Trip around Aussie

[pjsupercell]

Hi everybody,
First time used this forum and would like to pick your brains.
I have a 2002 td5 64Ks and am thinking of towing a 22 ft van around the block. The loaded weight of the van would be aprox 2400kgs. Do you feel this vechicle will be up to the job and would you make any recommendations like a chip etc.

Thanks for your help.


Peter

[George130]

If its a Defender then the towing capacity is 3500kg. I think the Disco is the same. Chip will give you heaps more grunt and can improve fuel economy but it should cope anyway. Those with more experience with towing can give you some real advice.

[noddy]

Firstly welcome to the forum!

We just got back from travelling around the country in a TD5 Defender pulling a camp trailer weighing ~1500kg fully loaded.

I would suggest getting your ECU remapped (130Kw and 400+Nm) and fitting an EGT gauge (so you can keep an eye on the temps). If you have an auto Disco, this would be better again.

All the best

[wardy1]

Welcome to the site!
Your TD5 will do it all with no probs. I think there are many here who will tell you that the chip is a good thing and it is. But it will not make your vehicle any less capable if you DON'T do it. You will find hills and things easier with it, but hey, with a 22'van behind, you're not going to be challenging the really rough stuff. Chances are if you want to do a bit of that you'll park the van and take a tent for a few days.

I'd be spending the $600-900 on making sure everything else is perfect and on some really good quality recovery and communications gear.

BTW A pre-requisite of AULRO members is a good supply of pics for those of us not able to be there

Enjoy your trip, I hope its safe and enjoyable.

[CraigE]

The TD5 will do it easy. Obviously you will not be setting any speed records towing a van, but that applies to most tow vehicles. We did it in a MK Patrol shorty some years ago without any dramas. Only issue we had was getting out of a caravan park in the blue mountains, that came straight out onto a steep hill and needed 4wd to get up. As the TD5 will be constant 4wd anyway you should have no dramas.
Have a great trip.

[pjsupercell]

Thanks Guys,

I will get chip remapped and spend money on communication gear etc.



Peter


PS the beast is a Discovery auto

[Redback]

Hi Peter welcome, the auto is an advantage when towing, i have a manual TD5 Disco and i got it chipped we tow a 1300kg campertrailer all the time, with 3 adults and 2 dogs fully loaded in the car as well, also i have gone up in tyre size which knocks the power off alot so the chip was essential in our our case.

If i had bought an auto then i might not have chipped it, as the auto seems to cope better aspecially on take off, which is where the manual struggles and puts a big load on the clutch, once your mobile it's fine and handles the weight no prob.

Do a couple of short trips in hilly country first to see how it goes then decide, the chip does make a big difference though.

Baz.