Member Since: 24 Dec 2023
Location: powys
Posts: 182
first ever post about newbie towing a caravan
hi. this probably sounds stupid to people who already tow there tin tents but here goes.
we bought a swift elegance 530 2018 in september last year and towed it home using our 2012 subaru forester deisel. the car did not like hills
so that was my first time towing a tin tent
then bought the disco for this tin tent. any tips on anything, do you ever use low box or sport mode so the revs are better? what about the tow assist on the D4 do you use that?
any towing aids? this caravan has the rear camera so thats not bad. it also has ALKO and ATC do you need mirror extensions with the disco being wide
thanks
mikehad a d1 ,d2 a land mark d4 for 3 days now have awsome d4 in orkney grey hse sdv6 my12
25th Feb 2024 5:44 pm
nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1344
With regards to normal towing, in the main I usually just let the car do its own thing in ‘D’. On occasions, when approaching a long or steep hill, I might drop it down a gear or two (max torque is at about 1,700rpm - going from memory) so that the revs are in the sweet spot.
When manoeuvring (depending upon where and terrain), I might use low range.
You definitely need towing mirrors with a D4/Swift Elegance, and don’t let anyone try to make you believe otherwise. Legally you MUST be able to see down both sides of the caravan all the way to the rear corners.
25th Feb 2024 8:39 pm
Froogle-Yorkshireman
Member Since: 28 Oct 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 298
The D4 is a dream at towing and perfect for caravans. I just let the car look after its self and keep it in D.
The only alteration I make is a couple more PSI all round, but from experience not as high as the fully laiden settings, it will depend on what you have loaded inside the D4.
I have had the traction control kick in on the D4 and work in harmony with the ATC which is interesting feedback at the steering wheel, but it's just the electronics doing what they are meant to.
Mirrors are a definite as already stated - I have the Milenco Grand Aero Platinum Towing Mirrors and can thorough recommend them. I would deffo go for the Grand version as they are a little bigger.
Sit back and enjoy, the D4 makes it easy.
25th Feb 2024 11:36 pm
faulksy
Member Since: 24 Dec 2023
Location: powys
Posts: 182
this makes everything sound sweet. so know one uses tow assist in there set up.
thank you both so much.
will look for the mirrors had a d1 ,d2 a land mark d4 for 3 days now have awsome d4 in orkney grey hse sdv6 my12
I don't have tow assist faulksy but hitch assist is a godsend to save an argument with the wife about how far six inches is
I agree, just let the D4 do it's thing, a couple of extra PSI is about right and definetely use mirrors, helps you not forget that it's there behind you 1978 Series 3 88 Military Green (Gone)
1983 110 V8 Masai Red (Gone)
1997 Discovery 1 XS Cobalt Blue (Gone)
1999 Defender 110 TD5 Safari Epsom Green (Gone)
2001 Freelander Sport Buckingham Blue (Gone)
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark Yulong White "Larry" (Written off)
2015 Discovery 4 HSE Luxury Corris Grey "Sol"
26th Feb 2024 11:37 am
faulksy
Member Since: 24 Dec 2023
Location: powys
Posts: 182
Do you mean 6 inches off the floor 🤣
Mirrors are ordered the platinum one.
Be here tomorrow 👍had a d1 ,d2 a land mark d4 for 3 days now have awsome d4 in orkney grey hse sdv6 my12
Last edited by faulksy on 26th Feb 2024 9:17 pm. Edited 1 time in total
26th Feb 2024 2:31 pm
faulksy
Member Since: 24 Dec 2023
Location: powys
Posts: 182
Froogle-Yorkshireman wrote:
The D4 is a dream at towing and perfect for caravans. I just let the car look after its self and keep it in D.
The only alteration I make is a couple more PSI all round, but from experience not as high as the fully laiden settings, it will depend on what you have loaded inside the D4.
I have had the traction control kick in on the D4 and work in harmony with the ATC which is interesting feedback at the steering wheel, but it's just the electronics doing what they are meant to.
Mirrors are a definite as already stated - I have the Milenco Grand Aero Platinum Towing Mirrors and can thorough recommend them. I would deffo go for the Grand version as they are a little bigger.
Sit back and enjoy, the D4 makes it easy.
ordered of amazon. will be here tomorrow £108 had a d1 ,d2 a land mark d4 for 3 days now have awsome d4 in orkney grey hse sdv6 my12
26th Feb 2024 9:16 pm
faulksy
Member Since: 24 Dec 2023
Location: powys
Posts: 182
Froogle-Yorkshireman wrote:
The D4 is a dream at towing and perfect for caravans. I just let the car look after its self and keep it in D.
The only alteration I make is a couple more PSI all round, but from experience not as high as the fully laiden settings, it will depend on what you have loaded inside the D4.
I have had the traction control kick in on the D4 and work in harmony with the ATC which is interesting feedback at the steering wheel, but it's just the electronics doing what they are meant to.
Mirrors are a definite as already stated - I have the Milenco Grand Aero Platinum Towing Mirrors and can thorough recommend them. I would deffo go for the Grand version as they are a little bigger.
Sit back and enjoy, the D4 makes it easy.
any pics with the mirrors fitted had a d1 ,d2 a land mark d4 for 3 days now have awsome d4 in orkney grey hse sdv6 my12
26th Feb 2024 9:19 pm
nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1344
just read some of the info. disco is the best tow car had a d1 ,d2 a land mark d4 for 3 days now have awsome d4 in orkney grey hse sdv6 my12
27th Feb 2024 9:05 pm
Naki Blake
Member Since: 31 Dec 2021
Location: Taranaki
Posts: 237
Hi Faulksy
I'm seriously considering ordering these extendable towing mirrors off Ebay. They are a bit expensive, but I can see the merits for towing my caravan.
Does anyone have any experience with these (or similar)? Do they work alright with the powerfold function?
Cheers Blake
Click image to enlarge
28th Feb 2024 8:23 am
faulksy
Member Since: 24 Dec 2023
Location: powys
Posts: 182
I don't think you will better the silence after reading reviews had a d1 ,d2 a land mark d4 for 3 days now have awsome d4 in orkney grey hse sdv6 my12
28th Feb 2024 11:49 am
faulksy
Member Since: 24 Dec 2023
Location: powys
Posts: 182
Naki Blake wrote:
Hi Faulksy
I'm seriously considering ordering these extendable towing mirrors off Ebay. They are a bit expensive, but I can see the merits for towing my caravan.
Does anyone have any experience with these (or similar)? Do they work alright with the powerfold function?
Cheers Blake
Click image to enlarge
seen these on a d3 today. didnt have anything on the back though.
look goodhad a d1 ,d2 a land mark d4 for 3 days now have awsome d4 in orkney grey hse sdv6 my12
3rd Apr 2024 7:10 pm
faulksy
Member Since: 24 Dec 2023
Location: powys
Posts: 182
ordered a milenco ball weight scale thing. that came today. just waiting for my new jocky wheel
soper wheel or something like that its bright orange with a rubber tyre not like the all plastic that i have.
getting excited now, first trip saturday morning had a d1 ,d2 a land mark d4 for 3 days now have awsome d4 in orkney grey hse sdv6 my12
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