P38 tow weight.

Sorry, newbie here with a quick question...... (I have done a search, but could not find a definitve answer)

Im looking for a TOW bitch, and I see some listing the P38 as having a permitted tow weight of 3500kgs?

Is this for all P38's? (petrol and diesel??) No difference?

Cheers.

Certainly is for the petrol 38 4.6's, can't confirm for the other models...

Yep.

I belive all the landrover range is 3500kg defenders, discos and range rovers. This is something that has had me thinking a few times, anyone know is this way? The law says you can't tow more than the cars limit which on most cars is not more than the kerb weight of the tow car is's self. The caravan club then recomend you only tow 85% yet my disco weights in at 2200kg with a driver in it yet has a towing limit of 3500kg ?? Not that i'm complaining as it's handy to chuck on a trailer and still be able to put another landy on the back.

Ok, cool.

3500kgs is a respectable TOW weight. I will tow maninly with a cartrailer with a total weight of approx 2500kgs (1000 + 1500).

I guess the V8 petrols would be the ''weapon of choice'' for this, or?

My twin axle van weights 1750 and i currently tow it with a tdi disco but I had a 2.5D p38 which towed it better than the disco!

It will tow that but don't expect miracles. Make sure the prop joints are fine and the auto fluid is in good condition (if auto box).

theres is a section in rave/ owner handbook. the car can tow a braked trailer up to 2950kg high range. adding that to the vehicle weight ( unladen with full tank of fuel 2171kgs ) gives maximum train weight of 5121kgs. but each axle has a maximum weight limit and if you are going away on holiday, your car could be full of stuff and people which would bring the maximum trailer weight down too

What you will have to watch is that if the Whole rig goes over 3.5 tonnes ( car,trailer and load - gross weight) and you are using it commercialy, you will have to have a tachograph fitted.

Thanks for your input guys. I will for sure be back if my final choice falls on a P38 as my tow bitch!

Chrisfrain2007 said:

theres is a section in rave/ owner handbook. the car can tow a braked trailer up to 2950kg high range. adding that to the vehicle weight ( unladen with full tank of fuel 2171kgs ) gives maximum train weight of 5121kgs. but each axle has a maximum weight limit and if you are going away on holiday, your car could be full of stuff and people which would bring the maximum trailer weight down too

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Not sure where you got that. Rememeber the version of RAVE going round is for the american market, may have different legislation.

The manufacturers towing weight information is stamped on a plate under the bonnet. It does not make any distinction for high range or low range or number of axles on the trailer.

You have a maximum tow weight of 3,500kg and a trailer nose weight of (IIRC) 150kg. There is an all up weight given but it will be the vehicle maximum gross weight of (again IIRC) 2,780kg + 3,500kg = 6,280kg with individual maximum weights given for the front and back axles. The sum of the allowable maximum axle weights will exceed the gross weight so you need to watch that (thats where the nose weight comes in).

So thats the manufacturers specification. You then need to look at each individual country's specific legislation. For instance in Ireland I think the maximum allowable weight on a single axle trailer is around 750kg. In Ireland there are distictions between 4wd and 2wd towing weights (important in selectable 4wd vehicles).

But bottom line the Rangie is specified for 3,500kg towing weight.

Incidentally the RRC had an allowable towing weight of 4,000kg if the trailer had independant brakes (air), 3,500kg for normal braked trailer.

yeah my rave is nas. Jus checked my uk handbook. Sorry.

I regularly tow 3500kg with 2.5dt manual. It took me awhile to get used to a driving pattern for take off. I think its a combination of a high first gear and the way the bmw engine delivers the torque. The engine seems to be more suited to leisurely cruising and will go easily at 50mph at under 2000rpm! In a tight spot or on a hill you have to use low range to pull away. I previously had discoveries 1&2 and a Ford ranger 9 (only rated for 2800kg) . While the ranger would pull away ok, it is too light/not as sure footed as any landie. The disco 1 engine has more grunt for pulling away but not as refined as the bmw engines for the rest of the journey. So if you are doing alot of stop start journies you will be doing alot of hard revving to pull away with the rangie.
I have read of this criticism on many other sites.

I think the auto DSE is better suited to towing than the manual, allows the engine to get into its powerband.

My P38 is by far the best tow 4x4 I've ever driven.

I agree with spudh. The auto is better for towing.
I have a 2000 DSE auto which I chipped.
It is the best tow car I have had and I have had a disco and a classic with a Perkins 4236 engine - plus numerous other "lesser" cars.
My chipped diesel produces 347Nm of torque, more than the 4.0L.
Torque is what you need for towing and also off road - not bhp.
I tow a heavy caravan - 1.7 t plus 0.5 t of gear plus winch etc.
The engine is much maligned but I think the later ones had mods which did not suffer from overheating so much.
My engine of choice however would be the TD6.

definatly be careful re the commercial bit.
A few zealot traffic police have it weighed off if you are insurred commercially and are towing , if it brings your train weight up to 3500kg, then you need a tacho fitted.

It is an easy spot for them, disco commercial or defender ( especailly with sign writing) trailer with another landy on it, then they spoil your afternoon.

a friend of mine knows two garages that have been done like that

Yes it will tow 3500kg.... probably the most competant vehicle to do so.... as regards the tachograph.... if you are not towing for hire and reward there is nothing to say you need one... no matter what you are told if you get a pull..... same goes for a HGV

Just to add to the divvyla confusion. If you are commercially towing a digger for example as a tool and not charging the client haulage then you dont need a tacho. I have that in writing from the dvla amd it lives in my glovebox.

On The internet everyone is an expert huh?

Not dissing any P38's but I had one for 3 years ( diesel manual)and towed an ivor Williams 510 horse trailer with horses.
I found that my shogun sport was just as good! If not better on hill starts?

However I can confirm that nissan Navara auto,s are fooking ****e at towing as I had a horse trailer pull me backwards down a hill in Homefirth.
I had to call the misses to bring the l322 to rescue me and the horse trailer.

L322 is buy far the best towing vehicle I have ever driven

Hi Everyone
I am thinking of fitting a towbar /electrics so as to be able to tow a caravan to meetings (HISTORIC KART CLUB RACES) WHAT ADVICE COULD YOU OFFER PLEASE
Regards Brian
DOES ANYONE HAVE ONE FOR SALE??