D2 Tow Rating

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Originally Posted by DiscoDB

...but it is surprising that the D2 towing capacity when at GVM is more like a Freelander than a Discovery.

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I might know of someone who's been traveling Australia in a fully loaded disco2 and towing a 3+ tonne caravan for the last 10 years thinking he was legal[bighmmm]

Just be wary of using using the Rave or even the standard handbook. I cannot speak for the D2 but if you look at such documents for my RRS the ball capacity is much lower than it actually is - when you bought a RRS you got a handbook - is the UK version that had a tow ball capacity of 150kg, however there is a loose Australian supplement that ups the tow ball weight to 350kgs.

So not saying what you read in the RAVE is not correct but see if there is a paper Australian supplement to the physical handbook that changes capacities for Australia - certainly applies to D3 and RRS.

Garry

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Originally Posted by rapserv

I think the LR2 in the US is the Freelander ... isn't it?

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That is true I have both D2 and a Freelander 2 which is known as a FL2 in Aus and UK and LR2 in the US . Just a note on towing limits the fl2 has independent suspension which probably drops the towing capacity but has far more power than the td5 and tows my camper,smaller caravan and large tandem trailer much easier ,on flat roads 100k at 1650 revs and 11-12 liters per 100k . I prefer the D2 for the caravan as it is right on the weight limit for the FL2,especialy the ball weight .
Doug

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Originally Posted by rapserv

Can anyone explain to me WHY a 2001 Disco 2-TD5 with a 'braked towing weight' of 3500kg .. reduces to a capacity of ONLY 2000Kg with the vehicle loaded to legal payload.

The Disco 2 is built like a tank and uses a pretty solid transmission so why such a huge drop?
Is it to do with brake size?

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It's to do with GCM, gross combined mass.

With the vehicle loaded to GVM a 3500kg trailer will massively exceed the rated GCM.

The brakes, chassis, transmission won't safely cope with 6+ tonne, or at least exceed what Land Rover think is reasonable, and I wouldn't want to pull it, either.

FWIW the chassis isn't as beefy as a Deefer 130 either, nor is the rear axle housing, or at least the Sals version, or the ones sporting a Wolf P38 style rear end.

Isn't it a bit deranged to try to tow 3500Kg with a vehicle that weighs 2150 KG?

Td5 unladen weight: 2150 - 2290 kg.

You are a bit closer with a d3 at 2440Kg

My rule of thumb and for many in the industry is that the towed weight should be not more than the vehicle weight.
And yes I know this is ignored by the majority of Grey Nomads , but it doesn't make it safe or correct.

Regards PhilipA

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Originally Posted by PhilipA

Isn't it a bit deranged to try to tow 3500Kg with a vehicle that weighs 2150 KG?

Td5 unladen weight: 2150 - 2290 kg.

You are a bit closer with a d3 at 2440Kg

My rule of thumb and for many in the industry is that the towed weight should be not more than the vehicle weight.
And yes I know this is ignored by the majority of Grey Nomads , but it doesn't make it safe or correct.

Regards PhilipA

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Fully loaded with all my camping/fishing Kit My D2a would weigh in at over 2.5t But the heaviest I have towed with it is a 2t boat ( I now only tow a 17' Quintrex which is much lighter) and I don't care what LR says I CAN tow I won't exceed that 2t because I quite like my D2a and have absolutely NO intention of flogging the guts out of it towing ridicules loads.
When I bought the 2.5t "Brick" I bought a 79 series V8 which when fully loaded comes in at about 3.5t to tow it with because it is Stronger and much more powerful than my V8 D2a and I am not as emotionally attached to the 79 series in case I "Break It" , "Horses for courses" [thumbsupbig]

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Originally Posted by rapserv

I think the LR2 in the US is the Freelander ... isn't it?

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Ahh! Of course. I'd forgotten that.

When I read this, it makes me think that the tow limit has to do with the ball weight.

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Nose weight
When the vehicle is loaded to GVW, trailer
weight is limited to 2000 kg (2 tonnes) and
the tow hitch vertical load (nose weight) is
limited to 150 kg (330 lb).
The maximum trailer weight is 3500 kg, in this
case the tow-hitch maximum vertical load
(nose weight) of 250 kg (550 lb) should be
used and the vehicle loading limited as
follows:
1. Coil-spring rear suspension - driver plus
two passengers (or their equivalent
weight).
2. Self-levelling rear suspension - driver plus
four passengers and luggage (or the
equivalent weight) occupants to be located
in the first and second row seats
(equivalent weight should be stowed fully
forward against the folded second row of
seats).
NOTE: The maximum speed when towing is
100 km/h (62 mph).

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Originally Posted by Slunnie

When I read this, it makes me think that the tow limit has to do with the ball weight.

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Ball weight forms part of the vehicle payload.

Check out John Cadogen's YouTube video about this - Complete guide to heavy towing (GVM, GCM & ATM explained)) . I can't provide a link owing to his usual language in videos.

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Originally Posted by rapserv

I might know of someone who's been traveling Australia in a fully loaded disco2 and towing a 3+ tonne caravan for the last 10 years thinking he was legal[bighmmm]

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Me too!