This is the first car I have had with such a fitting, and I notice that when my caravan is attached to the car it seems to sit very low - much lower than it did on my TD5 fixed towbar.
Is this a common state for these towbars? Is it a problem (the outfit seems to drive OK and it tows like a train so no issue there)
Guidance appreciated as I dont want to damage my car (dont car quite as much about the caravan!)
PS .. .do the Disco3 group have any regular caravanners and are there any plans to get together ?D3 05 SE (old one)
RRS 08 SE (new one)
formerly mxgeldar7
25th Mar 2006 4:52 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26702
The plug in tow bracket is good, and it is a perfect level tow with my Fleetwood Colchester. The D3 is a fantastic tow car.
A D3 caravanning get together could be fun, there are plenty of caravanners here.
Maybe we could tie a caravan meet up with one of the LR shows this summer. Perhaps we could have a DISCO3.CO.UK section at the camp field?
Last edited by Gareth on 25th Mar 2006 6:41 pm. Edited 1 time in total
25th Mar 2006 5:37 pm
ricric
Member Since: 27 Nov 2005
Location: Somerset
Posts: 85
I chose the multi height towbar and have moved the toball up one notch to give me a really good level tow with a large van. Previously it seemed to go a bit nose down. And, by the way, I'd welcome a D3 caravanners section.Zambezi Silver SE / Ebony Leather
25th Mar 2006 6:08 pm
SimonW
Member Since: 17 Nov 2005
Location: Basingstoke, Hants, UK.
Posts: 39
My D3's removal hitch sits lower compared to my previous P38's removal hitch but tows fine, despite the van being a little more bottom up.
I was initially thinking of going to a height adjustable fixed hitch to increase the hitch height but also to be able to carry bikes either separately or at the same time, but any change now would only be to carry bikes, towing is fine.
My twin axle is a lot more stable a tow compared to my previous single axle anyway, even if the hitch is lower.Nov '54' TDV6 SE Manual 25,000 miles - Excellent !! Don't buy an Auto until you have driven a Manual !!!!
Member Since: 18 Mar 2006
Location: in the rhondda valleys
Posts: 945
HELLO SIMONW
when i was looking to buy a D3, i looked at both multi+rem towballs
lr multi looks ugly, so after two weeks and a few sleepless nights i went with the rem it is 400mm heigh perfect for most caravans
it also keeps the van close to D3 [stops / cut down sway ] my bessecar single axel tows like a dream much better than 3 previous modelsPractice safe eating - always use condiments.
2 Too many seats now
No trouble so far
tow pack, tasmods sills
IT goes without saying that you should never have more children than you have car windows
25th Mar 2006 10:56 pm
horton_graham
Member Since: 10 Jun 2005
Location: cheshire
Posts: 177
a daft response (maybe)?
the towball looks low.
You havent got the suspention in access position have you?
i tow a twin axle bessacarr overall length 26ft and find the removable towbar perfect never had a problem and its very very stable towing with the d3
shawn
ps a caravan get together seems a good ideabali blue disco 4 with rear dvd's, privacy glass, pre heat system, heated steering wheel, full size spare, piano black trim, ipod cable, 20 inch wheels and i love it loads more than my TDV8 RRS, KTM 250 EXC 2 Stroke for the real off road stuff
26th Mar 2006 8:06 pm
Pelyma
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Patching, Sussex
Posts: 15496
I have an Abbey, soon to be a Fleetwood Heritage, the removable is fine with my van. My parents have an Avondale Osprey and removable hitch that is great too.DS3 TDV6 HSE - Silver with Alpaca (old one) Gone
DS3 TDV6 HSE- Silver with Alpaca (new one) Gone
D4 HSE Lux - Montalcino Red Gone
Porsche Cayenne V8 Diesel S
mine is at normal road height ...... thanks for the sanity check!
It may be just how it looks, but the van appears to be very "nose down" compared with the old TD5.
I'll see how it tows in a couple of weeks. Thanks for all the feedback.
As for the get-together, I'd love to meet some of you guys sometime somewhere ....... lets try to get some dates set up. (preferably a warm venue near a pub!)D3 05 SE (old one)
As for the get-together, I'd love to meet some of you guys sometime somewhere ....... lets try to get some dates set up. (preferably a warm venue near a pub!)
lets get it sorted count me in for a starter
shawnbali blue disco 4 with rear dvd's, privacy glass, pre heat system, heated steering wheel, full size spare, piano black trim, ipod cable, 20 inch wheels and i love it loads more than my TDV8 RRS, KTM 250 EXC 2 Stroke for the real off road stuff
26th Mar 2006 10:02 pm
zebadee
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: The Magic Roundabout
Posts: 1392
The removable tow bar is considerably lower than those on a TDi or TD5. I measured up before deciding on the adjustable tow bar in the end. While I don’t “caravan†I tow a twin axle trailer quite a lot & it would have been way too “nose down†on the removable bar.
I too thought that the adjustable height bar would be ugly, but now that it’s on I’ve no issues with the looks at all.
Another consideration I took into account when choosing adjustable bar, is that it’s “always there†! So if anyone were to shunt into the back of my car in traffic, they’ll more than likely hit the tow bar first & come off worse than me.
Just a thought !
But it did save me in my TDi in the past
27th Mar 2006 4:06 pm
Penguin
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: A fun place
Posts: 485
The LR Tow bar is indeed WAY TO LOW.
And for sure if you want to tow someting off-road.
I have this self-made solution, mainly made because I tow a Sankey trailer
and as for the perfect towing car, ever tried a manual???
Ever towed a 1T trailerup a steep hill?
Nothing beats the Defender as being the best LR towing 4x4
(Currently all is nicely painted black and a normal tow bal is also fitted under the claw)
Last edited by Penguin on 27th Mar 2006 5:35 pm. Edited 1 time in total
27th Mar 2006 4:21 pm
zebadee
Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: The Magic Roundabout
Posts: 1392
27th Mar 2006 4:54 pm
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10297
I guess you dont have to meet type approval regs then with that towbar penguin
I have always been told, and worked upon a "normal", unladen towball center height being 16" from the ground (level), and this has suited all 3 of my last twin axle c'vans. The multiheight towbar with the droplate removed, and an alko ball fitted gives this height.
AlVolvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
27th Mar 2006 5:16 pm
Penguin
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: A fun place
Posts: 485
I'll know it, when I go in April for Technical control (MOT in UK?)
Well, when I got just my DIII, left the garage, needed to make a turn in a street, I hit the side (lifted pavement) with the bottom of the tow ball.
I never ever had that with any other car except this one.
Bear in mind I don't have the simple towball, but the "heavy duty" oneIn a time of chimpanzees, I was a penguin. www.m-release.com
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i went with the rem 
it is 400mm heigh perfect for most caravans
