I've read in the owners manuel that a weight distribution hitch is NOT recommended and that the hitch weight is only 330lbs. How are you guys towing some of the trailer weights without that hitch? Do you use the hitch any way or do you use another form of hitch?

I'm looking at buying a travel trailer that weighs around 5000lbs and the hitch weight is around 500lbs.

 

So not exactly the same, so use your own judgement, but the D2 manual says 330 if the vehicle is loaded to max gross vehicle weight, and 550 if it's just the driver and one passenger. In the D2 owners' manual there is a chart that lists all kinds of possible conditions and if you have coils or SLS (which doesn't apply to a D1).

 

Read the book? What? Why?
Hook it up and go.
I would not exceed 500lbs dead weight on the hitch.

 

I agree with Spike!
If your sagging really bad perhaps get some medium duty springs for the back. That is one step above standard duty springs that came from the factory.

 

My two children in the back seat. Not to mention the folks riding beside us.

But, I believe you would be right about the 500lbs. I just want to do it right.

 

One other improvement in the D2 manual is to inflate the rear tires to 46 psi when towing. Of course the D2 came with different tires. You may need to adjust a little. Don't exceed the max on the sidewall.

 

You can add air shocks to the rear, inflate them to get you level, let the air back out once you get to where you have to go.
Bring a 12v air compressor with you to adjust the air shocks as needed, we used to use them on the Caprice (before it was a classic) to tow the Airstream when I was a kid.
They work great and are a hell of alot cheaper than new springs.

And if you think about it, thats basically what the SLS on the DII does, inflates to compensate for the added weight to keep the truck level.

My main concern would be with rust, I have seen trailer hitches fall off of cars/trucks with a trailer attached.

 

Hi-- I am currently in the exact same place you were in when you ask this question.

I have a 4000 lb trailer arriving at the end of November and I thought i was going to be safe with my 99 D1. But i too have just learned of the 330 lb limit and NO WD device.

There are all these anecdotal stories of successful hauls of greater weights but no one anywhere on the WEB have clearly answered the question of why not and why the low (less than 10%) tongue weight.

I am ready and willing to modify as needed if that will allow me to keep my second favorite toy, but will let it go if i need to get a different TV.

Please let me know where you got on your journey - as I see the answers you have so far were D2 related and lacking clarity.

Thanks
Rick

 

I ended up getting a great deal on a smaller camper that weighed about 2200lbs. My Disco towed it like a dream. I already had medium springs in the rear. If I go for a bigger camper I would feel comfortable with one your size. I would suggest that you make sure breaks are good. As far as the hitch goes, When I talked to the rv dealer they recommended just to go with Land Rover specs. Good luck.