A Classic for Towing
Discussion
I want to be able to tow, legally, my car transporter trailer (MAM 2600kg). At present, I have a 1994 Range Rover 300tdi Auto, which tows it adequately, but it gets very little use, will soon need quite a bit of welding to the rear floor, and is more complex than I really want to face maintaining.
I could swap it for an early Range Rover, but I'd like to look for a classic that I'd enjoy owning, maintaining, and driving for non-towing purposes too. Pre-72 preferably.
Suggestions please?
Kevin
I could swap it for an early Range Rover, but I'd like to look for a classic that I'd enjoy owning, maintaining, and driving for non-towing purposes too. Pre-72 preferably.
Suggestions please?
Kevin
I'm sure either of these would tow it fine, but according to
http://www.touringandtenting.com/forums/index.php?...
Rover only allowed 1250kg even for the 3500. This is the problem with so many cars: you know perfectly well that they are capable of towing more*, but if pulled over at one of these VOSA checks, they'd sooner believe the car's maker.
Kevin
http://www.touringandtenting.com/forums/index.php?...
Rover only allowed 1250kg even for the 3500. This is the problem with so many cars: you know perfectly well that they are capable of towing more*, but if pulled over at one of these VOSA checks, they'd sooner believe the car's maker.
Kevin
- Someone I know once collected a Range Rover from Bristol on my trailer, towed by my Astra diesel van (1.7 naturally aspirated GM engine).
A Jag, Humber Hawk, Austin 3 litre, Rover P5/P5B, Zodiac, Volvo?
No idea what the towing capacity is though.
This might not fit the 'enjoy driving when not towing' but a pre 72 Landrover with more recent mechanicals?
No idea what the towing capacity is though.
This might not fit the 'enjoy driving when not towing' but a pre 72 Landrover with more recent mechanicals?
Edited by john2443 on Monday 26th November 11:18
Edited by john2443 on Monday 26th November 11:32
Autolycus said:
I could swap it for an early Range Rover, but I'd like to look for a classic that I'd enjoy owning, maintaining, and driving for non-towing purposes too. Pre-72 preferably.
A LOT cheaper than a pre-72 Rangie and a good one is surprisingly pleasant to punt around. This particular one has a 200TDi Disco engine which makes towing even more of a doddle
My neighbour on the other has one of these that he has been know to hook up the car trailer to when his 4x4 is off the road (though he finds 1st is a little long for steep hills with a load on).
Thank you for the ideas so far.
The Yanktank notion is a step too far for me, though I see the attraction.
Jaguar: I like your style!
Land Rover: I went through a long series of correspondence with Land Rover, originally querying the towing capacity of Range Rovers, which they showed as 2000kg in the official Repair Operations Manual. They eventually stated that it is actually 3500kg. I then asked about Series Land Rovers, and they referred me to their archivist at Gaydon. He sent me a list which he said he'd compiled from Owners Handbooks, which showed towing capacities varying between 1315 and 1600kg. I later found a Series III handbook which showed 2000kg, and I suspected that the archivist had taken "maximum drawbar load" to mean maximum towing capacity. Back of envelope sums show that his figures are about right for the pull exerted in first gear, Low Box, when the engine is developing maximum torque. So I was none the wiser, nor much better informed, except that the archivist said he supplied the same list to the Police when they enquire. I put my theory to them, but after 11 years, still haven't had a reply. Meanwhile, and unless anyone can point me to a chassis plate or vehicle handbook showing a higher figure, I don't fancy arguing it out in court or at a roadside with VOSA.
It's the same problem with several of the cars mentioned, and a few others I'd considered, like a Vanden Plas 4 litre R, or a Silver Shadow: finding a definitive source that gives a towing capacity of even a couple of tons. I'm trying to work through the suggestions, and the Granada is winning so far at 2000kg.
If anyone has a vehicle plate, handbook, or manual showing any higher figures, I'd be very grateful for a photo or scan.
Kevin
The Yanktank notion is a step too far for me, though I see the attraction.
Jaguar: I like your style!
