| Author | Message | ||
     Joe B (Denverrover) Member Username: Denverrover Post Number: 196 Registered: 02-2003 |
Guys - I have to do a temporary move to Ohio & am contemplating the best way to do this. It is about a 1300 mile trip that I will break up into 2 days. I have a 96 Disco w/ about 75k that is running fine but has some transmission slipping issues when it is cold. I really don't want to cause any premature damage to the Disco. So your opinions are appreciated. Options - 1. Tow 6X12 foot trailer with brakes. I figure about 2700lbs total. BTW does my truck have a factory tow wiring setup? I've towed a trailer this size with a 2 door Jeep Cherokee and it was a nightmare. Price $375 with tax. 2. Rent a Ryder truck and car carrier. Good option, but pricey $1045 with tax. Here is the kicker - I'm bring my 2 German Shepherds with me. Now I can put the seats down in the Disco and they can sleep comfortably. The Ryder does have a pass-through door that I can set up a bed under the kitchen table for the dogs, but I've never done this before. I figure gas mileage should be about the same. The Ryder is a 2003 15ft w/ a V-8. However I can use the cheap stuff in the Ryder. But, I do have the CD changer in the Disco - it's a long trip. So what do you guys think? Should I spend the extra $$ and play it safe and tow the Disco. I just don't want to beat the truck up anymore than it already is. Oh, and Ryder says that I'm over the weight for their car carrier too. So I'll have to tell them that I'm towing a Honda. I guess if I did tow the trailer I would change trans fluid, diff fluid & oil all to heavy duty synthetic. Thanks - Joe | ||
| b d e (Chrisseries1) Member Username: Chrisseries1 Post Number: 79 Registered: 03-2004 |
we just hauled a disco on a uhaul car carrier with no problems at all. we were crusing at 80mph with ease. if the transmission is acting up then dont chance it. its going to let go some where along the line. then you gotta fix it where it broke down. rent the car hauler and truck and move or rebuild the transmission in the disco before you leave. | ||
| Curt Perlman (Cnote) Member Username: Cnote Post Number: 63 Registered: 01-2004 |
Ryder=$1045 Disco=$ 375 + $1,500(trans) + $100 (rental car fees) + $500 (trans install = $2,475. You do the math. | ||
| Matt Anderson (Disco01) Senior Member Username: Disco01 Post Number: 352 Registered: 10-2003 |
Here is what I am thinking. For the difference in price between the truck and the trailer get your transmission rebuilt. (probably wont cover all of it, but a good bit) If you are planning on keeping the Disco for awhile, of course. A transmission shop should be able to get a ZF rebuild kit and do it in two days. I just dont see the point in waiting as you will have to get a rebuild eventually. Also, there is no way you will get the same mileage in a Ryder van towing your Disco as you would in the Disco. The Silverado I tow with gets about 8mpg when towing a trailer weighing about 6000lbs, or about the same as a flatbed+Disco. Also, are you sure your trans is slipping? ZF trans tend to act funny in the cold sometimes. | ||
| Orville Hrabe (Oshrabe) New Member Username: Oshrabe Post Number: 1 Registered: 01-2004 |
I just towed a 5x8 uhaul trailer from California to Maryland, probably 2500 - 3000lbs in the middle of summer. The gear shift lever was too hot to touch in Kansas. My 96 D1, with 96,000 miles on it, had no problems. Have you changed your transmission fluid recently? If the fluid is burnt or just dirty, automatic transmissions hate life. The ZF is a very hardy transmission, has its own dedicated cooler (located in front of the radiator and is cylindrical)and even comes equipped with a temp. warning light. You're going to know if and when problems start. One other idea about cold weather slipping. The VC fan on the front of the torquey little V8 tends to rob a significant amount of power and can feel just like a transmission slipping until the fluid warms up in it. | ||
| Joe B (Denverrover) Member Username: Denverrover Post Number: 199 Registered: 02-2003 |
Thanks for the replies - exactly what I'm looking for. My trans will slip for about a minute when cold - it is starting to happen in warm weather now too. I know that it is time for a rebuild. I may try some Lucas trans conditioner. Keep it coming...... | ||
| Orville Hrabe (Oshrabe) New Member Username: Oshrabe Post Number: 2 Registered: 01-2004 |
Forgot three things, first, the factory wiring loom for the trailers is located in the rear right light cluster acessed from the inside. You'll need a wiring kit to convert from UK to US, which Atlantic british sells for half of the dealer's cost. The wires route down from the plug through the sheet metal (little rubber plug designed to keep water out) and back to your trailer. Second, gas economy is function of your right foot. Hold it at 55 and decent milage can be achieved, 15-16mpg on the freeway, anything above that, 10-12mpg is to be expected. Finally, with such a short wheelbase the D1 can be jumping on the highway with a trailer, but it still handles the weight well. | ||
| mark gomez (Mark) Member Username: Mark Post Number: 65 Registered: 05-2003 |
