Thread: WDH anyone tried it on D3

Hi guys. I have no knowledge of D3 etc but I have had 2 Range Rover Sports. My first one was a 2008 TDV8. What a car! I bought a 25 foot van and when I read the RRS book it said don't use WDH. I have had a lot of experience towing with big vans and different makes so I'm aware of issues. I must admit when I started driving the RRS with the 25 footer I was very wary for about 40kms but then relaxed and haven't thought about it since. My second RRS is a 2011 TDV6 and I tow another 25 footer. Been to Darwin from Gippsland, onto the Barkley H/Way and back through NSW and Vic. Forrest Beach FNQ and up to Cooktown several times. The van has never stepped out of line in all wind conditions. My only suggestion is that I have run 20" or 22" wheels and they are 10" wide. Maybe you Disco guys are running 18" or 19" wheels and narrower tyres. Hope this helps.

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Bulletman

In one of your posts you say that the van towed fine, without WHD, when fully loaded 3500kg. But when only about 2900 - 3000kg it was a bit 'iffy'.

Your post states that the towball weight at low load was only 210kg, where it was probably much higher when fully loaded.

I think this is a bit low for a near 3ton load and could be the cause of your problems.

The other suggestion I have is check your REAR control arm bushes. I had a D3 which was fine in 95% of corners, but in one corner near home it was terrible. Replace rear bushes and it was cured!

Regards
Trevor

Originally Posted by ytt105

Bulletman

In one of your posts you say that the van towed fine, without WHD, when fully loaded 3500kg. But when only about 2900 - 3000kg it was a bit 'iffy'.

Your post states that the towball weight at low load was only 210kg, where it was probably much higher when fully loaded.

I think this is a bit low for a near 3ton load and could be the cause of your problems.

The other suggestion I have is check your REAR control arm bushes. I had a D3 which was fine in 95% of corners, but in one corner near home it was terrible. Replace rear bushes and it was cured!

Regards
Trevor

I'm confident that when we left Darwin my tow ball weight was close to 350kg. I did weigh it and was 330kg and I then added an extra 9kg gas bottle then some fire wood which sits on a frame on the draw bar .
Personally I would have thought 210kg being about 6 - 7% ball weight without consulting a calculator would be fine.

The 1 thing I am unsure of is I know the D4 has trailer sway assist , the video of 1 towing a defender on you tube is interesting as it says it cuts in above 50mph so approx 80kmh. I don't see any mention of this for a D3 and this was why in my OP I was interested if anyone with a D3 had tried the WDH. I know the D3 has DSC but that never cut in at all when I was towing but maybe that is speed relevant BUT it's recommended to turn it off when on sand so I assumed it wasn't speed activated it was some sort of sensor activated when stability issues were detected.

Anyway I will look at the rear sway bar bushes when we get back home and then go from there. Hopefully the trip back tomorrow is less windy and I can just simply blame strong cross winds and leave it at that after checking a few things recommended in this thread.
Cheers Bulletman