How to tow a P38 Range Rover Automatic behind your Recreational Vehicle (RV) or Horse Box etc in the UK
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I have had people come up to me and tell me I can’t do it
when it is there on the back of the RV!!!
Okay where to start, just stick the transfer case in
neutral and away you go. Well it is actually slightly more than that, there are
no tricks or modifications to the car except the A Frame:
First you must have an A Frame that is capable of the required towing capacity,
I use a Blue Ox unit from the states, and the A Frame is un-braked.
http://www.blueox.us/Towbars/towbars.htm There are
many other frames available just make sure they are capable of towing the weight
of the Range Rover
Braking, no a strong right leg is not mandatory, but maybe a damn good idea!
On the Rangie I use a Brake Buddy unit, this is powered by
12Volt, runs an air pump into a reservoir and when the RV brakes, the
de-acceleration activates the brake buddy and pushes the break pedal, you can
adjust the sensitivity etc on the unit, no dragging of the Rangie’s brakes going
down hill etc, and you can feel it is working when it does come one.
http://www.brakebuddy.co.uk/
Electrics, DO make sure you know what you are doing, as
the wiring for all the lights go through the Body electrical Control Module (BeCM),
do not just wire straight to the cars wiring harness at the most suitable point,
if the BeCM burns out you are looking at in excess of £2K to replace.
Remember
that you can't use a lighting board on the rear of the car as the law states
that lights fitted to a trailer must all be in working order and work.
Transfer Case to Natural; This is what works for me and is for the P38 Rangie,
put the auto box in neutral, remove the ignition key (stops the auto sensor
noting the key is there) then follow the hand book specified for emergency
recovery (adding a fuse etc), now put the key in the ignition, turn to ignition
setting, don’t start the engine.
The transfer case will now self select neutral and the on
dash display will state “Transfer Neutral” now put the key in auxiliary
position. Put the automatic box into Park – yes Park and now the car is ready to
be hitched up and towed, using park prevents the gearbox oils turning and
damaging the the internals of the transmission.
Clearly you need to do all the other standard things, clip on number plate of
the RV, red triangles etc, etc.
At the far end, auto box natural, key out, fuse out, key
in, key to ignition the transfer box re selects high range and you are back to
normal. (Remember do check your hand book first; it is all there if you dig
around emergency recovery sections)
Land Rover UK have stated you can’t do this, I contacted Land Rover US, (after
all the tow them all over the states), who told me how to do it, they have also
stated that there are no known distance or speed restrictions, I guess time will
tell on this one, we have now towed a good few thousand miles, and cruse at 60 MPH on
motorways, to date have not had any issues as a result.
One more bit, Land Rover US did recommend that you take the car for a short
drive before towing to make sure the gear boxes oils are warmed up so that
natural is easily selected, we did fail to do this on one outing during a
serious cold spell and the transfer case would not select natural correctly, a
short run down the road and back and all was good. Not a mandatory issue just a
recommendation but proven good advice especially during winter weather.
I hope that helps?
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