Thread: D3/4 as a caravan tug: How good?

Hi Grumndriva,

I took delivery of a D4 3.0 lit HSE in Jun 10 and a ROMA full size caravan in late Aug 10.
In answer to your questions and using your numbering I provide the following answers:
1. Full height caravan (24'6" external) Weight about 2.5 tonne unladen and 3.2ish tonne fully loaded.
2. The D4 has a 3.0lit diesel engine.
3. I tow at about 90-95kph. Fuel consumption is anywhere between 15-19lit/100km. It depends on road and weather conditions e.g. headwind or cross winds etc.
4. I bought the D4 essentially for a towing vehicle. If I was to properly analyse where I would be realistically towing the van I would say that about 90% of the time will be on bitumen roads while only 10% will be on gravel. It is simply not practical to tow a large van like mine 'off-road'. I have not had any problems with the 19" wheels on rocky roads or pot holes as I drive to the prevailing road conditions and let the air pressure down when required. I am a conservative driver. (I also have 2 spares!)
5. I use a standard LR D4 hitch. The tongue on which the tow bar sits has been turned uside-down thereby raising the hitch. Even so it does sit low and the caravan drawbar was made to allow for it. I prefer using original equipment wherever possible to take advantage of manufacturers warranties, if necessary.
6. LR says do not use a WDH with air suspension. I agree and I have not had any problems at all. Indeed I have heard of horror stories where WDH were used with air suspension. Not good.
7. I use a Tekonsha P3 brake controller and it is located on the lower dash under and to the left of the steering wheel. It works well.
8. I don't have a breakaway battery monitor mounted in the car. I do have one mounted near the fuses in the boot of the van. I test the breakaway monitor daily when towing.
9. I do have an aux battery fitted to the D4 and it is located in front of the existing battery. It was fitted by the LR dealer and, again, it is covered by the dealer warranty etc. The fitting (labour and parts) was very expensive but IMHO worth it.
I am a member of the Australian Caravan Club (ACC) and have attend many National Musters. I researched my caravan and tug purchase extensively and I can say that I am very happy with my choices. Since taking delivery of the car and van I have travelled about 4500km with the combination and I am delighted with the performance of both. Yes it was expensive but I have just retired from a very stressful job and I realise that you only live once. So go for it I say. I intend to live in the van with my wife and travel this great land for the next 3 - 4 years. Why do it rough when you can do it in comfort.
There are additional considerations such as reversing cameras (van and car), bullbars, long range fuel tanks etc. Happy to talk further.
I hope this response helps and if you want any more info please use the forum or PM me.

Cheers

George

Originally Posted by Grumndriva

My heart says a D4, but my head says an LC200.

You can do alot of fly-drive for a 100 Grand , and see more
interesting parts of the world.

Originally Posted by Grumndriva

My heart says a D4, but my head says an LC200.

Better get your head checked!

D4 is vastly superior to LC200.

Grumndriva,
Take note of all the ex Cruiser drivers on this forum who have come across & purchased a D4 because of their dislike of the new cruiser for whatever reason.
I also had a friend who has a 200series & he is not overly satisfied with it either.
Good luck in your choice, but agree with BigJon, the D4 is a much superior vehicle.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Neil P

You can do alot of fly-drive for a 100 Grand , and see more
interesting parts of the world.

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.

Originally Posted by GeorgeK

Hi Grumndriva,

7. I use a Tekonsha P3 brake controller and it is located on the lower dash under and to the left of the steering wheel. It works well.
9. I do have an aux battery fitted to the D4 and it is located in front of the existing battery. It was fitted by the LR dealer and, again, it is covered by the dealer warranty etc. The fitting (labour and parts) was very expensive but IMHO worth it.

Cheers

George

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

Big Jon and Sniegy,

Thank you for your responses. Can you be more specific with the problems you are seeing with the LC200? In my travels I am constantly running into happy LC200 drivers who claim they would never go back to LR for towing, and I see comparatively very few passenger vehicle tugs other than LC on serious vans. Many LC owners do say that the 100 series was better than the LC200 though. The only complaints I have ever hear about the LC200 are excessive fuel and oil consumption, so would be interested in what you have heard or seen. As I said, my heart says D4, despite some features which seriously detract from it for serious touring.

Hi Grumndriva,
I too had to make the same choice in April last year (which is in one of my previous posts), however it was between the Disco 3 2.7Lt Diesel and the LC200 Diesel. The D4 was not out, back then.
My vehicle at the time was a LC 100 Turbo Diesel. The one before that was an 80 Series.
I was fortunate enough to have both vehicles (demos) at the same time for a whole weekend. Both had tow bars, so I was able to tow my boat, trailers etc.
I found the D3 quicker to 100Kph with my 2 Ton boat, but the LC was better on the hills. The D3 still maintained speed, but changed down a gear on the same hill that the LC held.
By the end of the weekend, I found myself wanting to drive the D3 whenever I wanted to go anywhere.
Now having said all this, I sold the D3 in December last year and purchased a D4 3.0Lt Diesel. This vehicle is so much better in so many ways than the D3. Although I haven't had the same opportunity to compare it with the LC200, I could honestly say that the D4 would eat the LC both on power & torque. The torque from the 3.0Lt is amazing.
With 1200Klm's on the clock last Christmas, I towed my boat and all my gear (inc wife and 3 kids) up the Hume from the Mornington Peninsula to Albury. The Disco held overdrive gear all the way. Didn't change down on any hill.
I am more than happy with my decision and have no regrets what so ever.
Cheers, Craig