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Ride quality when towing
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jagbloke
 


Member Since: 06 Dec 2009
Location: leicestershire
Posts: 66

2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Manual Zermatt SilverDiscovery 3
Ride quality when towing

This may be a first world issue (!), but when towing our (ancient 1.4t) caravan I noticed the ride in the D3 (2005 SE manual) is very jiggly - like the caravan is bouncing the back end of the car.

I recently hired a car transporter trailer and that did the same thing (even before the car was on it) - on ordinary A roads the jiggling was quite wearing - it reminded me of a terrible Audi A3 I used to have.

Is this just how it is - or does it point to a need for new air struts? (mine haven't been renewed so they are 17 years and 160K).
  
Post #231932418th Dec 2022 10:48 pm
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DG
Site Moderator 


Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50979

Wales 

Quote:
they are 17 years and 160K


Whistle
 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021  
Post #231932518th Dec 2022 11:06 pm
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DiscoDad
 


Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: Beautiful Teesdale
Posts: 3004

United Kingdom 2014 Discovery 4 3.0 TDV6 HSE Lux Auto Fuji WhiteDiscovery 4

Mine had no issue such as that. It was a fantastic tow car.
When they are new they are toight.
Toight like a tiger...

 Back in the game!  
Post #231932718th Dec 2022 11:57 pm
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SENC
 


Member Since: 24 Sep 2022
Location: NC
Posts: 54

United States 2007 LR3 4.4 V8 SE Auto Zermatt SilverLR3

I recently towed a 3500 pund car in a 2700 pound enclosed trailer with my 2997 D3. Probably close to 6700 pounds in total including tools, etc. taken to inspect the car before buying it. Towed brilliantly for the 5 hour drive - mostly flatland but mix of curvy 2 lane highway and 6 lane interstate. Smooth at 50, 60, and 70 mph.
  
Post #231933019th Dec 2022 12:34 am
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Trailered Movements
 


Member Since: 16 Jan 2020
Location: East/West Sussex Coast Borders
Posts: 1200

United Kingdom 2011 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 Commercial Auto Sumatra BlackDiscovery 4

Could be a simple towball / hitch height problem.


Dave
 2011 Discovery 4 Commercial SDV6 (Gone)
2010 RRS TDV8 (Gone)
1980 OBLIC 4.0ltr Range Rover (went a long time ago) 
 
Post #231933819th Dec 2022 8:14 am
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M3DPO
 


Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8243

England 2014 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 HSE Lux Auto Corris GreyDiscovery 4

Or hitch weight, you should not be able to tell you have it on the back Thumbs Up
 It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't. 
 
Post #231934019th Dec 2022 8:24 am
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James W
 


Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079

Saudi Arabia 

+1 on hitch weight. On the D4 I had a terrible see-saw effect unless the nose weight was over 95kg. I always aimed for about 98kg ideally.

Also I learned to get the weight up by gathering everything heavy in one pile and shifting that forward. If I put heavy stuff right at the front locker to counter-act heavy stuff in the rear bedroom then it also created the see-saw effect.

This combo made for a very stable tow indeed. Interestingly the L405 doesn't suffer bob as much as my D4 and also completely loses the tiny sway I'd get every time a transit-sized van passed me on the motorway with the D4. I put that down to the slab-sided shape of the D4.

 D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it Very Happy
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience 
 
Post #231934419th Dec 2022 8:47 am
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jagbloke
 


Member Since: 06 Dec 2009
Location: leicestershire
Posts: 66

2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Manual Zermatt SilverDiscovery 3

Thanks all - both outfits (car trailer and caravan) are twin axle and they are both 100% stable - no swaying at all. The issue I have isn't stability - it's being "bobbed". Considering I'd have changed shockers on most vehicles I've owned by 160K (and I am guessing this is what DG means) it's probably time for new struts on the rear as a minimum and probably all round.

I couldn't change the noseweight of the car trailer when empty of course.

For the 'van I have managed it by shifting the weight forward (and measuring with a gauge) but it didn't make any difference.

As for hitch height - I confess I have only done a visual check in level ground - but everything seemed in line - neither outfit was leaning forwards or backwards.

Thanks again folks.
  
Post #231934519th Dec 2022 9:03 am
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jagbloke
 


Member Since: 06 Dec 2009
Location: leicestershire
Posts: 66

2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Manual Zermatt SilverDiscovery 3

Oh.

Just been outside with a tape measure and it does seem the ball is on the high side - I will move it, thanks all - can't believe I made such a schoolboy error (actually I can).
  
Post #231938619th Dec 2022 12:36 pm
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