Old Freelander any good at slipway recovery

mikeripon · 03 December 2010, 08:31

Hi All i would just like to know if anyone uses a Freelander for towing/recovering boats from the slip way? i know they dont have low ratio so not sure how they would cope? im only towing a 4 mtr sr out and about.
I have had Landrovers in the past a Disco 300tdi M Reg and a 90 300 tdi crew cab The Disco was Brilliant at everything the 90 almost bankrupted me! every week there was something!!! (Wounds still sore) i would have a disco again tomorrow if i could afford to run one at these fuel prices! but i cant so a Freelander is a sensible option. if any opinions please let me know? its more the economy than anything, and i would prob go for a TD4 as they are great (except the lack of go below 2000 revs lol) i have one in a Rover 75 tdci i have at the moment

Starovich · 03 December 2010, 08:46

I have a 03 plate derv burner, and have no issues with towing or hauling a 5m Tornado up a "slip" well not even a slip really just a gravel track into the sea, no concrete and fairly muddy.

Question, is do you need low range for a boat that light? IS the slip that slippery or that steep?

mikeripon · 03 December 2010, 08:51

erm well i usually take my boats to whitby and the slip can be steep depending on the tide, but if you can cope with a 5mtr im sure it will suite me just fine?
is yours manual or Auto? i just dont know if i can go the auto route just yet? im still in my 30s and it just seems wrong to drive an auto! (sorry guys)

BogMonster · 03 December 2010, 09:46

I have owned quite a few and driven all the rest of the various Land Rover models except the RR/RRS.

The Td4 or V6 auto would be fine but in the manual, all the clutches are weak compared to a proper Land Rover especially the Td4 which gets quite stinky with just a poor hill start (I used to have one, sold it after six months).

I don't know how robust the clutches are when really abused but they don't smell robust and the Td4 has bugger all torque below 2000rpm so on a steep slip with a boat on it would need some revs. Probably still better than a lot of cars but definitely not in the same league as anything with a Tdi, Td5 and especially not a Puma engine for a hill start with a trailer on the back.

I think it would be OK for 4-5m boat but wouldn't fancy anything bigger on a tricky slip or you'd definitely have 'eau de clutch'. IIRC the towing limit is 2000kg on Freelanders against 3500kg for the proper LR models and it definitely has about half the ability in practice....

chewy · 03 December 2010, 11:18

You'll be able to pick up a Disco for the same price as a TD4 Freelander. I know which I'd choose.

Starovich · 03 December 2010, 12:01

Mine is a manual.

mikeripon · 03 December 2010, 14:24

thanks guys, i know i can get a disco for around the same price, its the running cost ie fuel i cant afford, i used to have one and i got 28 mpg, but i did love it!

I could actually buy it back as it has just failed its mot and the owner has decided to not put it thru and sell it. (he bought a peugot 106)
I know what you mean re clutch burning as i have the Rover 75 (td4 engine) and that stinks trying to pull my fishing boat out of the water a couple of months ago! it did it mind but 4 or 5 of them and i think new clutch is needed.

mikeripon · 03 December 2010, 16:18

Starovich what sort of MPG do you get Normal Driving and Towing if you dont mind me asking?

MustRib · 03 December 2010, 18:04

dont think the eau de clutch is restricted to the old freelander...
my new 2008 freelander stinks when reversing up a hill, more so up a hill and round a corner.
Its a manual TD4 - the Ford engine. Not taking about pushing a trailer backwards up hill, just about pushing itself backwards uphill !!!!
Otherwise its brilliant towing - and I love the car, its a manual!

Channel Ribs · 03 December 2010, 19:35

Our Series III (proper Landy) smells a bit at the mo, but that might be the lack of oil in all the transmissions. Where does a RIBber get cheap gearbox oil??

chewy · 03 December 2010, 20:09

Your friendly local garage might decant some into your own container for you, can work out cheaper.

BogMonster · 03 December 2010, 20:59

The problem with the Freelander is basically that it's a four wheel drive car designed around Rover (and latterly BMW) car engines and transmissions, and generally cars aren't designed to tow a Portakabin across the Sahara. Like I said, smallish boat or easy slipway, not likely to be a problem.

A fair amount is also down to driver ability - if it is the sort of driver that doesn't need a handbrake on hill starts until the hill gets over about 30 degrees then you'll be fine, but if the driver needs the handbrake and 4000rpm to be able to take off without rolling backwards at the traffic lights then there could be issues

Nos4r2 · 04 December 2010, 09:50

You really don't need a 4x4 to tow an SR4-on almost any slipway.

Downhilldai · 04 December 2010, 13:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by malthouse

Where does a RIBber get cheap gearbox oil??

Wilkinsons were selling Comma gear oil a few months back for a couple of quid per litre.

mikeripon · 04 December 2010, 14:22

Cheers Bogmonster, andNos4r2 i especialy like the idea of not needing a 4x4 for a SR4 as a more economical car = More Spare Money for Toys or in this case for Fuel on an SR4.
I suppose the Ideal car would be a BMW again RWD i had one up (1.7 tds) until 4 month ago when a "chipping" firm shorted out the ECU and made it a write off, hence now why i drive a Rover 75! (cheapest Diesel BMW Engine car i could buy for a Grand!)
Any ideas as to which engine? i do like the idea of the 3ltr mmm

but i think maybe the TD4 would be better more economical or even the 2.5 TD any experience of them?
Having said all that if the 75 can cope with it then i will keep it, it just struggles with the heavier boat which will be redundant now i got the Rib

Downhilldai · 04 December 2010, 17:15

Agree with Nos - you can tow an SR4 with just about any car.

Mollers · 04 December 2010, 20:08

I use an L200 to launch and recover our SR4. For longer trips we also have an Auto Disco 3 which copes fine and is a little more comfortable. The auto box is a bonus when towing an SR4.

Channel Ribs · 05 December 2010, 09:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Wilkinsons were selling Comma gear oil a few months back for a couple of quid per litre.

Superb

Poly · 05 December 2010, 10:06

Your Rover 75 should be fine on most slips - unless they are particularly slimy or muddy. I think 9d280 used to use a fiesta! I've used a Mazda 323.

If the slip is particularly bad then a long rope can keep the car on good ground.

If you are regularly using it on muddy ground then I've been told that "winter" tyres will make a big difference - just as they do in the snow.

Downhilldai · 05 December 2010, 10:57

If you can't drag an SR4 up it with a 2WD car, then it's not fit to be called a slipway..................(or you need driving lessons)