Towing

[Roneyjd6]

Hi does the disco 4 3015 models towing a 22 ft caravan need to use the stabelizer bars ? Caravan place said no.

[Discodicky]

Hi does the disco 4 3015 models towing a 22 ft caravan need to use the stabelizer bars ? Caravan place said no.

Definitely must NOT use stabilizer bars on a Disco when towing. The genuine tow tongue has that written on it. The car doesn't need it anyway due to the air suspension finding its own height.

[Tombie]

No stabiliser bars and no WDH.

[Briar]

Ditto about no bars, however, you do need to adjust your tyre pressures when towing. Check the placard. Normal pressures are 36 lbs all round (I think). When towing my van with a ball weight of about 270kg as well as the vehicle loaded I run 42 in rears and 32 in fronts. Used to run 34 in fronts but found 32 a bit better. With wight transferred to rear by ball load, adjusting pressures evens out tyre footprint. With the TPMS I run (Safety Dave) the 32/42 seems to work well for increased temps in tyres when towing.

[Lukeis]

I have a 22.68 van and don’t use either.

I also second the opinion of keeping your tyre pressures high, when keeping them low after being on a beach I towed the van at 28Psi and had the trailer stability control kick in several times due to the sway it allowed.

With 42 psi I’ve only had the trailer stability kick in once going straight and that was passing a very large road train at close proximity. For those who haven’t had it happen the DSC light comes on and car backs off the power - works well!

[Odysseyman]

Hi does the disco 4 3015 models towing a 22 ft caravan need to use the stabelizer bars ? Caravan place said no.

and never never ever use a weight distribution hitch when on gravel or rough roads on any vehicle. Takes away all the articulation on your trailer hitch and just transfers the load to other parts of the vehicle, sometimes with very unwanted results.

[INter674]

I tow up to 3.5 ton with the d4 and it handles it with ease. Unlike my mates 200s it does not require 10k suspension mods and stabilisers...and he still has issues with the car wallowing around at speed.

Whilst I have not tested the stability control to the max I have deliberately wiggled the loaded trailer and yes the safety systems work..so I have every confidence in the car. Self leveling is very important in towing safely too.

But as others have said a lot has to do with how you load your van or trailer...tyre pressures and so on.

In any event the D4 has won towing accolades for very good reasons...cause it does it brilliantly☺.

[Discodicky]

I have a 22.68 van and don’t use either.

I also second the opinion of keeping your tyre pressures high, when keeping them low after being on a beach I towed the van at 28Psi and had the trailer stability control kick in several times due to the sway it allowed.

With 42 psi I’ve only had the trailer stability kick in once going straight and that was passing a very large road train at close proximity. For those who haven’t had it happen the DSC light comes on and car backs off the power - works well!

I now switch my DSC off when towing. A few years ago I was towing my 3 Tonne c/van with my 2009 TDV8 RRS and went into a tight corner just a tad too fast and the DSC came into action and brought a front brake on, which scared the beejeezes out of me. It unsettled the car to some extent (and me too!!!).
Am in the MY13 Disco now and always switch it off as I prefer to tow that way.

[Eric SDV6SE]

Hi does the disco 4 3015 models towing a 22 ft caravan need to use the stabelizer bars ? Caravan place said no.

Havent seen the 3015 model yet, but i reckon in 995 years the D4000 will still not need WDH....

[DiscoJeffster]

I now switch my DSC off when towing. A few years ago I was towing my 3 Tonne c/van with my 2009 TDV8 RRS and went into a tight corner just a tad too fast and the DSC came into action and brought a front brake on, which scared the beejeezes out of me. It unsettled the car to some extent (and me too!!!).
Am in the MY13 Disco now and always switch it off as I prefer to tow that way.

Eeek. You realise it kicked in because you commanded more steering than was reasonably and the car was yawing wide, hence it dabbed the brake to tuck it in. Without that you’d have pushed wide and off line. If you’re driving that badly that you had DSC kick in on the road, you probably need to leave it on!

You’re probably then also disabling trailer stability control amongst other good things.

[Odysseyman]

I now switch my DSC off when towing. A few years ago I was towing my 3 Tonne c/van with my 2009 TDV8 RRS and went into a tight corner just a tad too fast and the DSC came into action and brought a front brake on, which scared the beejeezes out of me. It unsettled the car to some extent (and me too!!!).
Am in the MY13 Disco now and always switch it off as I prefer to tow that way.

