Should I buy a Disco II for towing 'van

Hello all,

I found this website tonight and i wish I'd found it a week ago. I'm thinking about trading in my Fraud Galaxy for a Land Rover Discovery II 51 plate. We've seen a very nice one at a LR dealer. FLRSH, ACE, Hill descent, CD changer, climate control, very clean tidy car 72k. We drove it and both liked it very much. Not too sure about dealer, haven't got a brill reputation.

My main reason for changing cars is we tow a largish caravan (1450kg) and will poss tow a horse trailer in the future. However, after reading this forum, I'm put off towing the 'van with a landy. Some people seem to say they're not good for towing, rolling about everywhere, and very sluggish.

We snaked over all 3 lanes of the motorway once for no apparent reason - we were towing with a volvo 940 - our tyres were fine, we were doing 50, not much wind, no lorries in sight, loaded fine. Since then DH has lost his nerve somewhat, so we changed Volvo for Galaxy. However, he still feels he'd like something a bit meatier, and the galaxy struggles uphill.

Everyone keeps saying buy a Kia Sorento, but I can't afford £18k for a new one and a decent second hand one is about £13k. It won tow car of the year 2006.

I'm sure most of you may be a tad biased as this is a Landy site, but should I go for this TD5 Disco II? or should I not bother?

Any advice gratefully received!

Regards,

Jules

Hi i tow a twin wheel elddis(1452kgs) with my 300Tdi and it pulls no problem
Best bet might be to take your galaxy and van down to the dealer and hook the van up to the disco and take it for a spin see if you like it

I also tow a caravan which is 1415kg's and have no problems at all.

Trevor.

Hi jules if you want something just to tow a caravan with I'd plum for a new Kia, with a 5 year guarantee you can't go wrong yet i've read a number of reports that hills kill them, I think the caravan club took a back hander off kia to give it "tow car of the year" but thats just my oppinion . Now if you want a vehicle to pull a caravan across a ploughed field i'd go for the TD5, as for stability you can't even tell the vans on the back of mine just make sure the towbar is a genuine LR one and not an aftermarket one these caused the problems i think, and with the ACE they hardly roll about, I must admit I'm considering having mine chipped just for a bit more low down torque but once the engine is revving they pull like hell, you'll find the disco has been designed for towing and mine does it pretty well even loaded to the max she copes well the only downside to the disco is the running costs I'm up to 3k in repair bills this year but ask me if i'd sell it, NOT A CHANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have used my Disco II TD5 to tow 2 different vans, the first was around 1000kgs (with no stabiliser) and for the last year and a half our new van at just over 1400kgs with a built in Alco stabiliser.

I have been impressed with the towing capability and I didn't notice a difference when changing to the heavier van. When on the motorway, if a large truck passes, you do feel it but the outfit remains stable.

I can certainly recommend a Discovery. I bought mine from a LR dealer, it had one previous owner - the theory being if they didn't like it they wouldn't have traded it in for another Landrover!

I can only endorse all the above. Have been towing with Discos for 12 years now, currently 52 plate TD5 xs with ACE and SLS at the back. Towing a 1600kg Coachman single-axle no problem. suggest chipping or re-mapping at some stage as it does make a difference, and definitely the proper LR tow-bar (have the flanged tow-ball with adjustable on mine).
If you go for a tow-ball type stabiliser, suggest you look at the Wintehoff rather than the AlKO as they're easier to use with the rear-mounted spare.
Enjoy!!

hiya, we towed a bailey pagent moselle with our '51 disco, and it pulled really well, and felt alot more 'solid' outfit than when we towed with a volvo 850, id go with the land rover!!! feels much more stable!! ill let you know how it copes with our new caravan, collected last tuesday. as for hitch stabilisers the NEW alco works perfectly and doest foul on the spare. PS i have been caravaning since before i was born.

Well thank you to all who replied. I have to tell you all, we pick up our Epsom Green 51 plate TD5 S tomorrow! Am very excited, and after reading the posts feel even better that we have made a good choice.

Like you Roy H, we also have a single axle coachman weighing 1450kg. The car doesn't have a tow bar at the moment (which I suppose is quite good as it means it's never towed) and I'm probably going to get one put on by an independant LR specialist. I have been quoted about £250 from memory for twin electrics (genuine LR) and genuine LR adjustable tow ball. Does that sound good? LR have quoted me £350 for single electric. The Disco we have bought has ACE, but not SLS (don't know what SLS is! - sorry for ignorance!)

Can anyone tell me, is it true that there's a lot more work involved in fitting twin electrics or is that just the landy salesman exaggerating? They've told me that the electrics for a single system just plug in, but for twin electrics they have to put in the wiring. Anyone know if this is true?

Am SOOOOO excited! We have no luck with cars, and I mean no luck, so I'm hoping that this Disco is going to be ok..... please keep your fingers crossed for me all of you.

We did consider the Kia Sorento, Sqwirral, but Kia's just aren't horsey enough! Sorry, but you just don't see Kia's towing horse trailers, and that was another reason for changing the car to a 4x4. I have a horse on loan (which I'm hoping to buy) and I want to take her to shows etc. so the Landy is very well suited to this. I reckon there could have been a small financial incentive to the good old Caravan Club as well Sqwirral. We have picked up a very tidy 51 plate from a LR dealer for about £4k less than a used Kia, and I never buy new, a) coz I can't afford it, and b) coz you lose even more money!

