Towing advice sought from a 'lady'

I am almost ashamed to make this post but nevertheless I need to ask. I have a Disco II which is automatic and I have to tow a biggish 10 ft trailer ( I know the next question will be a weight one and I don't know the answer but it's house contents) to France (obviously using a ferry for the wet bit - not even I am that daft). I know this is a massive 'Lady' question but really I haven't towed anything for a long time and certainly never with an automatic and not sure how to do it. In fact it's such a school run car that the tow hitch has never even been out of the little black bag......... the car has never been used the other little gear thing either (low ratio is it?). I am already going to have to ask the trailer hire man about attaching the towing thing and my dignity will not allow me to also ask how to drive my own car! What I need to know is do I need to use the other gear thing? Do I need to use the other gears apart from D for uphill/downhill stuff ? - I am assuming this is so just using my dodgy logic. Just all rather embarassing to be honest and hoping that someone will be kind, not take the **** too much and let me know how to drive my own car please. My thanks in advance:doh:

if it dont pull it put it in 1 or 2 when you have your foot on the brake then boot it.You will have to change to d when moveing by depressing the button and moveing the stick to d.

Easy really you will be fine.

Beast o Bodmin said:

if it dont pull it put it in 1 or 2 when you have your foot on the brake then boot it.You will have to change to d when moveing by depressing the button and moveing the stick to d.

Easy really you will be fine.

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Hmm it all sounds so easy...... the main problem being I am going to have to drive rather sensibly and slowly and I am very worried about damaging my darling car. Thanks for not taking the ****. C

tis a landy just drive on....


probably the best tow wagon about.Dont be shy with the right foot.build your speed fast then back off to a cruise when desired speed is reached.you will save fuel that way rather than constantly pulling at 25mph.
You have right of way uphill in most cases so just drive at em like every good trailer driver will tell ya.......

my series 3 pulled my old steel beaver tail trailer no probs (apart from the lack of power) so your disco 2 should do it with ease

Beast o Bodmin said:

You have right of way uphill in most cases so just drive at em like every good trailer driver will tell ya.......

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like you've stolen it

catey said:

I am almost ashamed to make this post but nevertheless I need to ask. I have a Disco II which is automatic and I have to tow a biggish 10 ft trailer ( I know the next question will be a weight one and I don't know the answer but it's house contents) to France SNIP...

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I'd make some enquiries about getting some training - either with the caravan club or from a local LGV training school. A big trailer full of your personal belongings all the way to France could be a scarey, expensive and steep learning curve!

A few quid on some lesons or even seeing if one of the members on here that are local to you can help would be a sensible option (IMHO)

Headtester said:

I'd make some enquiries about getting some training - either with the caravan club or from a local LGV training school. A big trailer full of your personal belongings all the way to France could be a scarey, expensive and steep learning curve!

A few quid on some lesons or even seeing if one of the members on here that are local to you can help would be a sensible option (IMHO)

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aww feck arf she will be fine its only blokes that cant drive.

who cares anyway shes going to france let them deal with the carnage....

Beast o Bodmin said:

aww feck arf she will be fine its only blokes that cant drive.

who cares anyway shes going to france let them deal with the carnage....

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:hysterically_laughi

Its only 10 foot...she wont even notice its there unless everything she owns is made of marble and lead...

Like other have said, just put it in "D" and drive, just leave a bit more of a gap, and brake earlier, may be wise to fit some towing mirriors as well to help with visibility on your blind side in France.

i towed a car on a braked trailer (probably over 2 tons with the trailers weight) with a p38 range rover auto v8, just slap it in D and drive, it'll pull no worries. Only thing i would suggest is take it easy, slow down well before you want to stop as you dont want to have to jump on the brakes with that lot on the back.

Headtester said:

I'd make some enquiries about getting some training - either with the caravan club or from a local LGV training school. A big trailer full of your personal belongings all the way to France could be a scarey, expensive and steep learning curve!

A few quid on some lesons or even seeing if one of the members on here that are local to you can help would be a sensible option (IMHO)

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Goodness me no! why waste good money when there are croissants to buy! Ironically I am pretty good driver.... I have driven a couple of defenders off road and feel very confident with a trailer and a horse box and even a caravan. I can do the backing up thing and all, it was really more about the trailer in relation to automatic thing as this is the first vehicle like this i have had. As much as I love having an automatic for driving about, in relation to towing it all seems wrong to me as you have so much control with a manual. I worry more than anything that I will break my precious Monty (yes, he does have a name, thus proving I am a 'lady').

catey said:

Goodness me no! why waste good money when there are croissants to buy! Ironically I am pretty good driver.... I have driven a couple of defenders off road and feel very confident with a trailer and a horse box and even a caravan. I can do the backing up thing and all, it was really more about the trailer in relation to automatic thing as this is the first vehicle like this i have had. As much as I love having an automatic for driving about, in relation to towing it all seems wrong to me as you have so much control with a manual. I worry more than anything that I will break my precious Monty (yes, he does have a name, thus proving I am a 'lady').

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thats why manuals are better all of the time..... autos are for the lazy and the invalid
but the beard and the balls say different

G-man said:

thats why manuals are better all of the time..... autos are for the lazy and the invalid
but the beard and the balls say different

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Stop flirting you minx!

when ya stuff it up the back of some car on a roundabout and shove it into another car take a piccy for us all luv....

Beast o Bodmin said:

when ya stuff it up the back of some car on a roundabout and shove it into another car take a piccy for us all luv....

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That would be my pleasure........ one less French car would be a good thing no?

mine gets called names sometimes,its not a lady thing

zak119 said:

mine gets called names sometimes,its not a lady thing

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I have been mocked frequently for naming my Landy and interestingly, even though I have had names for all my cars in the past, he's the first boy!

catey said:

That would be my pleasure........ one less French car would be a good thing no?

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if yers reall good and fit bull bars ya could shove it far enough out on the round about and do 2 or 3 french cars if ya good enough...