Defender 90

Jono71 · 05 July 2014, 19:38

Hi all,

Has anyone ever tried a similar combination to what I'm hoping to get my hands on in the next year or so? I have the defender and am looking to get something along the lines of an outboard powered XS 850....any ideas if a 2.4 defender is up to towing it? I realise it'll be much harder and slower work than using something like a disco but if I get the boat the car won't be upgraded for a looong time.

Jonno

ashbypower · 05 July 2014, 19:43

Hi, The MD of XS owns a Defender, (although not the 90) and moves a 850 regularly, also tows one to the outer Hebrides annually with it..

willk · 05 July 2014, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashbypower

...also tows one to the outer Hebrides annually with it..

To Luskentyre on Harris by any chance? Met a bloke today who has his Redbay 900 towed out there every summer from the Deep South. Curious could it be the same boat?

Jono71 · 05 July 2014, 20:02

Good to know....I suspect I'd have to take it carefully but it should be ok ish.

Best regards

Jono

ashbypower · 05 July 2014, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

To Luskentyre on Harris by any chance? Met a bloke today who has his Redbay 900 towed out there every summer from the Deep South. Curious could it be the same boat?

bernera actually.. no not the same guy, as I say he owns XS ribs the manufacturer..

willk · 05 July 2014, 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashbypower

bernera actually.. no not the same guy, as I say he owns XS ribs the manufacturer..

There you go - to be fair, if it HAD been, the co-incidence would have floored me

mick · 05 July 2014, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jono71

Hi all,

Has anyone ever tried a similar combination to what I'm hoping to get my hands on in the next year or so? I have the defender and am looking to get something along the lines of an outboard powered XS 850....any ideas if a 2.4 defender is up to towing it? I realise it'll be much harder and slower work than using something like a disco but if I get the boat the car won't be upgraded for a looong time.

Jonno

110 or a 130 would be better and have a better ride than a 90

ashbypower · 05 July 2014, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

There you go - to be fair, if it HAD been, the co-incidence would have floored me

I agree however willk, Harris IS a small island, and Bernera much much smaller !!!

Chris Caton · 05 July 2014, 23:19

we've towed our Revenger 715 with a 90 2.4TDCi, no problems, towed very well up to Loch Lomond and back, 110 or 130 might be a bit smoother ride but nowt wrong with the 90

Jono71 · 06 July 2014, 00:07

Good to hear they're not too bad....couldn't afford a flash tow car and a good rib lol

BogMonster · 11 July 2014, 21:57

90 has a 3500kg tow rating same as all the others

severnseadog · 11 July 2014, 22:29

I had a TD5 with he disco gearing in the transfer box, and it towed like a dream. If you have the 2.4 puma engine with 6 gears I'm sure it will cruise nicely with that boat/engine combo.

Jono71 · 11 July 2014, 22:55

It all sounds promising. I have towed a big caravan which wasn't great in cross winds and a 3 ton trailer which was fine but taxed the clutch a bit with it so far. But never towed a rib of any substance. They usually say weight nearer the tow vehicle is good so engines on the transom doesn't sound a great idea....However the huge length of the A frame on a boat trailer probably gives the tow car more control over the boat.

Taking into account my experience and everybodys comments I think it should be ok.

Jono

mick · 12 July 2014, 08:16

You won't av a problem towing with any sort of Defender that's what there built for
I towed my RB up to Oban full of fuel etc etc with my 130 no issues and solid as a rock

Pikey Dave · 12 July 2014, 10:23

Make sure you have plenty of weight on the nose, nothing worse than the boat trying to lift the backend of the vehicle off the road. Even more critical if it's a 4 wheel trailer, which I assume it will be.

SW Boat Transport · 12 July 2014, 17:44

I owned a 90 for a few months, but soon changed it as the 90 never felt safe towing close to 3500kg. The 110/Disco/Isuzu D Max that I have now all feel much more stable especially when braking going downhill.

Jono71 · 12 July 2014, 20:32

To be fair I've heard people say they are pretty poor and some say they are fine. Mine wasn't amazing with a 2 ton caravan, but seemed okay with a 3 ton trailer. I guess there's only one way ti find out !