Defender's towing on't Motorway

Afternoon alll.

Just joined the site to hopefully aid me in choosing a tow car.

I'm intrested in a 90" defender, not been to look at any yet, but i was wondering what they are like when towing on the motorway? If there is any specific model to go for ?

Hello,

Basically it doesn't come down to the shape or size of the vehicle but more the engine thats in it. The older diesel engines which are kicking about like the 2.5N/A (Non turbo) and the 2.5TD (Turbo diesel), although usually slightly cheaper aren't the best choice for the motorway. They barely reach 70mph and they certainly struggle on hills without any weight behind them, so I can't imagine what they'd be like pulling a trailer or a caravan up and down the A1 for example. They also drink more fuel and aren't considered to be as reliable as a few of the newer diesels.

The 200tdi (turbo diesel intercooled) is the engine that most people swear by. It came in around the early 1990's. It pulls like a train, it's quite economical and it's very reliable. If you can find yourself a 90 with a 200tdi engine, or even an older 90 that has had a 200tdi engine fitted you're laughing.

The early 300tdi's (slight modifications over the 200) are also considered great engines, but the later ones got a bit of that computer wizardry added to them which although doesn't cause any problems, you're better off without.

Another great engine which is now relatively cheap is the TD5 (Turbo diesel 5 cylinders) which is very quick, but also quite economical with plenty of power. Again, the whole engine is governed by electronics and they are easily the one most engine that people have the most problems with in terms of ECU bugger ups and stuff like that.

I'd say go late 200tdi, early 300tdi (it doesn't really matter) but just make sure that the chassis and the bulkhead are rot and rust free and that the engine isn't covered in oil.

-Pos

They are often used for recovery.

Itll be like towing a big trailer at speed...

Loadsa torque, pull away effortlessly, should be able to hold the speed (at least a newer one will) on most stuff.

Bear in mind the weight limits... This discussion was on here not all that long ago, there is a MASSIVE difference between what a def is legally allowed to tow, what they can actually pull, and what the brakes can stop

you'll find that a 110 is much the better vehicle if your going to be doing lots of towing, it's so much more stable

a nice 200/300 110 will do the job - it's very easy to run out of space in a 90

Its only got to pull a little elise - 700kg's.

My main concern was the gearing?

Thankyou for your replies vv useful!

Toby111s said:

Its only got to pull a little elise - 700kg's.

My main concern was the gearing?

Thankyou for your replies vv useful!

Click to expand...

you'd not notice it was there

So I'm looking for an early 90's 200 or 300 tdi defender. What about mileage, im seeing alot over the 120k mark, do they ever get to a point where enough is enough?

Toby111s said:

So I'm looking for an early 90's 200 or 300 tdi defender. What about mileage, im seeing alot over the 120k mark, do they ever get to a point where enough is enough?

Click to expand...

250K on average - 500K if you look after it

Elise?
Track days?

I've bought my 110 for towing the Esprit (on a trailer), not for track use, just to cope with break downs etc

I towed my scrap disco (complete bodyshell and chassis, minus engine and both axles) on a trailer, down the a55 with my 300TDi. You knew it was there, but it was still effortless.

If you are towing you are limited to 60 MPH anyway, so the gear ratios dnt matter

Yep Trackdays.

Thanks everyone you have been a great help, i shall get looking for a landy now!

I've just bought a TD5 90 with an overdrive, from what the dealer told me and my experience with the new vehicle I would agree with the comments earlier. Go with a 110 for stability and with just an Elise I don't honestly think you would notice it being there. If you can either get one with an overdrive or fit one later it would be an advantage as it enables you to split the ratios between 3rd, 4th and 5th and then when it levels out you get 6th gear. My 90 TD5 is quite nippy for a Landrover if I get shifting.

Toby111s said:

Yep Trackdays.

Thanks everyone you have been a great help, i shall get looking for a landy now!

Click to expand...

You mean one o these...
even I'm not too old for track days

landowner said:

You mean one o these...
even I'm not too old for track days

Click to expand...

In that case... get the LR back on the road by 14th Feb, come do the Valentines rally up here. OR, failing that, bring the Pug up and we can track day it all day round anglesey.

Im holding you to that play in the MI16 you promised...

Or the lotus in fact... bring that also...