Land Rover: I went through a long series of correspondence with Land Rover, originally querying the towing capacity of Range Rovers, which they showed as 2000kg in the official Repair Operations Manual. They eventually stated that it is actually 3500kg. I then asked about Series Land Rovers, and they referred me to their archivist at Gaydon. He sent me a list which he said he'd compiled from Owners Handbooks, which showed towing capacities varying between 1315 and 1600kg. I later found a Series III handbook which showed 2000kg, and I suspected that the archivist had taken "maximum drawbar load" to mean maximum towing capacity. Back of envelope sums show that his figures are about right for the pull exerted in first gear, Low Box, when the engine is developing maximum torque. So I was none the wiser, nor much better informed, except that the archivist said he supplied the same list to the Police when they enquire. I put my theory to them, but after 11 years, still haven't had a reply. Meanwhile, and unless anyone can point me to a chassis plate or vehicle handbook showing a higher figure, I don't fancy arguing it out in court or at a roadside with VOSA.
It's the same problem with several of the cars mentioned, and a few others I'd considered, like a Vanden Plas 4 litre R, or a Silver Shadow: finding a definitive source that gives a towing capacity of even a couple of tons. I'm trying to work through the suggestions, and the Granada is winning so far at 2000kg.
If anyone has a vehicle plate, handbook, or manual showing any higher figures, I'd be very grateful for a photo or scan.
Kevin
Autolycus said:
If anyone has a vehicle plate, handbook, or manual showing any higher figures, I'd be very grateful for a photo or scan.
Kevin
My series 2A/3 haynes manual says 2040kg for a overrun braked trailer and 3060kg for a 'power braked trailer'. Presumably they regarded the drum brakes as a limiting factor, so air over hydraulic(or similar) trailer brakes are needed for 2t> trailers. PM me and I'll scan it and email it to you.Kevin
Edited by hidetheelephants on Wednesday 28th November 01:25
hidetheelephants said:
dmulally said:
I used my Rover P5b to tow my caravan on long trips. Did so with ease. I currently have a 5.7l 77 F100 but it is too modern for my liking. It will be getting the axe as soon as this is ready.
Tasty; 4litre sidevalve 6 or TS3?
hidetheelephants said:
The Hawk 4 is bulletproof unless grossly abused; I'd rate it next to the TR2/3/4 tractor engine in the robustness stakes. Not very powerful though.
Really? I was worried about it. When I took off the rocker cover it was very clean but looked exactly like my 1928 Chev 4 Cyl which I thought was worrying. I am changing the diff ratio to 3.55:1 as opposed to the 5.5:1 (what looks like when I spin the rear wheel twice). I'll be taking about 50kgs out of it with the smaller diff. It needs to carry a 600kg racing car. What are your thoughts? Any tips or tricks?
dmulally said:
Really? I was worried about it. When I took off the rocker cover it was very clean but looked exactly like my 1928 Chev 4 Cyl which I thought was worrying.
I am changing the diff ratio to 3.55:1 as opposed to the 5.5:1 (what looks like when I spin the rear wheel twice). I'll be taking about 50kgs out of it with the smaller diff. It needs to carry a 600kg racing car. What are your thoughts? Any tips or tricks?
Sound insulation and earplugs! Don't expect to travel faster than 50mph. I am changing the diff ratio to 3.55:1 as opposed to the 5.5:1 (what looks like when I spin the rear wheel twice). I'll be taking about 50kgs out of it with the smaller diff. It needs to carry a 600kg racing car. What are your thoughts? Any tips or tricks?
hidetheelephants said:
dmulally said:
Really? I was worried about it. When I took off the rocker cover it was very clean but looked exactly like my 1928 Chev 4 Cyl which I thought was worrying.
I am changing the diff ratio to 3.55:1 as opposed to the 5.5:1 (what looks like when I spin the rear wheel twice). I'll be taking about 50kgs out of it with the smaller diff. It needs to carry a 600kg racing car. What are your thoughts? Any tips or tricks?
Sound insulation and earplugs! Don't expect to travel faster than 50mph. I am changing the diff ratio to 3.55:1 as opposed to the 5.5:1 (what looks like when I spin the rear wheel twice). I'll be taking about 50kgs out of it with the smaller diff. It needs to carry a 600kg racing car. What are your thoughts? Any tips or tricks?
You're right about the bloody racket in the cab. The 3.55:1 will get me to 50mph and that is fine by me. Everyone is always in such a rush these days. Currently it maxes out at about 35mph.
Sorry OP, back to the shenanigoats.
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