Thread: Towing a disco

Not the answer, but if it doesn't run how is your brake booster going to provide vacuum to your brakes. 80kph and having to brake on a tow line it isn't going to be to responsive.
Better to spend the dosh and hire a car trailer and tow it on the trailer , safer for you and other road users

Originally Posted by Jim621

Hi All,

I have just bought a disco 1 that i have to tow home as it doesnt run. ~30kms and will be travelling up to 80 kph.

If i use a tow rope and tow it with another car do i need to remove the driveshafts? If you do need to remove them, why?

I can understand if you get a tow from a tow truck (front wheels lifted) the centre differential will be working overtime to allow for the difference in rotational speed between the front and rear wheels.

Thanks, Steve.

If it's a manual you can tow it as far as you like, knowing there will be no power steering or power brakes. If it's an auto then around the block at the most. in either case not safe or recommended. If you remove tailshafts you won't have any hand brake either!

Get a tilt tray tow truck to do the job, they are fully insured and faaaar safer. I didn't know there were still any of the old style towtrucks left in business.

Originally Posted by bee utey

If it's a manual you can tow it as far as you like, knowing there will be no power steering or power brakes. If it's an auto then around the block at the most. in either case not safe or recommended. If you remove tailshafts you won't have any hand brake either!

Get a tilt tray tow truck to do the job, they are fully insured and faaaar safer. I didn't know there were still any of the old style towtrucks left in business.

Thanks Bee utey and notworthcomplaining - both fair comments.

why is an auto any different to a manual? couldnt you just put the centre diff into netural and then still make use of the handbrake if required?


technically the car does run, but it has a blown head gasket and leaks gasses into the coolant. i guess i could take a few hours and carefully drive it home stopping every 5 mins to let it cool/fill up the coolant.

Cheers, Steve

Originally Posted by Jim621

Thanks Bee utey and notworthcomplaining - both fair comments.

why is an auto any different to a manual? couldnt you just put the centre diff into netural and then still make use of the handbrake if required?


technically the car does run, but it has a blown head gasket and leaks gasses into the coolant. i guess i could take a few hours and carefully drive it home stopping every 5 mins to let it cool/fill up the coolant.

Cheers, Steve

If you loosened the radiator cap so it does not hold pressure and did it in the cool of the night, possibly you could drive a far amount of miles as long as you stopped when the temp gauge gots to the ouch end of the scale.
I drove my disco after the header tank split with with the cap very loose until i could get to a town to order a new one.

Originally Posted by Jim621

Thanks Bee utey and notworthcomplaining - both fair comments.

why is an auto any different to a manual? couldnt you just put the centre diff into netural and then still make use of the handbrake if required?


technically the car does run, but it has a blown head gasket and leaks gasses into the coolant. i guess i could take a few hours and carefully drive it home stopping every 5 mins to let it cool/fill up the coolant.

Cheers, Steve

You are right of course, silly me, but the lack of assistance to brakes and steering still applies. If you manage to drive it I would suggest first removing the thermostat. This will allow the combustion gases to get out the top quickly and not force out the bulk of the coolant.
Best of luck.

The last time I towed a vehicle that had a major overheat problem (threw fan belt, Hiace van) I told the owner to leave his engine idling in drive, so he kept brakes and steering. Without load on the engine it didn't heat up as quickly and I was able to tow him up a couple of very steep bits without fuss.

why not just fix it where it is if its only something minor.