Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 1391
Twin Axle Caravan Towing
Hi, anyone got advice on towing a twin axle tin tent with a D3? We are thinking of upgrading to a larger caravan and would appreciate any experience based comments, in particular of the design of the removable Landrover swan neck tow bar. Is it the right height etc.
Hi I don't have a twin axle caravan but do have a large single axle (Coachman Amara 505) van which the D3 tows brilliantly. I was worried that the swan neck would not be at a suitable height, but when I first coupled the D3 to the van it was near perfect. You could always try the van on the back of the D3 before you buy. I have towed with Classic RR's and D2 but the D3 is the best in my opinion.
27th Dec 2007 2:20 pm
Nickhearne
Member Since: 28 May 2005
Location: Beaconsfield Bucks
Posts: 992
Re: Twin Axle Caravan Towing
Dexter wrote:
Hi, anyone got advice on towing a twin axle tin tent with a D3? We are thinking of upgrading to a larger caravan and would appreciate any experience based comments, in particular of the design of the removable Landrover swan neck tow bar. Is it the right height etc.
Ta Dexter
I tow a a boat on a twin axle trailer about 2.75 tons & the only difference from a single is that maneuvering the trailer around by hand is a pig of a job compared to single axle! Some people say just lift the front axle off the ground with the jockey wheel, but for me it only works with the boat off the trailer!Range Rover Sport Estate 2.0 P400e Hse Dynamic Black
D4 HSE Santorini Black
Almond Arabica hide & Walnut trim Now sold
Discovery 3 TDV6 SE
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27th Dec 2007 2:22 pm
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10319
cant comment on the removable towbar, as i have the fixed one, as i have a witter bike rack mounted on this as well as the towball. I tow an Abbey Spectrum 620 twin axle (pics below), and the D3 is a phenominal towcar. Nothing gets close in terms of power and stability, and I've towed this size of 'van with 300TDi, and TD5 Disco's. You wont be disappointed.
Al
Click image to enlarge
Volvo 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
Last edited by al cope on 8th Jan 2008 10:05 am. Edited 1 time in total
27th Dec 2007 2:25 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26732
I agree with all said D3 is the best towcar on the road. I tow an Elddis Crusader Sirocco twin axle, and its easy. I have the removable towbar, and its a perfect height.
Mine is an auto, which makes it very easy to park in a tight space.
27th Dec 2007 2:35 pm
craig
Member Since: 08 Aug 2006
Location: Home of LR.
Posts: 2545
As said before
I tow a twin axle Abbey, with removable towbar and towing isn't an issue. Great stability and no issues with ride height.
27th Dec 2007 3:34 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15225
Don't tow a Twin axle, but do tow an 18' Single axle.
It's so effortless I have told swmbo to keep on reminding me that I'm towing, especially on the narrow Lakes roads .... just in case I happen to forget!
It's so effortless.
27th Dec 2007 4:26 pm
Adiver
Member Since: 18 Jan 2006
Location: Rutland
Posts: 492
I tow a twin axle Elddis Crusader Cyclone with my D3 - to Spain and back 3 days after I got the car last August. I previously had a D2 and D1 300 and 200 Tdi. All were excellent, but the D3 is simply superb!
The only thing I will say is the MPG is not as good as the others, towing or not. I only average 17.6 mpg but most of my driving is round town and very short journeys. When towing I get the same MPG or slightly better due to the longer distances involved, but never over 20MPG.
The whole outfit is extremely stable and there is loads of acceleration - even when towing! I have found that it is better to use command shift when towing or it holds in 5th gear, when it will cruise at 65 in 6th easily with slightly better MPG.
The tow ball height is perfect - that is the swan neck removable version.
JonD4 SDV6 HSE
27th Dec 2007 5:27 pm
Dexter
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 1391
Thanks to all that replied ...................... already experienced the towing ability with our current single axle 'van (1600Kgs) so can't wait to upgrade our holiday accommodation
Dexter
27th Dec 2007 7:24 pm
Steve thomas
Member Since: 07 Jan 2008
Location: Southend,Essex
Posts: 2
Been towing twin axle caravans with disco 1,2 and now a 3. Absolutley first class. no problems with swan neck hitch. Superb on motorways in France with no sway when overtaking trucks and coaches. Be careful though - this outfit cost me my first speeding nick in over 30 years. I was caught doing 80 mph ( in a 70 limit) whilst towing my 26 foot, 2 ton Bessacar without realising just how fast i was going . The policeman did say the outfit looked good and was no problem other wise!
7th Jan 2008 9:56 pm
kevi
Member Since: 18 Mar 2006
Location: in the rhondda valleys
Posts: 945
Practice safe eating - always use condiments.
2 Too many seats now
No trouble so far
tow pack, tasmods sills
IT goes without saying that you should never have more children than you have car windows
7th Jan 2008 11:13 pm
AndrewW
Member Since: 06 Aug 2007
Location: Saddleworth
Posts: 2302
Sh!t !! , kevi !!!
Is that thing LEGAL ?
D'you park the D3 IN it?2006 D3 finally swapped for a 2016 D4 Graphite in Graphite grey. No mods
7th Jan 2008 11:24 pm
Adiver
Member Since: 18 Jan 2006
Location: Rutland
Posts: 492
D4 SDV6 HSE
7th Jan 2008 11:25 pm
Adiver
Member Since: 18 Jan 2006
Location: Rutland
Posts: 492
Slightly different perspective...
D4 SDV6 HSE
7th Jan 2008 11:33 pm
StuRox
Member Since: 16 Mar 2007
Location: Wherever the beaten track takes us
Posts: 637
Like the above posts say - easy with a TA, I even managed to get 20mpg on a 450 mile run at Christmas Even managed to get 32mpg when unhitched never known a '3' existed - but hey, over 10k miles now - so she must be slowly loosening up
The only thing I would say, is when in town with speed humps, I tend to go into off-road mode, as this stops the jockey wheel having a slight scrape over them (I have the swan neck removable hitch)
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You could always try the van on the back of the D3 before you buy. I have towed with Classic RR's and D2 but the D3 is the best in my opinion.
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