Defender Towing, Can the 2.2 really do 3.5 tonnes?

[robm3]

I'm considering mixing up my cars at the moment but I have a question if anyone has used a Puma Defender for towing a heavy load.

I have a Four Winns boat that on a dual axle trailer is coming in at 3.4 tonnes 'wet'. Currently it's pulled by a Discovery 3 and a 4.4 litre Range Rover, both fitted with aftermarket electronic trailer brake control.

But my Discovery now lives on a rural property and I'm chopping the RR in for a classic. That leaves the Defender to pull the boat. I should also point out I live on the top of a pretty steep hill.

I've not tried to use the Defender towing yet but in comparison to the other two it's slow and seems underpowered. I'm concerned it won't be able to effectively pull the load despite what the stats tell me.

Should I even bother having the Electronic Brake Controller fitted or just go and buy a cheap Land Cruiser to do the job??


The current rig:

[cptsideways]

Lancruiser & Four Winns Sundowner 205 does the job fine, a SWB Defender would not be my first choice

[robm3]

Thanks CPT, it's the 110 I've got but nonetheless I just don't feel confident.
I think my boat is about 300kg heavier than the yellow one you haul too, it's a 240 Horizon.

One of these will do the trick nicely:

www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Toyota-Landcru...

Edited by robm3 on Thursday 12th February 22:57

[Impasse]

Youtube clicky

[mph1977]

the book figure of 3.5 toones is the UK /EU limit for over-run braking

[DarkMatter]

robm3 and cptsideways, this is slightly off topic but can you tell me what size/load rating the wheels and tyres are on your trailers? With a 3.5 ton load have you had many problems with buckled wheels due to hitting kerbstones or potholes?

Thanks.

[cptsideways]

DarkMatter said:

robm3 and cptsideways, this is slightly off topic but can you tell me what size/load rating the wheels and tyres are on your trailers? With a 3.5 ton load have you had many problems with buckled wheels due to hitting kerbstones or potholes?

Thanks.

From memory ours has a 2.8T load limit so 1400kg per axle, but 900kg tyre loading from memory. Not really had issues with curbs, managed to take out a petrol station bollard with our boat axle though

Just beware a LOT of boat trailers are overweight, esp those sub 1 ton ones with wheelbarrow wheels made in China. Have lost several wheels that corrode & fail due to crap construction.

[mph1977]

cptsideways said:

DarkMatter said:

robm3 and cptsideways, this is slightly off topic but can you tell me what size/load rating the wheels and tyres are on your trailers? With a 3.5 ton load have you had many problems with buckled wheels due to hitting kerbstones or potholes?

Thanks.

From memory ours has a 2.8T load limit so 1400kg per axle, but 900kg tyre loading from memory. Not really had issues with curbs, managed to take out a petrol station bollard with our boat axle though

Just beware a LOT of boat trailers are overweight, esp those sub 1 ton ones with wheelbarrow wheels made in China. Have lost several wheels that corrode & fail due to crap construction.

a lot of boat trailers are also very poorly maintained especially if they are used as launching trolleys as well - which is why the sailing dinghy world prefers 'combis' where the road trailer is a base for a seperate launching trolley

[tb1880]

A 2.2 110 will tow 3500kg for sure but nowhere near as well as your V8 Discovery 3. At constant speed on a highway the Defender won’t feel too bad but up and down hills will feel like hard work.

[A.J.M]

Why not take the boat out a drive behind the 110 and find out?

Pick a time when the roads are quiet and go test it to see if you are happy with it?

Why are the rest of te fleet getting moved about?

[task]

"I'm chopping the RR in for a classic." - A classic what?

If it's a later Range Rover Classic then this will pull the 3.5ton with ease, having done it myself many times, although the 110 should be more than capable also.

[vcm]

a 2.2 will do it,(as does the TD5 and 2.4) especially the 110. I send out a 7m tri-axle trailer with a couple of tons of pipe on board daily. might be 4-500miles some days. motorway + lanes + building sites. not the quickest thing, but equally no problems. the 90 will sit down at the rear, causeing nervous steering.

[akirk]

my RR P38 diesel was rated at 3.5t but happily pulled a truck laden to just under 6t up a steep hill in thick snow...
it just did it slowly

the defender will no doubt pull that combination, but it depends on where you need to take it - moving it a few miles from storage to water, not a problem... hitching it up for a 200 mile journey might just send you crazy with boredom - but you will get there

[mph1977]

the empirical towing capacity of classic RR and other coil sprung seperate chassis LR products is noted to be 44 t or there abouts

the rated towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes is a combinination of

1. legal arse coverage by LR
2. legal issues with 'cars' towing more than 3.5 tonnes
3. legal limit on 'overrun' brakes

[robm3]

Well fitted a Tekonsha brake controller and found out my answer today...






Seems it can!

A little slow but tows as well as my Discovery 3....

[kbf1981]

...and looks much cooler!

[robm3]

kbf1981 said:

...and looks much cooler!

Ah... my Disco still looks cool loaded up I reckon...