Towing questions...

[lynden]

Haven't been around in a long, long time. Love the format.

Got a towing question. I just bought a snowmobile and enclosed trailer. It's prolly 2,900 lbs w/ two snowmobiles. I have the cheap bastard lift and 245/75 tires. Needless to say, it's a pain pulling the trailer. Around town there are no problems, but on the freeway its tough to do much more than 60 mph. I have the original gears, would it be a good idea to change the gears since I have bigger tires and am towing? I think the next gear ratio is 4:11, is that right? Anyone w/ any thoughts or experience? Thanks in advance.
Lynden

 

[kennith]

What are you drivin',

D1 DII?

I've Got the II with plain OME and no sway bars. I've hauled a 12,000 pound generator (with surge brake) no problem at highway speeds for a movie. What exactly is giving you trouble?

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[1st Rover]

First of all, I have stock tires and thus stock gears so I can't say how much lower gears will help you, ... in theory it should help a little.

I've towed my quattro on an open trailer, no problem at 65-70. My enclosed trailer is tough to hold 60, lots of aero drag.

You could look at going with an open trailer to make it easier with whatever gears you choose, or a low-profile trailer.

 

[Rover Puppy]

 

[lynden]

Kennith- that's prolly my problem, its an enclosed snowmobile trailer so its pretty tall back there. I don't really want to buy another trailer, just wondering if new gears would help to get back a little top end when pulling.

BTW- its a '96 disco I.

thanks guys, keep 'em coming...

 

[markg]

I don't know what its like to drive in winter type conditions or what type of tires you have now, but maybe a set of stock size wheels and winter tires would be enough to make towing those snow mobiles more comfortable.

 

[geoff]

Don't tow in overdrive 4th. Put the transmission in 3rd (1:1). Keep the revs up. Easier on engine and transmission.

 

[Andrew Homan]

If you don't want to go as low as 4:11 I think GBR has 3:90s

 

[syoung]

if the trailer is tall, maybe look into a wind deflector gizmo either on the front of the trailer or on the roof of the Disco.

 

[Andrew Homan]

Holy crap steve I thought I was bad with over 400 posts but you broke one thousand!!!

 

[kennith]

Locking the trans in 3rd does help, just expect your mileage to decrease. If you arent using a drop bar, do so to make sure the trailer is properly level. At highway speeds, the wind resistance on a non level trailer underbelly is fairly significant. It will also help your D1s relatively narrow track cope with your trailer.

I am running 32s and haven't had any problems, but a closer to stock tire size might help you out a bit. The last gear in your drivetrain is the tire. Moreso than that, the extra rotating mass of a larger tire destroys your top end. It knocked mine from 120 to 98mph. The gears will help, that's a fact, and they will help a lot. They will probably transform your personal impression of your trucks capabilities.

If you want a quick few hp at top end, however, (and I know this is highly contested by some here) try a low restriction air filter. If the filtering capability concerns you, only use it when towing.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[syoung]

Holy crap steve I thought I was bad with over 400 posts but you broke one thousand!!!

holy cow, you're right... i need to go get a life...
being in front of a computer 14 hours a day just makes it too easy to get carried away.