Discovery 2017

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  • Optimus
    Member Since: 06 Aug 2017
    Location: Toronto
    Posts: 13
    Canada 
    2017 Discovery Td6 HSE Lux Fuji White

    Break Controller

    I have a D5 HSE Lux and have a dealer installed LR Tow hitch. I'm a complete amateur at towing trailers and just bought the attached whitewater riverside trailer. It is 18' long, 8' wide and weighs 2750 lbs.

    I've been informed by someone who tows travel trailers regularly that I may require a brake controller. This person does not have any knowledge of LRs or the D5. Does anyone know:

    A) whether I need to install a brake controller?

    B) whether the electrical connector on the side of the tow hitch can charge the trailer battery and power the electrical unit inside the trailer or is it only meant for trailer lights?





    29th Aug 2017 9:16 pm
  • Craigp
    Member Since: 09 Nov 2016
    Location: Hull
    Posts: 690
    England 

    Hi
    Not sure what a brake controller is so can't advice.
    The socket should be fully wired. So will provide 12v to the fridge (whilst engine running) and a perminant 12v for lighting etc. Or thats certainly the case in the UK.
    30th Aug 2017 9:27 pm
  • oop north
    Member Since: 28 Sep 2016
    Location: Preston-ish
    Posts: 26
    United Kingdom 

    I think the brake controller is something that USA / Canada have - perhaps linked to the greater weight of their caravans
    4th Sep 2017 9:01 am
  • JackW
    Member Since: 01 May 2017
    Location: Roswell, Georgia
    Posts: 22
    United States 
    2017 Discovery Td6 HSE Fuji White

    The brake controller is used to control electric trailer brakes from the tow vehicle. I fitted a Prodigy unit to my LR3 to tow an enclosed car hauler to Florida and back. If a trailer is equipped with surge brakes like my Eriba travel trailer (caravan to you guys) it is unnecessary. It allows you to manually apply the electric brakes of the trailer without engaging the vehicles brakes or adjust the brake bias on whole rig.
    5th Sep 2017 12:28 am
  • Craigp
    Member Since: 09 Nov 2016
    Location: Hull
    Posts: 690
    England 

    Thanks for that Jack I consider myself suitably informed. Not sure why I would want to operate trailer brakes independently from towing vehicle other than parking. Sounds quite a involved system as opposed to our overrun brakes. However most new vans have stability control devices fitted to aid with, well stability funnily enough. Laughing
    5th Sep 2017 10:39 am
  • JackW
    Member Since: 01 May 2017
    Location: Roswell, Georgia
    Posts: 22
    United States 
    2017 Discovery Td6 HSE Fuji White

    Sometimes it's handy to be able to touch the trailer brakes if your in a crosswind and the trailer starts to sway a little bit. Our electric brakes can help with a lot of control issues.
    5th Sep 2017 12:47 pm
  • Craigp
    Member Since: 09 Nov 2016
    Location: Hull
    Posts: 690
    England 

    Yes sounds very similar to our ATC (Automatic trailer control) fitted to most caravans now. However we have no manual input.
    5th Sep 2017 3:59 pm
  • J77
    Member Since: 07 Jun 2016
    Location: Fife
    Posts: 1008
    Scotland 

    He has no issues towing


    18MY Velar R-Dynamic SE D240 Fuji White
    19th Sep 2017 11:28 pm
  • Grianaig
    Member Since: 04 Feb 2017
    Location: Washington
    Posts: 58
    Scotland 

    It's a PR gimmick of no useful value to potential buyers. They are better served by experiences of owners who tow.
    MY 2014 D4 Indus XS
    MY2006 D3 Zermatt S Manual
    20th Sep 2017 4:58 pm
  • J77
    Member Since: 07 Jun 2016
    Location: Fife
    Posts: 1008
    Scotland 

    LR have a long history of this type of stuff, it’s a bit of fun.
    18MY Velar R-Dynamic SE D240 Fuji White
    20th Sep 2017 8:06 pm
  • Grianaig
    Member Since: 04 Feb 2017
    Location: Washington
    Posts: 58
    Scotland 

    Bah, humbug! Rolling with laughter Whistle
    MY 2014 D4 Indus XS
    MY2006 D3 Zermatt S Manual
    20th Sep 2017 9:50 pm
  • J77
    Member Since: 07 Jun 2016
    Location: Fife
    Posts: 1008
    Scotland 

    Laughing
    18MY Velar R-Dynamic SE D240 Fuji White
    20th Sep 2017 9:56 pm
  • Road Runner 2017
    Member Since: 14 Jan 2017
    Location: Scotland
    Posts: 2010
    Scotland 
    2018 Discovery Si6 HSE Lux Santorini Black

    Ha ha its all about bragging rights in the pub Laughing

    On a more serious note I think the video shows the cars true potential. I would like too see any of the German or Japanese so called 4x4s even remotely attempt this.

    Only thing I can ever remember, on this scale, is the VW Toureg towing an aeroplane. Shocked
    21st Sep 2017 8:23 am
  • roverdawgpac
    Member Since: 30 Aug 2016
    Location: Seattle, WA
    Posts: 9
    United States 
    2017 Discovery Si6 First Edition Farallon Black

    True. Or this!

    21st Sep 2017 5:10 pm
  • Road Runner 2017
    Member Since: 14 Jan 2017
    Location: Scotland
    Posts: 2010
    Scotland 
    2018 Discovery Si6 HSE Lux Santorini Black

    Thumbs Up
    21st Sep 2017 6:48 pm
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