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- Russell
- Member Since: 26 Jun 2016
- Location: Lydd
- Posts: 1102
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- B16 KJR
- Member Since: 24 Jun 2016
- Location: Rosyth
- Posts: 62
Time for the report !
I would love to say that everything went well and I was very happy with my test tow, but unfortunately that's not the case. The car drove beautifully solo, but once the caravan was hitched up, it completely changed and became very 'jittery' and felt a lot less 'stable' and planted than my D3.
I gave it a good run up the M90 and at one point, it actually started snaking pretty badly, something that I have never experienced with either my D1 or D3. My caravan is correctly loaded with 100kg noseweight, it weighs in at 1500kg and I have 30 years towing experience. The cars tyre pressures were as per the handbook for fully loaded, which was 50psi rear and 44psi front. My caravans tyre pressures were also spot on.
I really don't know what the problem is, but I am now gutted, as I had been really looking forward to the D5's arrival, but unfortunately its not the towcar for me. I don't wish to disrespect the car in any way whatsoever, but if you are planning on towing with the D5, please make sure everything is exactly right with the noseweight, tyre pressures and caravan loading and please keep your speed down. I'm just sorry that I couldn't have given a more positive report
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- pdes
- Member Since: 11 Oct 2016
- Location: Cambridge
- Posts: 233
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So, it wasn't just me then
TBH I am not sure whether I am pleased that I didn't imagine it or fed up that there could be an issue with the car.
Confused of Cambridge
D5 HSE SDi6, 2019, Santorini Black, privacy glass, HUD, loads of gizmos!! 😃😃😃
Series 1, 1953, 86" -
- Russell
- Member Since: 26 Jun 2016
- Location: Lydd
- Posts: 1102
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B16 KJR wrote:
Time for the report !
I would love to say that everything went well and I was very happy with my test tow, but unfortunately that's not the case. The car drove beautifully solo, but once the caravan was hitched up, it completely changed and became very 'jittery' and felt a lot less 'stable' and planted than my D3.
I gave it a good run up the M90 and at one point, it actually started snaking pretty badly, something that I have never experienced with either my D1 or D3. My caravan is correctly loaded with 100kg noseweight, it weighs in at 1500kg and I have 30 years towing experience. The cars tyre pressures were as per the handbook for fully loaded, which was 50psi rear and 44psi front. My caravans tyre pressures were also spot on.
I really don't know what the problem is, but I am now gutted, as I had been really looking forward to the D5's arrival, but unfortunately its not the towcar for me. I don't wish to disrespect the car in any way whatsoever, but if you are planning on towing with the D5, please make sure everything is exactly right with the noseweight, tyre pressures and caravan loading and please keep your speed down. I'm just sorry that I couldn't have given a more positive report
Have you reported this to your dealer and LR
Namib Orange 1st Edition with black roof and wheels.
Privacy, tow bar, drive pack, surround camera, heated front & rear seats, auto dim door mirrors, side steps, remote Pro, RSE, arm rest fridge dash cam front and rear. -
- pdes
- Member Since: 11 Oct 2016
- Location: Cambridge
- Posts: 233
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B16 KJR wrote:
Time for the report !
I would love to say that everything went well and I was very happy with my test tow, but unfortunately that's not the case. The car drove beautifully solo, but once the caravan was hitched up, it completely changed and became very 'jittery' and felt a lot less 'stable' and planted than my D3.
I gave it a good run up the M90 and at one point, it actually started snaking pretty badly, something that I have never experienced with either my D1 or D3. My caravan is correctly loaded with 100kg noseweight, it weighs in at 1500kg and I have 30 years towing experience. The cars tyre pressures were as per the handbook for fully loaded, which was 50psi rear and 44psi front. My caravans tyre pressures were also spot on.
I really don't know what the problem is, but I am now gutted, as I had been really looking forward to the D5's arrival, but unfortunately its not the towcar for me. I don't wish to disrespect the car in any way whatsoever, but if you are planning on towing with the D5, please make sure everything is exactly right with the noseweight, tyre pressures and caravan loading and please keep your speed down. I'm just sorry that I couldn't have given a more positive report
Out of interest, what's the length of your van and is is a twin axle?
Cheers
D5 HSE SDi6, 2019, Santorini Black, privacy glass, HUD, loads of gizmos!! 😃😃😃
Series 1, 1953, 86" -
- B16 KJR
- Member Since: 24 Jun 2016
- Location: Rosyth
- Posts: 62
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- Road Runner 2017
- Member Since: 14 Jan 2017
- Location: Scotland
- Posts: 2010
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Are you rejecting the car and handing it back???
Am taking the car transporter out on Saturday. If I have issues I will report on here once I have done the run.
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- B16 KJR
- Member Since: 24 Jun 2016
- Location: Rosyth
- Posts: 62
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- Road Runner 2017
- Member Since: 14 Jan 2017
- Location: Scotland
- Posts: 2010
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Oh well at least you can easily return it. Not good as if it doesn't cope with my car on the transporter then it looks like a definate cancellation as well. Hopefully not though.
Last edited by Road Runner 2017 on 7th Apr 2017 7:04 am. Edited 1 time in total -
- Russell
- Member Since: 26 Jun 2016
- Location: Lydd
- Posts: 1102
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- PeterW
- Member Since: 07 Sep 2016
- Location: Norfolk
- Posts: 595
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- J77
- Member Since: 07 Jun 2016
- Location: Fife
- Posts: 1008
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- Road Runner 2017
- Member Since: 14 Jan 2017
- Location: Scotland
- Posts: 2010
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I did question in an earlier post if the towbars were fixed, deployable or detachable ones, and may be this was an issue? The deployable I had originally had some play in it, but after sticking it's now rock solid no play whatsoever. Just left it permanently deployed as scared it will stick again and I have too leave my trailer behind. (Already had my brand new twin axle Ifor Williams stolen a few years ago, so I dont want too go through all that again.) -
- Road Runner 2017
- Member Since: 14 Jan 2017
- Location: Scotland
- Posts: 2010
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Am not a fan of the deployable or detachable ones. In my opinion far safer bet with the fixed ones. Seems design aesthetics are taking over though. Mind you deployable and detachable do have their advantages, handy if not constantly towing, easily hidden or if offroading easily removed, and not knocking your knees of it.
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- Russell
- Member Since: 26 Jun 2016
- Location: Lydd
- Posts: 1102
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Right after all the panic over stability made time today to get out with the caravan.
Car D5 1st edition with detachable tow bar no tow assist
Caravan Swift Elegance 645 twin axle with ATC
Tyres all set at the recommenced weights and nose weight 105 kg
Drove about 45 miles on a variety of roads a lot of it was on a fast A roads with lots of traffic going both ways. Started off steady as was not sure what I may encounter, no real issues ad o be honest going out the town was more settled than the D4. Got on the open roads and found no issues, it is different to the D4 but every D4 has been different to the others anyway.
After doing a few miles I was happy and went for it a bit more doing the speed limit and may be a bit more when safe to do so. I was happy with the way it handle and had no concerns at all, even tried a bit of swerving at speed to see how stable it was when the road was clear and safe to do so. I did not go on a motorway but did get buffeted by HGVs going the other way.
Overall very happy and not concerned, am not saying this is a definitive test and that there will be no issues on a motorway or longer drive but could not get it to feel unsettled while on this run out.
Namib Orange 1st Edition with black roof and wheels.
Privacy, tow bar, drive pack, surround camera, heated front & rear seats, auto dim door mirrors, side steps, remote Pro, RSE, arm rest fridge dash cam front and rear.
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