::::discovery towing capacity question::::

[95disco]

hi!
im new to the site, and fairly new to rovers.
i pretend to use my disco as a work/off-road truck but im a little concerned about its towing capacity.
i work with flooring so ill be pulling a 7x16 dual axle trailer most of the time, and loaded with tools/flooring in it.
i dont know if the tranny will take it for long, or if im getting way too worried about its limits, so id like to see your input in this situation.


Thanks in advance
Victor

[96owner]

i have pulled a single axle trailer with 2 quads and a dirt bike, grear, gas can, and some tools. i dont know it that would be any where close to what you will be hauling but that was no problem with the 5-speed it towed every well. hopefully some one else will chime in like discomike he knows everything

[Funrover]

You will be fine..... I have a 92 RRC...... 181,000 miles on the clock.... I pull a lot of random stuff..... I have a large pop up i just rebuilt(it is twice the weight it used to be) I pull it on and off road.............. I also pull a lot of cars on trailers... however heavier cars I use a dolly not flatbed.. and I pull enclosed trailers from u-haul etc etc.........

If you 4-wheel or tow a lot you will have to flush your transmission and t-case more often than most.... I do a min of 2 times a year....

Also..... My parents have a 97 Rangie and the pull a 26' long 4-season camper all over the states....



kinda hard to see.... but the rover in back is me w/ camper....



looking for pic of parents rig... should be back soon!!!!

[95disco]

yeah, by the pics i can tell ill be alright.

btw i just dropped off today my heads at the machine shop to resurface, im doing all the gaskets on the top end.

[Funrover]

Originally Posted by 95disco

yeah, by the pics i can tell ill be alright.

btw i just dropped off today my heads at the machine shop to resurface, im doing all the gaskets on the top end.

Nice... If you do some work to the valves and port them out a bit you gain some nice power... Since you are there might as well.. as long as you have enough $$$$$

[pavel]

95Disco - Our 96 5 spd seems to be able to pull most trailers easily (although obviously she isn't as powerful as my old Ford F250 with the 460 engine!). If yours has the automatic gearbox, that may be the weak link, so you might ask around for more opinions. How hot does the automatic get when you are towing? Also, keep the engine cooling system in the best possible condition; change the antifreeze yearly and you may benefit from a pair of Flex-a-lite electric fans to replace the horrible OEM viscous fan. The standard LR rads are pretty large/good so you shouldn't have overheating problems - but don't let that engine get too hot! Cheers.

[95disco]

Originally Posted by pavel

95Disco - Our 96 5 spd seems to be able to pull most trailers easily (although obviously she isn't as powerful as my old Ford F250 with the 460 engine!). If yours has the automatic gearbox, that may be the weak link, so you might ask around for more opinions. How hot does the automatic get when you are towing? Also, keep the engine cooling system in the best possible condition; change the antifreeze yearly and you may benefit from a pair of Flex-a-lite electric fans to replace the horrible OEM viscous fan. The standard LR rads are pretty large/good so you shouldn't have overheating problems - but don't let that engine get too hot! Cheers.

thanx!
yeah my disco is auto, and ill probably need a new radiator too.

can u guys indicate a good/cheap site to buy an auto radiator?

[96owner]

try roverparts.com they have ok prices.

[siam]

Some HD ome springs would help your tow action too. loaded it for it's first motox trip today. droped half an inch fully loaded and drives like it doesn't have any load on it.. also helps to have a 5 speed going uphills.

[Funrover]

Originally Posted by pavel

95Disco - Our 96 5 spd seems to be able to pull most trailers easily (although obviously she isn't as powerful as my old Ford F250 with the 460 engine!). If yours has the automatic gearbox, that may be the weak link, so you might ask around for more opinions. How hot does the automatic get when you are towing? Also, keep the engine cooling system in the best possible condition; change the antifreeze yearly and you may benefit from a pair of Flex-a-lite electric fans to replace the horrible OEM viscous fan. The standard LR rads are pretty large/good so you shouldn't have overheating problems - but don't let that engine get too hot! Cheers.

My RRC is auto also.......... I pull all over the mtns...... I have never had overheating problems!!!!!

[siam]

since the subject seem to have shifted to engine tempereture, where does your needle point on your Disco? mine seems to be a hair below the halfway point and that's with colant / water wetter and an 82* thermostat.