Thread: New to towing - jerking / tugging trailer - transmission damage?

Originally Posted by discorevy

Thanks for confirmation, I can only think either software issue or maybe the pre updates all do this, anyone with an 05 tried this ?, the only thing mine has different from standard is a bas remap.

What about your wheels / tyres? How OS are you?

Originally Posted by discorevy

Thanks for confirmation, I can only think either software issue or maybe the pre updates all do this, anyone with an 05 tried this ?, the only thing mine has different from standard is a bas remap.

Mine has a BAS map and is pre update and does what it is supposed to do.

Originally Posted by discorevy

Thanks for confirmation, I can only think either software issue or maybe the pre updates all do this, anyone with an 05 tried this ?, the only thing mine has different from standard is a bas remap.

I got an 05 D3 and it will drop into 6th in sport under light loads as others have described

Discorevy- run an ECU analysis using the GAP tool and see what firmware you’re transmission is running...

I will preface by stating my RRS is at present having the box replaced .

This is is okay I accept they wear out .......

however , I know it has towed for thousands of kilometres .

i have a camper trailer 910 kg loaded ready to go 115kg on the ball .
Tows fine (towed ) in either drive or sport 110kmh in 6 - would shift down and accelerate quite happily , once throttle was released would lock up in 6

also so have a caravan 1480kg loaded 125kg on ball . This also towed fine in drive , but was better in sport mode ,would lock in 5th at approx 100km 6th gear not always locking up unless on the flat or backed off throttle .

However , the fault became more apparent as the incline progressed . The tachometer would float at approx 1900rpm ( torque converter failing )
It then would fault and lock in 3rd gear
Then final step was it lost e clutch - and then final drive .

This is is a cautionary tale , the gearbox oil was not changed , I flushed and drained - this helped , but only slowed the demise down

Land Rovers are great tow rigs , I have a lot of experience in towing and would recommend a LR over any other vehicle , strong ,stable and very predictable handling .Adequate power which makes it easy and with minimal stress .

There is a lot of LR experience on this forum , not always in agreement !

With regard to the 'tugging '

I have had a couple of Land Rovers and none have done what you have describe , I also tow with an XC70 ,a Triton and a truck .
The fellas I work with have a Hilux and a Colorado - both tow campers and caravans neither have experienced the symptoms described .
i would be checking your weights ( tare and ball ) and your loading , both vehicle and trailer , and running some back to back testing over the same section of road , you may want to check tyre pressures also .
And don't use a weight distribution hitch , it will freak the car out - I have tested this with my caravan - I cannot tell you why but it doesn't like it !

Sorry a a bit long , if any of this has been covered - ignore me !

But these are very capable vehicles .
Check everything ,and then go back to basics .

cheers

Excellent bit of info RTU, thanks.

Does the trailer have LED lights?

My caravan has LED lights and when the van is attached I don't get the trailer light symbol flashing on the dash, so I assume it is not aware of the van. Once I add a resistance load to the circuit the trailer light symbol is displayed.

I had a resistor load box for my D3 and use it on the D4.

I'm not sure if this makes any difference to the way the vehicle opperates, but might be worth trying.

Originally Posted by BobD

It might be the remap messing with things so that the transmission thinks there is more power being used perhaps?

Anyway, it doesn't really matter as long as it will go into sixth normally in D. Towing in fifth at 100 is not a bad thing.

Yep probably doesn't matter , but I'm just curious

Originally Posted by Tombie

What about your wheels / tyres? How OS are you?

265/70/17 dynapro , so 5% larger , speedo error is now less than 1%

Originally Posted by Tombie

Discorevy- run an ECU analysis using the GAP tool and see what firmware you’re transmission is running...

Hardware thc500012
Calibration 5h22-75105-ca
Assembly 5h22-7z366-ca
Strategy 5h22-7j104-aa
While updates are available for my e diff and terrain response , none I can see are available ( through gap ) for transmission