Member Since: 20 Sep 2006
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 155
Caravan virgin - mucho help needed!
Looking at an inexpensive caravan for short breaks, as fed up with tent. It's a 2003 Lunar Astara 524. Quite used to towing a 2003 horsebox with an adapator from trailer 7 pin to 2016 D4 Landmark 13 pin. But, this 'van has twin electrics and car doesn't, so will the horsebox adapator that I currently use with one of the 'van's 7 pin leads work? No idea what I'm talking about tbh!
Also, seller currently tows it with a Mondeo and uses mirror extenders. Will I need them and will they work on power folding mirrors?
Caravan is in exceptional condition, has FSH & being sold with loads of extras (awnings, etc) but what other pitfalls might I face? Can I drive it away and replace tent just like that?!LR history:
2016 D4 Landmark
2012 Defender 110 XS 2.4
2011 FFRR Vogue SE
2002 Defender 90 H/T Td5
2008 D3 XS TDV6
2006 D3 S TDV6
1996 D1 300 Tdi
Some overlaps involved & other marques interspersed!
24th May 2017 12:07 am
MGCarr
Member Since: 15 Jul 2014
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 703
Your adapter will work to a certain extent with the caravan in that it will operate the legally required lights but will not operate the reverse lights, power the fridge while towing or charge the caravan battery while towing, these functions are all done by the White 12s plug and socket but it would get you started.
Extension mirrors are a bit of a vague subject, the law requires you to have a view down the the whole length of the side of the caravan, parallel to the side of the caravan, obviously this then becomes an issue of the relative width of the Discovery and your particular caravan, my personal experience is that older and generally narrower caravans are manageable without extension mirrors but my advice would be to fit them anyway as it makes life easier, safer and avoids potential problems with the boys in blue who in some cases seem to think that they are a requirement for for all car/caravan combinations.
Happy towing
1997 Defender 90 for the kids and I to have a go at some competitive off road RTV and Tyro trials, daughter picked up her first trophy over the August Bank Holiday.
Previous Land Rover history
1996 P38 4.6 V8 Autobiography
1996 Discovery TDi 300
1972 Range Rover 3.5 V8
LWB Hard Top Series 3
LWB Truck Cab Series 2A
Not been without a Land Rover for over 40 years - I must need therapy!
24th May 2017 12:54 am
mick_n3
Member Since: 19 May 2017
Location: Kettering
Posts: 421
Re: Caravan virgin - mucho help needed!
azure111s wrote:
Looking at an inexpensive caravan for short breaks, as fed up with tent. It's a 2003 Lunar Astara 524. Quite used to towing a 2003 horsebox with an adapator from trailer 7 pin to 2016 D4 Landmark 13 pin. But, this 'van has twin electrics and car doesn't, so will the horsebox adapator that I currently use with one of the 'van's 7 pin leads work? No idea what I'm talking about tbh!
Also, seller currently tows it with a Mondeo and uses mirror extenders. Will I need them and will they work on power folding mirrors?
Caravan is in exceptional condition, has FSH & being sold with loads of extras (awnings, etc) but what other pitfalls might I face? Can I drive it away and replace tent just like that?!
Had the same with the electrics on my previous Shogun, it had a later 13 pin socket fitted and wired up to the later standard, my 1998 caravan had the twin 7 pin plugs, I used a converter and all worked ok just check which pins in the 7 pin plugs from your car are feeding the +12v for the fridge and battery, they did change not sure what year though, everything on mine work no problem with the convertor.
Mirrors as MGCarr say is a sticky subject legally you need them and Police are doing random checks a member in Facebook group i'm in got pulled at a check a couple of weeks ago and ended up with a fine for not having them he was driving a D2, the image shows what you should be able to see, I have Milenco grand aero and to be honest I can see better out of my normal mirrors but the law says I need them
Click image to enlarge
Check for damp Aldi had a damp meter on offer a few weeks back which for a tenner was very good,
Yes you can drive away just like that I did got the van of a work mate with everything in it just needed a few personal bits and we were away.
