Defender towing advise???

[Hooroo]

I plan to tow my 2 tonne (loaded) Conqueror UEV-490 camper trailer around Aus again. I will avoid deep sand/big dunes. I've used a Disco4 which does it with ease. Sold that now. I've got my old mate (1995 Defender) but I haven't towed that big weight far and think he will struggle with the big trip. I'm happy to buy a new Defender before LR stop production. Theory aside;
Q/1. How does your Defender's tow 'practically'?
Q/2. Is it necessary fit an after-market hitch for 2 tonne?
Thanks
PS.
Q/3. Assuming I get feedback that a new Defender is best, I was thinking of waiting until the shipments with Dynamic Stability Control as standard arrive. This is on the assumption that it will slightly enhance safety while towing the 2 tonne. I know it's not as good as fitting after market DSC to the trailer but Do you reckon it's better than nothing, safety-wise?

[debruiser]

Are you asking about Puma's towing ability or a 95?

[weeds]

I would go the puma.......plenty of poke from what a read on here

I tow 1200kg with my 95 defender, it does it OK for short to medium trips.

[tonic]

What timing, I was just about to post a similar question re our intended purchase of a Jayco Hawk, 1.2 tonne to go behind our 98 tdi. My main concerns with this purchase are Inskip Point and Hook Point for our yearly Fraser Trip. And also perhaps Double Island Point crossing.


We have a Camel Camping trailer now and really don't even know it's there, 750 to 800kg. I used to tow 2 tonne of Prill on a tandem trailer with my mates 98 130 and it handled it pretty well both on the highway and around the quarries, that was pre 9/11.


Mine seems to be dying on hills more than my mates and we are about to have all the hoses checked around the turbo. Have already done intercooler hoses and have just bought a bigger intercooler, not yet installed. Am also considering VNT upgrade. I want to stay tdi and consider these upgrades expensive but still cheaper than buying a Puma.


Thanks for this thread, looking forward to the responses.

[debruiser]

My 2.2 puma 90 tows pretty good, have towed a car trailer with a SWB on it, went pretty good and did a 800km trip. I often tow a 1.4t trailer with it, and I don't really have any problems.... might not be as quick as a Ranger or disco or something but I still prefer my 90.

Can't comment on the Tdi's as a comparison, I've never driven one....

[uninformed]

20 year old Tdi vs brand new Tdci? No contest!

I have never driven a Tdci, I do have my opinions on what things LR should have done. That being said, I do own a 98 Tdi and have done my fair share of towing in it with:

Stock Tdi
Tuned Tdi
HS 2.8 Tgv.

If I was in your boots, I would go for the Tdci. It has approx 100nm over the Tdi stock vs stock, It has a better gearbox with a much deeper first gear. It has better door seals (in fact all seals will be better by nature of age, if not as well as design) It has better HVAC, has better dash layout.

Yes there are a few points which may be worse (say the P38 rear diff vs the Sals) but they really are not as big an issue as the interweb may make out.

Buy the Tdci, keep the Tdi, sell which ever one you want to after the end of the year when they can not be bought new anymore and prices are strong

[Drover]

I've got a UEV440 that I tow with my 2008 PUMA SVX.

The 440 weights 1150kg's TARE. Add 150L of water, food, clothes and few bits the real life tow weight is about 1400kg's.

A UEV490 is 1450kg's TARE, carrys the same 150L of water. Add your food etc I can't see your tow weight to much more that 1700kg's.

My PUMA has cat and centre muffler removed, Allisport intercooler and BAS remap.

I have taken the the UEV to Fraser Island and crossed Indian head on hot dry day. Just got home last night from a trip to Seaforth QLD (Mackay) covered 4500k's in just 10 days.

In July we are going on a trip the Central Australia with the full intention of spending 2 or 3 week in the Simpson Desert.

With the weight of the 440 (Loaded) and the fact that my PUMA that carrys lots of extra weight on accesories( bull bar, winch, drawer system, wheel hanger and sliders) and runs 33's. It tows great, I sit on 100kmh everywhere, some hills back to 5th and down to 90kmh and on the massive hills 4th.

This last trip I averaged 14.2L/100k's.

I wouldn't hesitate to tow mine around Australia and if SWMBO gets her way we will be shortly.

[PAT303]

Tdi's come alive with a good dyno tune,thats were I'd start. Pat

[uninformed]

Tdi's come alive with a good dyno tune,thats were I'd start. Pat

On 20 year old hoses, seals, gaskets, etc... Surely the new Tdci is the better option for $$ and peace of mind for a big Oz trip towing

[slug_burner]

Tdci if you can get one.

Tdi will do it, just a bit slower and not as comfortable in the AC compartment.