What would you choose for towing a rig around the country?

yobarr · Guru

What would you choose for towing a rig around the country?

HandyWalter · Senior Member

Give up Flags 2. According to Yobarr there is only One brand of vehicle that can tow 3.5T and it is a TLC 70 series whatever. After all he is the Chief Commissioner of Grey Nomad weights. A separate forum page was created specifically for him!. Perhaps this topic needs to be shifted to there.

markf · Senior Member

Flags2 wrote:
Hi Blakey
..... You can safely tow 3500 with a Land Rover Discovery 4 MY2015 onward. ...

-- Edited by Flags2 on Friday 21st of May 2021 07:20:37 PM

You possibly can't. I'm very happy to be wrong but I can only go by my research for my car. LR numbers are pretty rubbery at best.

I know my D2 auto is NOT a D4 so your mileage may vary.

My D2 (on springs), has a label on the tow bar that says max towing weight is 3500kg and max ball weight is 250kg. Rubbery at best. That's only true in low range with the driver and one passenger only and not exceeding 32kph.

For normal towing in high range the max trailer weight is 2000kg, 200kg ball weight, max speed is 100kph and max car load is 75% of GVM. BUT with 200kg ball weight and GVM at 75% I'll exceed the rear axle load max. And here's another bit of fine print. In off road conditions at less than 32kph the max trailer weight is 1000kg with 70kg ball weight and only the driver and one passenger and no other load.

Off course these caveats aren't in the owners handbook - you need to get the D2 tech. specs. Topix may be the place to get D4 specs - that's where I found the D2 stuff.

I suspect that similar caveats apply to a lot of other vehicles and that the vast majority of owners are unaware of them. I bet the insurance companies are aware of them though.

-- Edited by markf on Saturday 22nd of May 2021 12:29:52 PM

HandyWalter · Senior Member

markf wrote:
Flags2 wrote:
Hi Blakey
..... You can safely tow 3500 with a Land Rover Discovery 4 MY2015 onward. ...

-- Edited by Flags2 on Friday 21st of May 2021 07:20:37 PM
You possibly can't. I'm very happy to be wrong but I can only go by my research for my car. LR numbers are pretty rubbery at best.
I know my D2 auto is NOT a D4 so your mileage may vary.
My D2 (on springs), has a label on the tow bar that says max towing weight is 3500kg and max ball weight is 250kg. Rubbery at best. That's only true in low range with the driver and one passenger only and not exceeding 32kph.
For normal towing in high range the max trailer weight is 2000kg, 200kg ball weight, max speed is 100kph and max car load is 75% of GVM. BUT with 200kg ball weight and GVM at 75% I'll exceed the rear axle load max. And here's another bit of fine print. In off road conditions at less than 32kph the max trailer weight is 1000kg with 70kg ball weight and only the driver and one passenger and no other load.
Off course these caveats aren't in the owners handbook - you need to get the D2 tech. specs. Topix may be the place to get D4 specs - that's where I found the D2 stuff.
I suspect that similar caveats apply to a lot of other vehicles and that the vast majority of owners are unaware of them. I bet the insurance companies are aware of them though.

-- Edited by markf on Saturday 22nd of May 2021 12:29:52 PM

Mark F if you know where to look why not do us all a favour and investigate and report back. I know the cars mentioned are Discoveries but they are worlds part on design and functionality. Personally I could not GAF. But I am sure your investigation will get Yobarr going!!!

bgt · Guru

There is legal and then there is safe. Legal is easy. Just do the maths. Safe can be subjective. Not driving at all is very safe. Every day we all take calculated risks. Your level of risk could well be different to mine. I would never sky dive. Legal? Yes. Safe? Well if you are nuts. But that's just my opinion. If your tow vehicle is legal ok. But only you can decide how close to not being safe is up to you.

markf · Senior Member

HandyWalter wrote:
Mark F if you know where to look why not do us all a favour and investigate and report back. I know the cars mentioned are Discoveries but they are worlds part on design and functionality. Personally I could not GAF. But I am sure your investigation will get Yobarr going!!!

I'm not having a go at anyone here and I know that your D4 is a vastly different vehicle to my D2. All things Land Rover can be got from TOPIx You need to register and pay though. About the only thing that's free is the handbook and the recall campaigns.

