LR3 Towing Capabilities (Trailers without brakes)

[slimjim28]

I'm considering the LR3 as a replacement for a VW Touareg. I was surprised to learn the maximum trailer weight for trailers without brakes is only 1,650 lbs.

I race dirtbikes and I have a 6 x 10 foot enclosed trailer that weighs 1,200 lbs without bikes. I'm figuring 1,800 lbs between trailer, bikes, and gear. The trailer has a maximum capacity of 2995 lbs. My state requires annual trailer inspections and brakes for anything over 3,000 lbs, thus the reason the trailer was capped at 2995 lbs.

Any idea why this rating is so light for trailers without brakes? Prior to getting the Touareg, I was using a 94 Jeep Wrangler to pull this load and it did fine even with the much shorter wheelbase. Emergency stopping would have been an issue but stability with the Wrangler was fine.

Anyone have experience of pulling a trailer without brakes with the LR3?

 

[grommet]

I personally think 750 Kg (~1650 lbs.) is a decent guideline for unbraked trailers. (Falls in the "light trailer" category.) This limit has been used on most modern Land Rovers, not just the LR3. That's just where they drew the line.

In California, anything over 1500 lbs. requires electric or surge brakes!

 

[CapnCurry]

LR3 Towing Trailer Brake Controller

Still SOL...

I went to my local shop to get an electronic trailer brake controller installed and they could not do it. The said the LR3 is so waterproof underbody that they felt uncomfortable drilling a hole through the firewall and running a wire to the tow electrics. d**n! So i call Land Rover Customer Service and spoke to Carol at 800-637-6837 and asked if I could speak to a Field Engineer. She said no. She would have to relay the message to a field engineer then get back to me.

I called almost all dealers in the sf bay area they are really no help let alone know what a trailer brake controller is. This is so frustrating as one of the main reasons I purchased a LR3 was because of it's towing ability fo 7700lbs. There has got to be someone out there that has done this. If any of you know. PLEASE ADVISE

 

[joey]

Either a) install in yourself, or b) find a good travel trailer dealer and have them do it. Most of those places will install on just about anything.


*** almost forgot, to stay on topic, LR limits the trailer limit for liability reasons, most cars and SUV's have a limit of around 2000lbs or nothing over that without brakes. They are covering their own A** so to speak. Trust me the LR will pull you trailer without much issue.****

 

[SteveA]

I was told that the LR3 was the first Land Rover that is prewired for a trailer brake controller (not just trailer lights). This came from a Land Rover instructor at the product launch. I'll be trying to track down the details on this.

Stephen

 

[CapnCurry]

I was told that the LR3 was the first Land Rover that is prewired for a trailer brake controller (not just trailer lights). This came from a Land Rover instructor at the product launch. I'll be trying to track down the details on this.

Stephen

If you can find out the details I will owe you one!

 

[CapnCurry]

Trailer Brake Schematic

Well. I called all around, dealers, LR Cust service. Went on the GTR site and found the following electronic schematic that shows that there are provisions to connect a trailer brake controller.

See attached PDF page 1 top left side labelled Module - Trailer Electric Brake (D295). < I think this is a part number?

http://www.hdphotography.com/images/ELECExteriorLightingTrailerSocket7Pin.pdf


Anyway. Spk to technichian at San Francisco dealer and he said that it does not exist and directed me to the Ford Global site. He also said that a technichian installed one manually and charged the custoemer $US 1500, it took him 7 days to do it.

What I am trying to figure out is where this connector is on the vehcile. If anyone has any idea where to find this on the vehicle, and where i can find the male connector for it, it woould be much appreciated.

The LR techs are hopeless.

Also, did anyone get documentation when they ordered the Trailer Electrics accessory?

 

[jzk]

The documentation with the wiring kit is merely installation instructions. However, the wiring kit is for a 7 pin connector and 4 pin. A 7 pin connector is for trailer brakes. Does that particular pin connect to anything?

 

[whaleya]

I can't comment on the LR3, but I own a small pop up camper that didn't require brakes. I had the dealer install electric brakes anyways. I have to say that the brakes did protect me from an accident!

If the trailer isn't going to be underwater (boat trailer) I strongly suggest electric brakes. Electric brakes are easier to adjust and set to apply the correct braking force. I suggest the Prodigy controller. The Prodigy is mounted under the dash and it is hooked up direct to the truck's battery, there is a wire to your brake lights and a wire to the trailer harness. The unit senses the deceleration rate of the truck and will apply the brakes in proportional amounts. There is a small thumb wheel to adjust the unit. Brakes are applied by supplying varying voltage to the trailer. The voltage varies depending on how strongly the brakes need to be applied to the trailer.

There are other units out there but most people swear by this one. I think the cost is about $70 at an RV discount center. Other models install the same way.

As for the comment on the waterproofness of the underbody - I think it was an excuse!!... if you are picky you can get waterproof grommets at a marine store, I just used an existing grommet and a dab of silicone.

I have the 7 pin connector:
-Ground, brake+, left turn, right turn, running lights, optional battery+, optional backup lights.


Most cars that are prewired have a plug under the dash. The electric brake controller is spliced into this plug (or plugged in if you are lucky). This saves the time of running wires all around. most plugs have (battery +, ground, brake light sense, trailer brake output)

 

[grommet]

I posted this elsewhere:

CapnCurry has recently been "officially" told the LR3 is pre-wired for an electronic brake controller (the first Land Rover ever) and is currently looking for the controller connector under the dash.

It seems their documentation and product folks blew it again. (We all admire Land Rover's masterful skill at miscommunication.) So far, there has never been a mention of LR3 being pre-wired at all... and everyone I talked to told me it wasn't.