The awning instructions on my setup said that the mounting brackets should be no further than 600mm from the ends. So on a Freelander it pretty much limits you to a 2m awning, as you can't push it back any further due to opening the tailgate.


Do a payload spreadsheet for every last item. Frightening how quickly all the little things add up. Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

I learned that lesson in 2015 when I did the Help for Heroes 4x4 European Rally down to Bavaria and back. We came frighteningly close to the max allowable axle weight on the battered old Freelander 1 I bought to do the rally, and that was after stripping out a lot of things like rear seats, rear seatbelts, replacing front seats with much lighter bucket seats etc. Current driveway contents:
2021 V60 Cross Country B5
2009 FL2 dog bus and shooting wagon

On Order: 2023 Fisker Ocean Ultra - deposit paid.

Reminds me of the trip we did in the FL1 through Morocco and into the Sahara ripped out the rear seats,10 litres of spare fuel, 125 litres of water, compressor fridge for ice, 12 bottles of Rose wine and 18 six packs of beer. Enough tinned food for an army and a second spare wheel.

Have you ever tried spring assistors? They are like huge O rings that fit inside the rear coil springs so that the car sits level. Never did get around to weighing the car, put the poor handling down to the roof tent.

Yes 125 litres of water, 25 litres for drinking and 100 litres so that SWMBO could have a shower every day - in the desert! Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

Yes, I used some spring assisters. Helped enormously!

Bearing in mind this is with a 40mm lift and on brand new springs and shocks, here's how it sat on day 1 at RAF Odiham and day 2 on Utah beach in Normandy. I dread to think how that would have sat without those wound into the rear coils.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

NSF 16" alloy has the 'drill-outs' between wheel nuts. Indicating the alloy has an offset to allow for air cooled front disc.
All other alloys shown don't have the drill-outs.