Series III - Towing 2 Ton?

Hi everyone!

New here - be nice

I am very new to Land Rovers - so very much the novice...

I wondered what peoples thoughts were regarding the ability of a Series III (nice if pre '72 tax exempt!) to tow a 25ft dual axle trailer with a gross weight of around 2 tons?

Would I be best to go for a fully restored vehicle with a new chassis etc? Also are there any particular vehicles I should look out for or avoid?

Thanks!

iv pulled that with a series 2 , 2.25 petrol

the series 3 wer rotters, chassis wise, they wer a c section welded every 4 inches. the series2 wer welded al the way down all 4 corners, if poss go fer a reasonably restored series on galvo chassis, saves a lot of work in the future, saying that i wouldnt chande them fer awt else

It'll manage 2 tons happily - and more - but you'll be grinding along in the low gears and the slightest gradient will have you down to 2nd. You won't be popular with the folk behind you.

Two ton is the max you is sposed to tow with a series landy iirc. I took a mates car to the scrapper yesterday on me trailer total weight of the trailer loaded was 2.3 tons. My 109 diesel pulled it no problem but it's a good job I wasn't in a hurry.

Well I won't be in a hurry to get anywhere - so the speed doesn't bother me so much.

What would be a good model to look for? Would a restored series IIa 109 Diesel be a good start?

Didn't realise the chassis was changed from the II to the III.

Thanks

machineage said:

Well I won't be in a hurry to get anywhere - so the speed doesn't bother me so much.

What would be a good model to look for? Would a restored series IIa 109 Diesel be a good start?

Didn't realise the chassis was changed from the II to the III.

Thanks

Click to expand...

Series 2a inc forward control models

Maximum drawbar pull, dependent upon surface conditions
Petrol models 1800 kg / 4000 lbs
Diesel models 1497 kg / 3300 lbs

Also max trailer length is 7mtr + towbar length. and 2.55mtr width but must not protrude more than 12" either side of the towing vehicle.

i towed my v8 rrc for 30 odd miles with my swb s3,, the old petrol lump pulls well.. only engine mod is a weeber carb... would have pulled it all day long

Look for something that has the salisbury diff. The lighter duty ones pop quite easily (though they are cheap and easy to change when they do).

phlebas said:

Look for something that has the salisbury diff. The lighter duty ones pop quite easily (though they are cheap and easy to change when they do).

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Granted salisbury axles are strong but the idea that rover axles are no good is bollocks.

well, i hauled over 2 tons with my diesel s3 up the M5.
an artic overtook me, or rather under took me on the hard shoulder....
i was doing about 30mph/.

scary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hughesy said:

Granted salisbury axles are strong but the idea that rover axles are no good is bollocks.

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nawt wrong with them rover diffs at all,

Towing 2000kg in a series 3 will be fine. Its low-end torque and low gearing will provide enough grunt to safely tow this load - but avoid the motorway or you'll be pulled for dangerous i.e. too slow, driving. You mentioned a tax exempt model. Consider that pre-1980 models are fitted with the 3 bearing crank which is known to break when worked hard. The 5 bearing crank on suffix V and onwards models is much stronger, so you might consider paying the tax to avoid any possibility of writing off the engine this way.

I've pulled a 109 on a double axle transporter with an 88 petrol, did it.
The first bit was a 1 in 6 hill, low ratio had to be used, was still a bit scary, but still managed it.