Towing with the FL2

[reklaw47]

Just returned from a 2 week trip from Melb. to Brunswick Heads (northern NSW) towing our 17' pop top (approx 1650kg). We did 4250 km and averaged 13.5l / 100km for the trip. This included quite a lot of fairly heavy work as we went up through Mudgee, Scone Tamworth Armidale etc. I have to say I was bowled over by the performance of the FL2. I have towed many vans with many different vehicles including Rangies and this trip was certainly one of the most enjoyable from a driving stand point. No problems holding the speed limit on the hilly sections and flew down the Pacific/Hume at 110 on the way back.
It's due for the 2nd service shortly so I'll be interested in transmission oil conditon etc. after the hard work.
The FL2 felt very sure footed in the wet and together with the new Prodigy3 brake controller it made a great package.:)
Planning the next trip already (work permitting).:cool:

Rob

[Dropbear]

Hi Reklaw47,
I am considering a caravan and was wondering about fitting a brake controller. Where/how did you mount your prodigy P3? Any issues?
Also what towing mirrors do you use?

Cheers..

[reklaw47]

Hi Barry,
I bought the P3 on Ebay for $150 and had Hardings (Caravan specialists) mount and wire it. I have done several myself but I had heard all sorts of stories about issues with brake controllers fitted to vehicles with Cbus type circuits. Hardings assured me that they had done D3's, X5's etc with no problems. That proved to be the case. The unit gives far smoother braking than the older type and is very simple to set up. The controller is mounted under the dash to the left of the column hard against the console. No worries with leg room and the unit unplugs easily when not required and is packed away in the pouch provided. If it's any help I'll take some photos. I hate towing mirrors but used one of the rubber strap types on the drivers side just to give me a flat glass mirror rather than have to use the crazy convex OEM when backing.
rgds
Rob

[inside]

Just make sure when mounting under the steering wheel you don't cover the driver's knee airbag.

[Dropbear]

Thanks Rob
I also hate the convex mirrors and I have managed to unintentionally cut off several cars when changing lanes until I adjusted to them. I have driven my bother in law’s X5 and it has split mirrors that are part convex and part flat. They take a little getting used to but I found them much better than the Freelander’s.
A friend has his rear camera extended to his caravan which he says works well when reversing. It also has an extra switch to activate it while he is travelling to check on tailgaters so my next project is to connect a camera to my satnav.

I am on the lookout for a 17’ pop top or full size van, preferably a Golf Outback which is a semi off road style van that has better ground clearance etc. According to all reports including yours, the FL2 is an excellent tow vehicle. I am still convincing my wife that we will use it often enough to justify the purchase. It was many years ago since we owned our last van which didn’t get used as planned however I lived for work in those days, now I work to live.
Barry