Towing with a Land Rover Discovery?

[Martin Berend]

I haven't taken delivery on the boat but she's 4,000lbs. Add to that the trailer, engine and full tank of fuel and I'm guessing it'll be about 7,000lbs.<br /><br />I'm looking at used (2003, 2004) Land Rover Discoveries....<br /><br />Any experience towing with a Discovery?

 

[JB]

Re: Towing with a Land Rover Discovery?

I really doubt that the Discovery is rated for over 5,000lb.<br /><br />You are going to need a big ute or a truck that is rated for at least 8,000lb.<br /><br />The first question you must ask is, "What is the tow rating?". Only if the answer is a number over the weight of your tow should you consider it.

 

[Martin Berend]

Re: Towing with a Land Rover Discovery?

Thank JB!<br /><br />The Landrover Discovery is rated at 3500kg which is just over 7700lbs.<br /><br />I really only have to tow about 1/3 mile to the ramp but I would like to have the versatility to tow to a fueling station instead of having to rely on the marina gas.<br /><br />I'll probably only tow over the highway once or twice a year.<br /><br />I'm really just wondering if the Landrover Discovery handles towing well.<br /><br />I can't afford the Silverado 2500HD Diesel truck that I REALLY want.

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: Towing with a Land Rover Discovery?

Have you considered maintenance costs? I don't imagine a Land Rover is cheap to maintain, as they are viewed as higher class vehicles. Long term, a Chevy might be cheaper.

 

[Surffx]

Re: Towing with a Land Rover Discovery?

I tow with a 1997 LR Disco. I know it’s a little older than what you are looking at but I thought I'd mention it.<br /><br />Great tow vehicle...no probs yet. And we sometimes tow from Reno NV, to South Lake Tahoe over Mt. Rose (a 2500 vertical foot climb). If you get service from the dealership it will get a little expensive. What you need to do is find a local trustworthy mechanic that will service it. We also have a 97 4Runner, I gave up on American cars after a bunch of bad experiences. But that is just one persons OPINION, please don't berate me over it. <br />

 

[Martin Berend]

Re: Towing with a Land Rover Discovery?

Thanks guys!<br /><br />This is all good to hear.<br /><br />I bought a 2003 Disco last night and I think I'm going to be very happy with it.<br /><br />As far as maintanence goes... It has a 4.6L BMW Aluminum Engine which is bigger and better than the old Land Rover engines. It will cost more to maintain but I bought a 100,000 bumper to bumper warrantee along with it.<br /><br />After that expires I do have a very trusted mechanic who's never done me wrong.<br /><br />Wish me luck guys! I'll let you know how it works out!<br /><br />Thanks for being so darned helpful! God bless you all!

 

[John McFarlane]

Re: Towing with a Land Rover Discovery?

Does the extended warranty cover you whilst towing?

 

[rjherrman_1]

Re: Towing with a Land Rover Discovery?

Originally posted by Snailman22030:<br /> Thanks guys!<br /><br />This is all good to hear.<br /><br />I bought a 2003 Disco last night and I think I'm going to be very happy with it.<br /><br />As far as maintanence goes... It has a 4.6L BMW Aluminum Engine which is bigger and better than the old Land Rover engines. It will cost more to maintain but I bought a 100,000 bumper to bumper warrantee along with it.<br /><br />

Congrats on the purchase of the Disco. I as well use my 02' Disco to pull my boat which is roughly 6500lbs loaded. It will pull it just fine. Make sure to buy an OEM Land Rover trailer light wiring if it isn't already equipped. Do not buy the cheap after market version that you can get at Atlantic British.<br /><br />Now, the info about your Disco is very incorrect. I suggest joining www.landroversonly.com to learn a little more about your vehicle. BMW only made the engine in the Range Rover, and that was only for one year as BMW sold Land Rover to Ford at which time the BMW powerplant was replaced with a reworked Jaguar unit. The 4.6l that you have isn't new at all, not even in 03 on your D2. It was used on the P38 Range Rover for several years. It is the same block as the old tired and true 4.0 with different heads on it. You were correct, however, that the block is aluminum. Another interesting fact is that this block is the same basic design as the 1960's Buick block they used as a model. <br /><br />Enjoy your new vehicle! It will AMAZE you if you ever take it off the beaten trail. Let alone the ability to drive it through about 3 ft of water.

 

[Martin Berend]

Re: Towing with a Land Rover Discovery?

Hi Mariah 350!<br /><br />Thanks for the great information!<br /><br />I think I'm going to be happy with this truck. I was looking through the owner's manual and it says that 7700lbs is OK.<br /><br />So long as I tow within the limits listed in the manual I'm still covered by the warranty. That's a good feeling.<br /><br />As far as the lighting harness goes... I'll go to the Land Rover dealer for that. The owner's manual says that the harness is inside the right tail light lense.<br /><br />I think I'll have the thing professionally installed though... Things like that aren't beyond my abilities but I feel more comfortable being able to take it back to a pro if something goes wrong. <br /><br />Mariah... You've got a Mariah?<br /><br />I bought a SeaFox 257CC. She's brand new (2006) with a new (2005) 225 Saltwater Merc.<br /><br />How do you like the Mariah? Same company, right?

 

[rjherrman_1]

Re: Towing with a Land Rover Discovery?

Hey Snailman!<br /><br />You'll like to truck, but do a search online to find the OEM harness, it will save you about $100. I think you can pick it up from Roverconnection.com<br /><br />Also, install is a snap. All you REALLY need is a screwdriver and a big wrench to install the mounting tab to the back of the truck. You simply remove the (4) screws on the passenger side tail lamp and the kit simply plugs in. It should take you no more than 15 minutes to install and you can't screw it up. The only problem you might run into is moutning the tab on the trailer hitch bolts. For that, I paid the local mechanic $20 to buzz it on for me. <br /><br />The Mariah, it's great! It's a bit older (96) but was made by the original Mariah factory, not the new one so quality is quite a bit higher. Now if I can only find the correct prop for this pig, we'll be in business!!<br /><br />Check out the Landrvoer site I mentioned before, my SN is 02Disco2 and I am a moderator. Very good knowledge base escpecially if you are new to the Land Rover community (it will save you TONS of $$ and headaches down the road).<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br />Ryan