Defender towing advise???

[/quote] Tdci: It has a better gearbox with a much deeper first gear. [/quote]

I think this is the main point - I towed my 1400kg (tare) off road van with my 96 Tdi and then with my Puma - apart from the power which is nice to have but not essential, it is the extra low first gear that bought me the Puma. In some cases with the Tdi I had to slip the clutch in first to get going even on a very slight slope - the Puma first is 30% lower so you just pull away with no problems, great on the clutch. Of corse the puma has some issues (what landrover doesn't) but if you do your research and modify to suit you will have few problems.

I towed my 1400kg (tare) off road van with my 96 Tdi with the Tdi I had to slip the clutch in first to get going even on a very slight slope - .[/QUOTE]


Did you do any mods to your Tdi, injector pump tweak, intercooler, or was it stock?

I have towed my 1200kg camper with my 2012 2.2 110 to Fraser Island several times without incident, including driving over to the west coast and sandy cape. Indian Head is usually choked with bogged vehicles and with all 6 tyres knocked down to 16psi it just chugs around the stuck vehicles. On the highway I rarely have to knock it back to 5th and it'll sit on 110 all day. A very impressive motor for a small capacity. Never driven a TD5 so I can't compare.

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Originally Posted by tonic

I towed my 1400kg (tare) off road van with my 96 Tdi with the Tdi I had to slip the clutch in first to get going even on a very slight slope - .

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Did you do any mods to your Tdi, injector pump tweak, intercooler, or was it stock?[/QUOTE]
stock as a rock in the engine dept but I had a heavy duty clutch through a common mod whereby a Mazda truck clutch could be fitted (the V8 has a 11 inch clutch, the Tdi a 9 inch I think, the Mazda which has the same spline is a 10 and 3/4 inch - the V8 clutch doesn't fit but the Mazda just scrapes in and gives you much bigger sirface area).

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Originally Posted by debruiser

Are you asking about Puma's towing ability or a 95?

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I'm after feedback on towing 2 tonne with either my 1995MY OR a new Defender (based on what you fellas have towed).

Did you do any mods to your Tdi, injector pump tweak, intercooler, or was it stock?[/QUOTE]
Stock 1995tdi

Thanks for the great advice. I'll buy a new Defender (but won't sell my Old Mate!). Any chance on answers to Q/2&3...
Q/2. Is it necessary fit an after-market hitch receiver for 2 tonne?
Q/3. Re: new Defender. I was thinking of waiting until the arrival of shipments with Dynamic Stability Control as standard. This is on the assumption that it will slightly enhance safety while towing the 2 tonne. I know it's not as good as fitting after market DSC to the trailer but do you reckon it's better than nothing, safety-wise?

A2 no, the standard is a 3.5 tonne tow bar/hitch.

Re Q3, and since I'm more broke than a joke, so haven't been anywhere near a dealer (salesperson) I really don't know, but given there is a dead line, AND, the last Defenders have already been sold, I would make sure you can get one at all, before worrying about waiting for that.

i.e. don't leave it too late. I have been told the production line only makes "X" amount per year. People have already ordered the last ones from the final end run. So they have only "x amount left"

I have also heard that there will be a cut off for ordering them in Australia.

Speak to you dealer, find out the facts. If they can put you down for one with stability control and guarantee you will get it, then thats good.

I wouldn't worry about stability control. Did you ever need it on your 95 model... I don't miss it.... just more stupid electronic stuff to go wrong.... use your right foot appropriately instead :p

I agree with Uninformed - get one while you can over maybe getting one that might have some extra doodad