Trucking a D4 - any tips to give about tie down etc?

[JamesH]

Hi All

There is a possiblilty I might truck my D4 from Kunnie down to Perth. Have a mate who has done it a few times but he has a Defender so it is straightforward. I'm wondering about the D4. Should it be lowered to access height? Is there any particular tips about where the tiedowns should go.

In my over-active imagination if you just drive it on and strap it, the slight leakage of air and self leveling may cause the straps to loosen and enable movement?

thanks for any tips.

James

[shanegtr]

Most if not all will tie them down by the wheels so even if the suspension did lower then it should have no affect.

[BMKal]

Most if not all will tie them down by the wheels so even if the suspension did lower then it should have no affect.

Yep - one thing that I learnt in my days of working in heavy haulage and carrying cars etc on trucks regularly was that you should ONLY tie down at the wheels. [wink11]

I have seen lots of damage done by so called "experts" putting chains over towbars / through bullbars etc. :bat:

[alien]

Yep - one thing that I learnt in my days of working in heavy haulage and carrying cars etc on trucks regularly was that you should ONLY tie down at the wheels. [wink11]

I have seen lots of damage done by so called "experts" putting chains over towbars / through bullbars etc. :bat:

I've seen these "experts" doing their thing.
Remember though, it's all about not missing out on the next load so short cuts are taken.

[Graeme]

If you have a diagnostic tool then best to put the suspension into transport mode whereby it lowers to the bump-stops when the ignition is switch off then raises when restarted.

[JamesH]

If you have a diagnostic tool then best to put the suspension into transport mode whereby it lowers to the bump-stops when the ignition is switch off then raises when restarted.

Alas I don't have one of those but I will talk to them at the depot if I go down this path. A mate speaks highly of the firm. Enclosed truck etc.

[LandyAndy]

James,is there a story behind your D4 needing a ride home????
Andrew

[letherm]

If you have a diagnostic tool then best to put the suspension into transport mode whereby it lowers to the bump-stops when the ignition is switch off then raises when restarted.

May depend on the vehicle. The Gap manual would seem to indicate only available for two models. Extract as follows:

Transport Mode activation, deactivation (L322-02, L322-06)

Not sure whether the Nanocom is different.

martin

[Graeme]

Transport mode is available on the D3/D4 even though the GAP tool may not provide an option to select it. It involves more than the suspension too to save on battery power, which is unlikely to necessary on a comparatively short trip.

[LandyAndy]

It also limits the vehicle to low speed and gears to prevent theft.
Andrew

[Russrobe]

I've definitely come across transport mode somewhere whilst playing around on the gap bt iid.

[letherm]

So, how do you select it. Have no need to, just curious.

Martin

[LRD414]

So, how do you select it. Have no need to, just curious.
In the Services Routines section.

Scott

[JamesH]

James,is there a story behind your D4 needing a ride home????
Andrew

Nah, Andrew. I'm up in the Victoria River district visiting friends and if I truck back and fly rather than drive, I get to spend more time up there. Also while some people like the solitude of a long solo drive, it's not my cup of tea.

My mate, who has a big family, trucks his Defender up there and back for the school holidays and recommends a trucking company as good value, especially on the trip back.

J

[Grentarc]

May depend on the vehicle. The Gap manual would seem to indicate only available for two models. Extract as follows:

Transport Mode activation, deactivation (L322-02, L322-06)

Not sure whether the Nanocom is different.

martin

The GAP Manual is quite out of date - they add features faster than they document them.

[ATH]

Hi James. Will the company willingly allow you to leave all your gear in the vehicle? Reason I ask is because of the attitude some years back from Austrans who were objectionable to say the least when our Td5 with the Engels and all our other stuff in it got back to their yard in Welshpool.
Plus a friends daughter who was moving to Broome was made to unload her buzz box by them before they'd put it on the truck. Their yard boys attitude to them was not too good either.
Too many dodgy claims for missing goods I suspect but a bit of diplomacy would help.....
AlanH.

[JamesH]

Hi James. Will the company willingly allow you to leave all your gear in the vehicle? R
AlanH.

Hi Alan, thanks and good advice. I had made a note to clarify this with whoever it was I would book with. It is not an issue for my mate as he has only been car only. It's definitely something that may end up being an issue.

[LandyAndy]

Hi James. Will the company willingly allow you to leave all your gear in the vehicle? Reason I ask is because of the attitude some years back from Austrans who were objectionable to say the least when our Td5 with the Engels and all our other stuff in it got back to their yard in Welshpool.
Plus a friends daughter who was moving to Broome was made to unload her buzz box by them before they'd put it on the truck. Their yard boys attitude to them was not too good either.
Too many dodgy claims for missing goods I suspect but a bit of diplomacy would help.....
AlanH.

Alan.
There is a very good reason they wont let you leave engels etc in the vehicles.
There are many low lifes in society,these vehicles are known sitting ducks for rich pickings.Its not just in their yards,its whilst the vehicle is en-route and the driver has to have his mandated breaks.
Andrew

[scarry]

Alan.
There is a very good reason they wont let you leave engels etc in the vehicles.
There are many low lifes in society,these vehicles are known sitting ducks for rich pickings.Its not just in their yards,its whilst the vehicle is en-route and the driver has to have his mandated breaks.
Andrew

I spoke to a few companies about moving a work van a few years ago.

It had to be empty,nothing in it at all.

Thieves, as others have said is an issue.

Safety is also an issue,people will not tell the truth about what is in a vehicle.
Gas bottles,containers of fuel,firearms,etc.

[ATH]

I can understand all the arguments for and against vehicles being carted loaded with stuff attractive to the low life around but no one told us it shouldn't be trucked full of everything we all take camping.
I'm also aware that some travellers make claims for goods being nicked which never existed in the first place and of course some of the blame may be wrongly directed at the driver who cannot possibly watch his load 24/7 when he has to take mandatory breaks.
The horrid **** head at the transporters yard reckoned the Engel (he didn't mention everything else) should have just been chucked out....... what an attitude. That they took nearly 3 weeks to get it back to Perth from Newman was ignored as not worth worrying about. Arseholes.
RAC/Land Rover were not amused when I complained about it but what if anything they did or said to the company I don't know.
Just make sure you find out exactly what you are going to be allowed to leave in the vehicle/caravan/camper if the dreaded breakdown should happen to you while away.
AlanH.