RR problem with trailer (swings/oscilates).

Hi all,
Being a member of the Freelander section I never had a look at this RR site but now I did as I have a question regarding the behaviour of a mate's RR TDV6. He's owner of a tyrecenter and every now and then he has to drive with a flatbed trailer loaded with a customer's car on it. When he drives at about 55 mph the trailer/combination starts to swing (oscilate). To figure out what's wrong he attached the same trailer and car to his flatbedtruck and no problem whatsoever, the same if he connects it to his father's Chevrolet Captiva, no pbm either. My guess is this problem is caused by the airsuspension of the RR.
He already asked for advice at a local RR dealer and it seems this is a known problem but with no real solution for it. As the number of RR cars is much higher in the UK than in Belgium the rate of
possible complaints is equally higher. So my question is: Does any of you have knowledge of this problem and is there a solution to cure this ? I understand its' impossible to adjust the level of the car
as from the moment the trailerplug is plugged in, then the car goes automatically to a standard height and no manual adjustments possible ? Is there a bypass for this ? I can't believe that LR is not aware of this and/or hasn't done anything yet to fix this ?? Sorry for this "entry" in your world and thanks in advance for any help.

I don't remember the name of the device but you can get a device that attaches to the tow ball that will dampen out any movement....

I am sure there was a thread on this not so long ago and they mentioned this device.....a search may locate it for you!!

Lots of anti snaking kits available, usual problem is a badly loaded trailer.

Thanks for the info. I know this kind of kit exists as I used to tow a caravan in the past, will tell him about, I hadn't thought of it at all. Thanks again.

As for the badly loaded trailer, it's a specially designed trailer for cartransport, don't see what can be wrong with that ? Also if hooked to other vehicles no problem at all, the trailer with it's cargo is allright as explained, only on the RR it gives problems ?

When you say 55mph...

The air suspension isnt leveling down into cruise/mway mode mode? If the suspension hasnt been locked then its highly dangerous....

I know they have to be locked off on the p38 later models not sure?

Later models detect when a socket is plugged in and automatically freezes the EAS - I am not sure if it works with aftermarket wiring, but the LR fitment will automatically lock the EAS when you plug the electircal socket in

Looking at some pics of a P38 it might be it's such one and not a classic as mentioned. Think the car is some 5 or 6 years old. Probably it's like Saint.V8 says as once a trailerplug is plugged in the height level isn't working anymore.

Only the L322 (3rd Generation Rangie) that automatically locks the EAS - the P38's you have to press the inhibit button on the dash.

Is probably an L322 than, I've send a mail to him to ask for confirmation of type.

willo said:

Is probably an L322 than, I've send a mail to him to ask for confirmation of type.

Click to expand...

TDV6 is most likely an L322 with the auto locking suspension as Saint mentions.

I dont know how it works, whether its a mechanical latch or (more likely) its electronic, but it would still be good to check it is actually inhibiting the height change. It just caught my eye when you mentioned the 55mph....

aerofabrique said:

TDV6 is most likely an L322 with the auto locking suspension as Saint mentions.

I dont know how it works, whether its a mechanical latch or (more likely) its electronic, but it would still be good to check it is actually inhibiting the height change. It just caught my eye when you mentioned the 55mph....

Click to expand...

Height locking on the EAS is electronic, button on the P38 and possibly from the hitch socket on the L322, not a feature I would trust given the quality of the trailer sockets and almost certainly not present if the electrics are aftermarket or DIY.

As attached, from the L322 Handbook....