Setting up puma 90 for towing

[Graekynn]

Hi All,

I'm looking at setting up my puma 90 for towing, she currently has no towing options installed. A
lthough I don't own a caravan at this stage, my intention is to have her setup and ready to tow just about anything should the need arise. After some searching which as provided some answers I have some questions remaining which I hope you can answer

1. Are there any specific tow options or designs, LR or aftermarket, that aren't up to the 3.5t maximum rating?

2. I like the idea of the LR adjustable tow pack, but is it necessary, and are there any major issues with the design (can it be stolen or prone to failure?)

3. With regards to wiring I found this site Towbar Electric Socket Types (https://www.towbarexpress.co.uk/socket-types/) which kind of explains the difference in socket types N, S etc.. It sounds like the differences revolve around the production date of the caravan and the provision for powering fridges and auxiliary items. What I'm looking for is:

- A wiring kit that supports the trailer light function on the instrument cluster
- something that supports braked towing and the option for other accessories beyond lighting
- something that can be adapted to trailers with other connector types

4. Probably the most important at this stage, a tow options that has the least impact upon departure angle.

Cheers!
Dave.

[Tombie]

That’s a factory bar... about as good as it gets clearance wise.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/143.jpg

We use a Rapid Hitch to adjust height (removable).

Then look at 7 pin + Anderson for power etc or a 12 pin flat + Anderson if you want more pins.

Don’t go too big on the van - short wheelbase and long vans aren’t a happy combo!

[debruiser]

I have the same genuine tow bar. with the tongue removed it hardly reduces departure angles - protects the tank a little if anything. I only have the stock tongue for it, and have towed many a car trailer with 88", 109" land rovers and cruisers. Heavy towing with a 90 needs careful weight distribution on the trailer, I loaded a 109 onto a trailer wrong one day and it was downright scary to tow! but then I've had a cruiser on the trailer and it towed fine.

Power wise, the stock tow bar came with a flat 7 pin from the dealer. It was mounted very low and I smashed it good and proper, since I've moved it upward away from harms way. I've switched to the 7 pin round (both my trailers already had this and I was having to run the converter all the time) and added an Anderson plug to power the camper trailer.

I've not towed a caravan with it so can't comment on that.

Edit:

I used to own a 2007 dual cab ranger 3.0L, I would much prefer to tow with the D90, anyday...

[TheGrumpy]

I’ve got the Hayman Reese bar (3500kg) with the large round plug in the cross member then use a converter for small round or flat plugs. I only really tow a light (un braked) camper trailer with a block hitch so don’t use a ball very often. The bar came with a plate for fitting a plug which I used for an Anderson plug.
It’s a neat installation with nothing sticking out. I will be adding some Airbag Man Coil Helpers soon as when you are towing and have a full load the rear end gets a bit saggy. Note - some long range replacement tanks don’t fit with the Hayman Reese bar.https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/151.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/152.jpg

[debruiser]

Agreed, some air bag helpers would be a vast improvement!

[Graekynn]

I’ve got the Hayman Reese bar (3500kg) with the large round plug in the cross member then use a converter for small round or flat plugs. I only really tow a light (un braked) camper trailer with a block hitch so don’t use a ball very often. The bar came with a plate for fitting a plug which I used for an Anderson plug.
It’s a neat installation with nothing sticking out. I will be adding some Airbag Man Coil Helpers soon as when you are towing and have a full load the rear end gets a bit saggy. Note - some long range replacement tanks don’t fit with the Hayman Reese bar.https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/151.jpghttps://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/152.jpg

Interesting where your plug is, most tow setups ive seen have the plug connecting to the tow pack itself. Seems like a smart place to put it if you spend most of your time offroad and not towing. Is that hole a vestigial PTO output or does it have another purpose?

Also, is that a 13pin plug or a larger 7 pin?

[debruiser]

I think the hole is something to do with fuel tank access

[Markf]

Agreed, some air bag helpers would be a vast improvement!
I recently put Airbagman helpers in my D2. After a couple of short trips and towing a very heavy trailer with a heavy load in the back I'd put them in the "must have" category.

[Tombie]

Interesting where your plug is, most tow setups ive seen have the plug connecting to the tow pack itself. Seems like a smart place to put it if you spend most of your time offroad and not towing. Is that hole a vestigial PTO output or does it have another purpose?

Also, is that a 13pin plug or a larger 7 pin?

That’s a large 7

[TheGrumpy]

Yep, it’s a large 7 pin. I used the plug and play loom from the UK (idea from a Pickles thread I think) really easy to fit. I have no idea what the original purpose for the hole is but saw a few people use it for the large 7 pin.