Land Rover Towing Guide
This guide provides essential information for towing with your Land Rover, covering recommended mass values, trailer connection, and the installation and removal of detachable towing equipment.
Recommended Trailer Mass Values
It is crucial not to exceed the maximum permissible towing weights. Exceeding these limits can lead to accelerated wear and damage to the vehicle, affect vehicle stability and braking performance, and potentially result in loss of control.
Maximum Permissible Trailer Weight | 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) |
Load on the tow hitch | 150 kg (330 lbs) | - |
Load on the tow hitch – Australia only | 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 further details on Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), towing weight, and axle load, refer to Section 247, 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 tow hitch load, luggage in the vehicle's cargo area, roof rack load, and the weight of rear passengers.
Connecting Trailer Electrics
Only connect 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
Warning: Do not exceed the maximum permissible load of the vehicle or trailer. This can lead to accelerated wear and damage to the vehicle, negatively impact vehicle stability and braking, and potentially lead to loss of control.
To maintain handling and stability, use only approved Land Rover towing equipment. ⚠️
Warning: Do not use towing eyes or body mounting points for trailer towing. They are not designed for this purpose and may fail, causing injury or death. ❌
To prevent gearbox overheating (or clutch in manual transmission vehicles), it is not recommended to tow heavy loads at speeds below 32 km/h (21 mph) in high range. Engage low range. ⚙️
Trailer Alignment
To maintain vehicle stability, the trailer should be loaded so that it remains level with the ground. This is particularly important when towing twin-axle trailers.
Mandatory Checks Before Towing
- When calculating the towing weight, consider not only the cargo weight but also the trailer's weight.
- 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 loading the vehicle to its maximum permissible weight, the tow hitch load is limited to 150 kg (330 lbs). Refer to Section 247, MASS.
- If the tow hitch load needs to be increased to the maximum permissible value of 250 kg (550 lbs), the vehicle's load must be reduced accordingly. This ensures the Gross Vehicle Weight and maximum rear axle load are not exceeded.
- Use a suitable safety cable or secondary coupling. Refer to the trailer manufacturer's instructions for details.
- Ensure the tow ball coupling is securely fastened. ✔️
- Check that the trailer lights are functioning correctly.
Safety Precautions
Warning: Do not loop the safety cable over the tow ball; it may slip off. ⚠️
Do not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight, maximum rear axle load, maximum trailer weight, or tow hitch load. 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 recommended value for the Gross Vehicle Weight.
- Tow Hitch Load: The load on the tow hitch must be at least 7% of the total trailer weight, but not more than 350 kg (722 lbs).
- Hitch Height: Adjust the height so that when connected to the towing vehicle, the trailer remains level with the ground when the engine is running.
Tow Ball / Tow Bar Storage Location
The tow ball/tow bar is heavy, so handle it with care. When the tow ball is locked in place, the locking lever may be ejected by a spring; be careful not to get your fingers caught. ⚠️
- 5-Seater Vehicles: The tow ball/tow bar receiver is stored under the luggage compartment floor.
- 7-Seater Vehicles: The tow ball/tow bar receiver is stored behind a cover in the left side of the luggage compartment.
Installing the Detachable Tow Ball
- Remove the protective cover from the tow ball and store it in the designated compartment for the towing equipment.
- To install the tow ball, the green lock lever must be in the 'open' position.
- Insert the tow ball into the bracket and push upwards until it locks into place.
- The green lock lever should fully cover the red marker. ✔️
- Turn the key counter-clockwise to lock the tow ball before towing and remove the key. ?
Detaching the Detachable Tow Ball
Detachment is the reverse of the installation procedure. ↩️
Note: The key must not be removed when detaching the tow ball. ?
Installing the Detachable Tow Receiver (Australia Only)
- Remove the protective cover from the vehicle bracket and store it in the designated location for the tow bar receiver.
- The receiver can only be installed if the green lock lever is in the unlocked position.
- Insert the receiver into the vehicle bracket and push upwards until it locks into place.
- The green lock lever should fully cover the red marker. ✔️
- Unfold the key and turn it counter-clockwise to lock the receiver, then insert the tow bar. Remove the key and store it safely. ?
Detaching the Detachable Tow Receiver
Detachment is the reverse of the installation procedure. ↩️
Note: The key must not be removed when detaching the tow receiver. ?
Trailer Coupling – Australia Only
The optional trailer coupling (tow bar) is Class III. When selecting a tow bar for the receiver, consider the following dimensions:
- A. Maximum Recommended Tow Bar Length: 152 mm (6 inches).
- B. For Maximum Ball Mount Height: It is recommended to use a tow bar with a 25.4 mm (1 inch) rise.
- C. For Minimum Ball Mount Height: It is recommended to use a tow bar with a 60 mm (23/8 inch) rise.
For the latest information, contact your Land Rover dealer or technical center.
Tow Ball and Mounting Point Dimensions – Fixed Tow Ball
The following dimensions apply to Land Rover-approved towing equipment.
Label | Dimension | Metric Units | Imperial Units |
---|---|---|---|
A | Wheel center – Tow ball center | 1190 mm | 46.9 inches |
B | Ground clearance – Tow ball center | 409 mm | 16.1 inches |
C | Tow ball center – Mounting point of the coupling device | 170 mm | 6.7 inches |
D | Tow ball center – Mounting point of the coupling device | 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. See Page 86, TRAILER COUPLING – AUSTRALIA ONLY.
Tow Ball and Mounting Point Dimensions – Multi-Position Hitch Plate
Label | Dimension | Metric Units | Imperial Units |
---|---|---|---|
A | Wheel center – Tow ball center | 1210 mm | 47.64 inches |
B | Center of outer mounting points – Tow ball center (horizontal) | 403.6 mm | 15.89 inches |
C | Center of the radius of the bayonet lock mounting to the housing – Tow ball center | 192.4 mm | 7.57 inches |
D | Center of inner mounting points – Tow ball center (horizontal) | 124 mm | 4.9 inches |
E | Center of inner mounting points – Tow ball center (vertical) | 20 mm | 0.79 inches |
F | Center of the upper bolt of the ball mount plate – Tow ball center (vertical) | 36 mm | 1.42 inches |
G | Center of the lower bolt of the ball mount plate – Tow ball center (vertical) | 70 mm | 2.76 inches |
H | Center of outer mounting points – Tow ball center (horizontal) | 167.3 mm | 6.59 inches |
I | Center of the radius of the bayonet lock mounting to the housing – Tow ball center (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 |