Towing Aids

[Buck]

Does anyone know why the D2 manual recommends NO towing aids ie No weight distribution bars when towing a trailer/van? I'm aquiring a small van - only about 800kgs tare - and it probably won't need these aids, but I've used them before (on a Magna sedan) and they do improve the level and the stability when towing. I would have thought they would improve the level and prevent sway - all the mags recommend them.
Any experience with these on a Disco D2 diesel auto and a trailer or van?

Thanks,
Paul

[harryw]

I used them with my previous vehicle when towing my Avan cruiseliner but since moving to a D2 I don't use them in fact I sold them.

What hitch are you using?

I have hayman and all I had to do to level the rig up was turn the extension bar upside down and it was perfectly level

You won't even know you have got an 800kgs van behind a TD5.

Towing at 90kph with A/C and Cruise I get around 11L per 100km.

regards

[Diff]

This is only a guess but I believe itis because some D2 have the self leveling suspension and the bars may stuff up the readings. I know people with D2's in the club who use them but do not have self levelling suspension.

[FenianEel]

800kgs + D2 = too easy - as said you won't even know it's there.

[Redback]

It's because you don't need them as the D2 is extremely stable when towing, i don't use them and i tow a 1300kg camper and have had no trouble at all with stability in fact the stability is brilliant, and she is outstanding when towing, without a doubt THE BEST tow vehicle i've ever owned.

If your sceptical ask anyone that's followed me they'll tell you https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

Discowhite is one, treebruiser is another, DEFENDERZOOK as well.

Baz.

[DougLD]

Hi All
I fitted Polair air springs to the rear of the Disco they just level out the disco with the camper in tow. before we fitted them the rear sagged a bit and we blinded a few oncoming cars now no problems. The disco towed the camper great without them.
Regards
Doug

[ahilliar]

I use Hayman Reece with my non self levelling Disco 2 and 17'6" tandem van.

I am not a fan of self leveling or Poly air or pump up shocks for the purpose of levelling. None of these actually transfer any weight to the front of car or van.

I am extremely happy with ride etc.

Having said all that for 800 kg and ball weight of aprox 80 I would not be worried

[disconut]

Can someone enlighten me why they load up the ball weight, then sell you all the junk to offload it back on to your car? Better off not having ridiculous ball weights to start with.
I read an article on the net some time ago where some "expert" said that the 10% ball weight rule is for light trailers only and was never intended for large caravans.
Fair go, having a ball weight of 250 kgs is just ridiculous. Put a decent chassis and suspension on the van in the first place and don't load the car up.
Another gentleman, selling Geist Caravans, told me his vans have around a 130kg ball weight, because the suspension is designed to take the weight, and that Most caravan manufacturers underate their gear and then load up the cars suspension. His company is in the business of building of road trailers, so I figure he has a fair idea about this stuff.
By the way, I have never used load bars etc, and have never had an issue in 16 years of towing around Australia. As said above, turn over the tow bar and get the thing level to start with.
How many wackers do you see towing with their headlights aiming at the stars and the draw bar inches off the ground!
Case in point, the Defender 90 tows a 16ft, 1400kg van and all I have is poly airs. Tracks like an arrow. Sensible loading is the key.
Well, thats my rave! Any other opinions out there?

Trev.

PS interesting links. ( note statement on Euro set ups)

http://carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/car-review/1316754.aspx

http://rvpoint.ninemsn.com.au/DesktopDefau...Alias=rvpointau (http://rvpoint.ninemsn.com.au/DesktopDefault.aspx?ArticleID=1082139&TabID=204868&Alias=rvpointau)

[crash]

I believe that the question about load levelers has to do with if you have a factory or aftermarket tow hitch installed. LR only recommends load levelers with a specific tow hitch, I believe it is written in the manual.

What I am more concerned about is LR does not recommend towing anymore the 1000kg off raod. No LR dealer has been able to explain why this is so. LR also states not to exceed 100kph when towing.

I agree with every other post 800kg is nothing.

[disconut]

Originally posted by crash
What I am more concerned about is LR does not recommend towing anymore the 1000kg off road. No LR dealer has been able to explain why this is so.

The Land Rover Experience "A users guide to four-wheel driving" by Tom Sheppard Quotes in part:

Feedback effect to the towing vehicle is much more noticeable than on hard road. For example, traversing undulations too fast can cause interactive responses between the vehicle and trailer. Specifically, the trailer can cause considerable pitch in the towing vehicle as it swoops into and out of a dip. This can be bad enough in extreme cases to lift the rear end of the vehicle momentarily off the ground.

Trailer drag over uneven ground and "trailer push" down steep slopes will be more pronounced -with braking correspondingly more difficult and liable, in extreme cases, to provoke the trailer to try and overtake the vehicle in the form of jack-knifing. off-road there is also a surprising susceptibility to lateral roll. Trailer suspension is seldom damped sufficiently in the laden condition compared to that of the towing vehicle.

My take on that is that you cannot rely on trailer brakes off-road to brake the trailer. The towing vehicle needs to be heavier to prevent being pushed about by the trailer. Semi trailers in the wet, or going down hills under braking are a good example of the conditions that can lead to jack-knifing.

I believe the off-road trailer weight is restricted to 750Kg.

The book was available from LR dealers for free at one time.

Trev.

[crash]

Thanks Disconut.
That sounds like a reasonable explanation.