Tough Dog 4WD Suspension: Head offroad with confidence

Written by: Editorial Team; Photographer: Supplied

Published on September 11, 2024

Time to read 6 min

Tough Dog was the vehicle partner at CTOTY 2024 and took the campers across some rough terrain

When the going gets tough on Australia’s roughest outback roads, you’ll want the confidence of Tough Dog 4WD Suspension on your tow vehicle and trailer to get to your destination in one piece.

Tough Dog 4WD Suspension is a household name and one of Australia's industry leaders creating innovative quality suspension systems for just about every four-wheel drive (4WD) application.

This Aussie brand has dominated the suspension market for more than 39 years with its dedicated Sydney-based research and development team — boasting a combined experience of 100 years — making sure that its entire product line undergoes rigorous testing in extreme real-world conditions.

While Tough Dog is renowned for developing specific suspension systems dedicated to the 4WD wagon and ute market, the team has recently been developing suspension systems specifically for those towing camper trailers and other recreational vehicles (RVs).

Tough Dog 4WD Suspension was the vehicle partner at this year’s Camper Trailer of the Year (CTOTY) event and joined the tour that travelled from Narrabri in NSW up to Janowen Hills 4WD Park in south-east Queensland, as you'll see in the behind the scenes feature. Tough Dog also took part in the Australia’s Best Hybrids 2024 event held in Merimbula, NSW, in November last year as the major sponsor of the inaugural competition (there'll be a wrap up of the 10 hybrids that were at this event soon, or head to the Caravan World website for the full reviews.

Tough Dog 4WD Suspension Marketing and Commercial Manager, Blake Jones, said Tough Dog offers superior products for tow vehicles and campers.

“We are committed to maintaining our position as a market leader by constantly seeking ways to enhance vehicle and camper/caravan suspension,” Blake said. “More and more people are venturing into unchartered country, and they need assurance that their van can handle any terrain. We are thrilled to be a part of their adventures.”

Installing the Tough Dog caravan suspension into a Signature Camper Trailers van

Support for the industry

Tough Dog has been involved in the caravan and camper trailer industry for many years, supplying suspension products to various leading manufacturers both domestically and internationally.

Its partnerships with top brands in the industry have resulted in Tough Dog’s involvement in CTOTY 2024, giving them the chance to work directly with manufacturers on the newest camper trailer models.

“This hands-on experience has given us valuable insights into the intended usage of these products by customers,” Blake said.

“Having events like this for the industry is incredibly valuable as it motivates manufacturers to innovate and produce cutting-edge products, ensuring that customers have easy access to the newest and most advanced products in the market.”

Tough Dog is now making suspension systems specifically for camper trailers and caravans so they can go off the beaten track with confidence

The industry is constantly growing with the increasing variety of camper trailers and caravans to cater to the needs of new customers. Blake said there has been a noticeable change in the type of customers purchasing these vehicles since the pandemic.

“More people are now eager to travel and discover the beauty of our country and they have diverse requirements,” Blake commented. “We are meeting customers’ needs and are committed to maintaining our position as a market leader in vehicle and camper/caravan suspension. As exploration of the country rises, the demand for equipment grows, and we are dedicated to developing new products to support the industry’s growth.”

Tough Dog recognises the significance of supporting these events and is fully committed to sustaining its partnership with CTOTY and the industry.

Products and testing

The research and development that Tough Dog invests in its products is second to none.

Stellar suspension

Blake detailed the rigorous process in an interview with Ian Bellert in February this year (check it out here on the Caravan World website).

Tough Dog recently worked with Signature Camper Trailers to develop a specific suspension system for Signature’s hybrid camper range

To develop the correct towing setup for any vehicle, Tough Dog first buys a stock model of that vehicle to ensure the suspension system they build suits that vehicle perfectly. The vehicle is then driven for a few thousand kilometres over a variety of road surfaces to assess and test the limitations of the factory suspension. The data gathered from this process provides the Tough Dog team with a great platform to begin its research and development.

The next step is to fit a set of adjustable shocks to the vehicle.

“By using adjustable shocks, we are essentially able to test nine different shock absorber setups on the vehicle in various on-road and offroad scenarios,” Blake said. “We are able to adjust the shock’s valving to perfectly suit the vehicle’s needs, ensuring optimal performance and handling of the car.”

The team then has a close look at the data and what it reveals.

The first step of this stage is to examine the factory shock by evaluating its performance on a shock dyno machine. Following this, the team then compare their own data with the OEM factory shock data. They then fit the suspension kit to the vehicle and test it on a variety of surfaces, from bitumen to dirt to rougher tracks and outback driving conditions.

Over the 5000km of testing, the shock is monitored to see how it performs. This is done by measuring the heat on the suspension components while it is in use via a heat sensing monitor placed on the shock to measure the temperature reached during testing. This data allows the Tough Dog team to see how the shock performs across each different road surface it is subjected to and make updates accordingly.

Tough Dog’s Foam Cell Shock Absorbers are engineered to run at cooler temperatures than standard gas shocks. The innovative ‘Foam Cell’ features a micro-cellular foam insert that significantly reduces shock fade, allowing your shocks to outperform even on the most challenging surfaces. By preventing cavitation and aeration, the Foam Cell insert effectively fills the empty space in the shock, preventing the formation of bubbles and ensuring unparalleled resistance to shock fade.

The Tough Dog Ford Everest in action at CTOTY 2024

“The target is to have your suspension system operating optimally throughout your drive, from the moment you start to when you finish your journey for the day,” Blake explained. “Experiencing shock fade is less than ideal and can pose a safety risk.”

Air Assist

Your vehicle’s towing effectiveness is influenced by a whole range of factors, including the trailer weight of the camper or trailer, what’s loaded, how and where the load is distributed and, of course, what’s loaded in the tow vehicle itself.

Tough Dog’s Air Assist program allows owners to set the tow vehicle for both towing and regular driving. Running around town on stiff springs isn’t always comfortable, so the Air Assist Program allows for coil insert bags or bellow bags to be fitted in addition to Tough Dog’s suspension range.

If you carry different loads, these products can improve the vehicle’s ride quality and handling, especially when towing. Just load up your camper/caravan, car, family and inflate the airbags. This will help maintain better weight control at the rear of the vehicle, preventing the front from rising while keeping the rear at the correct level. Additionally, there is a remote Air Assist controller for easy adjustments via Bluetooth on your smartphone or a handheld controller. You can make these adjustments even while on the move if you notice any issues with the car’s handling.

It’s always wise to check how your vehicle is sitting with a van or trailer attached. Depending on whether it’s nose up or nose down, you may have to move your loads around and or better still, upgrade to a better suspension solution.

A suspension system designed and built specifically for your vehicle and what you will be towing will provide a comfortable ride and safer handling and towing.

The future looks bright for Tough Dog 4WD Suspension

Blake said that Tough Dog will soon be announcing some amazing new products that will push the limits of the suspension market. “We’re excited to be able to share them with everyone in the near future,” he commented. To find out more about Tough Dog’s range and to keep up to date with the latest info, head to the brand’s website below.