Van Ordered , What do I need to do?

[Bails]

I have finally ordered a new van, and am now considering the following:-

1) Do I need a transmission oil cooler?
2) Is there other remedial servicing or work I should do ?

[trout1105]

I have finally ordered a new van, and am now considering the following:-

1) Do I need a transmission oil cooler?
2) Is there other remedial servicing or work I should do ?

What breed of Landrover will you be towing the van with and how big/heavey is the van?

[Bails]

SDV 8 RRS 2016.5 model. Van will be a Zone Off Road with Max weight of 3500 kgs. I expect to be around 3200 kgs.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I'm guessing its a RRS with a SDV8... [wink11]

The 8speeds seem to have a good rep,, we dont read of many ( any?) failing,, and there are a LOT of them on here....

Having said that....
Heat is the number ONE killer of modern gearboxes,,
you might get away with your Tow with just changing gearbox oil using the harshest schedule, its good oil.
Adding a second cooler is a gamble that includes extra leak points and extra soft lines against keeping the box and fluid cooler.

I think the major influence here is age of the vehicle,, a new one will tow a block of flats for years.. as the box gets older, more thought must be used.

Will my 15/16 RRS have a secondary cooler?

Bet your Ass![bigrolf]



Having said all THAT,, there are at least 6 members with FFRR's towing vans full time around Oz,, and at least that many again using RRS's,
I have no idea how many Disco's with 8 speeds are out there....

Show us the NEW van!!! :rulez:

[Bails]

ZONE RV | Australian Off Road Caravan Manufacturer (https://www.zonerv.com.au/?utm_term=zone%20rv&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=Zone%20RV%20Brand&hsa_ver=3&hsa_grp=40565959597&hsa_src=g&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_mt=e&hsa_acc=2606482959&hsa_cam=776564304&hsa_ad=433679710035&hsa_tgt=kwd-367313742898&hsa_kw=zone%20rv&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkOHT7e2U6QIVkA4rCh3b4Q6xEAAYASAA EgLHx_D_BwE)

I am optioning up a 22.5 Base off road model. Will have air suspension to match the RRS.

Have 750 watts of solar feeding 400 amps of lithium.

All the other options are functional.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Have you seen the 12v Bushman fridges,, full size fridge with a 3.5a draw,, will be adding to our next one...

[scarry]

A van that heavy, i would be checking weights,axle weights, etc,etc,to make sure its all legal.

It probably is, but its something many dont check.

Nothing really need to be done to the vehicle, it will tow well stock.

[Baytown]

I owned a 20.6 Zone RV Off Road and towed behind my 2013 Disco 4 HSE. It towed beautifully inc some seriously heavy tracks and needed nothing re oil cooler etc. Just keep the vehicle in sport when towing.

Im ordering another 20.6 this week as well, just had the build sheet sent this afternoon from Liam at Zone. 12 month build wait though.🥺

I’ll be towing with my 2022 RRS HSE which is even better re engine spec than the Disco and bought as a dedicated tow vehicle, so you will have no issues.

Ken
169772

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Hey Ken! what spec did you go with for rims? I'm seriously looking for sets of 20's to suit the next one... tyre replacement in Upperkumbuctawest concerns me..

[Pedro_The_Swift]

And Mr Bails? [bigwhistle]

Inspected the interior of exactly ONE Zone Rv at the last Gold Coast show,,

and found the FOUR steps to get into one a bit overwhelming (railings on the steps like boarding a small plane!),, the flat-tyre Jack selection will make interesting reading [bighmmm][bigrolf]

soooo much ground clearance... :Thump:

[Homestar]

Seems most van manufacturers have a 12 month built time at the moment - they're doing well out of the Pandemic that's for sure. I'm just wondering how many second hand vans will be up for sale in a few years time and what that will do for pricing in the second hand market (which is red hot at the moment as well). I'll be moving on my 1969 Viscount soon as the offers I'm getting are stupid and too good to pass up.

[Baytown]

Hi Pedro;

We’ve gone with standard 21s’, but I’ll be looking for a set of 20s’ for touring. I’m not sure if Red Ant or 19s’ will fit the newer HSEs’ but will certainly post as soon as I know any better.

I ran 20 inch rims on my Disco 4 and they performed well, with really good off road orientated tyres. Obviously the more side wall, the better off we are, but that’s the trade off we have to make for the vehicles we’re using.

Best wishes mate.


Hey Ken! what spec did you go with for rims? I'm seriously looking for sets of 20's to suit the next one... tyre replacement in Upperkumbuctawest concerns me..

