Thread: Towing larg(er) caravans

I personally like the Discovery and would prefer to convince myself that I should buy it instead of LC200. However, taking the emotion out, why is it a better or as good a tow vehicle as the LC200?
Vehicle GVS Torque Pwr to weight Diesel Eng Wheelbase
LC200 3300 650 197 4.5L 2850
TDV6 2.7L 3240 440 135.8 2.7L 2885

As far as I can see, these are the main figures associated with towing. Both have 3500kg towing capacity and 350kg towbar download.
I can see that if you were towing, say 1000kg, then any concerns re ability are lesser than if towing 3,000kg.
Looking at the figures, the TDV6 is better on wheelbase.
Please don't get me wrong, I am not trying to be argumentative or criticise those that have purchased the Discovery, I am just trying to make the best educated decision I can, based on input from others and what I can determine myself.
Sorry I can not align the figures better than they appear on the post.

Remember towing is not all about power and torque.

The D4 has tow stability assist and self leveling air suspension which IMO makes it a better tow vehicle.

With a re-map the 2.7L is better but on paper does not match the LC200. However the quoted figures are the engine output not at the the wheels. Also torque output is reduced in lower gears.

Here is an example of a re-map for 2.7L:

http://www.superchips.co.uk/curves/landrovertdv6.pdf

Both are good tow vehicles and you may need to decide on ther factors that you prefer in one to the other. Comfort, handling etc...

Your prices are different to here and it looks like the D4 is more expensive or the LC200 is cheaper over there than here.

CaverD3 that is a couple of strong points that I like with the Discovery, tow stability assist and self leveling air suspension. What value do I put on this? A rhetorical question I guess as that is something I need to answer for myself.

On the other side, the LC200 is a larger motor, and I imagine does not work as hard as a 2.7L, hence may not wear out as quick.

Your point re the chip is acknowledged, but if you chip a Discovery then you also chip the LC200, so surely that would cancel that out I would expect.

Output at the wheels, yes and something to be considered. Seems very reasonable, the engine might produce X Nm, but how much might be lost between there and the actually driving of the wheels? Not being mechanical, any idea where I can find that information?

All prices quoted are Aust prices from a dealer. We plan to purchase when we return to OZ later this year. This work is for research now to be used then.

Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Best wishes

I do not tow a lot myself but personally I would concider them to be more important and air suspension for reasons other than just towing.

Just because the LC200 motor is bigger it does not mean that it will last any longer. The 2.7L is a more advanced motor and the 3.0L even more so.
LC200 motors ahave been failing early in fact, using huge amounts of oil and fuel economy is nowhere near the stated in real life.

2.7L engine failures are not unknown but are well proven now. There is a member on DISCO3.CO.UK - Dedicated to Discovery 3 and LR3 Owners and Enthusiasts who has one at 400,000 miles and he tows a cars on a trailer for a living so it has worked hard.

You should be able to get a 3.0L for about the same price as a LC200 in reality when you start negotiating for real.

Find everthing you can before hand is a great idea.

CaverD3 Many thanks again for your assistance. I will look at the link you provided.
Best wishes

I have met at least one person who owned a V8 diesel 200 Series and sold it in preference for a D4 3 litre. He told me it tows his big van better and uses less fuel while doing so.

Originally Posted by Dahai

Disco4SE does it make that much of a difference, 2.7 to 3.0? At an extra $14,000 it is higher than the LC200.
Do I read into your message that the 2.7L is not really up to towing around the 2500kg, or are you just saying the 3.0L is better?

Dahai,
The 2.7Lt will still do the job, however the 3.0Lt will do it easier. The chipped 2.7Lt is still no match for the 3.0Lt........I know as I had both at the same time. The 3.0Lt also has the better transmission & bigger brakes which makes for better heavy load towing.
The 3.0Lt D4 puts power and torque to the wheels better than the LC200 V8. This is reflected in the 0-100Kph figures for each vehicle, as I have mentioned in a previous post.
The cost difference between the 3.0Lt D4 and the LC200 are very minimal.
Good luck with your choice.
Cheers, Craig

One of the things you will read on other forums is that no WDH is considered a limitation. I can tell you I have towed with a WDH on my old Ford Territory and now with the D4 I have towed without a WDH. I can tell you there is no contest towing without the need for a WDH is fantastic.

With or without a WDH rig setup is all important to get a stable tow. But with a WDH you can get forces that are way outside the design tolerances for the towbar.

The D4 is designed to tow it's systems are integrated it is a complete package from the factory (except brake controller).

The LC 200 is not designed to tow it is an after thought. Something to consider Toyota will only honor chassis warranty if a genuine WDH is used. Guess what there is no genuine WDH for the LC 200.

And as mentioned before the trailer stability systems.

My van on a trip last year went sideways big time because of a rut in the road. I felt it happen I saw it in the mirror. Before I even had time to respond the D4 had corrected the swing. If I didn't have the stability system the outcome may have been very different.

For any tug rated at 3500kg to not have a trailer stability system is a huge mistake. As far as I know only Land Rover and Jeep have this feature.