| Author |
Message |
    
djd
| | Posted on Saturday, May 25, 2002 - 10:12 am: | 
|
Have a quick question if anyone knows. I own a '99 II Disco, just bought a new boat at appx 5K lbs, and 1.5-2K for trailer (and trailer has brakes). Disco is rated at 5500 lbs with trailer brakes. I'll be as much as 7K lbs + or -. My trip is 15 Mi with some hwy and some stop and go street traffic. Also know that disco is rated at 7700 lbs in low gear. But little tough to do the freeway part of the trip in low gear. Why the tow rating difference? Opinions on what may happen if I go for the haul? Any experience?
Thanks |
Roger Fastring
| | Posted on Saturday, May 25, 2002 - 02:48 pm: |
|
For that short of distance, I'd sure try it. With that said, Discos suck as tow rigs. I towed my car trailer (1700-2000lbs) empty once and it was horrible, I think its the short wheelbase and flexy suspension, just feels like the tail wagging the dog. If you dont get to highway speed, it will probably feel ok. I'd recommend those inflatable air bag rear spring supports (Hellwig, Airlift, etc). Thats what I plan to do in the future, just to tow my 2000lb Samurai trail toy on the 2000lb trailer. I wont tow it until then. |
Blue (Bluegill)
| | Posted on Saturday, May 25, 2002 - 03:07 pm: |
|
POP goes the diff.....
put it in low UNLOCKED and stick to the surface roads...it's only 15 miles.... |
Ron
| | Posted on Saturday, May 25, 2002 - 10:42 pm: |
|
You are all paranoid! It will pull 7-8000k fine, as long as you don't have any big hills. The diff will not blow up. So long as the trailer is set up right I would not hesitate for a minute for a 15 mile trip. If you have SLS or HD rear springs I would not be particularly worried on any longer trip either.
I have had about that on the disco and it was just really slow. Perfectly stable.
Ron |
Blue (Bluegill)
| | Posted on Sunday, May 26, 2002 - 02:47 pm: |
|
will the e brake hold it on a hill if, after you get about half-way up, then the trailer starts to pull you backwards back down the hill? LOL |
SirRobin
| | Posted on Monday, May 27, 2002 - 08:21 am: |
|
Agree with Ron... tow ratings are little like power ratings for car stereos and women's shoe sizes (i am told) in that they don't mean all that much in the real world. Your disco is beefier than just about any vehicle out there, take it easy, be sensible, allow adequate stopping and starting distances, and you will be fine at 7K for 15 MI. I tow at or above capacity on a regular basis. I find the disco a good tow vechile, I suspect Roger's empty trailer was too light in the front causing the fishtailing. One does need to properly balance a heavier trialer.
In countries other than the United States of Attourneys they tow all kinds of campers and trailers with the family sedan usually with nary a problem. |
hendrik
| | Posted on Monday, May 27, 2002 - 10:09 am: |
|
There have been some reports of unstable Discos with trailers. The long rear overhand could make them a little prone to that but the excellent suspension is on the plus side.
Make sure the tire pressure is correct (or a little raised) and that the trailer is evenly loaded (not putting undue weight on the tow hitch). Worn shocks do not help for a firm ride like do worn suspension bushes. All points that count for cars whichever make they are ! Sometimes trailers of a certain length and body have aerodynamic effects that let them wander/roam(?). A german car magazin assessed the Disco I towing ability several years ago and found it to be an excellent towing vehicle (although the fuel consumption of the otherwise very economic TDi engine went up to the level of the V8).
In cases when drivers accused the Disco´s behaviour to have lead to accidents Rover´s investigation I think revealed some of the aforementioned mistakes. But this is only out of remembrance and for sure how a mnaufacturers reaction is supposed to be. Sorry, cant offer any real facts in that matter. I do not remember such complaints from Range Rover drivers - could be due to the rear overhang being a little less and to the Boge niveau lift ??
I´d say just do it.
For regular towing I´d rather have H/D springs and rear sway bars installed (if not present).
regards, hendrik |
muskyman
| | Posted on Monday, May 27, 2002 - 01:25 pm: |
|
couple week-ends ago I flat pulled my buddies near 5000 pound set up jacked up wiggle wagon cj5 with the disco. it had no problems at all includding 75 on the highway.
very stable tow vehicles indeed. |
stecz
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 28, 2002 - 02:18 pm: |
|
I have a 2wd suburban, it tows MUCH better than my disco. I have a 2 jetski trailer and the trailer and the skis is under 3k pounds, braking is fine, acceleration on flat terrain is fine, hills are a different story. The trailer also has a tendency to wander, but behind the Suburban, you barely know it's there...
I think the problem is the combination of short wheelbase and floppy suspension, I think with stiffer springs, the disco would tow a lot better. |
Norm
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 29, 2002 - 03:03 am: |
|
The fact that you're towing a boat should work in your favor as it is more aerodynamic than your typical box trailer. |
Matt Taylor (Whodatmatt)
| | Posted on Thursday, May 30, 2002 - 11:47 am: |
|
I tow a +/- 3500 lbs boat for about 30 miles quite frequently. I ain't going anywhere fast, I can tell you that, especially up hills. She struggles. But the disco is very manueverable when backing in and whatnot. I wish I had more power, though. |
muskyman
| | Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 07:47 pm: |
|
ok ...just so nobody gives me the unfounded information shtick...this weekend I pulled our 7000lb boat and trailer combo and the disco did fine up hills down hills in the boat landing outa the boat landing disco did fine. so IMHO go ahead and pull heavy loads these trucks do well
 |
Blue (Bluegill)
| | Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 07:55 pm: |
|
I towed a jeep this weekend and, except for a little ass wagging, I didn't even know it was there...of course it didn't weigh much
 |
SirRobin
| | Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 08:01 pm: |
|
yoooo smooookin da pipe brudder, no way that red beauty (20ft?) of a dual console on the custom steel tandem trailer weighs 7k... I give you 1.4-1.5K for the trailer and 3.5-4K tops for the money sucker I mean, er pleasure craft. for a total of 5.5K tops. My 22ft walkaround saltwater (money disposal unit) fishing boat weighs in just over that on a crappier trailer...
That or I am exceeding the reccommended daily allowance of single malt scotch again. |
muskyman
| | Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 08:08 pm: |
|
sir robbin you are way miss informed
thats a 22.5 ft supra mahria with a 425 hp 502 chevy a powerslot •••••• and a 14" brass prop at a sweet 17" pitch it goes 46 mph pulling 8 guys bare-footing.
and the boat and trailer combo weighs in at 7426lbs full of gas 10min before this pic was taken.
so my 7000 lbs was conservative as are most my posts |
|
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page