L494 V8SC Towing

[Geedublya]

I installed a Hayman Reese towbar on my RRS not long after I got it and have towed my 2.5-2.9T (depending on bikes loaded) Jayco BaseStation a few times now. Over the weekend I towed it over the Blue Mountains for the first time and was very impressed.
Compared to the D4 V8 the RRS is more stable and pulls the caravan much better. I think with the caravan attached the RRS would only be fractionally slower than than the D4 unloaded to 100km/h and while you definitely know you have a van attached there are no hills on Bells Line where the RRS can't accelerate at will.
The only thing that is lacking compared to the D4 is the towbar alignment on the screen and the auto shut off of the reversing sensors. For some reason the RRS doesn't have these standard like the D4 has and you only get all the towing bells and whistles if you option the tow pack. I've tried sorting out the reversing sensors with the CCF and my IID tool but couldn't.
Fuel economy is very similar to the D4 towing and is better overall, I can average around 21l/100 on the motorways, I haven't calculated for my latest trip but I suspect pulling the van over the mountains at the speed limit will be a bit (lot) worse than that.

I Can definitely recommend the RRS L494 as a tow vehicle, I would just be sure to option the tow pack if I were buying new.

[oldie]

I note you fitted a Hayman Reese bar to your 2014 L494.

I am trying to fit the HR kit to my 2014 L494 but can't find clear instructions on how to get the rear bumper bar off. I have followed the HR instructions and got to the part where it says pull it off. I am worried I might break some of the plastic bits so am looking for more specific info.

Were you able to find any ?

Do you have any tips ?

Keith

[Rick1959]

I note you fitted a Hayman Reese bar to your 2014 L494.

I am trying to fit the HR kit to my 2014 L494 but can't find clear instructions on how to get the rear bumper bar off. I have followed the HR instructions and got to the part where it says pull it off. I am worried I might break some of the plastic bits so am looking for more specific info.

Were you able to find any ?

Do you have any tips ?

Keith

Keith - have a look at this, it might help. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/l494-range-rover-sport/147653d1547927954-l494-towbar-rear-bumper-removal.pdf

[oldie]

Rick,

Thanks for the link.

I had downloaded the manual and got that info.

But when I tried to pull the guard off it would not come with what I thought was reasonable force. I then became concerned that I was pulling in the wrong direction.

In the end I plucked up courage, used a piece of hard plastic to ease the joint at the tail lights and pulled bloody hard. Starting at the wheel arch and pulling out at right angles to the panel surface, it takes a lot of effort.

But I got it off and did not break or scratch any bits.

Fitting the bar was easy and everything fitted well.

Replacing the bumper was much quicker.

A bit disappointed with the wiring kit. The lack of the plug body is a bit ordinary, requiring that the terminals be jammed in to the socket and then held in with silicon is very poor.

Took my time to cut the slots in the 2 plastic body panels to fit around the tongue receiver but all is good.

Just back from 4 days in the bush and nothing has shaken off or apart.

Life is good

Keith

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Thanks for that GW,, it actually made me go to carsales and screendump both cars dimensions,,

and the RRS wheelbase is longer and wider
and lots lighter[thumbsupbig]



and something I didnt know,, neither cars are square.. the D4 is wider in the bum
and the RRS is wider at the front..
who knew? [smilebigeye]

[Geedublya]

Thanks for that GW,, it actually made me go to carsales and screendump both cars dimensions,,

and the RRS wheelbase is longer and wider
and lots lighter[thumbsupbig]



and something I didnt know,, neither cars are square.. the D4 is wider in the bum
and the RRS is wider at the front..
who knew? [smilebigeye]

The RRS is a more stable towing platform and I expect the active suspension helps as well.

The D4 seats with the premium leather are more comfortable but don't hold you in as well, though I do like the cooling of the RRS and they are still good after 6 hours just not as plush as the D4.
I've towed the van (2.7-2.9t Jayco Basestation) with the RRS a few more times now and it achieves decent fuel economy if you cruise but it is very tempting to sit on 110 and pass everything that comes along. Economy can suffer [biggrin].

The D4 is nicer in the rear seats so my daughter tells me as the windows go down all the way and she much preferred the almond colouring of the D4 to the 3 tone grey of the RRS.

[Baytown]

Hi fellas (and any fellaettes out there);

Can any one definitively advise the actual towing capability of the 494 RRS (I’m buying a 2022 HSE) but published tow ball weights are contradictory, and if only 150Kg, a deal breaker for me.

One Land Rover Australia page advises 350Kg, another advises 150Kg (see attached screen shots).

My dealer who I’ve paid the deposit to hasn’t replied to my enquiry yet, so any info is really appreciated. My caravan has a tow ball weight of 190Kg.

‘’Thanks.

Ken
169861169862

[101RRS]

Like all D3s, D4s, L320 RRS and so on - JLR is Australia is too tight to produce their own documentation so use the UK documents and handbooks - these have a ball weight of 150kg listed. When you buy one of these vehicles you get the UK documents listing 150kg but get an Australian supplement (almost looks like a few photocopied pages) which has the Australian specs - there you should see the ball weight listed as 350kg - NOTE I have no direct experience with the L494 so to be sure ask to look at the Australian supplement before confirming the purchase.

[Tote]

I just went out and checked mine, the only place I can find a reference is on the towbar tongue. Max towing capacity 3500KG max ball weight 350KG. Tongue must be used on a 2014 RRS apparently......

Regards,
Tote

[Baytown]

Hi Tote;

Thank you mate for going to that effort, I really appreciate it and it’s great and reassuring to know.

Hopefully my selling dealership will get back to me to advise that nothing has changed on the later models, but I couldn't see why as yours is a 494 as well.

Again, thank you mate.

Ken.




I just went out and checked mine, the only place I can find a reference is on the towbar tongue. Max towing capacity 3500KG max ball weight 350KG. Tongue must be used on a 2014 RRS apparently......

Regards,
Tote

[Graeme]

Like all D3s, D4s, L320 RRS and so on - JLR is Australia is too tight to produce their own documentation so use the UK documents and handbooks - these have a ball weight of 150kg listed. When you buy one of these vehicles you get the UK documents listing 150kg but get an Australian supplement (almost looks like a few photocopied pages) which has the Australian specs - there you should see the ball weight listed as 350kgExcept for the L322 where the Australian limit seems to be 250kg, which is a little light for my 2.5T van.