By Scott A. Keen (Scottkeen) on Sunday, March 11, 2001 - 11:11 am: Edit

I'm possibly moving to Miami this Summer and will be bringing my Disco and Miata with me from the Washington DC area.

Any recommendations how to do this?

I'm considering:
- towing the Miata
- Amtrak AutoTrain
- car carrier service

If I tow the Miata behind the Disco, any idea what kind of gas mileage I can expect? The distance I will have to travel is about 1000 miles. Also, what do I use to tow the Miata?

TIA,
Scott

By Steven Henry on Sunday, March 11, 2001 - 05:22 pm: Edit

If you are going to two the car, I would recommend a Uhaul Car carrier. They come equipped with hydraulic surge brakes. This will help greatly in not having to depend on the Discovery's transmission and brakes to slow the load.

Also, make sure that you have the appropriate wiring harness, or if you do as I did, wire a Uhaul adapter into the system and test it prior to renting the car carrier. As far as gas mileage goes, from my experience it can be as low as 10 mpg.

Prior to towing, I would recommend a good service and inspection which should consist of a fluid change (engine oil, transmission fluid).

Also, have you ever towed anything before?


Steven

By Scott A. Keen (Scottkeen) on Sunday, March 11, 2001 - 09:48 pm: Edit

Thanks for the reply Steven.

Nope, never towed anything before.

re: the brakes. Is this a special hook-up that I need to do? Will the Uhaul or LR wiring harness have the brake connections?

Thanks again,

Scott

By Russ on Sunday, March 11, 2001 - 10:28 pm: Edit

You won't need to worry about brake connections. The brakes on the trailer are hydraulic surge brakes and require no connection with the Disco at all. You will require a 4 wire connection from the Disco for ground, brake and turnsignals, and running lights. If you have the Disco trailer connection, you will only need a $5 adapter from u-haul. If you don't have the Land Rover connection you can have it installed, or look in the tech section for a do it yourself explanation. I myself have the factory setup and have never regeted getting it. I've used it alot, and it has the advantage of being made by Hella and is water proof.

By Scott A. Keen (Scottkeen) on Sunday, March 11, 2001 - 10:39 pm: Edit

So, as I understand it...

There are two pieces required:
1. ball hitch
2. wiring harness

Are these separately sold items?

So, are my options to 1) get the LR ball hitch, and 2) get the LR or UHaul wiring harness.

Is there any other option for the ball hitch beside the LR option?

Thanks,

Scott

By Clint on Sunday, March 11, 2001 - 10:53 pm: Edit

Scott,
go to your local store and get a reese 2" drop hitch. It will cost you about $20. Then get the 1-7/8 or 2" ball for another $7. Don't forget a hitch pin for $4. Screw the ball and hitch together with the 2 largest pairs of channel locks
that you have.
Clint

By Scott A. Keen (Scottkeen) on Sunday, March 11, 2001 - 10:56 pm: Edit

Excellent! Thanks for the replies everyone. Sounds like I've got some good options available.

Cheers!

Scott
97 Disco SD7

By Ron on Monday, March 12, 2001 - 02:35 pm: Edit

Towing tips:

I have used the Uhaul deal and it works well. The only thing is that when the surge brake kicks in it is LOUD. It will scare the crap out of you (especially if you dubiously tied down the miata and are a bit worried).

Never back up. Plan thinking like that. Backing up can be done but requires complex mathamatical skills.

Go slow and leave plenty of space to stop.

You make wide turns, remember that

Otherwise I think you are good. Have fun!

Cheers
Ron

By Daniel McElroy on Wednesday, March 14, 2001 - 12:35 pm: Edit

Here's a tip. If you do have to back up, put your hand at the BOTTOM of the steering wheel. Then as you move backwards, move your hand in the direction you want the car to turn TOWARDS. Sounds simple, but it is an important skill(just in case)you might want to have.
Good luck