Towing with a '03 Discovery HSE7???

[jmrivera]

Hi all,

this is my first post, so bear with me ...

I have searched the threads, but I can't find my specific situation/question...

I want to tow with my Disco, but being in New Mexico with the SEVERE winds, I immediately thought I would use a weight distribution hitch. I have ordered the OEM converter/harness and will add an electronic brake controller myself. However, the Owner's Manual and the dealer state not to use a weight distribution hitch. Anyone gone against the Manufacturer recommendations and used one without any issues, and if so, what type/brand did you use?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Jonathan

[Crysyn]

It states not to use one, but that is only if you have the self leveling on your Disco in which the SE7 does. Having the air suspension on the rear- it will fight against what the weight distribution hitch does, not to mention cause premature wear.

Also, be sure to use an anti-sway bar, they are fairly inexpensive and make towing with the Disco so much easier, especially in high winds.

[Jkonoza]

This is my first post also. I've owned my Disco II for three years now. just bought a camper dry weight 3495lbs. Dealer wanted to put a weight distributing hitch on my disco. Owners manual says NOT too use one.
I've called several dealers in the area and NO One can give a a straight answer as to why not. RV dealer is insisting on it. Supposed to pick up camper on Friday 4-25-08. Any quick help and info would be great.

Jeremy

[Crysyn]

Originally Posted by Jkonoza

This is my first post also. I've owned my Disco II for three years now. just bought a camper dry weight 3495lbs. Dealer wanted to put a weight distributing hitch on my disco. Owners manual says NOT too use one.
I've called several dealers in the area and NO One can give a a straight answer as to why not. RV dealer is insisting on it. Supposed to pick up camper on Friday 4-25-08. Any quick help and info would be great.

Jeremy

If you do not have the self leveling suspension, then you are fine to put it on and you should. I use one all the time on my Disco.

[Disco Mike]

How much weight are you carring on the trailer?
Mike

[jmrivera]

I'm looking at a total weight of about 5000 lbs. on the trailer... I have SLS and ACE on my Disco., so I am leaning towards using a standard hitch... I'm worried that the distance between the bumper/spare is going to be too close to the trailer hitch... But I also am worried about using a longer ball mount since the Owner's Manual states not to use on longer than 8"... Anyone used a longer mount?

My RV dealers also insisted on me purchasing a weight distribution hitch from them, but I told them I need to find out from Land Rover... They backed off when I said that...

[Disco Mike]

Use the standard hitch and as for the extension lengths on the maeket, go for the high end, thicker walled extension and use the best 2 " ball you can find, you'll be fine.
Mike

[Jkonoza]

Thanks Crysyn for the info.
Do you use any anti sway devises???


thanks
Jer
2000 Disco

[Crysyn]

Originally Posted by Jkonoza

Thanks Crysyn for the info.
Do you use any anti sway devises???


thanks
Jer
2000 Disco

Yes and get one. They are not that much and make towing with the shorter wheel base Disco so easy, even being hit in the side by 40-50 mph wind does not really bother me much with the anti-sway bar. Little money for great peace of mind.

[R_Lefebvre]

Good topic, as I'm also looking to tow with mine. I'm planning on getting a car hauler to carry a compact car. Probably 4000-4500lbs total. Some Disco owners on Dweeb state that if I tow with my Disco, the seas will turn red and all the cute little bunnies will die. Then some owners such as yourselves state it's perfectly fine.

I don't have SLS and was planning on going with a set of Firestone airbags to help out in th rear, along with an anti-sway bar. I put load range E LT tires on my truck instead of P tires to get the stiffer sidewalls for more stability.

What's you reasoning behind going against LR's recommendation not to get a weight distributing hitch? You think it was only because of the SLS and they didn't want to confuse the matter by saying saying "Only non-SLS trucks can use weight distribution" in the manual?

[Crysyn]

I spoke with the service manager of the local Land Rover dealer to find out why before I got one last year. I thought it was because the type of hitch the land rover uses that it could not withstand the pressure put on the reciever by the Weight Distribution Hitch, but he said said no, it is only because it will fight the SLS. He apparently has had a lot experience towing with the Discovery 2 and said he has helped many of his customers with setting them up for towing with great success.

