Never towed/owned a caravan before.. advice

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Originally Posted by Lukeis

Thanks for all the info guys, I’m reading up on the links etc now.

the van is this one. Access Denied Access Denied

its 2.1ton and has sway bars and electric brakes.

the first priority is getting it from the shop to home and for that it seems I need a brake controller

secondly do I need something for the lights to work? They appear LED or will the diagrams and harness fix that issue too?

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No you won't for this purpose, just turn your headlights on and everything will work on the van as it should, the only light that won't work is your trailer indicator on your dash.

Once you sort everything else out then you can look for a device for the lights, the device for the D4 is a little cheaper and less complicated than the one for the D3, the D4 doesn't flicker like the D3 does when LEDs are involved.

Go down and speak to the guys at Mitchell Bros in Brookvale, they should be able to help you they are at 16 Chard Rd, Brookvale.

Being a 2013 caravan I suspect the taillights will be incandescents not led.

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Originally Posted by Geedublya

Being a 2013 caravan I suspect the taillights will be incandescents not led.

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My camper is a 2009 and it had LED lights from new, so not a reasonable assumption as I found out.

I’m talking specifically about Jaycos.

Would you recommend the use of extended mirrors for a van this size? 17.5’
Is there a preferred one for a D4?

Definitely get a brake controller for safety reasons. You don't want the van pushing the vehicle. Redarc and Tekonsha are the most common ones.Any decent auto electrician should be able to do it.
Get the auto electrician to look at the van and see if the charging system will keep the van battery charged while travelling. You may need to add a DC-DC charger in the van to boost the charge coming through the trailer plug.
You might also consider if the van has enough solar to keep it charged.

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Get the auto electrician to look at the van and see if the charging system will keep the van battery charged while travelling. You may need to add a DC-DC charger in the van to boost the charge coming through the trailer plug.

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Unless the van is equipped with lithium batteries, there is absolutely no advantage to fitting a DC/DC device in the van.
Both the voltage and alternator size in most Land Rovers, including D4, means fitting a DC/DC device will be a BIG step backwards, and will mean it will take MUCH longer to recharge low batteries in a caravan than what the alternator can do, by itself.

The way they promote DC/DC devices are one of the biggest con jobs ever invented.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/.../21658...4-mirrors.html

I have a Brunsgaard set with 2 point attachment. Drove 20 000km around Australia including gravel without them falling off.

The salesman should have installed a brake controller as part of the deal. Redarc towpro is worth a look, they are automatic once set. Get the dial up where you can see it. Mine is too far down near my knee and I can't see the colour of the light or the settings easily. It is blue when on auto, red on manual.

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D4 will tow your van easily, mine is similar.

I made up a removable electrical connection between the van and vehicle, 12 pins one end and Land Rover plugs the other. I did this rather than a permanent wiring so someone else could tow the van if necessary. I added resistors to the van on the a Frame in a metal box so the Land Rover will recognise the trailer.

Have a look at the posts on towing in Sport mode and make your own decision. My son has a 6 speed gearbox in a 2.7L D3 which was shuddering, we changed his oil (special oil from Motospecs or Repco) in a caravan park and now he uses Sport mode and has had no further problem. I started doing the same but not sure if it made any difference except on hills.

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Originally Posted by drivesafe

Unless the van is equipped with lithium batteries, there is absolutely no advantage to fitting a DC/DC device in the van.
Both the voltage and alternator size in most Land Rovers, including D4, means fitting a DC/DC device will be a BIG step backwards, and will mean it will take MUCH longer to recharge low batteries in a caravan than what the alternator can do, by itself.

The way they promote DC/DC devices are one of the biggest con jobs ever invented.

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My van is now equipped with Lithiums.
The D4 manages to pump 40A at idle into the Lithiums in the van without a DC to DC charger, just a 25mm2 cable in the van from the tow bar to the batteries.
I agree, no DC to DC needed even for Lithiums.