The point I'm trying to make is that advertising material and handbooks very often don't tell the whole story.

yobarr · Guru

For all those who seem not to understand ,I will say again that,if safety is of ANY concern,it is critical that the car have a greater weight on its wheels than the weight on the van's wheels.Simple physics,minimising the risk of the "Tail wagging the Dog". This is why it is LAW that if a vehicle has a GVM above 4500kg,any PIG trailer (van) it tows MUST weigh less than the towing vehicle.The sooner such a law is introduced for ALL towing vehicles,the safer we all will be.Running at GCM 6800kg GCM,legal on all axles,my car is 15% heavier than my van,and much safer than the many lightweights being driven around the country,with their drivers blissfully unaware that towing 3500kg with such vehicles is an exercise in stupidity.Cheers

JayDee · Guru

yobarr wrote:
JayDee wrote:
I am coming in here rather late. A lot has been written so I will keep it short.

Just three word to the original question.

TOYOTA LAND CRUISER.

Jay&Dee
Hi John.Did you not notice that the OP is considering a 3500kg ATM van? There is only one series of LC that can safely tow 3500kg as a PIG trailer,and it isn't a 200.Cheers

Hi Yobarr, I guess that I should have been a bit more specific,

As you may know we have a 22 ft Coromal and our 100 series Cruiser tows this van with great ease. We had a Land Rover before and it was no match on the cruiser.

Just my views

Jay&Dee

yobarr · Guru

JayDee wrote:
yobarr wrote:
JayDee wrote:
I am coming in here rather late. A lot has been written so I will keep it short.

Just three word to the original question.

TOYOTA LAND CRUISER.

Jay&Dee
Hi John.Did you not notice that the OP is considering a 3500kg ATM van? There is only one series of LC that can safely tow 3500kg as a PIG trailer,and it isn't a 200.Cheers
Hi Yobarr, I guess that I should have been a bit more specific,
As you may know we have a 22 ft Coromal and our 100 series Cruiser tows this van with great ease. We had a Land Rover before and it was no match on the cruiser.
Just my views
Jay&Dee

Hi John.Great combination you have there.Seems that you are one of the few that understands that the LC100 is a superior TOW vehicle ,IMO,to the much adored LC200.Keeping up with the Jones' comes to mind.Happy travels in your set-up.Cheers

Eaglemax · Guru

yobarr wrote:
JayDee wrote:
yobarr wrote:
JayDee wrote:
I am coming in here rather late. A lot has been written so I will keep it short.

Just three word to the original question.

TOYOTA LAND CRUISER.

Jay&Dee
Hi John.Did you not notice that the OP is considering a 3500kg ATM van? There is only one series of LC that can safely tow 3500kg as a PIG trailer,and it isn't a 200.Cheers
Hi Yobarr, I guess that I should have been a bit more specific,
As you may know we have a 22 ft Coromal and our 100 series Cruiser tows this van with great ease. We had a Land Rover before and it was no match on the cruiser.
Just my views
Jay&Dee
Hi John.Great combination you have there.Seems that you are one of the few that understands that the LC100 is a superior TOW vehicle ,IMO,to the much adored LC200.Keeping up with the Jones' comes to mind.Happy travels in your set-up.Cheers

How many is "few". Please give a number...

Who is keeping up with the Jones's. Name them.

So many words...so little humility.

Tony

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

So at the conclusion what does blakey do, get?

Perhaps PeterD is right with his "pushing" of using a motor home! Does he (blakey), go to the hybrid style of camper? They are good off-road but bear in mind that some of them are getting very expensive & heavy too. And while cooking outside is good as long as there's no wind, insect bities, menaces around but living inside is preferred when the weather is "cool", wet & windy.

I get reminded often as to how bad our D-max is at the shopping centres & most other owners of dual-cabs are in the same boat. The Big Boys (Yank Fords, GMC, Chev, Dodge 150, 250, 350) mostly stay at the back, outside of shopping centres - for older owners, they are a nightmare!

blakey needs to work out where he & his wife want to go (it's a while since I went up the Cape but I wouldn't think a large van, or any van for that matter would go that far), the comfort they need & what they need to carry. A lot of thinking, given the discussions above.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Probably some idiot with dual cab & a boat on the roof!

