Thread: can defender tow 3 ton all day everyday

Bearing in mind that I have a dual cab 130 (2010 model): Tows my Austin Champ and trailer (a little under 3 ton) with ease at 110kph, and sitting at 100kph fuel usage does not seem too change much at all. We were even capable of overtaking, not something that the old diesel Nissan was capable of.


My two bones of towing contention though: first gear not really low enough for anything other than flat road start. Stalled a couple of times on the Bolte Bridge in Melb. in stop/go traffic, Low range was a smarter move.
But the biggie is very poor braking. Bad enough when running empty, but I experienced 100% brake fade on the first steep hill we towed down, not very effective engine braking either. This vehicle had ventilated front discs fitted by the previous owner, who says that they made a big improvement...
The 110 has more bells and whistles by the sound of it, be interested to hear if the brakes actually work.
(BTW, the dealer assures me there was/is absolutely nothing wrong with the brakes....)


So, great to tow with, just needs a little forethought and planning when on the move.
Rich.

It is amazing how different defenders of similar specs can be.....


My 2012 130 2.2 struggles when towing to get 2.5 tonne up to 95 k's, the only time I see 100 k's whilst towing is down a hill. I do only use 5th gear when towing unless the road is very flat or slightly down hill.
My brakes are fine though, never had a problem with braking, couldn't imagine what would cause brake fade. Mine is probably still on the original brake pads and rotors.
My fuel milage increases when towing to around 5-5.5 k's per litre, it usually gets around 8 k's a litre normally.


Ian
Bittern

Well bugger me, sitting here thinking that with a 165 views (and no opposing views) that I hit the nail on the head with my post, and put Derryn off Landy's for life in the process.
I wish one of the experts out there would explain this discrepancy to me, or is it one of those little idiosyncracies that we have to expect from Land Rover.
Ian, can I have your brakes...
Rich.

I towed my old Disco from Melbourne to Adelaide not long after I picked up the Defender.
The 2.2 did it fine and quite happily sat at 100Km/h using 15ltr/100km.
I dropped it out of 6th gear on the stepper hills.


I never had an issue with the brakes but did crawl down the freeway from Monarto to the bottom.
Being over run trailer brakes it wouldn't have taken much to induce brake fade.


I also recently used the same trailer for moving a heavier Disco, again with no issues.
Fuel consumption was close to the same figure.

Many years experience towing 3t plus and no dramas. 2004 130DC with abt 300K is on original driveline other than putting heavier back axles and flanges on. Current 2013 130DC is better due to lower first gear and higher top gear.


Towed a heavy load home tonight and hardly knew it was there. May be a bit short of power if in hilly ground - but no hills around here. Airbags inside the rear coils are a good addition. Keeps things level with good weight onto the towbar. Suggest larger diameter tyres are a plus - I use 7.50X16 on wolf rims on our trailer (which is rated at 4.5t.) and these tow much easier and smoother than smaller diameter wheels - 205X16 or 14"


A bit puzzled by comments on brakes. At 3t. (or anything over 2t. for that matter) power (usually electric) brakes are mandatory. They make a very big difference - so suggest they be installed.

no - not up to full time towing 3000kg , meybe for 6 months but not ongoing unless your prepared to fix things that go will constantly go wrong.

Towing an Austin Champ suggests to me car trailer, most car trailers have overrun brakes. That could explain the fading brakes.

I can't comment about the transit engines as my LR experience is limited to 300Tdi and Td5. There is no doubt you will know you have 3 tonne behind you if you get into the hills no matter what engine you have.

thanks for the input everyone hasn't turned me off yet
I ll have to go for drive in one before to long and see if family is comfortable a enough in one