Thread: Caravan towing set up

Originally Posted by Phantom

I have a Discovery 3 (2006) with a Coromal Caravan ( 6 metres and dual wheels). Although it is not an off road van, I need to lift the ball about 10 -12 cm to keep the caravan level. I have been using a Hayman Reeseadjustable ball mount for this. Land Rover say the receiver meets the ADR - the issue is the caravan. And it is not a good idea to lift the ball that much from the 'standard'. If I drop the ball back to the height of the hitch receiver the caravan has a definite slope down to the ball.

Fine but I would have thought this would be an ssue when towing many offroad vans or trailers where the van has a 'high coupling' to keep good clearance.

Has anyone come across this problem and found a better or another solution?

Not sure about the D3, but on the D2 there was an adjustable tow hitch available part number STC 50287AA or STC 50289AA

Solution if you don't have airbags is a lift kit. 2 inch lift lets you go further and raises the tow ball.

Originally Posted by Phantom

. Land Rover say the receiver meets the ADR - the issue is the caravan. And it is not a good idea to lift the ball that much from the 'standard'.

I can see why they don't want the hitch altered like that. Lifting the hitch will increase the leverage on the mounting points.

Increasing leverage = increasing force = much more likely for the mounting points to fail.

IIRC this was a reasonably common problem when the Mercedes 4wd (M class, or whatever they call those things) was first released.

As noted before, a vehicle lift may be the easiest way to achieve your objective. If coil sprung, aftermarket springs are available. If air suspension, there is a German kit which gives much greater height adjustability over a wider range of speeds.

I should add I have the oposite problem with my box trailer. I grind the back bar on steep angle changes.

Thanks for the various ideas. The thought of a lift kit or airbags sounds interesting. Any thoughts on brands?

I'm with George 130. Low hitch receiver plus another 180 kg from the van equals drop in tow bar. Even the lowest gutter or driveway ends up with a nice furrow

I know I'm a bit late in joining this thread, but I had the same problem with my D3. I was using a HR distribution hitch to gain the height required, but found the van would fishtail down the road. I ended up having the tow hitch lowered on the van, and using a 75mm raiser tongue / hitch to gain the required height. The van tows like a dream now.

Thanks turtle 146 for the reply. Always good to hear from someone who has had the same problem and has a solution. Fortunately, I have not had trouble with fishtailing.

If you are from SE Qld (I am on the Gold Coast) can you please let me know where the work was done and where you bought the raiser tongue. The only raiser I have come across that goes that high is the HR set up.
Also do you use any weight distribution hitches to lift the rear?

Kind regards

Not sure if this will rectify your problem.
Is the axle on the caravan "underslung" ?

If this is the case, then putting the axle on top of the springs would solve the problem with little to no expense.

Just be aware of the welded plate to house the centre bolt of the springs.

I had exactly the opposite problem and found that by underslinging the axle on the caravan my troubles ceased, the van is now level and tows great.