Member Since: 17 Mar 2008
Location: NSW
Posts: 706
away wrote:
The air suspension, combined with the height of the towball, combined with the inability to use a weight distribution hitch means that the van is always nose-down. The D4 would only be marginally better.
The towball height can always be corrected with a more appropriate gooseneck.
What's the problem caused by air suspension, apart from any discussion about the inability to use a weight distribution hitch?
Why would the D4 be better - tow assist perhaps?
20th Feb 2010 6:11 am
away
Member Since: 18 Nov 2006
Location: Cossack
Posts: 111
Hi,
the problem with the air suspension is that when towing our van we frequently get "suspension fault" warnings. Testing indicated that the compressor was getting hot when traveling on undulating roads. The suspension struggles to self-adjust with the additional weight on the rear axles. It clears on restarting the car, but it is a pain.
I have been in touch with Land Rover Australia and the suspension fault issue may be a little better due to the stiffer suspension on the D4 and the tow hitch design on the D4 is marginally better with improved ball height over that of the D3. With a Tojo, the WDH can be fitted with an adjustable height towball to level the van. Currently, on the D3, I have a specially made and rated stepped-up tongue and a specially made and rated higher towball but I am still 3 inches low at the front of the van at normal ride height. The van is a Kedron "Top Ender" and is very high to enhance its "off road" capabilities.
I guess tow assist might be nice but our van is well balanced and very heavy and follows behind us beautifully as it is. I don't know enough about tow assist to rate it as an advantage.
Cheers
RussD4: Expedition Rack, 104 Litre Long Range Tank, Raised Air Intake
D3: Every bloomin' thing but the kitchen sink
21st Feb 2010 4:39 am
GraemeS
Member Since: 17 Mar 2008
Location: NSW
Posts: 706
Ah, I see. The stiffer shocks on the D4 might restrain the movement especially in the rear which could help. I assume you've had the faults properly diagnosed and that the compressor overheating is indeed the cause of the faults.
Is the the van meant to be towed level? My only experience with big off-road vans was 40 years ago when a local caravan manufacturer made a huge tri-axle van to be towed by a Patrol for a round Australia trip. It was deliberately nose down for rear clearance, even though it was very high already. Maybe van manufacturers have learnt something since then too!
Quite some time ago an Oz 4wd mag did a big van tow comparison. They used a WDH on every vehicle including an air suspension D3 and were very happy with the D3 once an initial adjustment was done to increase the weight on the rear wheels. I cannot recall if the std LR hitch was used or not, but it was certainly before the Mitchell Bros hitch was produced. I'll see if I still have the magazine.
21st Feb 2010 9:14 am
Bushwanderer
Member Since: 27 Nov 2007
Location: Northern Rivers, NSW, Australia
Posts: 2050
Hi Away,
There is no excuse for running the camper with "nose down" attitude (unless it is designed that way). Get a Mitchell Bros tow hitch and a suitable tongue.
Problem solved,
PeterThe Bearded Dragon
22nd Feb 2010 3:17 am
Winger Site Moderator
Member Since: 15 Feb 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 3428
away wrote:
the tow hitch design on the D4 is marginally better with improved ball height over that of the D3.
That is complete outback tosh. The ball is exactly the same height on mine.
22nd Feb 2010 5:55 am
GraemeS
Member Since: 17 Mar 2008
Location: NSW
Posts: 706
We get a different attachment in Oz, which was also redesigned for the D4 release.
22nd Feb 2010 6:48 am
mowog
Member Since: 12 Jan 2010
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 90
If ball height is an issue I can always jut use my adjustable WDH hitch (without the spring bars)Discovery 4 SE Long range fuel tank Kaymar Rear Bar.
Mini Inspired by Goodwood
Mini JCW Clubman
Lotus Trooper Off Road Caravan
Member Since: 18 Nov 2006
Location: Cossack
Posts: 111
Winger wrote:
away wrote:
the tow hitch design on the D4 is marginally better with improved ball height over that of the D3.
That is complete outback tosh. The ball is exactly the same height on mine.
You know, being from Australia, I have no idea what tosh means but I'd guess that it's derogatory. For your info, the photo below shows the hitch fitted in Australia, which differs from that which you Poms get. This is a direct copy and paste from the email reply I got from LR Australia.
