Best Discovery for towing ?

[penske61]

Hi everyone,
I have two problems:
1/ Lost my job last week and with it my Ford Territory I have been using as a tow vehicle.
2/ My daughter has a horse.

I have around $6000.00 to spend on a vehicle to tow a double horsefloat on weekends, and as a runaround during the week.

So, is the Discovery a suitable vehicle, and if so, V8 or TDI300 are in my price range?

I know they are rated at 3500kg plus, but do they have enough torque for heavy towing?

Any advice gratefully received.

[kaa45]

Another Geelongite, Welcome.
With $6000 I'd be looking at a Disco or Rangie.
Both V8 and 300TDi would do nicely but the Experts will be along shortly.
Cheers
Danny

[TerryO]

From memory a D1 has a very low legal ball weight limit (150 kg?) so it might be best to check that out before considering one for a heavy tow vehicle.
The later model D2 has 250 kg limit which should cover most options but will cost more than $6000 for a good one.

Sorry but I'm not sure what other brand of 4x4 you can get for around that size investment that is a capable tug.

cheers,
Terry

[p38arover]

I know they are rated at 3500kg plus

from Discovery 1 owner's handbook:


The recommended trailer nose weight limit is 150 kg.

Maximum permissible towed weights V8i & Tdi On-road .....Off-road
Unbraked trailers ........................................750 kg ....... 500 kg
Trailers with overrun brakes ........................3500 kg ...... 1000 kg
4 wheel trailers with coupled brakes ...........* 4000 kg ...... 1000 kg

NOTE: * Vehicles fitted with ABS have a towed weight limit of 3500 kg.

[Stuck]

I used to tow my 2 tonne BMT combo and the odd car float from time to time around with a manual '93 200tdi Disco and it handled the task pretty well while still turning good fuel figures (about 8kms to the litre with about 2T in tow). Hill climbing power was adequate but add a decent headwind with the boat on and it was really earning its keep.

Cheers,
Anthony.

[p38arover]

Based on my limited experience with towing with a manual Disco vs towing with my own 300Tdi automatic Disco, I'd take the auto every time - especially when starting on a hill. The manual needed to have a bit of clutch slip or start in low range whereas the auto would just drive off.

Fuel consumption on the diesel Disco vs my V8 petrol Rangie is like chalk and cheese. I've seen the Rangie's message Centre displaying 30 litres/100km when towing (admittedly I was towing a couple of tonnes of fence posts at well over 100km/h. Ditto when towing the caravan at freeway speeds.)

[carjunkieanon]

Sorry to hear you've lost your job. Do you have enough saved up to cover till you find a new one? Have you got any leads on new work?


(thinking outside the box....can she ride the horses? Use one horse to tow the other in the float? Use both horses to pull a cart?....they used to do old school things like these in the past).

Either a Rangie or a Disco would do the job. Go with whichever you can find in best condition at the time.

R

[slug_burner]

Go the auto, diesel. If you cant get the auto get a manual defender, it has lower gearing and a longer wheel base all good for towing.

[UncleHo]

My pick would be a 96-98 model 300 TDI Auto(turbo doesn't go off spin) Disco with as good a spec as possible and then get a pump tweek, good power,civilised family vehicle, economical, and now at a reasonable price for a well kept one, GET PROOF OF LAST TIMING BELT CHANGE ;)


cheers

[VladTepes]

The best towing was acomplished following the discovery of the tow bar.

Oh THAT kind of Discovery... right......

[UncleHo]

Ooh! we are in fine form today, Vlad :D

[wrinklearthur]

The best towing was acomplished following the discovery of the tow bar.

Oh THAT kind of Discovery... right......

That's all right mate we all make mistakes occasionally, just remember its not on the front next time. :D

Cheers Arthur