Thread: RRC Towing Limits Revisited

My 74 & 77 2 doors can tow 4,000 kg braked. Have a genuine LR towbar on one with a plaque that states the same.

No mention of hi or lo range. Maybe ZF had the kg dropped?

DL

I thought they were something silly like 11tons in low range ? They aren't the best tow vehicle IMO .... take it slow and easy if your towing 3.5tons (the slow bit will be easy )

seeya,
Shane L.

Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

I thought they were something silly like 11tons in low range ?

I seem to remember that from my '83 RRC handbook.

Originally Posted by p38arover

I seem to remember that from my '83 RRC handbook.

I have read something similar somewhere (possibly here).

Actually the LSE is probably a much better tow car as it will have levelling suspension that actually levels for a start... And has a longer wheelbase (the longer the wheelbase the better!) Definitely use weight distribution bars to get some of the weight back onto the front wheels. Levelling suspension just means the car is level. You want some of the extra weight carried by the rear suspension to be distributed to the front (where all of the steering and most of the braking is done).

The suspension is too soft and the rear overhang to great IMO ... so it makes towing big stuff "exciting". At least it chassis won't break like the twin cab utes everyone else seems to need

seeya,
Shane L.

AFAIR there are two types of towbars for RRCs.
One has a very small download allowance of AFAIR 180KG.
The other HD one for towing big loads has arms running forward to the bolt holes in the chassis about 300MM forward and a cross brace.
Regards Philip A

Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

I have read something similar somewhere (possibly here).

Actually the LSE is probably a much better tow car as it will have levelling suspension that actually levels for a start... And has a longer wheelbase (the longer the wheelbase the better!) Definitely use weight distribution bars to get some of the weight back onto the front wheels. Levelling suspension just means the car is level. You want some of the extra weight carried by the rear suspension to be distributed to the front (where all of the steering and most of the braking is done).

The suspension is too soft and the rear overhang to great IMO ... so it makes towing big stuff "exciting". At least it chassis won't break like the twin cab utes everyone else seems to need

seeya,
Shane L.

Hi folks and thanks for comments. Hopefully 2 pages of revant pdf attached with notations.
My responses include

1 Towbar rating does not necessarily equate to vehicle capacity, even if original equipment. I have a Titan HD dual 50/70 mm towball arrangement which from memory is rated to about 6,000 kgm, obviously for the US market.

2 I tow the 3.5T brick with my D2a, but on anything other than good roads would not dream of exceeding 80 kmph (quite apart from the impact on EGTs). Otherwise, yes can be "exciting". I've held an HC licence for about 50 years, and also used to have an ex Greyhound GMC4107 that I pulled a 5T plus trailer with.

3 One of the attractions of the LSE (apart from liking them/lusting after one since they fist came out) is the longer wheelbase and EAS for towing, and yes I know the later cars all have equivalent or longer wheelbases, but they are out of my financial league having spent the kids inheritance on the brick.

4 Weight distribution bars are a NoNo according to the manual at page 95.

5 Re the start heavy towing in low range info in column 1 of page 95, I have a heavier duty ZF 4HP24 and torque converter fitted in the LSE, and always? remember the anecdotal advice to start off in 1st gear, then work through to 3rd in the D2 with 4HP22 and HD torque converter. Trying to cruise in D/Overdrive at 80 or more usually means EGTs climb through the roof towing in the Disco (not tried yet in the LSE, but given the poorer cooling capacity indications to date, would be as bad/worse). Hence my interest in a HD radiator for the LSE in another post (and related posts by others).

If anyone has good contacts at LR who would be prepared to comment, that would be great (otherwise I'll have to make a formal request).
Best outcome would be that 3.5T can be pulled at highway speeds without compromising insurance or road rules, especially now that the Police are quite properly starting to do on-road load checks.

Cheers Gavin

Gavin

I strongly suspect that the weights are US market only, given your notation that the manual refers to the North american market and dimensions are all imperial measurements first. Towing capacities often change depending on the legislation of the particular country.

I just had a dig through my archives and found the scan of the Australian owners manual for the MY94 Softdash Classic, I used to own and it states 3.5t

Cheers

Steve
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Originally Posted by gavinwibrow

Hi folks and thanks for comments. Hopefully 2 pages of revant pdf attached with notations.
My responses include


4 Weight distribution bars are a NoNo according to the manual at page 95.


Cheers Gavin

Yeah I now .... I would still absolutely use them. I'd just do what I do with my Citroens (they all self level too). Pull them up as tighten as I'm comfortable with .... the car will self level again (ie: remove pressure from the rear suspension, and add it to the front)... The car is still level, but you will have transferred weight to the front.

Uncouple them as soon as you stop while keeping the engine running .............. You would put enormous forces onto everything if you let the car sink down to its bumpstops with the distribution bars still hooked up!

seeya,
Shane L..