Towing advice V8 v TD5

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Astraeus

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6
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Tayport
In a few months time I intend buying a Discovery 2 or Range Rover. (Budget about £5k) I have always fancied a V8 and would fit it with LPG. However would be happy enough with a diesel TD5 etc. Has anybody any advice about which would be better and cheaper to run. I currently(last 5 years) run a Rover 75 V6 on LPG, and covered 70k in its predecessor 1.8 LPG) covering circa 10/12 k miles a year but don't tow with it. It is cheaper to run than my ZT with the 2.0 BMW Diesel in it.
It would have to be automatic so can anyone give some advice/ experience with comparison? Heart v head?

It will be used for towing classic cars/ sailing boat including a Rover 75

All advice ( even if totally against the V8 ) will be helpful

Thanks

Chris
 
I cannot offer any advice re. the TD5 as I've no driving experience of a vehicle powered by that engine, but what I will say is decide if you can cope with the V8's thirst ... if you can't steer clear of LPG & buy something that is affordable.
 
Discovery 2 V8's, we have three, plus a Vogue 4.6.

They are not so bad as folks make out, but the diesels are cheaper to run, if a little down on power for towing.

One of our V8's is going to be up for sale, it's a low mileage 1999 GS manual, no ACE.

upload_2018-1-26_12-3-23.png


That's 3500kg, and the extra power of the V8 makes a big difference at the top towing weight.

Peter
 
My experience is visa versa only towed with a td5 disco,With a tractor weighing just on 2 tons on a 16' ifor Williams trailer so almost at the 3,500kg limit,never had any problems at all,it's a complete big standard disco with air and ace,no mods of any kind to engine or any where else.Has plenty of power and handles really well at towing speeds 55/60 mph.Does around about 15)7 mpg at that weight which I think I'd reasonable.hope that helps
 
I cannot offer any advice re. the TD5 as I've no driving experience of a vehicle powered by that engine, but what I will say is decide if you can cope with the V8's thirst ... if you can't steer clear of LPG & buy something that is affordable.
Thanks. Why do you say steer clear of LPG? Is there a problem with that engine and LPG?
I have run a V6 Rover 75 without any problem for last 4 years with decent Stag kit fitted. Does it perhaps depend on LPG kit or something with the V8 engine?
 
Discovery 2 V8's, we have three, plus a Vogue 4.6.

They are not so bad as folks make out, but the diesels are cheaper to run, if a little down on power for towing.

One of our V8's is going to be up for sale, it's a low mileage 1999 GS manual, no ACE.

View attachment 140154

That's 3500kg, and the extra power of the V8 makes a big difference at the top towing weight.

Peter
Hi
Thanks. I note from your signature you run a V8 on LPG. How has that been? What sort of LPG kit have you on it?
Chris
 
My experience is visa versa only towed with a td5 disco,With a tractor weighing just on 2 tons on a 16' ifor Williams trailer so almost at the 3,500kg limit,never had any problems at all,it's a complete big standard disco with air and ace,no mods of any kind to engine or any where else.Has plenty of power and handles really well at towing speeds 55/60 mph.Does around about 15)7 mpg at that weight which I think I'd reasonable.hope that helps
Hi
Thanks. Yes, I have heard that they are perfectly capable. Good that it tows well at limit.
Chris
 
To be honest you need to make sure the V8 is running sweet as the LPG will pick any flaws being a different combustion. LPG on open systems SU Carbs are forgiving with a V8 but reduce the umphs on acceleration. Injection system has to be accurate so make sure the V8 is SERVICED first before adding the LPG.
 
Both of our Discovery V8's are on Zavoli multipoint systems, and the Rangie Vogue will go on the same system after we've sorted the engine out (cooked by previous owner)

LPG is good, mine has done 95k on gas, more before I bought it. We've been into Europe 7 times with it and had no issues.

V8's need to be solid mechanically if you're going to run on LPG, it runs at a higher combustion temperature and there's no evaporative cooling as you get with petrol.

Joemac's Ifor trailer seems a bit heavy? ton and a half seems a lot?
https://www.iwt.co.uk/products/flatbed/lt-and-lm/?tab=spec

Peter
 
Both of our Discovery V8's are on Zavoli multipoint systems, and the Rangie Vogue will go on the same system after we've sorted the engine out (cooked by previous owner)

LPG is good, mine has done 95k on gas, more before I bought it. We've been into Europe 7 times with it and had no issues.

V8's need to be solid mechanically if you're going to run on LPG, it runs at a higher combustion temperature and there's no evaporative cooling as you get with petrol.

Joemac's Ifor trailer seems a bit heavy? ton and a half seems a lot?
https://www.iwt.co.uk/products/flatbed/lt-and-lm/?tab=spec

Peter
Traile not that heavy Peter,forgot to mention the plough,800 kilos ! Doh
 
In a few months time I intend buying a Discovery 2 or Range Rover. (Budget about £5k) I have always fancied a V8 and would fit it with LPG. However would be happy enough with a diesel TD5 etc. Has anybody any advice about which would be better and cheaper to run. I currently(last 5 years) run a Rover 75 V6 on LPG, and covered 70k in its predecessor 1.8 LPG) covering circa 10/12 k miles a year but don't tow with it. It is cheaper to run than my ZT with the 2.0 BMW Diesel in it.
It would have to be automatic so can anyone give some advice/ experience with comparison? Heart v head?

It will be used for towing classic cars/ sailing boat including a Rover 75

All advice ( even if totally against the V8 ) will be helpful

Thanks

Chris

V8 Auto worked well for me. No issues, and not too dear to run for a big vehicle.
 
Both will be fine to tow. Both wont be very effcient especially when towing. V8 will be more fun, diesel more frugal solo.
 
i Had up until last year a disco2 v8 manual that i only used occasionally for towing a 26' caravan.
Some years ago i had a 200tdi disco for pulling a similar size caravan.
I would say without doubt the v8 everytime. plenty of power for cruising speeds and plenty more left in case its needed.
I have a tdv6 d4 now that i have yet to tow any distance so im not sure how comparable that would be.
My mpg when towing would average 14mpg and i drove it hard and usually towed at 70mph
i hope this helps
 
When we go to Nuenen for the engine show, we are fully loaded, car and engine/living trailer, but there's still a reasonable return on mileage if you make the engine pull rather than rev its nuts off.
I much prefer the 5-speed manual in the Discovery, but with the higher power of the Range Rover 4.6 I'll probably be OK with the four speeds of the ZF HP24 box.
We fitted the uprated R380 box from Ashcrofts last year as the bearings were going in the box that we fitted in 2012.
Peter
 
When we go to Nuenen for the engine show, we are fully loaded, car and engine/living trailer, but there's still a reasonable return on mileage if you make the engine pull rather than rev its nuts off.
I much prefer the 5-speed manual in the Discovery, but with the higher power of the Range Rover 4.6 I'll probably be OK with the four speeds of the ZF HP24 box.
We fitted the uprated R380 box from Ashcrofts last year as the bearings were going in the box that we fitted in 2012.
Peter

Autobox on my D2 was lovely for towing. No idea what sort of box it was, but it worked well.:)
Nice and gentle on the works on pulling away, and good for creeping for low speed reversing.
 
Either will be good.

Both have good points and bad points.

Basically medium sized V8 vs tuneable smallish Diesel. Both sound nice.

Condition of vehicle is also important.
 
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