Andy500
Member Since: 27 Aug 2018
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 228
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Good to know. Thanks for that.
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18th Feb 2019 5:18 pm |
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Ali1971
Member Since: 13 Jun 2016
Location: Dalgety Bay
Posts: 817
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Interesting thread this, never gave much thought to the towing electrics , they worked with my last van a 2010 Sterling. However what I did notice was when we picked up our 2018 Swift Conqueror all lights worked when connected however when reversing the van the sensors were going off ??!! Sounds to me now that my car does not know the van is connected ?
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18th Feb 2019 8:20 pm |
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Washwipe
Member Since: 19 Apr 2013
Location: Bucks Oxon Herts Border
Posts: 3169
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Not enough draw to activate the tow electrics, does the dash indicator flash
When our 2012 model was attached, I had to start the engine with the door closed, start the engine with the door open the rear sensors had a hissy.
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18th Feb 2019 8:23 pm |
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Ali1971
Member Since: 13 Jun 2016
Location: Dalgety Bay
Posts: 817
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Nope it didn’t and I’m sure my last van gave some sort of indication Next time I’m up at the van I’ll maybe check it again.
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18th Feb 2019 8:40 pm |
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Andy500
Member Since: 27 Aug 2018
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 228
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My swift is a 2018 van as well. You will almost certainly need the VLM unit to effectively simulate a load because of the LEDs.
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18th Feb 2019 9:25 pm |
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Ali1971
Member Since: 13 Jun 2016
Location: Dalgety Bay
Posts: 817
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Certainly never saw the dash indicate a trailer attached ? Will check google again!
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18th Feb 2019 9:35 pm |
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Washwipe
Member Since: 19 Apr 2013
Location: Bucks Oxon Herts Border
Posts: 3169
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Legal requirement, indicator warning light, VLM4 should solve it.
You might also have flickering rear lights on the van.
Last edited by Washwipe on 18th Feb 2019 9:59 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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18th Feb 2019 9:57 pm |
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Ali1971
Member Since: 13 Jun 2016
Location: Dalgety Bay
Posts: 817
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They should be supplying these as standard surely ? Not as an after market thought!
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18th Feb 2019 9:59 pm |
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Washwipe
Member Since: 19 Apr 2013
Location: Bucks Oxon Herts Border
Posts: 3169
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They can’t really, manufacturers don’t have the same set protocols, there is no set standard, hence there is a number of different vlm units. Usually you get them FOC with the van. Some vehicles don’t need them.
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18th Feb 2019 10:01 pm |
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Andy500
Member Since: 27 Aug 2018
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 228
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As above really they are easy to fit as well, just as long as you remember to plug in the atc cable as that provides power to the unit!
The only bummer is that if you use multiple tow cars then it may not work correctly with both! I was pretty surprised too when I found out to be honest as the supplying dealer never mentioned a thing!
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18th Feb 2019 10:21 pm |
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Andy500
Member Since: 27 Aug 2018
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 228
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Mine is a VLM 4 as well with a 2018 Swift Sterling and 2009 D4
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18th Feb 2019 10:26 pm |
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Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
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DiscoJeffster wrote:All D4 have trailer stability control. It is a function of the basic ABS/traction control ECU. Whether a trailer is detected (dashboard light showing when indicating) is not a requirement for trailer stability. You can connect a trailer to the vehicle and not connect any electronics and stability control will still function. The detection of the trailer allows for different gearbox management and a few other tweaks.
No unfortunatley they dont, the system we are on about is the one that requires a target on the trailer, this then uses the multi camera system to add additional stability to the trailer/car combo
And it does make a diffrence MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
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19th Feb 2019 8:44 am |
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Ali1971
Member Since: 13 Jun 2016
Location: Dalgety Bay
Posts: 817
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So the VLM box really only allows the car to switch off the reverse sensors once a trailor is attached ? Other than that it does nothing else ? Towing assist provides some other help when towing which non fitted vehicles don`t ? ( yes I know about the extra cameras )
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19th Feb 2019 9:58 am |
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Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
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The VLM boxes trick the car into seing the lights. LEDs draw to little current and as such the car cannot detect if the lights are working or not throwing up issues which differ from car to car.
However the problem is that all cars are diffrent and without testing it cannot be identified which box is required. An example of this was about 4 years ago
Went to pick up a new Swift caravan and was told would need a VLM box and the dealer would test my car to see which box was required, at the same time was another Disco the same year as mine in to collect new Swift. Both were checked and both required diffrent VLM boxes despite being the same year vehicles??? MY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
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19th Feb 2019 10:33 am |
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Washwipe
Member Since: 19 Apr 2013
Location: Bucks Oxon Herts Border
Posts: 3169
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Russell wrote:DiscoJeffster wrote:All D4 have trailer stability control. It is a function of the basic ABS/traction control ECU. Whether a trailer is detected (dashboard light showing when indicating) is not a requirement for trailer stability. You can connect a trailer to the vehicle and not connect any electronics and stability control will still function. The detection of the trailer allows for different gearbox management and a few other tweaks.
No unfortunatley they dont, the system we are on about is the one that requires a target on the trailer, this then uses the multi camera system to add additional stability to the trailer/car combo
And it does make a diffrence
Thought that was Tow Assist, affix the target to the front of the trailer, put in the trailer dimensions etc for reversing
http://www.ownerinfo.landrover.com/documen...c/G1801005
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19th Feb 2019 4:11 pm |
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