Advice sought... Defender or Disco for towing a heavy caravan?

I have an old Range Rover (03 plate), petrol with an LPG conversion that guzzles fuel like it's going out of fashion with our new caravan. Add to that a gearbox that's not sounding at all well and I think it's time to change.

Being a bit of a Land Rover fanboy, the choice is pretty much down to either a 110 or a Discovery.

Now I'm quite happy driving a Defender as a day to day car even though it is rather lacking in creature comforts. On the other hand, if I'm going to spend ££s on a Disco, I figure it would be a waste without the comforts! The main difference, therefore, is price.

There is absolutely no question that the Disco is more than capable of hauling the van, however, there is the question of whether a Defender is. Since neither the van (new model Sterling Eccles SE Trekker) or the engine (2.2 diesel) in the new defenders is listed on the www.whattowcar.com site, I'm having a job working this bit out.

So, please could somebody help clear the muddied waters? Does anybody here tow a reasonably heavy van with a Defender? Is towing a heavy van with a 110 sensible or should I just bite the bullet and blow the savings on a Disco? Is there any other reason why a Defender's a no-go?

Van:
MRO: 1625
MTPLM: 1805

Defender:
Kerb weight: 1955

Many thanks,

Nicholas.

Defenders tow well, hold their value and even new ones are simple things.
As for engine power the 110 has less but weighs 700kg less.
Disco 3 and 4 are also proving to be one of the most unreliable lrs made

Thought all the engines were about 111 or 121 bhp depending on manual pump to fly by wire on 300tdi ?

Fender SW is 1,923 kg
Disco 1 is 2,061 kg

according to google

disco 3 2700kg

Ooooh we on about the new disco thems is chubby!


But aren't they a twin chassis set up with a semi ladder and monocoque

They is strong motor though I wish Id bought something usefull like a cnc plasma instead now

Oooooh no how about a laser cutter

NAB said:

I have an old Range Rover (03 plate), petrol with an LPG conversion that guzzles fuel like it's going out of fashion with our new caravan. Add to that a gearbox that's not sounding at all well and I think it's time to change.

Being a bit of a Land Rover fanboy, the choice is pretty much down to either a 110 or a Discovery.

Now I'm quite happy driving a Defender as a day to day car even though it is rather lacking in creature comforts. On the other hand, if I'm going to spend ££s on a Disco, I figure it would be a waste without the comforts! The main difference, therefore, is price.

There is absolutely no question that the Disco is more than capable of hauling the van, however, there is the question of whether a Defender is. Since neither the van (new model Sterling Eccles SE Trekker) or the engine (2.2 diesel) in the new defenders is listed on the www.whattowcar.com site, I'm having a job working this bit out.

So, please could somebody help clear the muddied waters? Does anybody here tow a reasonably heavy van with a Defender? Is towing a heavy van with a 110 sensible or should I just bite the bullet and blow the savings on a Disco? Is there any other reason why a Defender's a no-go?

Van:
MRO: 1625
MTPLM: 1805

Defender:
Kerb weight: 1955

Many thanks,

Nicholas.

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Spend the money getting your l322 sorted, a disco or defender on derv will cost more to run than a lpg v8!

Dr_evil said:

Oooooh no how about a laser cutter

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I was part owner of a bystronic laser until my pal paid me back, its 15yrs old but still the bollocks wish I had the cash to buy him out.

pressbrake said:

I was part owner of a bystronic laser until my pal paid me back, its 15yrs old but still the bollocks wish I had the cash to buy him out.

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Not find another one somewhere ?

Not sure how much help I can be here, I've never had a disco so no idea what they're like or how reliable they are.

I have an old defender 1994 300tdi. Ive recently towed a car transporter trailer with my yank pickup truck on the back, and also let a mate move his vw campervan in the same way. Id guess that these vehicles, on a trailer, would weight a bit more than your caravan. According to the documents, my fender's towing limit is 3500kg, and I would certainly trust it to pull that kind of weight. It really didn't stuggle at all pulling these vehicles around.

now the ride in my defender is a different story. It's an old beast, and has no refinement at all. So although I'm sure it would be fine pulling a caravan or cargo trailer, if I needed to tow a mega expensive thoroughbred horse in a horse box, Id take it bloody careful, because it's just so clunky when going through the gears.

