G’day all,
I’m after some
experience-based advice from D4 owners who have
towed caravans over longer distances.
Vehicle details:
- 2013 Land Rover Discovery 4
- 3.0 SDV6 SE (MY13) – twin-turbo diesel
- Approx. 83,000 km
- Well maintained, regularly serviced
I’m planning extended touring around Australia with a caravan and want to sanity-check my assumptions before committing to a van and finalising setup. I’m well aware of the D4’s
payload and ball-weight sensitivities, so I’m not looking to push limits — I want a combination that’s comfortable, predictable, and mechanically sympathetic.
I’d really value input on:
Caravan & Weight Realities
- What ATM range you’ve found works in practice, not just on paper
- Typical ball weights you’ve ended up with once loaded
- Whether you found single axle vs dual axle made a meaningful difference behind a D4
Vehicle Setup
- Suspension changes (if any) that actually helped when touring loaded
- Brake, cooling, or transmission-related upgrades worth considering
- Tyre choices and pressures that worked well when towing
Towing Equipment
- Experiences with WDHs on air suspension — what worked, what didn’t
- Brake controller recommendations that integrate cleanly with the D4
- Monitoring you considered essential (trans temp, EGT, etc.)
Reliability & Touring Experience
- Any D4-specific issues that showed up when towing long distances
- Preventative maintenance you’d recommend before a long trip
- Fuel consumption ranges you saw across different conditions
Lessons Learned
- Things you’d absolutely do again
- Things you’d avoid if starting fresh
- Anything you wish you’d known before hitching up and heading off
I’m keen to hear from members who’ve done
serious kilometers towing with a Discovery 4, particularly in regional or remote areas. I’m not chasing brand debates or limit-pushing — just solid, experience-backed advice.
Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge.
Cheers