I had the same thing happen on a gravel road, but not towing, and it jumped in way before I thought it was necessary. Like most things these days it’s probably set for the lowest common denominator. I prefer having more leeway than the DSC offers, especially on gravel, so I turn it off now on gravel. Since playing around rallying in Tassie in the 1970’s I’m not scared of a bit of slipping around and in many cases putting the brakes on is the last thing I’d do.
cheers
David

[INter674]

I had the same thing happen on a gravel road, but not towing, and it jumped in way before I thought it was necessary. Like most things these days it’s probably set for the lowest common denominator. I prefer having more leeway than the DSC offers, especially on gravel, so I turn it off now on gravel. Since playing around rallying in Tassie in the 1970’s I’m not scared of a bit of slipping around and in many cases putting the brakes on is the last thing I’d do.
cheers
David

Mm rallying in Tas in the 70s...what car were you running??

Re the DSC..we were glad my son's mate's jeep had it on a trip thru Vic last year cause he's over confident on gravel..and only the DSC saved him from disaster!

[Eric SDV6SE]

I now switch my DSC off when towing. A few years ago I was towing my 3 Tonne c/van with my 2009 TDV8 RRS and went into a tight corner just a tad too fast and the DSC came into action and brought a front brake on, which scared the beejeezes out of me. It unsettled the car to some extent (and me too!!!).
Am in the MY13 Disco now and always switch it off as I prefer to tow that way.

Pretty sure the trailer stability is on anytime a trailer is connected, (provided the car recognises it via the turn signals) and cannot be turned off. But driving when towing a 3t van (approaching 6t GVM combined....) with DSC turned off is still not a good idea IMHO.

[Tombie]

I’m unsure why you’re all having it cut in.
Either something’s not quite right - tyre pressures, size etc or you’re really over cooking it [emoji48]

I’ve done some seriously fast dirt - think mid triple digit speeds on some really loose gear and lots of curves and never had it come on.

I’ve even attempted to induce it on a nearby dirt road and it was some pretty serious throwing of the vehicle to make it intervene.

[John_D4]

I’ve done some seriously fast dirt - think mid triple digit speeds on some really loose gear and lots of curves and never had it come on.
Your Land Rover does 550kmh?

[Tombie]

Your Land Rover does 550kmh?

Sadly no [emoji41]

[Odysseyman]

[QUOTE=INter674;2998055]Mm rallying in Tas in the 70s...what car were you running??

Haha, a VW 1500 Beetle. We won the Tas Rally “B” Grade Championship in 1974, I hasten to say more to do with my navigator’s skill than my driving ability. :clap2:

Cheers

David

[Discodicky]

Eeek. You realise it kicked in because you commanded more steering than was reasonably and the car was yawing wide, hence it dabbed the brake to tuck it in. Without that you’d have pushed wide and off line. If you’re driving that badly that you had DSC kick in on the road, you probably need to leave it on!

You’re probably then also disabling trailer stability control amongst other good things.

Fair comment, but it was a one-off circumstance. I was on Bruny Island (Tas) and trying to catch the last ferry late morning prior to their 1 hour lunch break (which makes it 1.5 hrs by the time they arrive back at the Bruny terminal) when the ferry stops. A set of sharpish curves a coupla klms away from the Terminal and I'd forgotten about them........
Was doing about 75 kph and they are "genuine" 60 kph curves......
My c/van has Alko anti sway and is unaffected by the DSC

[INter674]

[QUOTE=INter674;2998055]Mm rallying in Tas in the 70s...what car were you running??

Haha, a VW 1500 Beetle. We won the Tas Rally “B” Grade Championship in 1974, I hasten to say more to do with my navigator’s skill than my driving ability. :clap2:

Cheers

David

Might be a bit later in the 70s but did you come across a Morris 1100 with a 1500 engine☺?

[scarry]

I’m unsure why you’re all having it cut in.
Either something’s not quite right - tyre pressures, size etc or you’re really over cooking it [emoji48]

I’ve done some seriously fast dirt - think mid triple digit speeds on some really loose gear and lots of curves and never had it come on.

