Member Since: 04 Oct 2010
Location: Beautiful Yorkshire
Posts: 613
ALKO3004 stabiliser and the LR detachable towbar
Does anyone know if I need a specific detachable towbar to match my ALKO3004 caravan stabiliser?
I'm not too fussed if it's an official LR product to be honest, due to cost new I'm hoping to pick up one second hand.
When it was fitted to my caravan I had the ball plate changed on my previous car, presumably with an extended neck as the ball [50mm] was the same dia.
Thanks,
RobD3 incl. genuine glass windscreen, front bi-focal headlights, full width rear bumper, self levelling washer bottle contents and audible 'tick tock' indicator stalk
911 GT3 had one [never]
R8 V12 just gone [past me]
Piiss highest up a wall winner runner up 1979
1st Jan 2011 12:46 pm
Dave
Member Since: 08 Mar 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 2462
No problem with the LR detachable or the fixed version with stabilisers. Swan neck has adequate clearance and the LR fixed has a 1" spacer fitted. I did however upgrade to an Alko ball (extra neck length only £20 genuine Alko) and bombed the LR spacer as the old ball had grease on it (not recommended) I know I could have cleaned of the grease with brake cleaner but I wanted new.Captain Nick Medhurst would ask:
"What is the first rule when overlanding?"
I would Reply:
"Duratrac"
1st Jan 2011 12:59 pm
byronnat
Member Since: 22 Nov 2010
Location: RHONDDA VALLEY
Posts: 20
ALKO3004 stabiliser and the LR detachable towbar
as long as you have 63mm clearance from the center of the aks 3004 when fitted on ball youll have no problems,in my experience as a caravan service agent you will have no problem with the landrover detachable bar
I have an Alko 3004 stabiliser on my caravan and tow without any problems with the LR detachable towbar. There is no fouling of the bumper as the is plenty of stand-off.
As a note, the Disco tows so well, you hardly know you have a caravan attached - a cracking towcar, in fact the best I have ever experienced!!! Run silent, run deep!! HM Submarines Conqueror, Churchill, Renown, Ocelot, Porpoise, Onslaught.
Oh Lord! send down a dove, with wings as sharp as razors.
To cut the throats of men, that sell bad beer to sailors.
VIN 138A476***
1st Jan 2011 1:04 pm
NickJ
Member Since: 11 Oct 2010
Location: there's no f in point
Posts: 2137
Agreed, ALKO stabiliser coupled to the LR detachable towball - no problems. Hitches and unhitches like a dream, no issues found so far when towing.
1st Jan 2011 1:07 pm
Will Hay
Member Since: 04 Oct 2010
Location: Beautiful Yorkshire
Posts: 613
Brilliant, thanks folks.
Love this site
Now I have to get over my fear of having a manual box when I'm towing, even if my caravan is only 1400kg fully laden.
I've just been reading some threads that don't help
Need to get used to low ratio perhaps for moving off, and definitely when reversing I guess.
RobD3 incl. genuine glass windscreen, front bi-focal headlights, full width rear bumper, self levelling washer bottle contents and audible 'tick tock' indicator stalk
911 GT3 had one [never]
R8 V12 just gone [past me]
Piiss highest up a wall winner runner up 1979
You shouldn't have too much trouble towing a light weight like that Rob. Mine is 1600kg and it hardly knows its there, 1400kg will feel like a bug on its back. Run silent, run deep!! HM Submarines Conqueror, Churchill, Renown, Ocelot, Porpoise, Onslaught.
Oh Lord! send down a dove, with wings as sharp as razors.
To cut the throats of men, that sell bad beer to sailors.
VIN 138A476***
1st Jan 2011 1:39 pm
Will Hay
Member Since: 04 Oct 2010
Location: Beautiful Yorkshire
Posts: 613
Cheers.
I know it'll pull fine at speed, it's the effect on the clutch at low speed, reversing and hill starts that are a concern.
Despite towing now with five different cars for nearly ten years now I had a bad experience on a hill behind a learner a few years back and lost a clutch and since then have lost some confidence.
I'm seriously considering some form of training course.
RobD3 incl. genuine glass windscreen, front bi-focal headlights, full width rear bumper, self levelling washer bottle contents and audible 'tick tock' indicator stalk
911 GT3 had one [never]
R8 V12 just gone [past me]
Piiss highest up a wall winner runner up 1979
1st Jan 2011 1:45 pm
B16 KJR
Member Since: 10 Jul 2006
Location: Rosyth, Fife
Posts: 3005
No need for low range taking off even on a REALLY steep hill, just a little more throttle/clutch syncronisation. Low range is very handy for reversing though, gives you lots of control at slow speed.
1st Jan 2011 1:46 pm
Will Hay
Member Since: 04 Oct 2010
Location: Beautiful Yorkshire
Posts: 613
Okay, thanks, good to know.
I need to get towing with it to dispel some of these fears I have D3 incl. genuine glass windscreen, front bi-focal headlights, full width rear bumper, self levelling washer bottle contents and audible 'tick tock' indicator stalk
911 GT3 had one [never]
R8 V12 just gone [past me]
Piiss highest up a wall winner runner up 1979
Good spot Graham, is that what it means to have a HSE. If so the previous owner must have blinged mine up???? Run silent, run deep!! HM Submarines Conqueror, Churchill, Renown, Ocelot, Porpoise, Onslaught.
Oh Lord! send down a dove, with wings as sharp as razors.
To cut the throats of men, that sell bad beer to sailors.
VIN 138A476***
1st Jan 2011 2:28 pm
NickJ
Member Since: 11 Oct 2010
Location: there's no f in point
Posts: 2137
I have an auto so cant comment about a manual, but had a Honda CR-V before the D3 which being petrol auto 2 litre was under powered for accelerating hard towing a caravan and pulling up hills. I was concerned about towing too far with that car, but now with the Discovery I feel it is capable of towing anywhere without any problems whatsoever.
Our caravan is kept on a storage site and have only reversed it into its space once so far with the D3 - did it first time in standard range, no going backwards or forwards to straighten up, it could have been a complete fluke but I got in in first time without any arguing with SWMBO guiding me in.
Obviously those with manuals will be able to offer better advice, but I think she's so capable, I'd only need to resort to low range and/or special programs if I really got stuck.
1st Jan 2011 2:38 pm
Russell
Member Since: 24 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
If you intend to keep car use low range to pull away and reverse or face big billabong very quickly. D3 manuals are known to have weak clutches, had two on none second one with only seven days and 300 miles I'd first, turned our to be faulty fkywheelMY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
D4 camera club
1st Jan 2011 3:32 pm
Dexter
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 1391
I towed an 1800Kg tintent with a manual D3 (2007) for 3 years, probably towing around 4000 miles per year, without any clutch problem whatsoever
I did use low range most for site manouvres, reversing and parking up etc but not for take offs unless on a very steep hill or ferry ramp etc. Gone auto now in a D4 but did really enjoy driving the manual - man's car !!!
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