As for daily driver. (I'm sure I'll get slated for this, as I'm just not as die hard as some on here) From time to time I use the landy for my daily commute. I'd say for the first couple of days it's great, it reminds me just why I love it. But by about day three or four, the noise, coldness, lack of car radio and amount of diesel I'm burning does have me longing for the car again, and the creature comforts that come with. Local driving is fine, but my fender just isnt the kind of vehicle I'd want to spend serious time on the motorway with.

That said, if I win the lottery, I've promised myself a new 110 (with a distant hope that a newer model might be slightly more refined that my 90).

So, my advice is, buy the 110. Also get a cheap **** car as your daily driver and only take your caravan on local holidays

pfft disco as a daily driver for me... just as capable as a fender and more creature comforts

fender for a work horse/toy

I towed a trailer the other day i'd estimate at about 2 tonne and my 300tdi '96 discovery barely noticed it on the back, only time I noticed it was pulling off from a stand still on a slight incline

i would fix the V8

I used to tow a lot of aggregate about. Although a diesel is a better puller, it does get through more fuel (in my experience).
I used to have an ifor williams tipper trailer and my first tow vehicle was a 2.8 diesel isuzu trooper. That would do 400 miles per tank, but only 300 when towing. (350 miles if using aircon and not towing).
I used to go to the tip a lot, but the isuzu would often get stuck in there, so I bought me a 3.0 petrol shogun that had diff lockers (me hoping I would not get stuck). I noticed that the shogun got through much less fuel per tank when towing (can't remember the exact figures now).
I don't know if others will confirm similar, but it may help you in your choice.
Trouble for me was I got banned from the tip as you ain't allowed petrol engines in a tip..

got to agree with some others, use the money you would have to spend on the disco/fender & fix the V8

even a recon box (if it needs that) and the extra fuel, bearing in mind that a V8 on gas is about as economical as a disco/fender towing will be cheaper in the long run, & you get all the creature comforts etc. only a RR can give.

just my 2p worth

Dr_evil said:

Thought all the engines were about 111 or 121 bhp depending on manual pump to fly by wire on 300tdi ?

Fender SW is 1,923 kg
Disco 1 is 2,061 kg

according to google

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my fender 110 has ulw 2020 kg on the side its a van though?
it also has mam,7000kg dont know what that means?

THEengineer said:

my fender 110 has ulw 2020 kg on the side its a van though?
it also has mam,7000kg dont know what that means?

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That weight I posted is for the station wagon according to google


ULW may be different etc etc

My neighbour has sold his big caravan and is selling his 51? plate Disco. TD. £3,500 ovno. VGC.

Hi,

I have a 1992 110 defender and a TD5 Disco. I pull a 1.5tonne caravan with both of them and they are both fine. Both seem to get about 23-25MPG diesel. Defender will pull it anywhere and is a bit slower on hills it has pulled it on fields with standing water on it and in snow with no problems. Rides well too.
I changed from a Discovery mark 1 to the newer Disco TD5 (Facelift) and it was a revelation changing Discos. The TD5 with ACE control and auto gearbox holds the ride like a limpet and is very stable - hardly know the van is there. It is easy to go over the speed limit - there is plenty of power!!

Disco has more comfort than the Defender and can pull it faster on all roads. If you want a "do anything, pull anything, go anywhere truck that is reasonably comfortable and easy to fix - the old ones area anyway" - get the Defender.

If you want a bit more comfort and less load lugging capacity inside the car but a car that will pull a van anywhere get the Disco - really it is a better ride too.

Not sure about the new Disco - am toying with getting one but there are some odd things about it I am not sure of. Have been told moving to the new Disco froma TD5 is a bigger leap in refinement than going from Disco 1 to a TD5!!

Probably the TD5 Auto Disco is a good bet.

Stuartmartin

If you wanna get there in comfort get the disco if you just wanna get there get the fender