If your truck is having transmission problems, I would'nt tow such a big trailer if any at all. I would hate to breakdown and have to try to find someone who can fix a disco and be at there mercy. Not to mention cost of repair and towing. I would lean towards the Ryder truck and a boom box with a cd player of some sort (hey, you get to keep it when your done)  Maybe see if they or anyone else rents a larger car carrier. This way if the truck breaks down, you won't have to worry about who's going to fix it and how much will it be. I don't know how much a moving company would charge but it might be worth looking into along with a plane ticket. Best of luck. | ||
| Joe B (Denverrover) Member Username: Denverrover Post Number: 201 Registered: 02-2003 |
Thought about the moving company which the price isn't bad - about $750. But, they give you a 4-6 day window when they are going to deliver your stuff. Plus, every single time I have used a moving company something comes up broken. At least if I break it - I broke it. And, I have to drive, can't fly. Gotta get the Disco in Ohio somehow and then there are the dogs.... | ||
| Matt Anderson (Disco01) Senior Member Username: Disco01 Post Number: 353 Registered: 10-2003 |
Come on, either way you will have to get the trans fixed. Why waste $700 just to delay the inevitable. | ||
| Lance Doyle (Discokayaker) New Member Username: Discokayaker Post Number: 29 Registered: 11-2003 |
I just had a transmission go in a Dodge Durango. It seemed to slip occasionally at first and mainly when cold. This lasted for a few weeks. Once it really started to go it was a matter of a day or two and I completly lost 3rd gear. In my experience (with a different transmission) when it begins to REALLY go it will go FAST. Personally, I'd hate to be half way across the country and need to rebuild a transmission. FWIW, Lance | ||
| Joe B (Denverrover) Member Username: Denverrover Post Number: 202 Registered: 02-2003 |
Yeah I know I gotta get the trans fixed... | ||
| Leigh Mikolajczyk (Leigh_m) Member Username: Leigh_m Post Number: 62 Registered: 01-2004 |
FIx the trans before you leave and get the trailer to move you will almost break even and your trans will be fixed. | ||
| Todd Nash (Nash) New Member Username: Nash Post Number: 37 Registered: 02-2003 |
If you do decide to tow with your LR: The Atlantic British wiring kit looks nice but is still pricey. The cheap bastards around (like me) have had good luck with a universal kit from Walmart. It was all of $19 and it took me almost 10 minutes. The instructions are in the TECH section. The mounting bracket was another $2. Good luck. | ||
| b d e (Chrisseries1) Member Username: Chrisseries1 Post Number: 85 Registered: 03-2004 |
they also sell wiring kits at the uhaul depots. | ||
| Sterling Sliter (Sterling) New Member Username: Sterling Post Number: 15 Registered: 03-2003 |
I too am planing a cross cuntry trip with a u-haul truck and tow a car carrier. U-haul said that my 95 Disco is over the weight limit, however I understand that Discos have been sucessfully towed with no prolbems. It will be innerstate with on mountain driving. I would appreciate any comments from those of you that have towed a Discovery. Thank you. | ||
| peppy (Chrisseries1) Member Username: Chrisseries1 Post Number: 95 Registered: 03-2004 |
i find that putting the discovery as well as series 109 on the uhaul car hauler backwards. i tried first with the rover driven on. too much weight was on the rear of the carrier. this caused it to sway. so putting it on backwards eliminated this problem. the disco will tuck on there nicely. hopes this helps | ||
| flyor (Flyor) Member Username: Flyor Post Number: 79 Registered: 05-2003 |
If I were you I'd spend the money fixing the gearbox. That way your rig will be back on the road and you won't have to rely on someone elses POS rental truck. Unless you know what your doing find someone that does. Most dealers will only swap the gearbox with a reman, not overhaul it. If it's just starting to slip when cold it probably just needs a routine overhaul. I rebuilt my own for under $300.00. Bought the parts at a local transmission parts supplier. ZFs have been used in many different imports over the years in Mercedes, Audi, BMW among others. If it's something that you can't do yourself, and I wouldn't recomend it unless your experienced and have the right equipment, find a local import shop that works on these. If they don't repair transmissions maybe they could point you to someone that does. If your in SE Michigan I might be able to point you in the right direction. I currently use my D1 to pull a 6X12 with about 2000 lbs with no problems other than sucking gas. 15-16 without the trailer, 10 with. $1.95 a gallon for the good stuff here. | ||
| Melissa (Roverchic) Member Username: Roverchic Post Number: 170 Registered: 02-2004 |
I agree with the cheap universal wiring kit !! Walmart had them for about $$22 and like Todd said it is super easy! Also check on Ebay .. I saw a complete wiring set for a D1 for about 56.00 plus shipping of course.. If it were me Joe -- Do not risk the trans. If it goes out on the way there you are stranded with 2 dogs, a broken rover, and a trailer(full of your goods)..JMHO |
