I have been advised to tow my caravan in sport mode What do you think ? I have a caravan which weights in at about 2.5 ton, I have a td6 L322 06 and have been towing my smaller van 1.5 ton in sport mode, but now we have moved up to the bigger van I thought I would just ask the experts. many thanks for any thoughts or advise

I put my V8 into sport mode when towing a horse trailer. I found it gives a smoother ride as gearbox not trying to get into higher gear quickly. On a flat road or motorway normal mode is ok but country lanes and hilly areas sport mode much better.

I was always under the impression that sport would be better for towing, as like said above it stops the gearbox trying to change up too early.

Maybe it would be worth trying both and seeing which is more convenient? 

never herd of this before, i'll try at the weekend & see how we go,

Interesting idea and maybe one to try although I don't know what I'd be looking to "notice". For the SC there's no problem with a car on a trailer (so something over 2 tons) in normal D - smooth and easy as always. Mike - MPx

2017 5.0 V8 Supercharged SVAutobigraphy Dynamic SVO Palette Grey (2021-...)
2012 5.0 V8 Supercharged Autoboigraphy Orkney Grey (2017-2021)
2007 4.2 V8 Supercharged Vogue SE Tonga Green (2012-2017)
2002 4.4 V8 Vogue Bonnatti Grey (2008-2012)

Been towing horse box for years in normal mode, no problems. All up weight with horses around 2.80 tonnes. Drives:
2010 FFRR TdV8 Vogue - Stornoway Grey
2010 FFRR TdV8 Vogue SE - Zermatt Silver
1998 BMW E36 M3 GTII

I know all about this... I have destroyed 2 gearboxes towing heavy trailers

At speeds below 55 Mph I would suggest that sport mode is slightly better with a heavy trailer, BUT, you will heat up the gearbox very quickly, and risk possible damage.... However if you use D then the torque converter lock-up will be slipping (10% from memory) and this too will cause issues over time.

Best advice is use D and stay at 55+ ! If your towing below 55 Sport mode but not prolonged!! Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

Forgot to add this is a TD6 issue only, all other ffrr's have ZF gearboxes which don't suffer in the same way as the french made GM 5L40E cheese box!! Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

I've done lots of towing with a TD6 and a 3500kg trailer - often fully loaded. I've done exactly as miggit suggests - take it easy, keep it at around 2000 where there's maximum torque.

Floor it and you'll just generate lots of noise.

It can be very tedius towing a high weight with the TD6, especially up a hill...

At least with the newer 2007MY (well at least the TDV8) simply plugging in the towing electrics sets up the car differently. Holds gears longer and stole suspension automatically adjusting. So no real difference.

If its twisty I tend to shove it in sport to have a more responsive vehicle. Ed

was waiting for... yellow loon pants and purple polo neck... sadly not it seems

sako243 wrote:

At least with the newer 2007MY (well at least the TDV8) simply plugging in the towing electrics sets up the car differently. Holds gears longer and stole suspension automatically adjusting. So no real difference.

If its twisty I tend to shove it in sport to have a more responsive vehicle.

They all do this with the LR trailer electrics, even the TD6... only with half the power of a TDV8 it all rather goes Pete Tong  Yesterday I couldn't spell Engineer... Today I are one!
Inventor of the 'Guide-o-Matic automatic wheel alignment tool'
Former long term L322 owner, Up/Down graded to a Classic Tractor!

buffalo4 wrote:

was waiting for... yellow loon pants and purple polo neck... sadly not it seems

I wouldn't tow wearing anything else