Stretch60 · Senior Member

yobarr wrote:
Stretch60 wrote:
I think more people should stop listening to the common makes supporters and look outside the box. When researching a car for towing performance and budget I couldn't go past the V6 Amarok. The benefit is that the interior is more car like than truck. Suspension easily handles the 3t weight without a WDH and fuel consumption is comparable to most. And then look under the skin and you will find a very strong and well engineered vehicle.
-- Edited by Stretch60 on Wednesday 19th of May 2021 07:49:36 AM
Hi Andrew. At one stage I did have a look at an Amarok,a most impressive vehicle,with good wheelbase,low tare,and the 3 litre model has heaps of power.However,don't even think of towing more than 3000kg if safely is of ANY concern.Cheers

Exactly, will not exceed 3 tonne.

bgt · Guru

It's fun spending other peoples money!

vince56 · Senior Member

How is a LC100 superior in towing to a LC200?
Have used both models substantially, both great solid cars but NO WAY is a 100 better in ANY task!

yobarr · Guru

vince56 wrote:
How is a LC100 superior in towing to a LC200?
Have used both models substantially, both great solid cars but NO WAY is a 100 better in ANY task!

Same wheelbase,same axle ratings,GCM of 100 is 6760kg versus 6850kg of 200,but the LC100 is 175kg lighter than the LC200.Also,the 200 is 60mm longer than the 100,so more TBO and less towing ability.Game over.The LC200 is one of the most over-rated cars around,in my opinion.They're like mouths everybody has one.Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Sunday 23rd of May 2021 08:32:59 PM

bgt · Guru

yobarr you know how to make enemies!! :)

yobarr · Guru

bgt wrote:
yobarr you know how to make enemies!! :)

Sorry that you feel that way Bruce,but I always tell it as it is.It never is my intention to "make enemies",but if people can't accept facts,then there is little more that I can do.Cheers

Bobdown · Guru

yobarr wrote:
vince56 wrote:
How is a LC100 superior in towing to a LC200?
Have used both models substantially, both great solid cars but NO WAY is a 100 better in ANY task!
Same wheelbase,same axle ratings,GCM of 100 is 6760kg versus 6850kg of 200,but the LC100 is 175kg lighter than the LC200.Also,the 200 is 60mm longer than the 100,so more TBO and less towing ability.Game over.The LC200 is one of the most over-rated cars around,in my opinion.They're like mouths everybody has one.Cheers

Chris, everybody has an ass*ole as well, maybe you should actually drive a LC200 and you might change your mind. You contradict yourself, saying the tug should be heavier than the van, yet you opt for a lighter option here.

I've had 2 x 100 series and 1 x 200 series, like chalk and cheese, LC200 hands down and maybe LC300 in the future. You are so one-eyed it is becoming a joke.

Cheers Bob

Eaglemax · Guru

bgt wrote:
yobarr you know how to make enemies!! :)

It has zero to do with "facts" Chris (Yobarr).

You've been told by so many.

Tony

vince56 · Senior Member

I stand by the FACT that the LC200 is one of the best cars in the world, have a look at the increase in their value, would that happen if they were inferior?
Some prefer hard riding utes, up to them, they are a harsh ride and generally thirsty with cramped cabins.

I can speak from experience, unlike some, that all cars have their limitations, having many years with many makes and models in the mining and construction industry I can safely say that Toyota have been by far the most reliable.

To the OP I say, if you want a vehicle that will do almost ANYTHING you would want it to do and will last a lifetime buy an LC200 like a lot on this forum have. Some will waffle on about their beloved truck, good on 'em, you buy what suits and don't listen to biased "views".

Bill B · Guru

Bobdown wrote:

>

Chris, everybody has an ass*ole as well,

And some talk through it more than others

bgt · Guru

yobarr I wasn't referring to me. I have a very thick skin. :) No offense taken.

This debate/discussion is very much like the Apple v Android debate. We all jump to defend our choice. And so we should because we purchased what we purchased for our own reasons. But why would you buy an Apple? :). :).

As for safety there's the law and there's common sense. The laws an easy one. The safety is individual. Just like the Apple v Android debate. Your risk factor may well be different to mine. That's ok just don't risk me while you take that extra risk.

We owned a 40ft motorhome. The kitchen bench was made of marble. It had inserts for the sink and the cook top. All very neat and tidy. So what? So we/I was very safety contiguous. Looked after my brakes and tyres. Never overloaded. Drove at a safe speed and never tailgated. Yeah and if we hit anything those two marble inserts would have hit us in the back of the head and I wouldn't be here writing this. Safety is personal and can be very subjective. And it can also include things we simply don't consider.
Yobarr is no doubt "technically' right in what he writes. But when the safety factor comes into play we all make a judgement call. Yobarr is no different to everyone of us. The question not "who's right" but "what risk are you willing to take?"