24th May 2017 5:49 am
MorganD379
Member Since: 29 Sep 2016
Location: SA62 3PP
Posts: 425
Extended mirrors are favourite for the boys in blue as well as checking weight/loading of the van etc...
One point I didn't know was that told was it is an offence to drive with the mirrors left on when you're not towing?
Only if they stick out from the vehicle body more than a specified amount.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.
24th May 2017 8:44 am
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Wirral, UK
Posts: 3067
That red zone is exactly why I bought a set of mirrors after trying towing without. I found the drivers side fine but struggled with pulling in after overtaking.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
24th May 2017 8:57 am
azure111s
Member Since: 20 Sep 2006
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 155
Thanks all - very helpful!
Bit bothered about fitting extra mirrors to the powerfold but guess just need to be careful. Sounds like I'll need them though. Will also have to investigate the adapator further, I think. Current owner has twin elecs fitted to his Mondeo so he can't help.
'Van had a little damp above door but all tended to by reputable dealer with bills to show work carried out in last 12 months. Wouldn't know it had been done by looking at inside; pleased with their honesty. Seller is known to the family too, so there's a link which will hopefully reduce any deceit LR history:
2016 D4 Landmark
2012 Defender 110 XS 2.4
2011 FFRR Vogue SE
2002 Defender 90 H/T Td5
2008 D3 XS TDV6
2006 D3 S TDV6
1996 D1 300 Tdi
Some overlaps involved & other marques interspersed!
I have Milenco Grand Aero in use and twin cables from caravan to adaptor on 13-pin socket. No problems in three years.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.
That red zone is exactly why I bought a set of mirrors after trying towing without. I found the drivers side fine but struggled with pulling in after overtaking.
Unless your hitch is not in the centre its the same both sides
Navigator wrote:
Only if they stick out from the vehicle body more than a specified amount.
20cms or 25cms depending on the year.
24th May 2017 2:12 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Wirral, UK
Posts: 3067
I don't sit in the centre of the vehicle though.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
24th May 2017 2:56 pm
rockcrawler
Member Since: 31 Oct 2012
Location: Ferring
Posts: 2884
@JamesD3 Metropolis Bonatti Grey-Alpaca Leather-adaptive headlights-fridge-EGR blanking kit-Harmen Karden-Cruise-4x4 info enabled-Tinted Windows-Heated F&R Seats-Rosen rear Entertainment-LED'S everywhere -Smoked Side Repeaters-Rear Aircon-Vredestein Wintrac 4 Extreme-Puddle and Footwell Lamps-Stainless Steel Side Protection Tubes- NEW ASHTRAY ( thanks to dsd1036 )
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24th May 2017 3:01 pm
therso
Member Since: 01 Dec 2010
Location: Here!
Posts: 368
1. Just buy a new adaptor.
2. Tyres! If near or past 5 years they must be changed!
3. Has it got a Motor Mover?
4. Check the state of the clear water tubing from pump to tap. Nasty stuff lurks here.
5. Check wheel nuts. FSH yes but check them anyway for peace of mind.
6. If the van width is 2m or less, which I doubt, you can tow without mirrors as the D3 is wider with side mirrors extended.
7. If you are happy then yes you can drive it away. The seller may want payment first but you could always try.
You mirrors normally extend out the same distance both sides, unless your tow hitch is off centre you viewing width is equal. If you can see down the side on one side but not the other and your hitch is not off centre I'd get the suspension checked it must be crabbing.
24th May 2017 5:44 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Wirral, UK
Posts: 3067
Okay I obviously need my eyes straightened or my car straightenedD4 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
24th May 2017 6:36 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
therso wrote:
2. Tyres! If near or past 5 years they must be changed!
Not true, its a recommendation not a must. if they are in good condition, even wear, no cracks or flat spots, there is no legal requirement to change them.==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
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