Freelander 2 and horse floats

[LR fan]

Hi all
I'm hoping someone can give me some advice with regards to towing a horse float. I currently have a 1994 Range Rover but am wanting to downsize and I really love the look of the Freelander 2. I understand that the towing capacity on the Freelander is 2000kg and my float weighs approx 1200kg and add a horse and gear the total sits about 1800 - 1900kg. So legally it looks ok but just wondering how it goes in the real world pulling that weight out if the mud.

[jon3950]

Don't know about a horse float, but a friend of mine has a manual TD4 and we regularly tow a WRX rally car with it, which would be a similar weight.

I have been very pleasantly surprised by it. I would say it was similar to the way my old Td5 Disco towed. This has included a trip up and down Clyde Mountain.

So I wouldn't rule it out.

Cheers,
Jon

[reklaw47]

Hi, I tow a caravan which weighs just under 2000kg over the weighbridge. My TD4 handles it easily. No problems on soft ground either.
Rob.

[LR fan]

Thanks for the feedback.

Does anyone tow with the petrol engine or would it be best to go for the TD4?

[camel_landy]

The Freelander will cope with towing at its maximum just fine.

Both engines will be ok with the towing but either way, make sure you're using an auto.

M

[reklaw47]

Go for the TD4, the torque characteristics are much better for towing.
Rob

[Alan7140]

To put things in perspective, the Freelander 2 is dimensionally similar to the Range Rover Classic, weighs roughly the same, and the diesel engine has way more torque at lower RPM than any of the Classic V8s.

Range Rovers were the king of the horse float haulers in the '70's, '80's & '90's, and there was no problem there. In fact at many horse events the car park often looked more like a Range Rover dealer's yard than a car park.

[354 chamberlain]

I have found that towing with a FL2 is a pleasure,I often tow a large tandem loaded with hay (about 1500 all up) and hardly know it is there ,often find my self doing 110 kmh so I have to watch speed .Also tow camper trailer from Darwin to any where and cruise at 110 on the 130 sections of Stuart highway because of the lighter weight.Fuel economy is about 10ltr/100ks over whole trip with td4 auto .

[Trngia]

Yup, I have just come back from a camping trip with 4 adults in the freelander towing a camping trailer and no problems at all. I have a manual td4 and it copes well on and off road towing.