TD5 Towing

[Ranga]

Further to a previous thread in the Discovery forum, I need to find out about LR towing capacities.

The story goes like this. My neighbour bought a boat and trailer that when loaded and fueled up ways about 3.5 tonnes. He will be towing mostly 500m to the local boat ramp.

He's currently looking for vehicles that can tow it, and brought home a nice 1999 TD5 discovery for a test-drive. It's in really good nick, exceptional service history, and is on the money.

The question is, will this be up to the task? Techinically they're rated for 4 tonne, but I need a realistic idea of wether it will be up to the task. He'd rather not get a V8, mostly due to the higher registration (and probably maintenance) costs.

Anyone care to comment?

[Blknight.aus]

yep, it'll do it.

big reds the defender version of the same (assuming you have the manual) and I've hauled 4t with it on more than one occasion.

[Ranga]

If he was to buy it, I'd be doing him a favour by convincing him to "chip" it?

[Blknight.aus]

yes/no/maybe.

if its been looked after and is in good shape then yes.

if its done properly then yes

if hes not going to abuse it then yes

[TonyC]

Is a TD5 Disco rated to 4 Tonne?
I thought that all the ABS vehicles were only 3.5 Tonne.
4 tonne requires coupled brakes. I' not sure if that means braking into the hydraulic system or if electric brakes are considered coupled.
I believe that 3.5 tonne is all a 50mm tow ball is rated to, so some other hitch may be needed.

Tony

[Graeme]

D2 is indeed rated at 3.5T.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

He'd rather not get a V8, mostly due to the higher registration (and probably maintenance) costs.

Anyone care to comment?

The tow hitch will be your stumbling block,,,,,

[MarknDeb]

The D2 is 3.5t and 250kg ball, if you tow something and the ball weight is above the manufacturers limit and you get pulled over or have an accident you are screwed, the fines can be heavy and insurance will wipe you so i would be checking the ball weight of the boat trailer and make sure it is with in the specs.

MR automotives at Redcliffe do a Bruce Davies chip for 6 to $700, they put in another ECU while yours is sent away to be done, also Toombie2 on here does a very good flash that we have heard about many times, you just have to do without the car for a few days and is a couple of hundred cheaper than MR, we have been going to get the flash done for towing our van but the TD5 keeps having different problems and we have to spend the money on them instead

[discowhite]

The D2 is 3.5t and 250kg ball, if you tow something and the ball weight is above the manufacturers limit and you get pulled over or have an accident you are screwed, the fines can be heavy and insurance will wipe you so i would be checking the ball weight of the boat trailer and make sure it is with in the specs.

MR automotives at Redcliffe do a Bruce Davies chip for 6 to $700, they put in another ECU while yours is sent away to be done, also Toombie2 on here does a very good flash that we have heard about many times, you just have to do without the car for a few days and is a couple of hundred cheaper than MR, we have been going to get the flash done for towing our van but the TD5 keeps having different problems and we have to spend the money on them instead

not anymore! nanocom upgrades are now emailed to you

cheers phil

[MarknDeb]

not anymore! nanocom upgrades are now emailed to you

cheers phil

Yes i know but you have to know someone with the equipment to do the flashing, i asked if anyone would like to do mine and met a black hole