Towing
Recommended Towing Masses
This section provides recommended towing masses for various scenarios. It is crucial not to exceed the maximum permissible towing weight for your vehicle or trailer, as this can lead to accelerated wear, damage, reduced stability, and compromised braking performance, potentially resulting in loss of control or accidents.
Maximum Permissible Towing Weight of Trailer | On-Road Towing | Off-Road Towing |
---|---|---|
Trailers without brakes | 750 kg (1650 lbs) | 750 kg (1650 lbs) |
Trailers with overrun brakes | 3500 kg (7700 lbs)* | 1000 kg (2205 lbs) |
Nose weight on the coupling | 150 kg (330 lbs) | 150 kg (331 lbs) |
Nose weight on the coupling – Australia only | 350 kg (770 lbs) | 350 kg (770 lbs) |
* For vehicles with diesel engines in Algeria, Egypt, India, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan, and Tunisia, the maximum permissible trailer weight with overrun brakes is 1500 kg (3307 lbs).
For additional information on Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), towing weight, axle load, and maximum payload, refer to Section 241, MASS.
Note: When towing, the maximum permissible gross vehicle weight may be exceeded by a maximum of 100 kg (220 lbs), provided the vehicle speed does not exceed 100 km/h (60 mph).
Note: When calculating the load on the rear axle, remember to include the nose weight of the trailer, the load in the vehicle's luggage compartment, the weight of the roof rack, and the weight of rear passengers.
Trailer Electrical Equipment Connection
Connect only approved and functional electrical equipment to the trailer socket.
If the trailer's electrical system is connected and the vehicle's turn signals are operational, the trailer indicator will flash simultaneously with the vehicle's turn signals.
Towing a Trailer
Do not exceed the maximum permissible load for the vehicle or trailer. Doing so can lead to accelerated wear and damage to the vehicle. It can also negatively affect vehicle stability and braking efficiency, potentially leading to loss of control and increased braking distance, resulting in a rollover or collision.
To maintain handling and stability, use only approved Land Rover towing equipment.
Do not use the vehicle's bodywork towing eyes or mounting points for towing. They are not designed for this purpose and may fail under load, causing injury or death.
To prevent gearbox overheating, it is not recommended to tow a loaded trailer at speeds below 32 km/h (21 mph) in the high range. Engage the low range gear.
Trailer Alignment
To maintain vehicle stability, the trailer must be loaded so that it is level with the ground. This is particularly important when towing double-axle trailers.
Mandatory Checks Before Towing
- When calculating the towing weight, consider not only the weight of the cargo but also the weight of the trailer itself.
- If the load can be distributed between the vehicle and the trailer, increasing the vehicle's load generally improves stability.
- Do not exceed the vehicle's weight limits.
- Increase the towing vehicle's tire pressure to the maximum load conditions.
- Ensure the trailer's tire pressure is set according to the trailer manufacturer's recommendations.
- When the vehicle is loaded to its maximum permissible weight, the nose weight on the coupling is limited to 150 kg (330 lbs). Refer to Section 241, MASS.
- If it is necessary to increase the nose weight on the coupling to the maximum permissible value of 250 kg (550 lbs), the vehicle's load must be reduced accordingly. Under these conditions, the maximum permissible vehicle weight and the maximum rear axle load will not be exceeded.
- Use a suitable safety cable or an additional coupling. For information, refer to the trailer manufacturer's instructions.
- Ensure the towing hitch coupling is securely fastened.
- Check the operation of the trailer lights.
Do not loop the safety cable around the tow ball – it may slip off.
Do not exceed the vehicle's gross weight, maximum rear axle load, maximum trailer weight, or coupling nose weight. Exceeding any of these limits can lead to loss of stability and control.
For Australia Only:
- Tire Pressure: Increase the tire pressure of the towing vehicle's rear wheels to the value recommended for the vehicle's maximum permissible weight.
- Coupling Nose Weight: Must be at least 7% of the trailer's total mass, but not more than 350 kg (722 lbs).
- Hitch Height: The height should be adjusted so that when the engine is running, the trailer connected to the towing vehicle is level with the ground.
Storage of Tow Ball/Hitch Coupling
The tow ball/hitch coupling is heavy, so handle it with care. When the tow ball is locked in place, the locking lever may be ejected by a spring, so keep fingers clear of the mechanism.
