Towing with 2017 Discovery

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steveopt

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HI! I know this has been talked about extensively, but all the posts never seem to really have a true answer. I am looking for more info as to whether you can use a weight distribution hitch with the Discovery. The manual says no, and I know the reason is the air suspension, but if you talk to a travel trailer dealer, they say you should always use weight distributing hitches for travel trailers.

Does the Discovery air suspension REALLY distribute the weight itself without the weight distributing hitch? Can a pull a decent size travel trailer behind a Discovery without weight distribution?

Also, I saw two different stickers on the hitches at the dealer I was at. One said the tongue weight was 770 max, the other 750. Anyone know the real one?

I LOVE the discovery (although many of you don't) and I am trying to make it work for a tow vehicle for our travel trailer (6500lbs max loaded weight, 25' 9" from front of hitch to back bumper). I know the vehicle is a bit small and yes, a suburban would be better, but it falls within range for all the weights and capacities.

Anyone else out there towing travel trailers?

Thanks in advance for any insight into this.
 

catman

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Here is a thread regarding tongue weight with emails from Land Rover North America on the topic. I have seen many posts on weight distribution hitches, but I am not certain anyone has put forth a definitive answer, but rather just personal opinions and experiences. Try browsing the UK forum in addition to this forum for more insights.
 

machmike

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I just used a loaner d5 and I easily towed my 22' trailer. 5 people and 2 dogs and fully loaded with water to see how it would perform. It was great I am around 8k in altitude and took it to about 10k no problem. The gas mileage dropped to about 7mpg though, which is significantly worse than my LR4.
 

toddjb122

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...The gas mileage dropped to about 7mpg though, which is significantly worse than my LR4.
WOW!
I don't have towing experience with the LRs, but that's quite a drop in range you have to plan around. About 140 miles per tank (I know it'll go further, but the gas gauge must start yelling at you after 120 miles or so. That's barely two hours of driving.)
 

machmike

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The D5 had only 564 miles on the OD. I would think the MPG would go up a few MPG as the engine and transmission learn from the driving habits of the operator. My LR4 goes from roughly 18 MPG down to 11-12 when towing.
 

Hawkigrad

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You’ll be fine with no WDH. It sits level and handles great. I pulled a 33’ trailer weighing 7000 lbs over 3000 miles to the Black Hills with no issues. I did put on a sway bar system recommended by my RV dealer. Total setup was like $150.
B91A3D75-3BDB-4299-9242-05D17E113569.jpeg
E61D149D-62F7-4A9C-A52D-56CB75DEF3B2.jpeg
 

machmike

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Th LR4 and D5 are designed to not need a WDH at all. They are NOT recommended, I would trust them on this one. You are just wasting money. I would also say you may create an issue using one in the event of a heavy evasive maneuver. The anti-sway bars would most likely screw with the calculations the car makes to auto steady the trailer already. Have you seen the video LR puts out on the subject? They are making some really heavy evasive/swerving maneuvers and the truck compensates fantastically. They are using a 2500-3000lb trailer and a roughly a 4000lb Defender loaded on top. So its top heavy and not perfectly balanced like a camping trailer would be.


EDIT: I tow a 23' trailer usually fully loaded. It has to be very close to 7k when towing. 4 people and 2 large dogs in the LR4. Up here in Colorado, I am towing near timberline on most trips. So over 10,000' up narrow canyons and offroad. As the previous poster mentioned: "you should be OK NOT using one".

Cheers!

 
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toddjb122

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You’ll be fine with no WDH. It sits level and handles great. I pulled a 33’ trailer weighing 7000 lbs over 3000 miles to the Black Hills with no issues....View attachment 7675
That's a beautiful pic. Doesn't seem like the little engine up front should be able to pull that monster in the back!

Th LR4 and D5 are designed to not need a WDH at all. They are NOT recommended, I would trust them on this one. You are just wasting money. I would also say you may create an issue using one in the event of a heavy evasive maneuver. The anti-sway bars would most likely screw with the calculations the car makes to auto steady the trailer already. Have you seen the video LR puts out on the subject?...
Cool video, thanks.

I have a 2013 LR4 HSE LUX. Is "Trailer Stability Assist" a standard feature or something you had to pay extra for? My car did not come with the towing package. Not sure if that is something they have to enable so that the truck knows it is towing or something.
 

mpinco

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Considering that Land Rover is now defeaturing products with product entry points of standard coil sprung suspensions I would think the answer is based on coil vs active-air. Wouldn't the basic LR now need a WDH while active-air would not?

As for 7mpg towing a trailer, another deal breaker. Our 2011 LR4 with the 5.0V8 routinely runs at 16-17 mpg towing a travel trailer at altitude. Feels like the drive to optimize CAFE fuel efficiency has left no margin for activities like towing which is not part of CAFE. Another deal breaker. That list is getting really long.
 

mbw

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I get at least 10mpg towing my 6-7k lb boat. Still haven't had any concerns with the OEM removable hitch. It's solid.

I get that towing is something to be very careful and safe with, but I think some people on this forum are way to sensitive about it. Selling lr4s over it and buying all this extra crap. My LED trailer isn't even pulling enough current to turn the trailer mode (trailer dash light) on. So I don't even know if the sway assist is on when I tow. I've never had it sway on me. We tow for hundreds of miles for lake boating trips a couple times a year too, not just short drives to the Mississippi river which is in town.
 

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