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Correct. The standard Aus D2 tow bar has a max towing weight of 3500 kg and a max towball weight of 250 kg.
We tow a 21 foot Jayco Sterling Outback (ATM a bit over 2600 kg) with a Hayman Reece WDH tongue etc in the standard LR receiver. Works well for us.
What is your ball weight just out of interest, I am just about to do the same with the same weights!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Grumndriva
I haven't weighed it yet, but I estimate (based on previous 20 foot Sterling Outback) around 190-200 kg with tanks full.
Hi,
I read with interest your posts regarding towing a caravan. I have a 2002 D2 TD5 and am in the process of upgrading my camper van to a 19' caravan. I would be very interested in any comments you have regarding your experiences towing your van. I have had a chip installed
Thank you
Danny
Chico,
Response e-mailed separately.
Dont forget,, that 200kg ball weight comes straight off the load amount you can carry onboard,,
Just noting..Quote:
Originally Posted by Grumndriva
You do realise that LR towbars arent rated for the 'up' forces of a WDH... And may very well be tearing apart your chassis.
LR state specifically not to use WDH hitches, and if you wish to use one, its recommended to fit the HR style bar, rated for such 'up' forces.
Thanks Tombie. Yes I was aware of that, but the benefits of the WDH outweigh what I am fairly certain are minimal risks with the D2 chassis and the fairly low forces involved in our case. I am currently having a deep and meaningful conversation with LR about the use of WDH with the Disco 4. LR is adamant that WDH should not be used with the D4 both because it is not engineered to take upward forces and because WDH interferes with the SLS. They claim that WDH are unnecessary, and I have sought some sort of verifiable basis for that claim, since it cuts across conventional wisdom both here and in the US.
I'd be interested to here about the "conventional wisdom" Grumndriva
I have this sneaking suspicion WDH's were invented due to van makers inability to create a vehicle that tows correctly.
Hi Pedro,
Lots of people share your view, but most serious caravaners agree that WDH are necessary for safe towing of today's larger vans. That need appears to be even greater with independent suspensions than with beam axle suspensions.
I am not an automotive engineer and I have not done any controlled experiments to verify the above, because I am neither qualified to do so nor prepared to risk my rig. However I have towed my van both with and without the WDH, and I am personally convinced that the rig travels far better and handles far better with the WDH than without. But I acknowledge that that does not constitute proof. I would also expect severe braking to be better with more weight on the front wheels.
If interested, try Googling "weight distribution hitches" and "weight distributing hitches", and try searching for the same on some of the local caravaners sites such as caravaners forum, caravan world and caravan and motorhome forum, where the subject is regularly discussed.
I have attached a link to the How Stuff Works site which has no commercial interest either for or against WDH, and may therefore be more reliable than some of the sales places which do have a vested interest.
HowStuffWorks "How Towing Weight Distribution Systems Work"
It is interesting to note that some vehicle manufacturers, Toyota amongst them, require the use of WDH in some models and weight combinations. That suggests that the requirement for WDH has some credibility.
As your googling will show, the use of WDH also appears to be embraced by the horse and boating fraternities.
I have asked Land Rover if their decision not to engineer their vehicles for WDH is based on any science or engineering studies.
Hope this helps.