Transporting D4 on Car Carrier?

[RoverLander]

We are about to get our D4 transported from Darwin to Sydney. Nothing is wrong with the car. Its for medical reasons. It will go onto a car carrier. I won't be there when it is loaded.

i have discovered Valet mode to secure the cargo area. This is very usefull!

I cant find any detailed instructions that tell you that anything special needs to be done. There is a note to say put the air suspension in access height to avoid damage to the suspension system. Is that needed? I could lock in access mode but that will automatically unlock if the car is driven anywhere. Im also worried that in access mode it may catch as they drive it on and off the transporter truck.

Anyone been through this? Any advise please?

[DeanoH]

Leave nothing in the vehicle or it will be gone by the time you get it back. Good transport companys often make this a requirement for transport as they know the risks entailed. Basically theft is rife in the industry (unless it's changed dramatically in the last couple of years) so as little Johnny Howard's fridge magnet said "Be Aware Not Alarmed"

Deano

[Eric SDV6SE]

When my D4 popped it's throttle body o ring the second time, it went on a car carrier to LR for them to redo under warranty. The RAC guy tried to skull drag it onto the carrier by chaining around the LCA's, as apparently this is RAC SOP for 4wd's. I stopped him and made him use the front recovery point. Once on, I locked it in access mode, this (in my view) protects the EAS. He then tied the car off as per normal with ratchet straps over the tyres.

For a long trip such as Darwin-Sydney I would definitely lock it in access height. It will not catch if driven up in access height, so no worries there. You could also leave a note that details how to put it back into normal height for unloading, as it only raises if you go over 30kmh.

[Ean Austral]

I have transported our D3 several times , I have just left it in normal mode , what's the difference between the car being driven or transported, I wouldn't drive Darwin Sydney in access mode so why transport it over the same bumpy roads in access mode. What part of the suspension are you trying to save ?

its also a good indication if you have any air leaks when it gets to the other end . Each for there own but that's what I have done .

Cheers Ean

[ATH]

Leave nothing in the vehicle or it will be gone by the time you get it back. Good transport companys often make this a requirement for transport as they know the risks entailed. Basically theft is rife in the industry (unless it's changed dramatically in the last couple of years) so as little Johnny Howard's fridge magnet said "Be Aware Not Alarmed"

Deano

We had our Td5 Defender trucked back from Newman back in 2007 (from fading memory) by Austrans and their fat little yard boy abused us for leaving the Engel and other stuff in it. "It'll get chucked out if you try that next time" he said!!!!
I'd locked it in with lockable cable things and we could see where someone had tried to remove it.....but hadn't managed to untangle the the stuff I'd tied it with.
I reported their attitude to RACWA and LR Assist but who knows if they did anything about it. Trust no one.
AlanH.

[RoverLander]

I'm asking the question because of the following text in the online manual for the D4 under transporting your vehicle:

CAUTION
If the vehicle's electronics are operational, set the electronic air suspension system to access height, before securing the vehicle to a recovery vehicle or trailer. Failure to do so can result in damage to the vehicle.

I can only assume that it depends on how they secure the car. If by the wheels then no problem as pointed out by EAN.

If by hooks to the body then I can imagine the air suspension trying to reach normal height the whole trip.

I think in Australia vehicles are normally secured by the wheels so should be ok?

[Graeme]

Lowering the suspension for transport allows it to be restrained by the tie-down hooks without fear of the suspension dropping if air is lost. Transport mode drops the vehicle to the bump-stops when the ignition is switched off and the vehicle will raise when started. However transport mode is not user selectable, only by using an appropriate diagnostic tool.

[scarry]

Just imagine leaving the vehicle with instructions for some yard boy to put it in access mode.

That is definitely asking for trouble.

I would rather do as Ean has said,than risk an issue,particularly if the owner is not present when the vehicle is loaded.

[PerthDisco]

My D3 was bought in Melbourne and delivered to Perth by CEVA without a thought and without problems.

[twr7cx]

I recommend Prixcar. Used them to transport our D4 from South Dandenong, Victoria, to Hobart, Tasmania when I purchased it - very happy with the price and delivery time line. It was a requirement for the vehicle to be empty and I wasn't there when it was loaded etc. You will likely need to provide them access to the cargo area as with ours they inspected the emergency tools and noted on the Condition Report what was there so that we could ensure it was there on delivery too.