Coast-to-coast-to-coast in an LR3: trip report

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
562
Seattle
I finally got around to writing up a summary of my 5-month, 11,500-mile road trip over the winter. It's about 3,500 words, so not exactly short, but there was a lot of travel and exploration to cover. If you don't want to read the whole thing you can scroll through and look at the photos, most of which include the Land Rover.

Link to blog here.

Spoiler: the vehicle made the journey with zero problems, so no Rover drama features in this story.
 

pdXDisco97

Well-known member
Dec 6, 2011
277
36
Oregon
LR3s are fantastic road trip vehicles. And the added benefit of taking it off-road when desired make them an incredibly fun vehicle for any type of trip! Can't wait to read your report.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Howski

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
562
Seattle
LR3s are fantastic road trip vehicles. And the added benefit of taking it off-road when desired make them an incredibly fun vehicle for any type of trip! Can't wait to read your report.

Thanks. The LR3 was a treat to take on this trip. I needed and used every single Terrain Response mode and got to do a lot more off-roading than I expected. One of the highlights (not mentioned in the blog post, although the first photo shows it) was getting to take my LR3 on an owner's drive at the Biltmore Estate Land Rover Experience Center in Asheville, NC. I'm still finding mud on the underside of the truck from that day. The LR3 was really impressive off road. The more I drive it, the more I appreciate it.
 

Howski

Well-known member
Oct 19, 2009
1,483
209
Alabama
Enjoyed the read. Chicken salad out of the chicken shit that was 2020. As mentioned the LR3 lacks some personality and is dated but they’re great do it all vehicles
 

rover rob

Well-known member
Mar 29, 2016
273
56
upstate NY
great job nick. I read the blog when you posted on farce book. I was wondering if it was going to show up here. sounds like a great time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tugela

discomeans

Well-known member
Apr 13, 2021
154
58
Florida, USA
Thanks. The LR3 was a treat to take on this trip. I needed and used every single Terrain Response mode and got to do a lot more off-roading than I expected. One of the highlights (not mentioned in the blog post, although the first photo shows it) was getting to take my LR3 on an owner's drive at the Biltmore Estate Land Rover Experience Center in Asheville, NC. I'm still finding mud on the underside of the truck from that day. The LR3 was really impressive off road. The more I drive it, the more I appreciate it.
I'm signed up to take my 300Tdi to the Biltmore LRE in the fall for a full day program. How did you like the program itself? Did you feel they made it fit your experience/background appropriately?
 

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
562
Seattle
The owners' day had a large turnout, two groups of about 13 vehicles each. My group ended up taking a soupy, muddy route which involved a bit of waiting as trucks negotiated sections of extremely poor traction with instructors' help. I ended up pulling a RRC out of the mud with my LR3 - glad I brought my recovery kit. The 1:1 outings are highly customized to individual desires and the instructors provide whatever level of challenge and tutelage you want. The basic themes are go slow and don't give too much steering input, but if you already have that mastered then you can work on more advanced skills. The terrain is so varied that you can find a lot of different situations on the trails. If you have the option to request a particular instructor, I was really impressed by Matt Albritton and Aaron Owen. Aaron is the lead instructor and I went back for a 1:1 drive to interview him for a magazine article. Their patience, knowledge, and friendliness made these memorable visits.
 
  • Like
Reactions: discomeans