan measure 2.40 units. However, on several occasions, the vehicle exhibited a tendency to make abrupt adjustments to rectify this measurement discrepancy.

The concept of suspension has captured my interest. On the present day, I took my automobile to the authorised dealership and engaged in a conversation with the representative on its condition. According to his statement, there have been no reported complaints from other CX-60 owners about the towing of caravans with this particular combination. Perhaps the reason for this disparity might be attributed to the width and weight of my vehicle, which measures at 2000 kg. However, it might be argued that the rear suspension and the Toyo tyres exhibit insufficient strength when paired together in this particular configuration. During the winter season, I plan to go on a journey to Austria, opting to exclude the use of electric bicycles positioned at the forefront of the caravan. The absence of these items will be a challenge in achieving a load of 100 kg on the tow bar. At now, I am uncertain about the appropriate approach to effectively handle the situation. Indeed, the maximum weight capacity for the CX-60 on the tow bar is 100 units. In addition, this applies to the majority of caravans.


Additionally, please provide me with your comments should you decide to switch to Konis.

I patiently anticipate the instructions provided by the dealer upon their return. The document was then sent to Mazda NL. I am disinclined to incur expenses for the replacement of shock absorbers on a recently purchased automobile.

During the winter season, I purchased the Pirelli Winter Scorpion 2 tyres for my reinforced SUV. Additionally, these tyres have a bigger width, namely measuring 255.

What size did you purchase? Is the measurement 18 inches?

I purchased a set of 255/45/R20 tyres and then mounted them onto MSW-41 rims with a diameter of 20 inches. I want to get broader tyres for winter conditions, as well as ensuring that the rims, as well as the combination of rims and tyres, had an Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis (ABE) certification. This is necessary in compliance with the legal requirements in Germany, in order to avoid the need for revising and renewing the automobile registration documentation.
I have also examined the 18-inch variation (which would have been more cost-effective as well), but I perceived that the 18-inch rims were rather inadequate in size.

I would want to express my gratitude for the input provided so far.

Please inform me if there is a change to Konis.
It would be intriguing to see the manner in which they adapt to pulling a trailer-caravan, if they choose to do so.

Subsequent to the acquisition of my CX-60, I proceeded to initiate contact with the relevant party. The primary purpose of the interaction was to get information on the Koni update. However, it is worth noting that the individual provided assistance and support in a comprehensive manner. However, his statement indicates that the shock absorber modification developed by Mazda lacks effectiveness. Did you get your CX-60 with the latest iteration or did you choose for the enhancement? Given the context of the individual's role as a seller of Koni shock absorbers, it is unlikely that they would express admiration or approval for the complimentary Mazda improvement.

Are you proposing that there exists a distinction between upgraded absorbers and newly manufactured ones? However, my vehicle was equipped with fresh tyres when it left the manufacturing facility.

The early shock absorbers were not suitably matched to the car's weight. A Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) has been issued for the replacement of the shock absorbers and an anti-roll bar.

The provided information pertains to antiquated knowledge, since every vehicle manufactured subsequent to December 22 has revised, yet unsatisfactory, shock absorbers and roll bars.

Please ensure that the information is up-to-date. This matter has been extensively discussed on this site, serving as the platform where you first got acquainted with the TSB in question.

Residing in Italy and engaging in recreational activities in Croatia need traversing several substandard road conditions, hence requiring a reliable, secure, and accurate vehicular foundation. The CX60 exhibits a significant amount of weight, particularly to a greater extent. Following the replacement of the initial dampers and stabiliser, significant improvements were seen in the performance of the vehicle on uneven road surfaces. However, it is worth noting that my spouse expressed a persistent feeling of unease when operating the vehicle on highways, in contrast to our previous experiences with the WRX STIs. I purchased the KONIs from Moerman and myself transported them to Italy as accompanied baggage. The alteration has a profound impact on the overall behaviour of the CX60. The vehicle demonstrates a high level of stability and provides a sense of security while travelling at high speeds, while also offering enhanced comfort during low-speed operations. The expenditure of 1,250 Euros on a vehicle stands as the most favourable investment I have made so far.

Thank you for your response. The CX-60 demonstrates satisfactory performance on the well-maintained roads of the Netherlands, without the need for pulling a cumbersome caravan or similar load. Nevertheless, I find it difficult to tolerate the unfavourable circumstances inside this vehicle when I am travelling with my caravan. I have already addressed this topic in my writing. I have had many instances of interaction with Moerman. The individual did not provide a recommendation to transition to the Koni's; nonetheless, it is suggested that an augmentation in the weight on the towbar be implemented. The stabilisation of the combination was achieved.