Member Since: 16 Jan 2012
Location: South Yorkshire
Posts: 872
If you are wanting to tow that sort of weight for long distances then I don't see you have many options than buying another discovery.
Also consider a lighter tow car would make it even easier for the tail to wag the dog.
5th Aug 2016 1:20 pm
WhiskyDisco
Member Since: 17 Jan 2011
Location: Solihull
Posts: 248
I notice that all your straps have given way. I assume that you had a winch and two ratchet type straps - but do you also use a short 'safety' clip? Useful in case the winch gives way for any reason (or the winch strap breaks).
We are a bit naughty in that we load up the boat with all sorts of family gear - bikes, luggage, boards and the like. Even with a full load, and pretty ropey brakes, I've not had the snaking. Could it be that a heavier load reduces the risk of snaking?Previous cars
1988 Austin Metro 1.0
1996 Mazda MX5 1.6
1990 Toyota Celica 2.0
2001 Volkswagen Passat 1.9
2004 Lexus RX300 3.0
2005 Disco3 4.4 V8 (300bhp)
2006 Mercedes CLK350 Convertible
2010 Ford S-Max 2.0 Titanium X (240bhp)
2009 Disco3 2.7 TDi
2016 VW Caravelle Generation Six (204bhp)
5th Aug 2016 1:39 pm
muddywheels4wd
Member Since: 16 Dec 2010
Location: East Riding of Yorkshire
Posts: 1659
That's frightening - it reminds me of DiscoDuncs accident
I've been towing since I was 19 and had a few scary incidents but nothing as bad as this
I switched to twin axles 20 years ago but still found the RRS twitchy even with a stabiliser around 60 despite a Landcruiser that would tow at 80 without a stabiliser or drama if you didn't watch the speedo carefully
CaravanTalk regularly have posts regarding Discovery and overturned caravans which I always blamed the driver not the equipment but your case makes me wonder if I was wrong
My experience led me to think air suspension vs springs caused the difference in handling towing twin axles but I'm not sure Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW
Still hoping for a S2 one day!
Last edited by muddywheels4wd on 5th Aug 2016 2:21 pm. Edited 2 times in total
5th Aug 2016 1:56 pm
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10297
I think its more about weight here. Most of us that tow, tow caravans, so max weight is approx 2200Kg, most, even big UK TA's, will be sub 2000kg (My bailey is 1800kg) so well under the weight of the D3/D4 (at approx 2600kg) whereas here the boat and trailer are 3200kg, I know this is within what the Disco can pull, but if something goes wrong, the tail is definately going to wag the dog.
AlVolvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
5th Aug 2016 2:18 pm
muddywheels4wd
Member Since: 16 Dec 2010
Location: East Riding of Yorkshire
Posts: 1659
Al Cope - I've been saying this on forums for some time - with LR using aluminium to reduce weight and caravans getting heavier there is trouble ahead
As you say boats are heavier and it will wag the dog so to speak - I know someone tows a yacht with a FFRR that is well above the towing limit in the handbook Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW
Still hoping for a S2 one day!
5th Aug 2016 2:25 pm
WhiskyDisco
Member Since: 17 Jan 2011
Location: Solihull
Posts: 248
There are some on the internet who claim that the cause of snaking is caused by too little weight on the nose of the caravan/trailer. With this in mind, and the fact that the boat is not on the trailer, could it be that the winch failed - the boat slipped back - and therefore the nose of the trailer became too light?
Look like a new trailer. Could it be a mechanical failure on the winch/strap?Previous cars
1988 Austin Metro 1.0
1996 Mazda MX5 1.6
1990 Toyota Celica 2.0
2001 Volkswagen Passat 1.9
2004 Lexus RX300 3.0
2005 Disco3 4.4 V8 (300bhp)
2006 Mercedes CLK350 Convertible
2010 Ford S-Max 2.0 Titanium X (240bhp)
2009 Disco3 2.7 TDi
2016 VW Caravelle Generation Six (204bhp)
5th Aug 2016 2:34 pm
muddywheels4wd
Member Since: 16 Dec 2010
Location: East Riding of Yorkshire
Posts: 1659
Forgot to say glad you're ok
If you're going to have an accident you want to be in a LR - hence no 9 now Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW
Thanks again for everybody's input and kind words.
The boat was held on with 5 heavy duty straps (the type wagon drivers use) plus the winch strap and so I don't think the boat moved before the accident.
After all the posts on here I think it was a combination of going a bit to fast (although not exceeding the limit), the trailer not having enough noseweight and the gradient of the motorway which was also on a bend.
I was also wondering about if air suspension is right for towing and was thinking next about a 110 Defender but this will definitely not be as good in an accident as a Disco.
cashwowud
5th Aug 2016 5:05 pm
Kingmav66
Member Since: 20 Jul 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 1349
If you had gone over in a 110, I would put a considerable amount of money on the bet that a hospital visit would have been including in your journey....... But maybe the 110 wouldn't have gone over.......
Just glad only the metal and glass were broken
5th Aug 2016 5:18 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Glad you are ok and hopefully the forum expert on towing and extreme towing testing will offer his expert view.
Towed boats are indeed very different to caravans. The weight and fore and aft balance have been mentioned already but the aerodynamics come into it too. Caravans produce a lot of drag at speed which counters some of their weight when traveling downhill. Boats are more aerodynamic in comparison so the downhill effect is considerable and unchecked. Added to the higher centre of gravity when compared with most loads you can see why many consider them a specialist load.
Thankfully the best thing you did was buy a D3 to tow it. Now you can buy the best tow vehicle instead - a D4!
I hope the paperwork goes smoothly.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 07 Feb 2013
Location: East Yorkshire
Posts: 4
I used to tow a large RHIB with my D3 as a member of my local dive club and I also still tow a large caravan.
I totally agree with Robbie about the different dynamics of towing each of them.
I always had to be careful to remember to drive accordingly when I was towing the boat and not the caravan. The boat was so streamlined that any driving errors on my part would tempt the boat to try and overtake me!
I'm also glad you are OK! Discos rule!!
5th Aug 2016 6:39 pm
Melv 2016
Member Since: 24 Jun 2016
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 28
Member Since: 24 Jun 2016
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 28
Glad to see yous are safe and well after that it give me hope as i tow a big tin tent to dorset on friday D3
Java black
Expo g4 rack an ladder
Roof tents limited 2.5m awning
Grabber a/t
Snorkel
Bas remap
KnN
Silicon hoses
Egr blank
D4 grill
Detango
Amk comp
Terrifirma steering guard
Love the life you live
5th Aug 2016 6:59 pm
gvw
Member Since: 16 Jan 2012
Location: South Yorkshire
Posts: 872
When I'm towing my tintent with the cruise control at 60 I often get other 4x4s coming past me which are also towing.
I suspect it is the sense of invincabilty you get in the larger car which causes the increase in speed and thus accidents.
As previously mentioned most vans are <2000kg and therefore will fall under the recommended 85% towing rule which was obviously written for a reason.
As a Disco and the like will pull trailers greater than their own weight it is therefore with more risk.
I like the look of the Defenders but after reading others complain at their lack of comfort I would prefer to take a Disco given the choice where I know I will arrive at my destination with only the same aches as I set off with
After towing with my Disco I can't think of any other car currently being made that I would rather use.
Hope you are still managing to enjoy your holiday : 8)
5th Aug 2016 7:00 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72787
Melv 2016 wrote:
Glad to see yous are safe and well after that it give me hope as i tow a big tin tent to dorset on friday
Don't worry, you won't get fast enough Liverpool to Dorset on Friday, traffic will see to that.
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