So, Please, Please wish me luck with my lovely landy!

Will post a piccy on here soon!

Regards,

Julia

Good choice you won't regret it!

my disco is the best towing vehicle ive ever driven. ive used it for caravans and trailers. always stable as a rock.
its bombproof.
i havent used it for very long distance nor high speed work. your requirements may be different from mine.

if your caravan is in a wet field, the kia is like a chocolate teapot.

about the tow bar dont do anything until you have read this

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f8/towbar-self-fit-32550.html?highlight=towbar

it really is easy and cheaper than you are being quoted.
twin electrics are more difficult but you can purchase the 12s kit from halfords and any vehicle electrician would do the honours.
it pays if possible to stay away from the dealers.

hope this helps and saves you loads of money !!!!!!

Glad you got a Disco!

When I bought my TD5 it had a Landrover towbar already fitted but only single electrics (12N) used this for a while by running the caravan from the mains the day or so before we left to cool the fridge. Eventually bought a 12S kit from a caravan dealer and fitted it myself - quite easy if you are familar with electrics.

Julie,

Good Choice on the Disco.
Hope it gives you as many miles of pleasure both solo and towing.
I tow a 1600kg twin Axle Coachman with a stabiliser bar when I remember to put it on.

In answer to your earlier question SLS is self leveling suspension,
when you load the boot the rear end lowers slightly same when you hook the caravan on then when you start the engine the suspension raises back to normal ride height.

With regard to the tow bar, check out tow bar specialists.

My first TD5 '99 ES Model had LR towbar fitted, but caravan swayed at speeds above 40mph! Problem was tow ball too high, when I hooked up caravan it was level then I started the engine an rear raised up so caravan running nose up. LR dealer wanted silly money to convert to adjustable tow hitch, so went to Indespension and had adjustable Witter bar fitted for less money. Problem solved.

When changed car to TD5 '01 ES model, dealer fitted new adjustable towbar FOC.

Hope this helps

Derek

Have found an independant LR specialist to fit a tow bar for me. He has suggested I go for the adjustable type with a pin going through horizontally. Anyone got any experience of these? I haven't got SLS so def need an adjustable tow bar.

Still getting used to my lovely big green car. The more I drive it the more I like it. Just got to get used to that turning circle, or lack of it

I do like driving something so big and solid. I feel very safe on the road. Do feel a bit hated though. Have had a few glares...

Also, getting used to the different noises it makes etc. When the engine is idling, say whilst sitting at a junction, it makes a bit of a "farty" noise about every 10 seconds. Very quiet noise. Wierd.... no warning lights on, no loss of power, revs don't change... Asked dealer, and he reckons it's normal.... something to do with valve releasing air to do with ACE? Could it be that or is he having me on? Anyone else know what it is?

The kids absolutely love it too. I think they like the higher seats in the back - they can see more. And they can get in it no problem at all. I don't have side steps on it, and as I am quite short it's difficult getting in in a skirt! So will either have to wear trousers or invest in side steps me thinks!

Cheers to all for the replies!

Julia

http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?t=34376
check out the first post/comments!

what weight is your caravan?

Julia if you have the Self levelling suspension you will be able to make your friends jealous by standing behind the disco remotely lowering the rear suspension, linig up the tow hitch and picking up your caravan by raising the suspension, cool trick.

Unfortunately Willy, I don't have SLS! That would have been cool though! I now have a tow bar and today I fitted a dog guard (all by myself!!!), which I purchased from Paddock Spares, thanks to a kind person on this website advising me about them.

We haven't towed with the Landy yet, but am hoping too soon. I have to say, I am very pleased with my Landy. I enjoy driving it very much, and feel very safe.

I noticed a post on this forum about tyres and someone suggested pumping them up really hard to get better fuel economy - does this really work?

I currently have Michelins on my Landy, and I think they're quite pricey, so I may go for the ones recommended on here (if they'll fit?).. I think they were goodyears?

i have goodyears on mine and they are great, i dont do any wild offroading, only down farm tracks and across the odd field, it was me that said pump up yer tyres, i run with 40psi in mine and yes it does increase yer economy

Wow Ormus!!! They really can tow well looking at the link you posted above! I feel a bit of a fraud after seeing that piccy! I will be towing a Coachman with my Landy. It's MTPLM is 1450 Kg, so it's quite heavy. We nearly lost the lot when we were towing the 'van with a volvo 940. The Fraud Galaxy was better, but the car was a nightmare, very unreliable and expensive to run. The build quality on the Galaxy was absolutely sh*te.

I know lots of people hate Landy's and have got it in for them, but I'm really pleased with mine.

jules34 said:

and today I fitted a dog guard (all by myself!!!), which I purchased from Paddock Spares, thanks to a kind person on this website advising me about them..

I noticed a post on this forum about tyres and someone suggested pumping them up really hard to get better fuel economy - does this really work?

Click to expand...

jules good to hear about the dog guard as if i remember correctly i put you on to paddocks after a little bit of concern about the one advertised on ebay..... where is the photo ?

tyre pressure can effect the handling of the vehicle so start off as it says in the manual then change bit by bit. i find that 36psi in the front and 40psi in the rear gives me a decent ride and returns upto 29mpg. not bad for an automatic.