Click image to enlarge
As you can see, the difference is marginal. The D4 is on the right.
Russ
[/img]D4: Expedition Rack, 104 Litre Long Range Tank, Raised Air Intake
D3: Every bloomin' thing but the kitchen sink
22nd Feb 2010 1:18 pm
away
Member Since: 18 Nov 2006
Location: Cossack
Posts: 111
Bushwanderer wrote:
Hi Away,
There is no excuse for running the camper with "nose down" attitude (unless it is designed that way). Get a Mitchell Bros tow hitch and a suitable tongue.
Problem solved,
Peter
Hi Peter,
two things.
1) I haven't heard whether the Mitchell Bros hitch is adaptable to the D4 and
2) I intend to fit a Kaymar rear bar (as I have now) so that I can have (a) two spare tyres and (b) a long-range tank where the spare is factory fitted.
To my knowledge, the Kaymar rear bar rules out the fitting of a Mitchell Bros Hitch.
Cheers
RussD4: Expedition Rack, 104 Litre Long Range Tank, Raised Air Intake
D3: Every bloomin' thing but the kitchen sink
22nd Feb 2010 1:25 pm
Bushwanderer
Member Since: 27 Nov 2007
Location: Northern Rivers, NSW, Australia
Posts: 2050
Hi Russ,
IIRC Mitchell Bros worked with Kaymar to ensure that their hitch fitted with the Kaymar rear bumper. Why don't you contact them on (02) 9905 4764 to make sure?
I have a TDV6 that tows a Kedron ATV, I have switched over to the Mitchell Hitch and now my van tows level whereas before as you stated it was a downhill job. Before we had the Mitchell Bros hitch we went around OZ but after it the van seems to tow a lot better, the boss and I agree on this.
Have fun on your trip, we did and plan to again later this year.
Ryall
23rd Feb 2010 8:01 am
rmp
Member Since: 15 Jan 2009
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Posts: 73
1. The Mitch Hitch does fit all D4s, D4s and RRS.
2. The Mitch Hitch is compatible with the Kaymar bar. Wasn't originally, now it is.
3. Quite correct the new D4 hitch is higher than the old D3 one. They are interchangeable. Neither is as high as the Mitch Hitch. The UK uses an entirely different towbar and theirs hasn't changed. Vehicles are not the same the world over, and it's not just the trim levels that vary either, sometimes its more fundamental like that such as this case. The D4 hitch also permits the spare tyre to be removed without removing the tongue.
4. Kaymar will be bringing out their bar for a D4. They are looking for a test car.
5. "tosh" in Australian is equivalent to "bulldust". I have never heard of "outback tosh" before.
6. Tow assist is nothing to do with towing under way, it's the hooking up and IMHO it's fantastic. Trailer Sway Control is the stabilty control system is standard on all Aussie D4s and is used to combat trailer sway and that's definitely worth it's weight in gold. Hopefully you'll never need it.--
Robert
Life is better in low range
24th Feb 2010 8:41 pm
GraemeS
Member Since: 17 Mar 2008
Location: NSW
Posts: 706
rmp wrote:
Tow assist is nothing to do with towing under way, it's the hooking up and IMHO it's fantastic.
Trailer Sway Control is the stabilty control system is standard on all Aussie D4s and is used to combat trailer sway and that's definitely worth it's weight in gold. Hopefully you'll never need it.
Thanks for that. Its been too long since I read all the promo material.
BTW, this thread was accidentally or otherwise created from another thread with the last few posts of the original thread.
the tow hitch design on the D4 is marginally better with improved ball height over that of the D3.
That is complete outback tosh. The ball is exactly the same height on mine.
Click image to enlarge
As you can see, the difference is marginal. The D4 is on the right.
Russ
[/img]
If I might add. As you can see the one on the left will only smash your shin, hurt a bit, maybe make it bleed and bring a tear to your eye.
The one on the right,however, will get your knee probably smashing it. Hurt a lot, bring many tears to the eyes and help make an orthopeadic surgeon even richer.
So you see there is a difference. Did you think I would leave you crying,
When there's room in my D3 for 7,
Climb in here Joe we'll soon be flying,
I can go just as fast with 7.
2005 TDV6 S with Terrain Response (& all that entails), Tasmods (gorn). 2008 TDV6 HSE (gone). A Dark Side umbrella (here) & car (here).
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