Best car for towing ribs?

[Petter]

For some unexplainable reason I really want to buy a Land Rover Defender 110. As I am not at all clued up on towing vehicles, I have some probably rather stupid/basic questions:
What is the Defender towing capacity?
What the maximum load one can tow on with a normal licence in the UK?
Any other good alternatives?

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Petter

For some unexplainable reason I really want to buy a Land Rover Defender 110. As I am not at all clued up on towing vehicles, I have some probably rather stupid/basic questions:
What is the Defender towing capacity?
What the maximum load one can tow on with a normal licence in the UK?
Any other good alternatives?

A 110 will pull a full 3500kg, which is a hell of a rib. Your ok to pull this on a full uk license unless your under 25 I think. If so you'll need to do a trailer test.

[Petter]

Cool, thanks you have convinced me, I am defiantly getting one now.

[Nasher]

Petter

I suggest you drive one first for at least 30 miles then decide if you can live with it.

Been there myself a while ago- won't say any more.

Be aware that most larger 4x4s will tow 3.5tn.
Shogun - including the older ones
Disco - again including the older ones
Landcruiser
Etc
Etc

Nasher.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Mollers

... unless your under 25 I think...

actually I think you mean unless you passed your test (or had you license reissued, for medical or other reasons) since 1997.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Nasher

.
Shogun - including the older ones

Nasher.

Actually, a LWB Shotgun is only 3300kg.

http://mitsubishi-i.com/newshogun/sp...=1&strCar1=KN7

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Polwart

actually I think you mean unless you passed your test (or had you license reissued, for medical or other reasons) since 1997.

Actually, I think you mean that I was 3 yrs out. Isn't Google a wonderful thing?,

[Nasher]

Thanks Mollers, had that wrong, was it the same for the old 2.8s?

Don't think I've ever been up near the top end of the capacity on my 3.2 or even my old 2.8, but you never know.

Nasher

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Nasher

Thanks Mollers, had that wrong, was it the same for the old 2.8s?

Don't think I've ever been up near the top end of the capacity on my 3.2 or even my old 2.8, but you never know.

Nasher

Randski put me in the picture. I tow our 2.5tonne mini digger with ours and ought to put it on a bridge as it's probably a bit borderline.

[martini]

Originally Posted by Mollers

a LWB Shotgun

I want one of these

[DOM@NARM]

Nasher knows what he about when he says (LANDCRUISER) I have one 98 SWB and no problem pulling 9.8 rib. Weight Distribution most important.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Actually, I think you mean that I was 3 yrs out. Isn't Google a wonderful thing?,

No, unless we are talking at cross purposes. To my understanding the rules are not age related. They are related to the date you're license was issued, which is normally based on the date you passed your test.

So someone who is 30, but passed their test in 1998 cannot pull 3.5 tonnes with a standard car license. Neither can someone who is 55 and passed their test last year, or someone who passed their test in 1966 but who's license was reissued since 1997, e.g. after being diagnosed with diabetes.

All of that is without the power of google - but feel free to post some links if I have missed something.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Polwart

All of that is without the power of google - but feel free to post some links if I have missed something.

Nope, at a risk of wandering off thread and 'glass eyeing' us all,you've covered it. Thanks.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Nasher

Petter

I suggest you drive one first for at least 30 miles then decide if you can live with it.

Been there myself a while ago- won't say any more.

Be aware that most larger 4x4s will tow 3.5tn.
Shogun - including the older ones
Disco - again including the older ones
Landcruiser
Etc
Etc

Nasher.

Actually a lot of them won't - especially beware of many of the 4x4 pickups.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Actually a lot of them won't - especially beware of many of the 4x4 pickups.

My L200 is 2600kg. An X5 is only 2300kg.

[Nasher]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Actually a lot of them won't - especially beware of many of the 4x4 pickups.

Sorry, wasn't including them.
Most UK spec ones are only rated to @2500kgs.
Thats why I'd like a Toyota Tundra V8, rated to something like 4500kgs.
Shame they are only in LHD.
Oh, and impossible to park in the UK as they are the size of a small battleship.

And at the risk of upsetting people, I've never considered the X5 as a proper 4x4. A nice car, yes.

Nasher.

[doggypaddle]

Originally Posted by Nasher

Sorry, wasn't including them.
Most UK spec ones are only rated to @2500kgs.
Thats why I'd like a Toyota Tundra V8, rated to something like 4500kgs.Nasher.

Not in this country! youre limited to 3500kgs with overrun brakes,
If you have coupled brakes you can tow over 3500kgs, my old rangerover had them and was used to tow a 4500kg car transporter.
now theres a thought a normally aspirated 2.5d 110 with 4.5 tonnes behind, perfectly legal but you probably wouldnt get out of low box

110 are fantastic vehicles but nasher is right about the comfort, seriously my 1960 series 2 is more comfortable than a 110 in terms of room in the cabin. and depending on tyre size and transfer ratio can be rediculously low geared making you think youre in third gear when youre already in 5th. tedious doing 4000 rpm on the motorway.

[Searider]

I thought about getting a landrover 90 for towing the boat around.

Looked at an old Series II with a canvas back as thought it would be a bit of fun and "cool". Drove the thing and was instantly reminded that it's 1950s Technology.

Drove a few 110 Countys about 15 years ago when working with hot air balloons and found both the V8s and the TDI 200s to be quite good. Only criticism was that there elbow room is a bit lacking.

Decision was made for me as every few years I get the opportunity of a hard worked but well maintained cast off Discovery from my Dad's transport company.

First a V8 manual 1986 Range Rover and currently a 300TDI Discovery N reg. 320000 miles and still going strong! (well, still going ).
Perfect for running the boat around and actually quite comfy when used daily.

Hoping to get a Volvo XC70 some time over the winter / spring as next family car so the Disco will be surplus to requirements.

[Lostboy]

VW Touareg, 3,500kg and a good low ratio box as well.

[Lets go boating]

iv got a defender 90 and they are great for towing, but if its heavy you won't ever beat the old 4.2 diesal nissan patrol, its what i used before, absolutley wiped the floor for towing, plus as the engine is so big, its on tick over most the time on normal roads, and does 30 odd the to gallon, defender when on toe, 23 - 25.