How to tow a Series II Discovery Automatic behind your Recreational Vehicle (RV) in the UK
This article sponsored by Touchwood RV Electrical www.touchwood-rvelectrical.co.uk
I have had people come up to me and tell me I can’t do it
even when I have arrived on site with it behind me, I was once flagged down on
the A45 and told not to proceed any further as I cannot tow a Land Rover on an
A Frame!!!
We no longer own the Disco as it has been replaced by the L322 following a very happy 1/3 of a million miles.
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 Discovery
Braking:
On the Disco (as on the Rangie's) I used a Brake Buddy unit, this is powered by
12Volt, runs an air pump into a reservoir and when the coach 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 Disco’s brakes going
down hill etc, and you can feel it is working when it does come one.
http://www.brakebuddy.co.uk/
Transfer Case to Natural; simple just select natural using the transfer box
lever, do so whilst the main box is in neutral as well
Now select Park on the automatic box – 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. Electrics are easy, 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. I am happy to explain how to do
this, just drop me an email on website contact page.
At the far end, auto box natural, transfer case back to
high range and back to drive again.
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, we have towed
a good few thousand miles, and cruised at 60 MPH on motorways with no 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 - not a mandatory issue just a recommendation
especially during winter weather.
I hope that helps?
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the home of 12/120 & 240 volt Caravan and Motorhome electrical accessories