Possible Tansmission Problems

[7builder]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I think the common thought here points to the caravan brakes and the reverse mechanism. I am not going to pull my hair out over this as the caravan has had its last journey and will be replaced as soon as a suitable twin axle is found. Hopefully a new caravan with fully operational brakes will resolve the problem and all will be well.
However, how the clucking bell is the X struggling, nay, finding it totally impossible to push or pull a caravan with binding brakes?

[TimX5]

[quote="7builder"]
Thanks everyone for your replies. I think the common thought here points to the caravan brakes and the reverse mechanism. I am not going to pull my hair out over this as the caravan has had its last journey and will be replaced as soon as a suitable twin axle is found. Hopefully a new caravan with fully operational brakes will resolve the problem and all will be well.
However, how the clucking bell is the X struggling, nay, finding it totally impossible to push or pull a caravan with binding brakes?
[/quote]
Get your self to the lawns at Cottingham for a new caravan on the 6th and 7th of September you won't regret it 

[7builder]

[quote="TimX5"]
Get your self to the lawns at Cottingham for a new caravan on the 6th and 7th of September you won't regret it 
[/quote]
Hmm what is this caravan extravaganza of which you speak?

[kjb1]

im currently on my second outing in a newer van! The X could pull it all day long!! i think its your brakes on van too but im surprised at this black smoke??

[X5Sport]

[quote="7builder"]
[quote="TimX5"]
Get your self to the lawns at Cottingham for a new caravan on the 6th and 7th of September you won't regret it 
[/quote]
Hmm what is this caravan extravaganza of which you speak?
[/quote]

I think he means this:  Caravan Manufacturers Show, Cottingham which according to the blurb has loads of new models on show.

[X5Sport]

[quote="7builder"]
Jeez, I've just noticed you own a 4.0D X6. Cease your worrying immediately 
[/quote]

Still only a 3.0L engine though..... 

[Steamyrotter]

Well I tow a Twin axle with mine.
7.95m long and WPTLW of 1850 (loaded to 1765 at last weighbridge session) and the X breezes it (2003 E53 3.0d).

Returned 25mpg average for the week away (inc ~ 160 miles towing)
Think i could get it better if i fanny around with the gearbox fluids and programming....

[X5Sport]

[quote="Steamyrotter"]
Think i could get it better if i fanny around with the gearbox fluids and programming....
[/quote]

Do you really want to do that?  I mean it's not as if the car is nice to you!

[kjb1]

[quote="Steamyrotter"]
Well I tow a Twin axle with mine.
7.95m long and WPTLW of 1850 (loaded to 1765 at last weighbridge session) and the X breezes it (2003 E53 3.0d).

Returned 25mpg average for the week away (inc ~ 160 miles towing)
Think i could get it better if i fanny around with the gearbox fluids and programming....
[/quote]

were you pulled by police and taken to weigh bridge?

[TimX5]

[quote="7builder"]
[quote="TimX5"]
Get your self to the lawns at Cottingham for a new caravan on the 6th and 7th of September you won't regret it 
[/quote]
Hmm what is this caravan extravaganza of which you speak?
[/quote]

Its the launch of the 2015 models at Cottingham near hull.

[davesavage257]

My 4.6iS tows this big unit with no bother at all, rear air springs keep it all level, and you need to stop the speed creeping up on dual carriageways and motorways!  MPG drops from 18-23 down to 12-15 when towing, but if I was worried about fuel costs I'd have got the diesel!

Back to the OP, with my old caravan, the hitch head was sticking (needed stripping, cleaning and greasing) and locking the over run brakes on the caravan on.  When pulling forward the X5 would just pull it out and take the brakes off with a bang, but in reverse it would lock up the brakes on the caravan hard and would take some shoving until, depending on surface, the caravan tyres ended up sliding rather than rolling.

AFAIK the PFJones wiring kit will link through the X5 Canbus to the DSC and when the trailer socket (12N) is connected, will activate the towing stability mode in the DSC.  This will apply individual wheel brakes on the X5 when it detects a snake to try an stabilise it.  I've never felt this on my X5 as the whole outfit is so stable (providing the caravan is correctly loaded), but with my E90 320d that I had before, it was quite unnerving when I had a snake develop on the A34, and the rear wheels on the car could be felt braking individually to try and correct the snake.

[X5Sport]

That's the size beast the missus wants.  Good to know there's no issue with it, except increased fuel bills.... )

Getting a 'snake' on is the scariest thing I have ever experienced.  Shutting the A1 was probably the same for those cars around me at the time.  The trailer did have a little lay down though...   I didn't hit anything though, not even the barrier!

OP:  Perhaps the DSC also detects the van isn't moving so cuts the power?  I'm thinking more and more this is a trailer not tractor issue?

Richard

[Steamyrotter]

[quote="kjb1"]


were you pulled by police and taken to weigh bridge?
[/quote]

No arranged it myself as i wanted to know what i was dealing with.....

[7builder]

[quote="X5Sport"]

OP:  Perhaps the DSC also detects the van isn't moving so cuts the power?  I'm thinking more and more this is a trailer not tractor issue?

Richard
[/quote]

My feelings as well. I have the PF Jones OEM wiring kit installed and think the X is being smart about what it has connected to its rear unlike the agricultural Grand Cherokee that was raw grunt regardless of the situation going on behind it.
I am going to put this to bed for now and see what happens when I hitch up a new caravan some time in the future. Fingers crossed the problem will be behind me if you can excuse the pun and no longer be an issue.

[X5Sport]

Sounds like a plan......

Richard