| Author | Message | ||
     Nic Andreani (Nic) New Member Username: Nic Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2003 |
New to the board and just got a boat for the summer. I've read the archived posts on towing with the Disco, but just wanted to get some insight on what to expect. I've got a 97 D1, and will be towing a 4800 lb boat. Experiences? | ||
| Bill Mallin (Billmallin) Senior Member Username: Billmallin Post Number: 426 Registered: 09-2003 |
I have a DII and tow my boat all the time, no problems. I also tow a 16' trailer with an L3400 Kubota tractor on it from time to time. I don't think my truck likes that as much, but it gets the job done. As far as what to expect, don't expect it to pull like a Power Stroke Ford F350. I had a 5.0 liter Ford Explorer with a towing package; my Disco seems to tow as well as that did. The nice thing about the Disco is it is much easier to pull the boat out of the water (up the ramp) than the Explorer was able to do. | ||
| Matt Anderson (Disco01) Member Username: Disco01 Post Number: 235 Registered: 10-2003 |
Nic,is the boat 4800 or is the whole setup (boat and trailer) 4800? | ||
| Leigh Mikolajczyk (Leigh_m) New Member Username: Leigh_m Post Number: 17 Registered: 01-2004 |
I tow a boat and trailer about the same size and the disco tows very well. Slightly underpowered when going through hills other than that it does very well. Leigh | ||
| Nic Andreani (Nic) New Member Username: Nic Post Number: 6 Registered: 10-2003 |
The whole setup is 4800. Thanks for the quick responses. | ||
| Robert Pate (Racerx) Member Username: Racerx Post Number: 81 Registered: 08-2003 |
Nic I have a 97 D1 and pull a boat about the same size as well. My only complaint is power. Just make sure you are very careful when pulling into traffic. | ||
| Matt Anderson (Disco01) Member Username: Disco01 Post Number: 236 Registered: 10-2003 |
Nic, I hope your truck is an auto. I had a boat weighing about 4000lb on the trailer when I had my 96 and man, it really was hard on the clutch. My 01 auto towed it much better. I have now upgraded to a larger raft and get real close to the 5500 lb limit, probably over it. My biggest complaint is not power, but that things tend to sway pretty badly when cruising around 70. I never notice this when I tow it behind the Silverado. Has to do with the wheelbase. Just be aware of this when you first go out with it. | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 737 Registered: 07-2002 |
If it is a DI you will be going about 45 up the hills. | ||
| Nic Andreani (Nic) New Member Username: Nic Post Number: 7 Registered: 10-2003 |
It's an auto, so at least I don't have to worry about the clutch getting worked too hard. I was afraid of the hills, but I'm just going to have to suck it up. I've only got a 15 minute tow to the lake. Thanks! | ||
| Tony DiFranco (Nhrover) Member Username: Nhrover Post Number: 106 Registered: 11-2002 |
I tow a 22' boat in the summer every weekend. It requires common sense. The uphill speed could be better but overall I don't have any problems. Regular maintenance does wonders. And I know that I wont get stuck on the launch ramp  -Tony D | ||
| Justin Sherfy (Jrsherfy) Member Username: Jrsherfy Post Number: 66 Registered: 08-2003 |
Matt, I think you're right about the wheel base. I had a '00 single cab, Silverado Z71 with the 5.3L. I was driving out in New Mexico and West Texas pulling a jeep back from AZ and small gusts of wind would make my truck sway. I assume your Silverado is an extended cab. JRS | ||
| Justin Sherfy (Jrsherfy) Member Username: Jrsherfy Post Number: 67 Registered: 08-2003 |
Nic, Saw you're in Austin. I'm on my way up there today to pick up my Disco from LR of Austin. You should check out http://www.texasrovers.com/ You don't have to be a hard core off roader to enjoy it. We'd love to have a fellow rover owner come hang out even if you don't want to join the club. JRS | ||
| Matt Anderson (Disco01) Member Username: Disco01 Post Number: 246 Registered: 10-2003 |
Yeah, Justin it sounds just like yours only it is extended cab. It is my dads truck and he got it primarily for work and towing so it has the 4.10 rear end. Just think about if your truck swayed how much a shorter wheelbase vehicle would. I dont think it sways much if the trailer is under 3500 lb or so but when you start to have a lot of weight back there it is obvioulsy gonna pull on the tow vehicle when hit by wind. When I tow mine it is usually either a 2 minute jaunt to the ramp at the end of my street (TN River--nasty) or an hour drive up to a really pretty lake (Norris). Where I have problems is when I am going the speed limit (70) and semis are blowing by me doing 85. If I slow down to 60 it is ok. I dont have a problem with power, the Disco can hold 65 up all the hills if you floorboard it. Comparably, the Silverado will do 75 floorboarded. I dont think giving up 10 mph is that bad, as I dont think it is safe to be towing over 70 no matter what you are driving. One good thing about the Disco is that I believe they are built tough enough to handle the abuses of towing. Matt | ||
| JEEPETR (Jeepetr) New Member Username: Jeepetr Post Number: 26 Registered: 02-2003 |
Hey NIc, Given the short distance that you have to tow, I would think your Dicovery would handle the job without issues. My wife and I tow a boat that weighs in around 3,500 lbs with our '96 Discovery (5-speed). I actually think the manual is an advantage, as you lose fewer HP to a manual than an auto, and I've never found myself in a position of needing to abuse the clutch. We tow all over during the summer, with a 3-5 hour road trip not being uncommon. Unless venturing through the mountains, our Discovery will usually hold 70 mph with the cruise set. The boat tows beautifully, and does not sway around at all. I know how unearving a swaying trailer can be, but if the trailer is set-up right, and the load balanced on the trailer right (with the proper proportion of tongue weight) it should not sway. Hope this helps.. | ||
| Matt Anderson (Disco01) Member Username: Disco01 Post Number: 249 Registered: 10-2003 |
Jeepetr, I have a Powerquest boat (www.powerquestboats.com) on a tandem axle trailer made specifically for it with disc brakes etc., and I promise you it is set up as close to perfect as can be. Having the proper set up helps significantly as you mention, but the type of sway you are talking about would happen if the vehicle was all along on a highway with no wind. I am talking more about the truck getting buffeted around by passing semis and wind gusts. Further, if my trailer was not set up correctly it would not make a difference which vehicle it was towed behind. Also, if wheelbase did not make a difference why can a D110 tow 2000lbs more in high and 4200lbs more in low than an identically powered, axeled, and trannied D90? Same story with either a 2 door exploder or a 4 door. | ||
| Matt Anderson (Disco01) Member Username: Disco01 Post Number: 250 Registered: 10-2003 |
Also, if you are on a roll answering my questions go ahead and tell me why my internet connection is soooo slow........eh? | ||
| Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) Moderator Username: Kyle Post Number: 730 Registered: 11-2002 |
Wheel base makes a huge difference..... "Blow me" |