The tow ball/hitch coupling is stored under the luggage compartment floor panel.
Installing a Detachable Tow Ball
Diagram showing the steps for installing a detachable tow ball.
- Remove the protective cover from the tow ball hitch and store it in the designated compartment for the towing hitch.
- To install the tow hitch, the green lock lever must be moved to the 'open' position.
- Insert the tow hitch into the bracket and push it upwards until it locks into place.
- The green lock lever should fully cover the red marker stripe.
- Turn the key counter-clockwise to lock the tow hitch before towing and remove the key.
Disconnecting a Detachable Tow Ball
Removal of the tow ball is performed in the reverse order. Note: The key cannot be removed when the tow ball is disconnected.
Installing a Detachable Tow Receiver – Australia Only
Diagram showing the steps for installing a detachable tow receiver for Australia.
- Remove the protective cover from the vehicle's bracket and store it in the designated storage location for the tow receiver.
- The receiver can only be installed if the green lock lever is in the unlocked position.
- Insert the receiver into the vehicle's bracket and push upwards until it locks.
- The green lock lever must fully cover the red marker stripe.
- Unfold the key and turn it counter-clockwise to lock the receiver, then insert the tow bar. Remove the key and store it in a safe place.
Removing a Detachable Tow Receiver
Removal of the tow receiver is performed in the reverse order. Note: The key cannot be removed when the tow receiver is disconnected.
Trailer Hitch Coupling – Australia Only
The optional trailer hitch receiver (tow bar) is Class III. When selecting a tow bar for the receiver, consider the following dimensions:
Diagram showing dimensions A, B, and C for tow bars.
- A. The maximum recommended tow bar length is 152 mm (6 inches).
- B. To achieve maximum ball mount height, a tow bar with a 25.4 mm (1 inch) rise is recommended.
- C. To achieve minimum ball mount height, a tow bar with a 60 mm (23/8 inch) drop is recommended.
For the latest information, contact your Land Rover dealer or technical center.
Tow Ball and Mounting Point Dimensions – Fixed Tow Ball
Diagram illustrating dimensions A, B, C, and D for a fixed tow ball.
Designation | Dimension | Metric Units | Imperial Units |
---|---|---|---|
A | Wheel center – tow ball center | 1190 mm | 46.9 inches |
B | Ground surface – tow ball center | 395 mm | 15.55 inches |
C | Tow ball center – hitch mounting point | 170 mm | 6.7 inches |
D | Tow ball center – hitch mounting point | 124 mm | 4.9 inches |
Note: The specified dimensions apply to towing equipment officially approved by Land Rover.
Note: For Australia only: the optional tow bar has fundamentally different dimensions and is classified as Class III.
Tow Ball and Mounting Point Dimensions – Multi-Position Detachable Plate
Diagram illustrating dimensions A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, and K for a multi-position detachable plate.
Designation | Dimension | Metric Units | Imperial Units |
---|---|---|---|
A | Wheel center – tow ball center of the towing hitch | 1210 mm | 47.64 inches |
B | Center of outer mounting points – center of tow ball of the towing hitch (horizontal) | 403.6 mm | 15.89 inches |
C | Center of the bayonet lock tip radius – center of tow ball of the towing hitch | 192.4 mm | 7.57 inches |
D | Center of inner mounting points – center of tow ball of the towing hitch (horizontal) | 108 mm | 4.25 inches |
E | Center of inner mounting points – center of tow ball of the towing hitch (vertical) | 20 mm | 0.79 inches |
F | Center of upper bolt of the tow ball plate – center of tow ball of the towing hitch (vertical) | 36 mm | 1.42 inches |
G | Center of lower bolt of the tow ball plate – center of tow ball of the towing hitch (vertical) | 70 mm | 2.76 inches |
H | Center of outer mounting points – center of tow ball of the towing hitch (horizontal) | 167.3 mm | 6.59 inches |
I | Center of the bayonet lock tip radius – center of tow ball of the towing hitch (vertical) | 174.3 mm | 6.86 inches |
J | Distance between centers of inner mounting points | 180.5 mm | 7.10 inches |
K | Distance between centers of outer mounting points | 822.5 mm | 32.38 inches |