Towing Capacities

I always used a 90 for towing long distances in the past and for a short while (wash my mouth out) I used a bitsa mushi...however I have this question:

What will a series 3 petrol or diesel tow (and I mean in your experience not what the book says, although that would be a start - I think thats 2 tonne)

Will it make any difference with rangey axles and a V6?

Basically I am wondering whether a 90 is really all that much more competent (I'm guessing the box makes a difference) IIRC the 90 would tow something scary like 3.5 tonne....

Opinions please so i can decide whether to put the rangey axles on the V6 or whether to chop it in for a 90....(don't worry it will only be a tool, I'll still have plenty of series left )

If you just need something for towing a cheap tdi disco is ideal. Cheapish to run, comfy and will tow pretty much anything. Stick any kind of weight behind a series and people on pushbikes will be overtakin yer.

I have had that happen. Its the coppers that overtake you with a quizzacal look that worry me. Do you think the V6 will help? The axles will stop the rear diving!

i found my bog standard SWB 2 1/4 petrol was fine towing a horse box with a fat highland pony in, maybee's 1 1/2 ton, at sensible speeds for having a horse in the back.

apparently the v6 is a good motor for towing but i'm yet to get mine installed to find out!!

I spose series will tow pretty much anything so long as you're not in a hurry. Problem these days is the fuel consumption don't suppose a V6 helps much in that department.

The series 3 109 will handle quite a lot of towed weight , the problems come with braking ability once you get any speed on . The rangey axle will make no difference to towing ability plus a lot of work to fit as that is coil susp and as you are aware S3 is leaf.
I have run a 109 with 1 ton in back and 1.6 tonne on a trailer that weighed 800kg ulw . But I was using a leyland 3.8l diesel engine in it. Plenty of grunt and 60mph cruise , stopping that load at that speed was the worry. The suggested 200tdi disco makes the most cost effective and safest idea. The slow travel with a 109 is good in view of its safety limits HTSH

p.s I would suggest a 110 for towing rather than a 90 much more stable esp if you get a move on, plus more room and its load capacity will help. better ratio of tractor unit to trailed load is always a good idea.

I used to tow a caravan with my previous Series III form the Midlands down to Devon. And while it towed fine up to 55mph, okay acceleration was a tad slow, the strain did take it's toll on the engine. I think that had I not done the long distance towing I would still have that Landy now.

Be a man stick to your series! Defenders aint half as much fun!

Git a Disco fer towing (you can find a good 'un fer unner a grand these days if you look about) & keep yer Series for fun.........................an' stick a V8 int it for even more fun!

Collected my spare petrol SWB on a 4 wheeled trailer behind the 2.25 diesesel lightweight. Wish i'd driven the petrol and towed the lightweight. Stopping was scary but as the top speed is so low you can jump out and tell the car/milk-float you're about to hit to get the *&c^ out of the way.!

i think from a legal point of veiw if your towing more than a ton the trailer has to have brakes as well which would probably stop your bum twitching so much when its time to stop also dont think any of the jap stuff can pull above a ton as my brother has been nicked twice for towing his drilling rig behind a hilux it is about 1.5 tons he now only uses landy"s as he was told they are the only vehicle he can use legaly

trunkneck said:

i think from a legal point of veiw if your towing more than a ton the trailer has to have brakes as well which would probably stop your bum twitching so much when its time to stop also dont think any of the jap stuff can pull above a ton as my brother has been nicked twice for towing his drilling rig behind a hilux it is about 1.5 tons he now only uses landy"s as he was told they are the only vehicle he can use legaly

Click to expand...

I have 3 questions for you.

Have you ever heard of google, yahoo or similar search engines?
have you ever thought of using one of them before you start spouting complete and utter bollix?
Are you a complete moron.??

If the combined weight of the trailer and Load is more than 750kg 3/4tonne you have to have brakes on the trailer.

You can tow as much as the manufacturer states you can tow. On an Hilux it's certainly higher than 1tonne.

If your brother WAS??? done for towing 1.5 tonnes behind a hilux it was probably because he doesn't hold an entitlement to tow a trailer. when did he pass his test?

dear red hand with regard to your silly little reply i am just passing on my thoughts at no point do i claim these to be facts just opinions people who sit behind computer screens giving out abuse to somehow make them feel big and tough need to get out a little bit and with regard to the brother he has been towing his rig the length and breadth of the country for over 20 years with every land rover and several japs made since then so go and ask your mum if your aloud out

Grippa said:

Er, thas more than free questions Pikey.

Click to expand...

No it int it's 3 questions and 3 statements of fact!

trunkneck said:

dear red hand with regard to your silly little reply i am just passing on my thoughts at no point do i claim these to be facts just opinions people who sit behind computer screens giving out abuse to somehow make them feel big and tough need to get out a little bit and with regard to the brother he has been towing his rig the length and breadth of the country for over 20 years with every land rover and several japs made since then so go and ask your mum if your aloud out

Click to expand...

So which part of my reply was silly. You did spout complete and utter bollix. You obviously do'nt use google if you did you would know that there are several slitties that can tow a lot more than 1.5tonnes. Like I said towing capacity is dependant on the max train weight listed by the manufacturer. I never suggested your brother didn't tow a drilling rig but I did say it was unlikely he was prosecuted for towing 1.5tonnes behind an hi-lux. And my mum ses I'm allus loud inside but i'm not allowed out.

Does that clear things up fer yer????

a hilux can defo pull a drilling rig(CP).What did your brother say he was done for exactly?I know plenty of drillers who overload with extra casing, chisels,auger etc.Any chance he did this?Aslo know loads of driller who forget their mud guards.Garenteed pull that one

Grippa said:

Git a Disco fer towing (you can find a good 'un fer unner a grand these days if you look about) & keep yer Series for fun.........................an' stick a V8 int it for even more fun!

Click to expand...

I got a series with aV6, thats pretty good fun. i ran a load of V8 conversions in Sallon cars for fun! The rangey axles were to improve braking, mine are leaf sprung and would be a straight swop from my other vehicle (well the sherpa)

I have always followed the gross train weight and max towing capacity rules for towing braked and unbraked (well apart from last time for 3 mile sin the little series but it was a close run thing)

If all goes to plan its back to a 90 anyway. I think they tow 3 tonne plus, on SWB. The Shogun towed 2.5 but a landy on a trailer in a crosswind was hairy to say the least!

Shogun pulling your Landy - yer wimp!

Try it the other way round - far more fun. You might like to estimate the top speed of this little outfit - especially as the '77 Series 3 still runs the original 2286 diesel. I didn't need an overdrive. Or 4th gear for that matter .... Nice big trailerful of Land Rover donor parts ...