Thread: Towing a Caravan

By all literature the car will pull 2t with electronic brakes. However I did look into this and before you go out and buy yourself a big van hook one up of same size and weight and see how you feel pulling that behind you also take into consideration travelling into a headwind with road trains passing you. I opted for a on road style semi off road camper trailer fully loaded still comes in under 750kg. (Emu Campers SUV) The car doesn't seem to complain too much with it on but I think with too much more it would make the drive too stressful on you and the engine. But that is just my opinion. There many people over in the UK pulling monster caravans with no trouble google is your friend, I did even read it took out a caravaners drive car award.

So in short yes you would get away with it but if it is something you will be doing alot I would sugest a smaller trailer setup if your situation can suit or upgrade to something bigger but then you dont get to drive the Freelander

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We have a golstream campervan that would tip 1.6+ loaded. Most of the time our td4 doesn't even know it's attached. Cruises easy at 110. Most people look in disbelief when we are pulling away at lights and leaving them behind. It is a very capable little "tug". I get high 9l/100 on the highway towing. We have added a weight distribution hitch but it's not really necessary. We have the landrover towing loom with a 12 pin socket attached. I had a Hayman Reese bar fitted elsewhere as the landrover bar only has a 40mm receiver which limits accessories. I have P3 brake controller. We charge the caravan battery via Andersen plug (with low volt isolator) the 3 way fridge runs through the ignition 12v in the 12 pin socket.

Oh ps we love our goldstream wing 3 st
PPS I would have no problems towing this van 1000s of kms with the freelander2.
You do need to make sure you have the weight on the ball correct or it feels a bit light on the steering

Originally Posted by Meken

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You do need to make sure you have the weight on the ball correct or it feels a bit light on the steering

Thats the point of using a weigh distribution hitch. if it feels light pull them up another link. The front suspension should be slightly lower with it all hocked up compared to the car before the van was lowered onto the ball.

Mate has a 200LC, tows a Lotus which must be 3t. He mentioned he needed airbags in the back because he gets flashed at night. I convinced him to go another link, problem solved, lights are aligned again and he was blown away by how much better if feels.

We hitch up a Paramount Duet 13'6" with a ATM of approx 1500kg to FL2 TD4 . No problems at all tows very nicely and feels very solid. Have weight distribution hitch as which will help to even out a bit, but have towed without and it with no issue. I reckon that up to 1600kg is the sweet spot for the FL2 and even though it can still pull more (2000kg) braked it would start to lose the " under control" feeling. Use to tow the same Van with VW Tiguan which can also pull 2000kg braked and there is no comparison FL2 is way better.

The Freelander auto diesel would have to be one of the better towing machines around, plenty of go and good economy. I have towed a 1200kg Goldstream Storm offroad camper on plenty of different roads around Aus, including off road with hardly any problems. I have never had any mechanical problems - the engine and gearbox perform faultlessly.
My tips - use the sport shift to keep the revs above 2000rpm on undulating roads. Fit rear mudflaps to stop stones bouncing from the van to the back of the car. Keep the tow ball weight between 80 and 120kg.

I towed my camper for the first time month ago with my SD4 auto. I was surprised at how well it did with regards to fuel economy, although with a 2T rating, I would have been disappointing if it didnt tow my approx 850km offroad caper pretty easily. I was careful to try and limit the towball weight by loading the camper back heavy. It tows fairly level with only the std landrover tow assembly, although I did flip the tongue for extra height.
I preferred to drive it in manual mode on undulating roads but cruise would be fine on flat hwy driving (just less stress on the trans IMO).

Originally Posted by harlie

Thats the point of using a weigh distribution hitch. if it feels light pull them up another link. The front suspension should be slightly lower with it all hocked up compared to the car before the van was lowered onto the ball.

Mate has a 200LC, tows a Lotus which must be 3t. He mentioned he needed airbags in the back because he gets flashed at night. I convinced him to go another link, problem solved, lights are aligned again and he was blown away by how much better if feels.

Sure I understand but I think the time I was referring to I probably had over 150kg on the ball