Towing a 1982 jayco swan with a 1995 discovery

[lanise]

Hi everyone. We are about to go on a trip to Darwin then across to Cairns. No off road this time. However we are towing a big load, a 1982 jayco swan camper trailer. It is in good condition. I was just wondering if anyone has towed a swan with a 1995 tdi discovery. We realise we will not be fast! However as long as we can track along ok that will be fine.
Has anyone done this and how did you go?

By the way we changed the timing belt and thanks to all those who gave us advice. My husband said the info was great and he had no problems.

Regards Lanise

[LRHybrid100]

maybe get in contact with these guys http://www.thermoguard.com.au/ for 2 reasons:

1. You may want to install the EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature) gauge to monitor your exhaust temps while towing.

2. They also use a Disco TDI for towing on long distances around Australia inc QLD

they are also forum member - Leo109 is his log on

But can confirm the Disco TDI is a good tow vehcile - not the fastest, but a good economical tow vehicle.

HTH

LRH

[shaunp]

I tow a 2000 swan with my v8 5 speed and Dad tows a 5.2 metre Coromal seka pop top (single axle) with his 97 TDI 5speed. The Coromal is taller and heavier than a swan. They will tow this sort of weight with no problem a Swan even over loaded will be no more than 1300kg, I asume you have electric brakes on the swan and controller fitted to the car. You will find that the car will cruise at 100-110km all day on the flat with no problem. I have towed mine behind the v8 at up to 130km. If the car is a 5 speed this is what you need to protect. Fill it with synthetic oil like Castrol syntrans and don't load or lug it in 5th. Do all full throttle overtaking in 4th and drop it back to 4th on any hill that starts to load the engine. We recently did 2k km From Brisbane south to Dubbo to take the kids to the zoo and then across to the coast both cars went fine, the TDI averaged no more than 13L/100km and there was a bit of hill climbing in this trip often down to 3rd gear several times a day. If the car is good you will have no problems and an enjoyable trip, best of all you can tell the Toyota Prado drivers around the camp fire you are useing 13L/100 not 25 like they are, even my V8 only used a max of 18L/100 on the trip which was less than all the Toyota drivers we had a beer with. Do you have a set of level ride bars? these make a lot of differance to the car, I don't mean a $500 Hayman reece load distribution hitch just a set of $145 level ride bars are fine. I would also recomend sticking a set of Kings springs in the rear about $140 a pair and 1 hour to fit makes alot of differance to the ride and pitching due to the extra wieght.

[one_iota]

Related to Shaunp's mention of rear springs you could also consider the installation of inflatable Polyair bags to level the Disco.

[lanise]

Thanks for your very helpful advice. We really appreciate it. I will follow up with some of those suggestions. The exhaust temp guage sounds good so do the level ride bars. We have some sort of air bag suspension in the back already so this may also help.
Sounds as though the car is made for the trip!

Thanks Lanise