Hi Everyone,

Has anyone had any experience towing a heavy caravan or trailer (2,500 kg plus) with a Range Rover Sport?  Although the vehicle and tow bar are rated at 3,500 Kgs, I'm concerned at the possible strength of the tow bar design on my RRS, and its "zig-zag" shape.

I also own a 2004 Range Rover HSE, which has a conventional design tow bar bolted flat to the chassis, and it's immensely strong.  I've towed a 23 foot caravan with the HSE, for thousands of kilometres, and it handles it brilliantly.  I'm not sure, however, if the sport's towbar is as strong, and whether it can take the stress of weight distributing hitches (I know that LR does not reccomend them because of the air suspension but, with a very heavy trailer, they stabilizes the whole rig beautifully and are almost essential).  Comments from anyone with any experiece in this area would be appreciated. Owner/survivor of ten Range Rovers.

Hi Autonious,

you might get more replies asking this question on disco3 forums.

I have a lot of experience towing my caravan (2000kg) all over uk.

Super stable with or without towing stablisers.
Despite a few "quick getaways" and extensive cruising at 63mph its all still fine.

You will find the removable towbar has a tiny amount of play when fitted (0.5mm).
The towbar receiver in the chassis is a meaty thing , you can get a fixed bracket and ball if you dont trust the removable.

Mart RRS TDV6 HSE 2006 , Zermatt , Colour coded grille and side vents , Mudflaps , Steps , Privacy glass , Towbar (sometimes), Remap , 20" Stormers , JP Stainless Exhaust

Thanks, BigMart,

Perhaps I just need to get used to the unusual design of the tow bar on the Sport (I guess a jetplane looked strange without propellers the first time we saw one).

I might try towing without the weight-distributing hitch first and see how it handles. By the way, when you say a "fixed receiver", are you referring to the adjustable one that LR offers as an option?

Regards. Owner/survivor of ten Range Rovers.

Hi Antonius

height adjustable...

http://www.neneoverland.co.uk/4x4discovery..._5635a.jpg
http://www.neneoverland.co.uk/4x4discovery..._5630a.jpg

you still have a lump which clicks into the v shaped receiver but is braced back to the chassis with 2 steel pieces.

If you are towing every day, this looks the best option.

Mart

.................................................... RRS TDV6 HSE 2006 , Zermatt , Colour coded grille and side vents , Mudflaps , Steps , Privacy glass , Towbar (sometimes), Remap , 20" Stormers , JP Stainless Exhaust

I'm sure the Aussies with D3's have an aftermarket alternative and they tow big caravans (much heavier than UK ones as well as monstrous nose weights) I'm sure they will point you in the right direction DS3 TDV6 HSE
Silver with Alpacca

Find in the manual what the towing limit is - if you are using LR detachable or LR fixed towbars then you'll be fine - if the manual says restricted to say 3T it'll be tested to 4-6Ti'd have thought - they could not risk lost loads.

Key is not to exceed whatever the manual says ...

Have towed up to 2.75 with the detachable towbar, no problems at all either with the trailer unloaded or loaded. Unloaded on the autoroute @ 110km/h hardly noticed it was there, even with the trailer loaded at 90km/h no problems but have never towed a tintent with the RRS.

Click image to enlarge

Another satisfied Ikea customer

Joking

good advert for Porsche. A Carbon Footprint is the mark a lump of coal makes when it's dropped on the ground.
2010MY Tdv8 FFRR Stornoway/Ivory/Privacy/Sunroof/Tow Pack, JUST SUBLIME
TDv8 HSE - Stornoway/ebony and straight grain walnut with towpack, Tasmods ....... GONE and will be missed
TDv6 SE - Giverny with Aspen - Gone
Epsom Green Defender 90 for playing off road

Hi Antonius

I often travel with an heavy duty trailer, bringing my RRC to and from different off road events.
With the RRC loaded on the trailer, it have a weight of 3200 kg which is no problem for the RRS.
I also often use our caravan (1500 kg) which is also no problem for the RRS.
You can see RRS, RRC and caravan on my gallery Life is to short for small cars

2006 RRS HSE Tdv6 (daily driver)
1998 LR Discovery Tdi (for the wife)
1990 RR 4,6 V8 (for off roading)
1968 Chevrolet Corvette convertable (just for fun)

Thank you, all.

It's great to be able to share experiences and pick other owner's brains on this website. I particulary appreciate Dadanek's, Alicatt and Benny's photos. If the RRS tow bar can handle Benny's 3,200 KG comfortably, I should have no problems.

However, although I have the standard LR "Australian market" towbar rated to 3,500 Kgs, it's not high enough to keep the caravan I tow level (the caravan has been raised slightly for greater ground clearance). Likewise, the "Multi-height tow bar" offered by LR as an option only goes to a maximum tow ball height of 450 mm from the ground, which is about 6-7 cm short of the height I need to keep the caravan level. I'm told keeping the trailer level is particularly critical for double-axle trailers.

I'll have to find an aftermarket tow bar to fit the RRS receiver, as suggested by Pelyma (Hayman-Reese, a very reputable aftermarket firm make one here). The only concern is LR's disclaimer for non-genuine accessories fitted to the RRS.

Antonius Owner/survivor of ten Range Rovers.

No problem, the old S/C showed it had some uses by towing the -Team Gibon Bowler all over the place!!

Antonius,
we have a Mitchell Bros hitch that was originally designed for the Disco 3 but fits RRS also. The unit is certified (3500 kg) for Aus and I had the workshop fit it when I was up in Sydney for work. Fitting was only about 30 min though adjusting the reversing sensors is a buggerance (mitchell Bros did that also). We fitted the hitch as our last big tripwas towing a camper trailer though Broken Hill, Innaminika, Birdsville, Brisbane and back to Canberra. The hitch proved its worth as it is literally at the same hight as your bumper bar, whereas the factory fitted unit would have come in handy for tilling a few tracks in the outback.
I will post pictures in the next day or two for all to see as I still have it fitted to car.

dadanek wrote:

Click image to enlarge