Towing a 24ft, 3t caravan with D4

[White D4]

Hi All

We are looking at a 24ft caravan weighting in at 3T and wondering if anyone has any positive or negative experiences in towing something similar.

The van is a Supreme Territory 2460 Slide-out with independent suspension.

We have a 2010 D4 TDV6 with Continental cross contact all terrains

Cheers
Paul

[mowog]

My van is 21ft 3500kg in travel trim. I have no problems towing it.

With this size van you get very close to your max weights so pack light. Fuel range will also be an issue. You will only get around 400klm on the standard tank. Get a long range tank.

Also make sure the weight of the van is right. Don't trust the compliance plate.

[Glynhouse]

No truer word was ever spoken !
DD




Also make sure the weight of the van is right. Don't trust the compliance plate.

[robbotd5]

G'day. I tow a 23ft Retreat Daydream with my D2a. Its GTM is 2381kg. I don't have any major issues towing it so I can't see you having any trouble with a D4. As already mentioned, keep an eye on your weight. You have to consider water, gas and food/ luggage and stay under your vans ATM and your GVM.
Regards
Robbo.

[pohm66]

If buying new and as part of the purchase agreement may I suggest get a weigh bridge cert for that caravan dated a day or so before collection, especially if you have added extras like aircon, awnings etc.

Keeps the compliance plate etc honest and minimises any weight surprises for you and the insurances.

Had a nasty experience buying a 2nd hand van that cost me $1800 to correct. The compliance plate weights were empty before factory options added but not reflected on the plates. Also found out that was running 1.7t leaf springs on a 2 ton van as well as piddly brakes.

ADRs state "must be braked" over 750kg... NOT "must be suitably braked". New caravans are better now due to liability issues.

[White D4]

Thanks for all your replies much appreciated.

I will be using the standard D4 tow hitch (smaller plough the D3) does anyone have any comments on this?

I have towed a 2.5t van for the last 3 years with no issues.

Cheers

[mowog]

Thanks for all your replies much appreciated.

I will be using the standard D4 tow hitch (smaller plough the D3) does anyone have any comments on this?

I have towed a 2.5t van for the last 3 years with no issues.

Cheers

Being a betting man.... I will bet that your van wont sit level with the standard hitch. People here use a number of solutions to correct this.

Mitch Hitch & Rapid Hitch are a couple of the common ones. I also use a McHitch Trailer coupling it is almost impossible for these to jump off the ball like a standard 50mm ball can do.

[gghaggis]

I tow a 2.5 tonne Lotus van on the standard D4/RRS hitch - just get the right Hayman Reese tongue with a suitable drop. Use the recovery point to attach your safety chains.

We had a Supreme previously (converted for off-road) that was closer to your weight and towed that for 2 years on the standard (D3) hitch, with a suitable tongue.

Cheers,

Gordon

[mowog]

I tow a 2.5 tonne Lotus van on the standard D4/RRS hitch - just get the right Hayman Reese tongue with a suitable drop. Use the recovery point to attach your safety chains.

We had a Supreme previously (converted for off-road) that was closer to your weight and towed that for 2 years on the standard (D3) hitch, with a suitable tongue.

Cheers,

Gordon

Gordon you should come over and join the Lotus Caravan owners forum..

[gghaggis]

Gordon you should come over and join the Lotus Caravan owners forum..

? Didn't know there was one!

Cheers,

Gordon

[mowog]

I started one over a year ago

Lotus Caravan Owners Group • Index page (http://lotuscaravanownersgroup.freeforums.org/index.php)

[White D4]

My van is 21ft 3500kg in travel trim. I have no problems towing it.

With this size van you get very close to your max weights so pack light. Fuel range will also be an issue. You will only get around 400klm on the standard tank. Get a long range tank.

Also make sure the weight of the van is right. Don't trust the compliance plate.

Hi Mowog

Picked the new van up last week and went away in it for the long weekend, car pulled it without any issue, you know it's there but the car has enough power.

The combination of the rapid hitch and the McHitch works really well, the McHitch rides so smooth, no noise or harsh banging like the old 50mm ball and no issue reversing and hooking up.

One thing with your van and car combo, I travelled at speeds between 80-95kmph and had no issues except when trucks or large vehicles passed me which is a natural feeling towing as I had the same issue with the last van, do you feel the D4 becomes slightly lighter in the steering when you van is attached?

Mine seemed like it did but that could be the effect of the van weighing more than the car and pushing it around, the van weighed in at 3379kg in travelling trim for its first trip so wasn't overloaded. And the car came in at a little over 2750kg with all kids and luggage.

My last van was 19ft and around 2.5t loaded so this might all be the extra weight and I just need to get used to it.

Cheers
Paul

[Glynhouse]

Paul the steering must be lighter with what I assume would be 300kgs or over on the drawbar, it will transfer weight from the front, simple physical fact, the air suspension will keep the vehicle level but cannot replace the weight.
I take it you have a 3ltr. ? the tare weight of that has to be over 2500kgs so with fuel and family you don't have much in it, Can't get my D3 under 3000kgs in travell trim and I am stock standard.
Technically speaking the ball weight is considered part of the vehicle weight, so when I add the 300kgs of ball weight that I tow I am at the limit of my gross weight !

DD


[QUOTE=White D4;1771002

One thing with your van and car combo, I travelled at speeds between 80-95kmph and had no issues except when trucks or large vehicles passed me which is a natural feeling towing as I had the same issue with the last van, do you feel the D4 becomes slightly lighter in the steering when you van is attached?

Mine seemed like it did but that could be the effect of the van weighing more than the car and pushing it around, the van weighed in at 3379kg in travelling trim for its first trip so wasn't overloaded. And the car came in at a little over 2750kg with all kids and luggage.

Cheers
Paul[/QUOTE]

[White D4]

Paul the steering must be lighter with what I assume would be 300kgs or over on the drawbar, it will transfer weight from the front, simple physical fact, the air suspension will keep the vehicle level but cannot replace the weight.
I take it you have a 3ltr. ? the tare weight of that has to be over 2500kgs so with fuel and family you don't have much in it, Can't get my D3 under 3000kgs in travell trim and I am stock standard.
Technically speaking the ball weight is considered part of the vehicle weight, so when I add the 300kgs of ball weight that I tow I am at the limit of my gross weight !

DD



Hi DD

I have the 2.7td I wish I had the 3lt.

Yes the car would be close to 3000 in travelling trim, not much I can do about the light front end.

Have been told a bull bar and winch would add more weight to the front? Still not sure if that would help, I need to do more research as I am due to replace the D4 next year and need to be sure the D4 is safe with a 24ft van on the back and the family in it.

Cheers
Paul