MickD1962
Member Since: 27 Apr 2011
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 9
  
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Hi All
We have a Disco 3, 08 plate, automatic with detatchable towbar.
Recently brought a new caravan which has just been into the dealer who found that the screws in the bulk head of the caravan had been pulled out by the up and down movement of the suspension.
When stationary and ticking over, the suspension sometimes lowers on the car, and Landrover have said it shouldn't do this. I suspect this is what has caused the damage to the caravan. We are taking the car to the dealer tomorrow so they can do a diagnosics test to see if there is a fault, but as it intermittent, they may not find a fault.
Has anyone else had this problem as we can't use our caravan until this issue is sorted.
We've booked to go away tomorrow and may have 3 very unhappy kids if we can't get it sorted! 
Help!
Thanks
Mick
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 27th Apr 2011 5:40 pm |
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anglefire
Member Since: 09 Mar 2010
Location: In the Club House
Posts: 4180
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Mick,
I would be very surprised if the action of the suspension going up and down by a couple of inches is worse than the forces that are applied when towing a caravan normally.
Sounds like a dealer wiggling Mark.
2006, D3 SE Auto - gone but not forgotten.
2014 BMW 530d M Sport Tourer.
1977 Triumph Spitfire 1500
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Disco Picture Website Here
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| 27th Apr 2011 5:42 pm |
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DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
 
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I dont belive the D3 suspension movement can cause damage.
when you say screws in the bulkhead are loose, exactly what do you mean - any photos.
I raise and lower my suspension towing a twin axle and not had problems Duncan
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Last edited by DiscoDunc on 27th Apr 2011 5:48 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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| 27th Apr 2011 5:46 pm |
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Discoed
Member Since: 16 Jun 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 1020
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Not sure why the movement of the cars suspension would damage the caravan?? we tow a 20 year old van with no problems..
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| 27th Apr 2011 5:46 pm |
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Adigorn
Member Since: 14 Mar 2010
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 546
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sell the caravan
sue the manufacturer
enjoy hollidays and spend all the money you will be awarded by court
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| 27th Apr 2011 5:49 pm |
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RichLech
Member Since: 29 Nov 2010
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 151
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I am at a complete loss to understand this. Everything from the caravan tow hitch back will be moving in unison and so a couple of inches vertical movement on the tow ball will not cause any stresses in the van. It will just pivot on its wheels. The suspension movement will not be sudden so there will not be any shock affect.
The shocks and stresses of normal road travel will be far greater and the van should obviously be built to withstand this.
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| 27th Apr 2011 5:50 pm |
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DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
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Quote:I suspect this is what has caused the damage to the caravan
I think the suspicion is wrong. dont mention your thought to the caravan dealer as the manufacturer will probably try and wriggle out of fixing it..
Screws wont work loose because of the D3 suspension... you may rip the front of the caravan off if you accelerate too quickly, but thats as bad as it gets 
if the caravan is OK/Safe to tow then I would go away on holiday... Duncan
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If I'd known I was going to be so thirsty this morning I'd have drunk more beer last night.
FFRR Autobiography 4.4 SDV8 MY17
D4 HSE MY13 SOLD
FFRR 3.6 Vogue TDV8 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D4 SE TECH MY15 SOLD
D4 XS MY12 SOLD
D4 HSE MY10 SOLD
D3 HSE MY06 - Re-Cycled Worldwide
Last edited by DiscoDunc on 27th Apr 2011 5:54 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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| 27th Apr 2011 5:53 pm |
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DG
Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50944
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The vehicle will always try to level itself which involves small height adjustments on a regular basis. I don't know why Land Rover are telling you any different. Just think about what they are suggesting the caravan issue is caused by.....it doesn't sound plausible at all TBH. 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
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| 27th Apr 2011 5:54 pm |
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MickD1962
Member Since: 27 Apr 2011
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 9
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Thanks for replies.
The caravan dealer said the screws in the bulk head of the caravan had been pulled out by the up/down action of the suspension (no photos). They are saying we need to fit a Dickson Bates towbar attachment (never heard of this) and this will cure the problem.
Landrover dealer saying they have never heard of this problem before.
We feel like we're stuck in the middle and playing bat and ball between the two dealers.
Mick
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| 27th Apr 2011 5:56 pm |
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DG
Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50944
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Mick
Who at LR told you that the suspension shouldn't adjust itself ?
What make of caravan is it ? ...perhaps there are other owners on the site  21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
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| 27th Apr 2011 6:00 pm |
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THUB
Member Since: 10 Dec 2005
Location: West Berkshire.
Posts: 717
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I am not sure what you mean by the screws in the bulkhead? I cannot imagine any up and down movement would pull screws out. Sometime vibration can loosen screws but pulling them would surely tend to keep them tight? The early D1s and D2s were regarded as unsuitablke for towing in some quarters. I towed 000's of miles with all my Discoverys. No Problems. The Dixon Bate tow hitch will not stop any up and down movement but it will make it slower because of the powerful springs in the hitch. I thi9nk you need to speak to your caravan manufacturer and may ALKO if you have one of their chassis.
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| 27th Apr 2011 6:05 pm |
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al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10299
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this is a very old veiwpoint. The dixonbate flex hitch was aimed at older 4x4's with cartsprings, as it was deemed their suspension was too hard. No way does the D3 (or even D1 or D2 on coils compare).
I do however know what you mean. A few years back my last D1 300TDi broke down on tjhe way home from france, and we had to be recovered. The Disco was put on a recovery truck, which then towed the caravan. I'm guess that the ride was so harsh, that we had loads of loose screws/fittings in the van afterwards.
I would not expect this from the D3
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| 27th Apr 2011 6:15 pm |
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paulJ1
Member Since: 17 Mar 2009
Location: Stewarton, Scotland
Posts: 268
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Umm am i being over simple here, the tow hitch on the van is the chassis (probably an ALKO chassis), the caravan body is then built on the chassis.
UNless you are hitched with the stays down, then any up and down on the tow bar just pivots the van on the axle..
Sounds like the cravan dealer is taking Bo****ks, Sounds like a crap van if you ask me.
Remember other car have self leveling suspension too.
If your in a pinch you can hire or borrow a van... PM me if your in the SH1 Got our Disco... Love it.....
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| 27th Apr 2011 6:27 pm |
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paulJ1
Member Since: 17 Mar 2009
Location: Stewarton, Scotland
Posts: 268
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Bythe way what make of van is it ??
Take the van to another dealer for a second opinion. Got our Disco... Love it.....
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| 27th Apr 2011 6:29 pm |
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Frapp
Member Since: 19 Dec 2008
Location: Norff Zummerzet
Posts: 1653
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Mick
The caravan dealer is pulling you  mate.
What make of c'van and model, and a picture of screws would help us, to help you  Member of the carrot crank club
Embarrassingly in for the 2nd round, bought another two
D3 Jack Russell carrier
D4 Landmark for towing duties
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| 27th Apr 2011 6:32 pm |
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