Touring Australia Towing a Caravan – Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 (MY13)

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Originally Posted by d2dave

This is why we purchased a Tvan. Wet canvas not an issue. Full set up in 10 minutes. Same for pack up.

If just stopping overnight set up 1 minute. Don't drop the tent. Open hatch and put a canvas cover over the opening.

Below is a pic of 1 minute setup in the middle of the Simpson desert.

Attachment 195531

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Thats what I like about the hybrids too, especially if doing it every day - speed and ease is king. Pop the top, slide out the stove and fridge - give thanks with a bevvy.

My daughter and her husband are looking to replace their much-travelled camper trailer with a hybrid for the hybrid's quick setup and pack-up yet they will still spend most of their time outside. They no longer need the camper trailer's extra space now that their 3 boys are living their own lives.

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Originally Posted by d2dave

This is why we purchased a Tvan. Wet canvas not an issue. Full set up in 10 minutes. Same for pack up.

If just stopping overnight set up 1 minute. Don't drop the tent. Open hatch and put a canvas cover over the opening.

Below is a pic of 1 minute setup in the middle of the Simpson desert.

Attachment 195531

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And your hot shower there was hugely appreciated! We've gone full caravan - 18' also full electric. No looking for gas refills as long as the sun shines and/or the tug runs.

John

We took a D3 around Aus for 12 months back in 2018, documented some feedback and notes here:
Vehicle Preparation for Outback Australia: Land Rover Discovery 3 Overland Build
Land Rover Discovery 3 Review - Australia Road Trip Experience

We did not tow anything, but hopefully it's of some use to you regardless. About to buy a 2012 D4 as a bit of a project, so will update the site with some content on that too.

Cheers,
Adam

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Originally Posted by tankwaste

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

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My Avatar says it all. For the Van I do have what New Age at the time (2016) advertised as semi off road van. The main problem with dirt roads is the corrugations and the fact that the D4 feels so smooth you dont realise the van is suffering. Lower tyre pressure helps a lot for the van. Also a positive pressure system in the van keeps dust out. Were not readily available in 2016 so I had a scupper vent installed. Works to some extent to keep dust out of van. The main issue with any van is how well the cabinet work is made. Many are just glued and stappled together then screwed to the floor. I made sure all cabinet work was screwed and glued AND BOLTED to the floor. Also the underneath takes a beating. Proper stone guards not tin and every hose and wiring lagged. I use pool noodles which i split open length wise and cable tie in place. I replace the noodles at the end of each big trip. Cupboard doors and drawers. Look to see how they lock in place. Mine all have tongues which clip into place and cannot be opened without pressing the button. Glass stove top is held in place by occy strap. Fridge door by rope across the door .There is lots of other things I have done to the van over the years. Last trip I did I had no issues at all. (Painted Desert, parts of Binns Track, Gibb road, Mt Augustus, Indian Pacific road then out to Nillabour road on really rough road (ie 120kms took 5 hours) not sure I was on the correct track as my maps were somewhat old. I took no spares for the car at all. (silly??) but I had the car fully serviced (Body off belts ec ($5K+)) by my indy who knows what I do in my car. Most important if you go remote like I do is have good comms. I have Sat Phone plus UHF radio (VKS membership). Never used in anger but just incase.Also I have RACV full road side which also covers the Van.

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Originally Posted by Redback

Mate, a camper trailer is the go, lighter, more flexable to hard to get to places, camp almost anywhere and weigh alot less, and eco friendly, if you want to see the real Australia, as in the Gunbarrel, CSR, Googs Track, Great Central Rd, VIC/NSW high country and there iconic tracks, the Simpson and all the other places that can't be accessed by a house on wheels, a camper trailer is the go, especially if you want to camp in those iconic places, just my opinion.

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Is there one you'd recommend?

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Originally Posted by Arapiles

Is there one you'd recommend?

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Tvan. Most capable off road trailer ever made.

If on a budget or wanting something nice and cheap but very good in design and relatively easy to setup and pack up the Jonnos Evolution camer trailer is great
We had to neck for nearly 10 years before we got the Exoduse hybrid van, 15 minutes for a overnight set up which is pretty good for a camper trailer
It went everywhere and we never had any major issues other than a little rust after Fraser Island which was very easy to repair and a little rust started under a he door seals

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Originally Posted by d2dave

Tvan. Most capable off road trailer ever made.

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We looked at them extensively and didn't really like the design.But that is subjective as every one is different.[smilebigeye]

Went instead with an X3 Patriot,Gen 1,it has been very good,and would be as capable as a Tvan.

Luckily enough to pick one up at an extremely good price from a family that never used it,sat in their shed for two years.
Fully optioned,with all the original reciepts,etc.

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Originally Posted by scarry

We looked at them extensively and didn't really like the design.But that is subjective as every one is different.[smilebigeye]

Went instead with an X3 Patriot,Gen 1,it has been very good,and would be as capable as a Tvan.

Luckily enough to pick one up at an extremely good price from a family that never used it,sat in their shed for two years.
Fully optioned,with all the original reciepts,etc.

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That company has a pretty incredible engineering process behind the campers. I'd expect them to be rock solid. Despite the name, they're Australian designed and built.