towing with dissco 3 v8

[d3v8]

hi , i am new to forum , if this is the wrong place to ask i am sorry.
I have a disco 3 v8 and i am just about to head off on a 7000k round trip towing a 2500 kg off road caravan , as i havent towed with this vehicle before i was just wondering if anybody had any ideas of the aprox fuel consumption , i have done simmilar work with nissan patrol 4.8 at around 22 litres per 100k's , any feedback is welcomed , thankyou

[MR LR]

I wouldn't expect much better than that, but the performance will blow the Datsun away ;) if you're towing the diesel is the best, but each to their own, only problem with the Disco is the small tank, i'd recommend a long ranger tank.

Cheers
Will

[Dingmark Jim]

I had a V8 D3 for 3 years (alas, stolen). I regularly towed a trailer about 1/2 the weight that you are using. Fuel consumption was very sensitive to speed. At 100 km/hr indicated, I got about 16 or 17 litres/100km. At 110 km/hr, it was 18-20. With your heavier rig I'd guess you'd get 18-22 depending on the speed and need to pass (yes, the Jag style V8 can provide the temptation to pass whilst towing) [biggrin]

[CaverD3]

With the off road van I would investigate a Mitch Hitch.

[TerryO]

With the off road van I would investigate a Mitch Hitch.

Totally agree, we also have a 2.5 ton dirt road van that we take off road and the Mitch Hitch works extremely well in making sure you don't get hung up when going through gullys and wash outs etc.

As mentioned you more than likley will need a long range tank if your going to go anywhere to far off the beaten track.

I would be very interested to hear how you go with the V8 as a tug for a off road van.

cheers,
Terry

[Mike_S]

I used to tow a 2 tonne van with my my V8 RRS back in the UK (haven't towed anything with it here yet) and as others have said, it's *very* speed dependant. At a steady 90km/h it's pretty frugal, in fact barely any worse than standard. Once the speed gets up above 105km/h it takes a battering, at 120 it's high twenties l/km. Roofrack's make a dent on it as well once you get to 100km/h, certainly does with mine.

You might want to consider driving it in Sport mode, mine's actually nicer to drive like that, switching cogs when you need to rather than when the box thinks is right.

[jacknnick]

We have a D3V8 towing an Jayco Expanda 17.56.1 that weighs about 2100 kgs, we haven't had the van long and only been down south once. The highway is very good and quite flat, I sat right on speed limit whole way, while at 110km/hr locked it in 5th gear. The exact fuel economy was 21.179 l/100kms on the way down and the computer said 21 l/100kms, on the way back we got 17.055 l/100kms and the computer said 22 l/100kms. Also took my hand held GPS and when the car was showing 110 km/hr on the highway the GPS was showing about 107 km/hr. Hope this helps.

[d3v8]

thanks everyone for the info , quick question regarding the mitch hitch , have seen aftermarket hitch on ebay , looks like it might interfere with drop down tailgate or am i just seeing things

[Garry]

Hi D3V8

I tow my complete campsite trailer all the time and although I have never weighed it its pretty heavy

I average around 18 even with all the bar work I have on the car its pretty good but like mentioned before its easy to put the foot down when someone going too slow in front

I have the Mitch Hitch fitted and the long range tank which you should consider it if you are planning on towing as much as I do, keeps the trailer nice and level with plenty of range

But Mate its a 4.4 V8, I know I didn't but mine because it was the best in class for fuel economy but take it relatively easy and its not too bad and after cutting the toilet block of a center muffler out it sounds like the V8 it should :D

If you have a close look at the picture you will see the Mitch Hitch, the long range tank and of course the V8 badge on the tail gate.
Not to mention the Muppet who got it bogged in his own back yard one rainy day a few months ago

And welcome to the forum

Garry

[Declan]

There interesting fuel figures what would the diesel fuel figures be like to towing 2000 kg caravan would it still only be about 5 liters of fuel difference or is there a bigger amount of fuel savings.

Declan

[TerryO]

When towing a decent sized van/trailer fuel consumption very much depends on the speed you drive at whether its a V8 or diesel.

Towing our 2.5 ton pop top off road van on twisty country back roads at 80 to 100 kph we can average 21 - 22 litres per 100, as soon as we hit the highway then it drops to about 15 - 17 litres per 100. I tend to drive at posted speed limits rather then driving for fuel consumption.

Most people I know who tow at a more conservative 90 to 100 kph on highways say they get much better fuel consumption than I do.


cheers,
Terry

[btc]

Hello all I to am a new member so here goes,I currently have a 2003 disco 2 TD5 towing a 2.5 ton tandem caravan ,while it can tow the van it is working fairly hard ,I am thinking of upgrading to a D3 V8 Petrol- whats your thoughts.
Cheers