I’ve even attempted to induce it on a nearby dirt road and it was some pretty serious throwing of the vehicle to make it intervene.

The easy way is in soft sand,or sliding around on wet black clay.

I have never been able to get it to come on any other time,either,even on lose dirt roads.
But that could be because i haven't pushed it hard enough.

[Odysseyman]

[QUOTE=Odysseyman;2998293]

Might be a bit later in the 70s but did you come across a Morris 1100 with a 1500 engine☺?

sent you a PM

cheers

[Discodicky]

[QUOTE=Odysseyman;2998293]

Might be a bit later in the 70s but did you come across a Morris 1100 with a 1500 engine☺?

Had a fair bit to do with Morris 1500's. I am surprised the gearbox held together long enough to finish an o/night car rally! Such a frail g/box. [bigwhistle]
I rallied in Sthn Tas in late 60's. Southern Safari etc.

[Dagilmo]

Hi does the disco 4 3015 models towing a 22 ft caravan need to use the stabelizer bars ? Caravan place said no.

Elaborating on the mention by Eric in post #13.

A note, just in case you aren't aware (if you are, disregard) that for all the cool trailer safety stuff (mentioned by others earlier) to work, the car needs to know it has a trailer attached. If your trailer has conventional lights, no problem. If it has LED lights, you need a device or resistors so the car can detect the trailer. If you need more information there are lots of posts on this topic on the forum if you search.

[kelvo]

Elaborating on the mention by Eric in post #13.

A note, just in case you aren't aware (if you are, disregard) that for all the cool trailer safety stuff (mentioned by others earlier) to work, the car needs to know it has a trailer attached. If your trailer has conventional lights, no problem. If it has LED lights, you need a device or resistors so the car can detect the trailer. If you need more information there are lots of posts on this topic on the forum if you search.
That is incorrect, watch this or just jump to 45 seconds

https://youtu.be/265z6x-4Prg

[INter674]

Great system as shown in the vid.

I had a trailer moment where a Vz on a car trailer behind an F truck went pear shaped such that the crappy hire trailer swayed violently side to side such that it was at right angles to the F'y at times🤤

Had to accelerate to over 100kph to recover it...fortunately my old man taught us not to brake.

Glad we've got the D4 now😉

[Dagilmo]

That is incorrect, watch this or just jump to 45 seconds

Well there you go, thanks for the correction.

[Odysseyman]

[QUOTE=Tombie;2998201]I’m unsure why you’re all having it cut in.
Either something’s not quite right - tyre pressures, size etc or you’re really over cooking it [emoji48]

Mmmm, is a while ago now but was in the Vic High Country, not towing, tyre pressures around 30ps (Maxxis AT980 255/55x19) and not going hard, more like brisk (I’m getting too old). Was on marbly, well graded level gravel road, beside a river. Mid corner, just as I was accelerating through the corner the DSC cut in... much too early I thought.
it’s good to compare notes I will check it out again as soon as I get a chance.

I have tended to turn it off on gravel roads now.

cheers
David

[ADMIRAL]

I now switch my DSC off when towing. A few years ago I was towing my 3 Tonne c/van with my 2009 TDV8 RRS and went into a tight corner just a tad too fast and the DSC came into action and brought a front brake on, which scared the beejeezes out of me. It unsettled the car to some extent (and me too!!!).
Am in the MY13 Disco now and always switch it off as I prefer to tow that way.

Been there. Loose shale road, No signpost warning on s bend, and too much speed. My van is about 2.5 loaded, and with the D4 loaded , we are just below GVM. It was definitely an Oh Sh*t moment. Not a comfortable feeling with a combined vehicle and van sliding towards the outside of a dropoff at 80 kmh. The electronics took over and we wheeled around with little drama. i would leave everything on. In this situation, the vehicle does know better.

[Tombie]

Been there. Loose shale road, No signpost warning on s bend, and too much speed. My van is about 2.5 loaded, and with the D4 loaded , we are just below GVM. It was definitely an Oh Sh*t moment. Not a comfortable feeling with a combined vehicle and van sliding towards the outside of a dropoff at 80 kmh. The electronics took over and we wheeled around with little drama. i would leave everything on. In this situation, the vehicle does know better.

Heavy articulated drifts are a great heart starter!