Hi guys. I looked and searched through all the threads on towing but did not find this specific issue so I thought I would start a new thread.
I am looking at a travel trailer (off-road capable) to tow with the P400.
The trailer weighs 5500 lbs dry but has a tongue weight of 900 lbs.
Is this a major problem or can the Defender handle it safely?

 

That tongue weight is a concern. The capacity rated from the factory is 771 pounds. The GVWR is also a lot lower than one would expect, so overloading the tongue would have an impact on that rating as well.

If this was something I was going to tow around all the time I would not do it. If it was a short local tow once or twice a year I would probably just do it on a slow day.

 

Can you add a weight distributing hitch?

 

Land Rover recommends against using a WDH apparently.

 

Correct, JLR says to not use a distribution hitch. There is tech in the vehicle that mimics some of the advantages of a distribution hitch and physically adding one messes with the tech.

 

Nothing scientific about my reply but... not what you want to hear but I would not exceed tongue weight (which agreed is annoyingly low on L663)

Is the car going to break in half? No.
Will the hitch break off the car? No.
The Defender is insanely strong.

Would you be exceeding limits for air suspension components, and create a potentially unsafe situation? Maybe.

Would I do it? Maybe ... around town. But not on long trips.

I once drove a 2020 Subaru outback across country during early 2020 Covid times (long story helping family member move) with a trailer that was way too heavy overall with way too much tongue weight. Friend's rig though. It was precarious and unsafe, ultimately I wasn't happy that I'd agreed to it.

 

A weight distribution hitch does not change the weight at the tongue. It does move the some of the load from the rear axle to the front, but you're still adding 900 lbs of payload on the tongue. You can strengthen the hitch, but those mods are unrated and locks the subfame to the differential carrier which are otherwise separated by bushings. I did that mod and have been towing for a year with a 6,000 lb trailer with 800 lb of tongue weight. Nothing has broken yet.

 

I am currently towing a 7100lb trailer. With no problems at all. I do have a red arc brake controller and air suspension. We were on our way to Alaska but the doctor found a lump on my wife’s kidney so we are going home to take care of it. Is the trailer you are looking at a Pause? I have my eye on that one too. I don’t think it would be a problem. Also looking at a Kimberly kamper they are lighter.

 

Yes, it is the Pause 16.4. I have looked at the Kimberley Kruise E also. Harder to get and service in North America for and Australian trailer might be a bit challenging.
What's the tongue weight on your rig?
Thanks for your reply. Hope all goes well with your wife. All the best.

 

The Kimberly’s are very very well made. They have no propane but have a 48v system that I believe is better than my 12v one. I do like the Pause but let me tell you about fuel mileage. Right now we can only do 50mph with our trailer because if you go over that than you will only get about 100 miles to a tank. That is why I am looking into the Kimberly’s. Something to think about. If Land Rover ever came get a Deisel here I will order one on day one no matter the cost.




Also get a drawer system it is a must have. Drawer systems.com you can see my drawer on there and Allen’s too he did a full 130 with the back seats removed and man it is incredible. I weighed my setup and it came in at 15680lbs total weight. I believe the trailer was about 7100 or 7200lbs the rest was my Defender. But as you can see I carry an extra 20 gallons fuel and 10 gallons of water at all times because we have run out of everything on my roof rack.