Member Since: 24 Jul 2015
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 62
Towing prep
I'm getting the D3 ready to start towing a tin tent (when I pass my B+E test) and am wondering what maintenance or mods are a good idea for a safe and sound experience. Aside from fitting a fixed towbar I've booked in for a megaflush, ordered new front brake discs/pads (the only advisory on the MOT) and 4 new Michelin Cross Climate tyres. Any jobs or mods recommended?
The car is high mileage but passed MOT no bother and mechanic says is in good order but suspension would probably benefit from a refresh. No components are giving any issues so I'll just be doing it over time but wondered what would be the best order of priority to help with towing: New airsprings/dampers, ARB bushes, drop links, track rod ends, lower front arms, upper rear arms.
Cheers folks.
7th Sep 2020 10:45 pm
aja4x4
Member Since: 14 Apr 2019
Location: Westbury
Posts: 2459
As long as its well serviced it will be fine.
8th Sep 2020 6:18 am
L319
Member Since: 14 Dec 2013
Location: Herefordshire
Posts: 2080
At the end of the day they are designed to tow up to 3.5 tonnes so if it is generally good order and serviced you should not have a problem towing an average size caravan .
8th Sep 2020 8:24 am
waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2862
I was going to suggest upgrading the brakes but see that you have a V8 so that is already 'done'. We tow trailers of 3-3.5 tonnes for over 5k miles per year and find the D3 to be the best we have ever had for the purpose - probably the most difficult thing is trying to ensure you don't forget you have the trailer behind you Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
Previously:
TD5 Defender 110 CSW (230k miles)
300TDi Disco 1 (289k)
4 RR Classics (300-350k each, 2 manual, 2 auto)
110 V8 CSW (220k)
S3 109 hi cap pickup (ex RN)
S2A 88 Safari SW with lpg conversion (bloody lethal)
The D3 and 4 are ready for towing "straight out of the box" but can be let down by tyres unsuited to wet grass on a slight slope.A vaccine does not stop you catching a virus, or passing it on, or getting ill from it, really ill. It does reduce the likelyhood of you dying when really, really ill. Stay Alive - KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
8th Sep 2020 9:17 am
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Wirral, UK
Posts: 3067
Also consider increasing tyre pressures, I increase mine to 38 rear 36 front for towing a twin axle caravan. I also run a noseweight of around 97kg as I find this helps with stability. Sometimes it's about finding what feels best for you though. Try a bit of a trial run before you set off on a long journey!
Happy towing!D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
8th Sep 2020 9:21 am
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4400
Have to agree that these are the best tow car. As said above, general good maintenance should cover you. It's not worth the stress of breaking down somewhere with the added issue of having a caravan as well.Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
8th Sep 2020 9:24 am
waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2862
Navigator wrote:
The D3 and 4 are ready for towing "straight out of the box" but can be let down by tyres unsuited to wet grass on a slight slope.
Agree!
Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
Previously:
TD5 Defender 110 CSW (230k miles)
300TDi Disco 1 (289k)
4 RR Classics (300-350k each, 2 manual, 2 auto)
110 V8 CSW (220k)
S3 109 hi cap pickup (ex RN)
S2A 88 Safari SW with lpg conversion (bloody lethal)
8th Sep 2020 9:25 am
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4146
My 2.7 tows the tintent very well (although I have upgraded the brakes)...
As others have said make sure the tyre pressures are correct on both car and trailer
I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
8th Sep 2020 11:34 am
AJ198T
Member Since: 24 Jul 2015
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 62
Thanks everyone. Yeah I'm looking at a twin axle so good point about the tyre pressures. I reckon it will be very sure-footed, just want to make sure it's at its best for towing as I'm new to that and this particular D3 has been 'out of the box' for 16 years and 180k miles. Sounds like I might need something on the dash to remind me there's 1800kgs of caravan behind me after a few hours of cosseting D3 comfort haha
8th Sep 2020 11:49 am
Skynet
Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: Melksham, Wiltshire
Posts: 868
Maybe worthwhile considering a suspension compressor service kit sometime in the future Dave
D3 2006 HSE, Cairns Blue - gone
D4 2016 SE, White
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Wirral, UK
Posts: 3067
AJ198T wrote:
Thanks everyone. Yeah I'm looking at a twin axle so good point about the tyre pressures. I reckon it will be very sure-footed, just want to make sure it's at its best for towing as I'm new to that and this particular D3 has been 'out of the box' for 16 years and 180k miles. Sounds like I might need something on the dash to remind me there's 1800kgs of caravan behind me after a few hours of cosseting D3 comfort haha
I don't really agree with the "you don't know it's there" statement that you hear often, the disco tows magnificently and will power up hills, plus handle great, but you can still feel the pull on the motorway as the HGVs pass you in the 50 zones (doing over 50) - smaller lorries and coaches pass (actually I find big panel vans the worst) - you get that small pull to the right and then release as it comes past. It's quite prominent when the disco + caravan is about 40ft long in total. I believe it's a common thing but I'm still not quite used to it, I find it hard to ignore. We recently did Wirral > Oxford > Poole > Cotswolds and I stuck to A roads for as much of it as possible, I find it much more relaxing.
Anyway sorry D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
8th Sep 2020 1:37 pm
rrhool
Member Since: 28 Aug 2014
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 4400
Agree James,
I towed 1600kg of Type1 in two bulk bags in my twin axle trailer (350kg?) last night, so nearly two tonnes. The D3 tows it just fine, but you know it's there!
If you can't feel the trailer, you ought to check it didn't fall off!! Richard
D3 SE 2007. Triumph 2.5Pi 1973. Ferguson TEA20 1948.
Discovery 2 4.0 ES 2001- Gone
Discovery 1 300Tdi ES '95 - Gone
Range Rover Classic '79 - Gone
8th Sep 2020 1:55 pm
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4146
You'll certainly know its there if you look at the the fuel gauge !
I reckon around 18-22mpg with the van on is a good result....I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
8th Sep 2020 2:08 pm
AJ198T
Member Since: 24 Jul 2015
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 62
@nigethecat I'm on petrol so I can probably expect a decimal point in the middle of each of those numbers when I'm towing haha
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