I have a two ton travel trailer, after its loaded up its about 4800lbs, the service manager said the sweet spot to keep it at is about 4500lbs if you intend to tow a lot. Getting up close to the 5500 lb mark puts a lot of stress on the rig over time.

I tried towing my travel trailer without the weight distribution hitch and its a little unsettling, but with the WDH plus anti-sway bar, it tows fantastic.

He also recommended(since I was nearing the 5000 lb mark and intended to tow a lot)putting on at least a medium old man emu lift which I did, but it still towed really good without the OME. E rated tires does make it feel more stable back there. Of course get the trailer brake set up. I also ended up putting a Powerchip in mine, plus an aftermarket exhaust and K and N filter(Disco Mike and Elemental say to not use one by the way because of MAF sensor issues) for some more power for towing in the mountains here in Utah.

So what he said made sense. The SLS Disco can support more tongue weight than the non-SLS one because of the upward force from the air springs putting the weight towards the front axle making steering safer, but its also the same hitch as the non SLS Disco though so I feel comfortable using the WDH. I think I would prefer the coil sprung+WDH over the SLS set up, it just feels very stable.

Just do not over do it when pulling up on the bars of the WDH (when you pull up and lock them), just enough to put the weight back on to the trailer axles and the front axle of the rover. Its ideal for the bars to appear as parallel as possible with the ground. Also, make sure your trailer is as level as possible from front to back.

I have seen another rover site where they recommended weight distribution hitches for land rover as well.

Outside of actually talking to the land rover engineers- I think the information I am giving you is pretty solid, however, I am not going to swear by this as towing a trailer can be a dangerous business. All I can say is I have had zero problems with my set up and feel very confident towing with my Discovery.

Perhaps all the gloom and doom is towing with the previous model Disco, I know nothing about towing with those, but a 5500lb towing capacity in conjunction with a 7500 lb towing capacity in low gear makes for a pretty able towing rig. Most newer vehicles can tow that now, but back in 99 when the Disco 2 came out, mid size SUV's could only tow like 2500-3500 lbs.

Good luck.

[R_Lefebvre]

I dunno about that one. Back in the 90's Crown Vics could tow 5000lbs, and Volvo 850 FWD Sedans were rated at 3500... I assume the Explorers were always about 5000?

My father has towed a 5-6000lb boar with a Buick Roadmaster many times with no trouble. Only problem ever was getting up slippery boat ramps, or the 20% grade dirt driveway at the cottage. More than once had to have somebody with a 4x4 hook up to help out...

[Crysyn]

Originally Posted by R_Lefebvre

I dunno about that one. Back in the 90's Crown Vics could tow 5000lbs, and Volvo 850 FWD Sedans were rated at 3500... I assume the Explorers were always about 5000?

My father has towed a 5-6000lb boar with a Buick Roadmaster many times with no trouble. Only problem ever was getting up slippery boat ramps, or the 20% grade dirt driveway at the cottage. More than once had to have somebody with a 4x4 hook up to help out...

Just looked up what a 2008 Ford Explorer tows, still looks like 3500 pounds. Crown Vic is rated to tow 2000lbs.


Ford Explorer Information

Most SUV's are tall cars- not trucks. I remember when a friend of mine back in 2001 was all excited about his brand new Xterra to take it camping etc. and was upset when he found out it could only tow 2500 lbs.

[R_Lefebvre]

No no, that can't be right. I believe the Explorer can tow up to 7000lbs or something. And the Vic is now down to 1500 I think. That website info is suspect.

The Xterra definitely could tow up to 5000lbs. But all of this is subject to buying the right optional equipment like a towing package.

[Crysyn]

Yes, you can get towing packages, different models etc. where as the standard Discovery came ready to tow. His Xterra just had a little four banger if I recall correctly.

When I was shopping for my travel trailer, the sales guys would ask me how much my Discovery could tow and I would tell them 5500 lbs, they would then look out at it and tell me that I must be mistaken and tell me its probably 3500 lb or 4000 lbs at best. They would then get out a chart and double check my numbers to find out if I was correct and they were surprised I was.

But at any rate, this is all beside the point, I am just trying to help people out with my experience towing since there is so little information out there about it for our Disco's. I had to do a lot of research before deciding on a trailer to buy.

This has just been my experience, I am not saying its gospel...do with it as you wish.