Defender 130 TD5 Towing caravan

**Pedro130** · 16th January 2019, 10:31 PM

Good evening guys,

Thinking this topic would have been covered at some point I've been searching for appropriate threads. However when I search I can only get the first page of the results,
perhaps someone could enlighten me on what to do, Thanks.

I wanted to ask, does the 130 Td5 make a good tug? When I bought this vehicle it wasn't my intention to use it to tow the van, but now I'm considering it for extended touring.
I know there have been plenty of defenders used to tow vans & trailers with, but I wonder what it's like to do so.

I have an off road pop up van, about 1650 kg GTM & I'm wondering, is the TD5 up to the task?

Also I've been told that you shouldn't really tow in 5th gear, that being the case, wouldn't highway speed be somewhat limited?

What about the rest of the drive train, Transfer case, clutch etc?

Any suggestions on suitable upgrades to the gearbox or clutch. What about reliable power upgrades to the engine.

I would appreciate any thoughts & suggestions.

Cheers, Pedro130.

DiscoMick · 16th January 2019, 10:56 PM

Can't comment on a 130 Td5 but my 110 Puma tows just fine.
Why are you concerned?

**Markf** · 16th January 2019, 11:22 PM

I do a lot of towing in a manual D2 Td5 usually a camper at around 1.7t. No problem if you get out of 5th as soon as you need to give it more throttle to maintain speed.
You don't need to "baby" 5th gear - just treat it with a bit of respect and you'll be fine. In the D2 I cruise at around 95kph or thereabouts.

**weeds** · 17th January 2019, 04:37 AM

It won’t be a rocket ship.....

Just don’t Labour in 5th......drop to 4th

**big harold** · 17th January 2019, 05:09 AM

I would rather tow with a td5 than a puma.
Did 240k with my td5 now 2 pumas sitting in the shed broken at 100k.
Just watch 5th gear bearing.
Mark

**trout1105** · 17th January 2019, 05:59 AM

My 79 series V8 tows our 2.5t van around with absolute ease, Horses for courses.
Just Sayin

**alan48** · 17th January 2019, 07:02 AM

Hi,
we have a 2.2 puma 130 cc and it struggled to tow our 1800kg van on long hills--in fact embarrassing so we had DPL do an Alive remap suited to towing and it is now great , in fact almost as good as our 3ltr MUX which does it effortlessly. So suggest maybe get your TD5 remapped and then you will be fine.

**Pedro130** · 17th January 2019, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by Markf

I do a lot of towing in a manual D2 Td5 usually a camper at around 1.7t. No problem if you get out of 5th as soon as you need to give it more throttle to maintain speed.
You don't need to "baby" 5th gear - just treat it with a bit of respect and you'll be fine. In the D2 I cruise at around 95kph or thereabouts.

Thanks Markf for your reply. Ok, I do treat the whole box with some respect, It definitely changes easier if you take your time doing the change.

**Pedro130** · 17th January 2019, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by alan48

Hi,
we have a 2.2 puma 130 cc and it struggled to tow our 1800kg van on long hills--in fact embarrassing so we had DPL do an Alive remap suited to towing and it is now great , in fact almost as good as our 3ltr MUX which does it effortlessly. So suggest maybe get your TD5 remapped and then you will be fine.

Hmmm, if the Puma struggles then the TD5 will certainly need to produce some more ponies.

**Pedro130** · 17th January 2019, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by trout1105

My 79 series V8 tows our 2.5t van around with absolute ease, Horses for courses.
Just Sayin

I don't think anyone would deny the power of the cruiser V8. I just don't happen to own one. Maybe next time.

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Defender 130 TD5 Towing caravan

good luck on hills

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