D3/4 as a caravan tug: How good?

**GeorgeK** · 5th December 2010, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by Grumndriva

Hi George,

Thank you for the very detailed response. I use a Prodigy which is not that much different from the P3, and will probably keep it. Any chance of a photo of your mounting?
Secondly, can you tell me roughly what the aux battery cost including fitting? I would like to have an approx cost before I talk with the local dealer in the next couple of days. Did they also run a heavy wire to the back for the fridge, or did they just connect it to the existing rear power outlet, and if the latter, is that system adequate? Thanks again for the response.

Cheers,

Terry

Hi Terry,

I will get a photo of the brake controller fitting posted tomorrow if I can.

I can't give you a precise figure for the aux battery and fitting as it was wrapped up with some other stuff e.g getting a UHF radio and mic fitted as well. The radio and mic fitting required the removal of most of the dashboard as I wanted it all fitted without screwing of a mounting bracket. I would expect to pay from a LR dealer about $1500 for the aux battery and fitting. (It ain't cheap!!!) I have an ARB fridge and it is powered via a specially fitted, wired and dedicated merit plug. My dealer also replaced the wire to the existing power outlet in the rear.
Like you this is my last car purchase so I am trying to get all the things on it I need now.
Cheers
George

**robbotd5** · 5th December 2010, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Grumndriva

Thanks Neil, You are right of course, but I spent a lot of my career flying and I don't particularly want to do that any more. I want more time on the ground in some of the more remote areas I used to work in but never had time to really enjoy. The van gives me that option, but I have worked my D2's heart out towing it, and I think it is time for a new one.

Go the mighty D2!!!!! Ohhh ok, I'd love a D4!!! We are ordering a 21 ft ensuit Retreat Daydream family van in January. Can't wait to join the caravan lifestyle.
Regards Robbo.

**Disco4SE** · 5th December 2010, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by Grumndriva

Thanks Craig. Have you been off the bitumen while towing, and had any issues due to the 19 inch tyres?

No, I haven't been off road towing as yet.
I did change tyres to Pirelli ATR's 8,500Klm's ago. They are much better than the originals on road and suprisingly good off road.
Cheers, Craig

**Brick** · 6th December 2010, 02:13 AM

Grumndriva,

I had a D4 HSE and recently completed 8000kms in 6 weeks in the great north west. This included part of the Gibbs River Rd and other rough dirt roads. We were towing a new Retreat Daydream van with a few mods for off road travel. The van was around 2.6 tone unloaded. We have 3 water tanks, a generator, 4 bikes, 2 spare wheels, full annex, etc loaded in the van besides our food, fishing gear and personal belongings. Not light by any stretch of the imagination.

The only mod to the D4 was Goodyear MTRs, the electric brake controller (P3) and aMitchell Bros hitch. We finished the trip with the LR not missing a beat.

We had a variety of mileage achieved. Usually was around the 18l/100km but between Pt Hedland Broome this went up to 22 as we were bashing into screaming a headwind. We usually sat on around 100km/h and the D4 did not have problem holding this. It is also remarkably quick off the line even with the van on.

All in all I reason we have a great combination travel setup. So much so we are off again at Christmas for a couple of weeks.

Robbotd5 - drop me a PM some time and I will share some learnings from our Retreat with you. Nothing a show stopper, but probably some things came out in the warranty period that most people wouldn't see because we did such a long trip.

Cheers

**Grumndriva** · 6th December 2010, 05:08 AM

Hi Brick,

Thank you very much for that. Given that that particular area is not exactly crowded with service stations, or wasn't the last time I was there, am I correct in assuming that you have a long range tank and spare carrier fitted? If so, which ones did you go for?

Secondly, why did you choose the Mitch Hitch?

Thirdly did you have any tyre problems or get any rim damage on the trip?

**Grumndriva** · 6th December 2010, 05:15 AM

Originally Posted by robbotd5

Go the mighty D2!!!!! Ohhh ok, I'd love a D4!!! We are ordering a 21 ft ensuit Retreat Daydream family van in January. Can't wait to join the caravan lifestyle.
Regards Robbo.

Hi Robbo,

Hope you get to join us soon. It is a lot of fun, and so much more convenient than motelling or camping. You get the best of both worlds with a well set up van, but it does put a lot of stress on the vehicle.

**theresanothersteve** · 6th December 2010, 07:14 AM

We've just set the D3 up with the prodigy brake control unit from the old D1 so the wife can drag Dobbin around.

We are both tall people and found mounting the barke unit on the panel adjacent the steering wheel interfered with our knees. Ended up mounting it in the space between the 2 cigarette lighters.

brake_unit.jpg

The application lever is still accessible and it is a neat installation.

**roamer** · 6th December 2010, 07:37 AM

Originally Posted by theresanothersteve

We've just set the D3 up with the prodigy brake control unit from the old D1 so the wife can drag Dobbin around.

We are both tall people and found mounting the barke unit on the panel adjacent the steering wheel interfered with our knees. Ended up mounting it in the space between the 2 cigarette lighters.

brake_unit.jpg

The application lever is still accessible and it is a neat installation.

That part of the dash is completely different in the D4, TR and EAS switches are there.

**Graeme** · 6th December 2010, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by Grumndriva

I am aware of the plan to try to get 18 inch wheels made for the SE, but they are not available now

I have 6 ordered and due to arrive in Oz at the end of January which I hope not to want.

**Brick** · 6th December 2010, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by Grumndriva

Hi Brick,

Thank you very much for that. Given that that particular area is not exactly crowded with service stations, or wasn't the last time I was there, am I correct in assuming that you have a long range tank and spare carrier fitted? If so, which ones did you go for?

Secondly, why did you choose the Mitch Hitch?

Thirdly did you have any tyre problems or get any rim damage on the trip?

Grumndriva,

No LR tank or wheel carrier as yet. LR tank goes in next week. Carried a jerry can for backup. Was getting around 400kms pre tank. Just made sure I filled up each time I passed a roadhouse. Also fitting a roof rack as I have 2 spares. Had a wheel carrier on previous D3 (and other fourbies) but got sick of having to open it all the time when you want to throw something in. As I have never had to use a spare (other than rotating wheels every 9 months or so) I don't think I will be lifting them up and down too often.

Had the Mitch Hitch on my D3 so got it modified for the D4. The van sits very level with the flat towing tongue rather than having one that you have to turn over to get to the right height. Fitted the hitch to the D3 as the OEM one sat way too low.

Only issue I had with rims/tyres was clearance between the brake caliper and the rim. On gravel roads stones got caught between and has scored the rims behind the spokes (see seprate thread). The MTRs performed very well, including on the beach.

Cheers

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