Thread: Best Tow Tug Engine

Buy a Disco and whack a Cummins and Auto in it!! Sorry, couldn't resist! Jokes aside, I ran a Defender Td5 and loved it. Not that much 'top end' power but it had heaps of low down torque. It was in std un chipped form too. The 'Head Gasket Issue' you talk about is prob to do with the earlier engines that were originally fitted with plastic dowels to hold the head in place... At anywhere between 100000 and 200000 kms the gasket would fail as the head would slip downwards. I had to do the head gasket on the 130. Signs are at first slight coolant usage, getting progressively worse, and then finally the head gasket fails pressurising the system. Not sure re the Auto/Manual debate. I like my manuals, but as said before, autos are more friendly to the drivetrain. As long as you can keep the oil cool, that might be the go.

Originally Posted by MR LR

Anyone who thinks a 4 speed auto is good enough isn't towing something heavy enough IMO, might be ok for 1T but hang 3T off the back and you'll know about it.

...which is precisely when I'd want an auto as I hate the smell of clutch smoke!!

M

Not sure what speed it locks up in 3rd as I've not taken notice. In 4th it locks up between 55 and 60kmh. It stayed locked up for the duration I was towing on the highway (including hills). If you are familiar with the stretch from Laura to Cairns you'll know what I'm talking about. A bit of dirt before Laura too.

Towing him, purely a guess here, but I'll say he was around the 2.7t mark, he had a load on the roof too, plus trailer took the combo to 3.9t (a bit higher than what it should have been!), and my P38 fully loaded with a roof load, so probably close to 3t as well, got 20L/100km.

When I hit the hills I dropped back to 3rd to prevent killing the transmission.

Cheers
Keithy

Originally Posted by joel0407

Interesting the the Auto/Manual debate is as strong with towing as off-roading. I guess it's personal preferance.

Happy Days

I'd much prefer a manual, but, have no choice with the D4

I will say this though, offroad, the auto has much better control in the really slow stuff, when towing onroad it is better when pulling away, especially if you're on a hill.

My comment was more about having 6 gears over 4, sitting in 5th in our auto D4, it sits around 2100 to 2200rpm

Baz.

Originally Posted by camel_landy

...which is precisely when I'd want an auto as I hate the smell of clutch smoke!!

M

You're doing something really wrong if you're literally smoking clutches.

Originally Posted by Keithy P38

Not sure what speed it locks up in 3rd as I've not taken notice. In 4th it locks up between 55 and 60kmh. It stayed locked up for the duration I was towing on the highway (including hills). If you are familiar with the stretch from Laura to Cairns you'll know what I'm talking about. A bit of dirt before Laura too.

Towing him, purely a guess here, but I'll say he was around the 2.7t mark, he had a load on the roof too, plus trailer took the combo to 3.9t (a bit higher than what it should have been!), and my P38 fully loaded with a roof load, so probably close to 3t as well, got 20L/100km.

When I hit the hills I dropped back to 3rd to prevent killing the transmission.

Cheers
Keithy

In the classics (hydraulic only ZF) I've only got lockup in 4th gear and only from ~85km/h. Which means for towing it's only locked on the flats and the rest of the time stirring/heating oil.
Is the TD5 disco ZF closer in function to the P38 or classic?

Originally Posted by Keithy P38

Not sure what speed it locks up in 3rd as I've not taken notice. In 4th it locks up between 55 and 60kmh. It stayed locked up for the duration I was towing on the highway (including hills). If you are familiar with the stretch from Laura to Cairns you'll know what I'm talking about. A bit of dirt before Laura too.

Towing him, purely a guess here, but I'll say he was around the 2.7t mark, he had a load on the roof too, plus trailer took the combo to 3.9t (a bit higher than what it should have been!), and my P38 fully loaded with a roof load, so probably close to 3t as well, got 20L/100km.

When I hit the hills I dropped back to 3rd to prevent killing the transmission.

Cheers
Keithy

Sorry but I find this very hard to believe

Baz.

Originally Posted by camel_landy

...which is precisely when I'd want an auto as I hate the smell of clutch smoke!!

M

May I respectfully suggest that you learn to drive then?

I've towed the 5.6T header comb behind the Td5 Disco around the farm and slightly beyond... no clutch smoke or slip as I used low range on any hills and for maneuvering (keep in mind the trailer is over 50ft long).

And strangely I actually agree with Dougal in this case..!

Btw the Disco has 200kkm on it with the original clutch and has done a lot of heavy towing. Anyone that has problems towing with a manual Disco shouldn't be towing IMO, one of the best tow cars out there.

Cheers
Will

Originally Posted by Redback

Sorry but I find this very hard to believe

Baz.

It's all documented, I'll dig it up.

EDIT: Was actually 17.8L/100km. I can't upload the image due to being on the iPhone. I can email it to you if you'd like?