Disappointed in the D5 / waiting for the Defender

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Arapiles

How do you know that the new Defender has a lower payload than the old one?

---

Call it an educated guess.

I was under the impression that the new Defender was built on the same platform as the new Disco. Doesn't the new Disco has an increased payload compared to the D3/D4?

Ron

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by IndusD4

I was under the impression that the new Defender was built on the same platform as the new Disco. Doesn't the new Disco has an increased payload compared to the D3/D4?

Ron

---

Yes, but from what I’m hearing - torsional rigidity isn’t a big thing on a D5.

So much so that an accessory manufacturer is offloading their D5.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ~Rich~

Well the reveal of the new Defender is less than 2 weeks away and looking at this photo I’m impressed with it as a replacement for D3 & 4 vehicles.

---

Good to see you’re still looking in occasionally Rich. I’m tending to think the same way, fingers crossed.

Cheers,
Scott

One reason I bought a D4 is because it is heavier than my caravan. Loaded up at 3 tonne vs van at 2.5 tonne. Apart from the negatives above that I mostly agree with, the lighter D5 can be seen as another negative under towing conditions. Like the tail wagging the dog. Like others, I am keen to see what the new Defender is like and will hang on to my boxy MY2013 SDV6 HSE for a long time.

Just to balance the picture, If I wasn't towing I would like the D5's better fuel economy and other enhancements. However, I still prefer the boxy shape for practical reasons.

I bet the new Deefer will be same sort of weight as D5,it definitely won't be the weight of a D4.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by StewG

One reason I bought a D4 is because it is heavier than my caravan. Loaded up at 3 tonne vs van at 2.5 tonne. Apart from the negatives above that I mostly agree with, the lighter D5 can be seen as another negative under towing conditions. Like the tail wagging the dog. Like others, I am keen to see what the new Defender is like and will hang on to my boxy MY2013 SDV6 HSE for a long time.

Just to balance the picture, If I wasn't towing I would like the D5's better fuel economy and other enhancements. However, I still prefer the boxy shape for practical reasons.

---

I don't think you'd have anything to worry about with the D5 being lighter. Yes it is lighter....when empty. But that weight loss in the tare weight is given back to you with an increased payload allowing you to carry a lot more in the vehicle (which you can take out of the trailer if you're that worried). So, D5 GVM when loaded is not that much less than the D4 (130Kgs for the SD4 and 90Kgs for the SD6 - both 7 seater). Add to that, the 350Kg towball weight does not come off the payload which is a handy 950Kg approx. depending on features and engine selected.

Based on that, the D5 is miles ahead , IMHO.

The Defender will equal or better these numbers at a guess.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SBD4

Add to that, the 350Kg towball weight does not come off the payload which is a handy 950Kg approx. depending on features and engine selected.

---

I believe any tow ball weight on the D5 will reduce the payload, which means you have approx 600kg to play with after hooking up a caravan with 350kg pushing down on the tow ball. Still pretty healthy in my opinion. There's been much discussion about that "included 150kg" tow ball weight on the D3/D4 but LRA have a different view where even any tow ball weight on the D3/D4 reduces the payload - see a recent D3/D4 thread on that.

Ron

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by scarry

I bet the new Deefer will be same sort of weight as D5,it definitely won't be the weight of a D4.

---

Well i was wrong there,depending on specs,D5 is generally lighter than new Defender,and the new Defender is almost as heavy as D4.

Hopefully it will also have a proper jack,not something designed to lift a Corolla.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by scarry

Well i was wrong there,depending on specs,D5 is generally lighter than new Defender,and the new Defender is almost as heavy as D4.

Hopefully it will also have a proper jack,not something designed to lift a Corolla.

---

Reading this I thought to myself ‘no way, he must have stuffed that up’. But no, there’s not much in it - maybe 60kg in base specs.

A little disappointing actually, that it is still that heavy... seems underpowered now :-/