[SBD4]

Hi Pedro;

We’ve gone with standard 21s’, but I’ll be looking for a set of 20s’ for touring. I’m not sure if Red Ant or 19s’ will fit the newer HSEs’ but will certainly post as soon as I know any better.

I ran 20 inch rims on my Disco 4 and they performed well, with really good off road orientated tyres. Obviously the more side wall, the better off we are, but that’s the trade off we have to make for the vehicles we’re using.

Best wishes mate.

Also, Don't forget that the L494 has 31" tyres where as the D4 is 30" standard. So the sidewall on the RRS 20"s is the same as the D4 on 19"s.

[Graeme]

Then jump to 32" on the L494 and other LRs with 31" standard to the reasonably common 275/55R20 size, although there's now a couple of options in 255/60R20 too, also 32".

[Baytown]

Wow, that’s interesting, thanks for the info Sean!


Also, Don't forget that the L494 has 31" tyres where as the D4 is 30" standard. So the sidewall on the RRS 20"s is the same as the D4 on 19"s.

[Disco4SE]

SDV 8 RRS 2016.5 model. Van will be a Zone Off Road with Max weight of 3500 kgs. I expect to be around 3200 kgs.
Hi Bails,

I too have the SDV8 and looking at buying a van. I am interested if you have yours as yet and did you end up opting for the additional cooler.

Cheers, Craig

[Redd17]

SDV 8 RRS 2016.5 model. Van will be a Zone Off Road with Max weight of 3500 kgs. I expect to be around 3200 kgs.


The Rangie is an awesome tow vehicle, but keep an eye on the Rear axle rating of 1775 - just did all the numbers on mine and got quite a fright with a van around 3100 kg. All the other numbers GVM GCM etc are fine. Off to the weigh station next week to confirm whether the theoretical numbers are right. Basically we have to pretty careful how much we load up the car (and van)

[Bails]

The Rangie is an awesome tow vehicle, but keep an eye on the Rear axle rating of 1775 - just did all the numbers on mine and got quite a fright with a van around 3100 kg. All the other numbers GVM GCM etc are fine. Off to the weigh station next week to confirm whether the theoretical numbers are right. Basically we have to pretty careful how much we load up the car (and van)

The van weight is only and issue for GVM , axel weight , will be a function of towball weight and venicle load.

[Bails]

Hi Bails,

I too have the SDV8 and looking at buying a van. I am interested if you have yours as yet and did you end up opting for the additional cooler.

Cheers, Craig

The "cooler " ? not sure what you are referring too?

[Redd17]

The van weight is only and issue for GVM , axel weight , will be a function of towball weight and venicle load.

Yes but its possible with a heavy Van to stay under GVM, and be over on Axle weight (due to the towball weight), something I only recently realised, because had only been looking at the GVM , thinking I was way under so would be fine

A towball weight of 300kg will put a weight of roughly 400kg on the rear axle because of the overhang

[Baytown]

Please ignore, I can’t delete a double post.

[Baytown]

As above.

Really interesting viewing on the limitations and real world towing weight issues ie rear axel/passengers etc using an actual ZoneRV caravan.

Puts our problems into a clearer light.

Land Rover Defender - Summary After 6 Months - YouTube (https://youtube.com/watch?v=1gNUVWuqCu0&feature=share)

[Redd17]

As above.

Really interesting viewing on the limitations and real world towing weight issues ie rear axel/passengers etc using an actual ZoneRV caravan.

Puts our problems into a clearer light.

Land Rover Defender - Summary After 6 Months - YouTube (https://youtube.com/watch?v=1gNUVWuqCu0&feature=share)


That was one of the youtubes that sent me down the path of checking axle weights , and the RR sport has 25kg less capacity @ 1775

[Baytown]

Ahhh bugger!

All I can say is that I do travel light and there will only be the two of us in the RRS.

This is nerve wracking so I’ll have to cancel the order for the white steel rims!😉

Watch this space.


That was one of the youtubes that sent me down the path of checking axle weights , and the RR sport has 25kg less capacity @ 1775

[Baytown]

Land Rover Defender - Highway Towing Test & Weigh-In - YouTube (https://youtu.be/dkuRR_c2nZI)

[Bails]

As above.

Really interesting viewing on the limitations and real world towing weight issues ie rear axel/passengers etc using an actual ZoneRV caravan.

Puts our problems into a clearer light.

Land Rover Defender - Summary After 6 Months - YouTube (https://youtube.com/watch?v=1gNUVWuqCu0&feature=share)

Wondering why heavier tyres are included as these are unsprung weight increases ?