Towing Twin Axle with a 2007 D3 - Y/N?

NE-Disco · Apr 17, 2021

I’ve been lucky enough to buy a new twin axle caravan (1724Kg) and now need to invest in a capable tow car. I’ve had two D3’s many years back then switched away from LR. I’ve seen what looks to be a good example of a 2007 D3, FSH, belts done twice (as 14 years old), with 104,000. Fixed tow bar in excellent order. Question is whether buying this D3 is a wise or savvy move, or a risk. Alternative is to buy a D4 SDV6 on a late 12 plate for twice the price with say 70k on the dial, belts done, and with full history. D4 is still 9-years old.. Risks with any car, I know, but wanted to see what you would do.

Broke Again · Apr 17, 2021

I’d recommend a Prius

EeEk · Apr 17, 2021

Also a toyata recomendaton ... Landcruiser

NE-Disco · Apr 17, 2021

Thanks.. that helped.

goonarmy · Apr 17, 2021

Can't think of a better tow vehicle. Cept a land cruiser.

kermit_rr · Apr 17, 2021

Either car is more than capable in my opinion.
Every car gets to a point where major bits need to be replaced, a slightly older car that's just had the expense done, can be a better bet than one approaching that point but it all depends on history, overall condition and known faults inherent to a particular engine or gearbox etc

freelance · Apr 17, 2021

Both very capable towing vehicles!

Ratae · Apr 17, 2021

I'm towing with a 35 year old 3.5 Classic auto

Twin axle Avondale Leda Pentland caravan for some years & now a twin axle boat trailer with a 17' dory.
You'll find twin axles a lot nicer to tow than singles.
Not as easy to push around by hand as a single axle so a motor mover isn't a bad idea if you don;t want to use the car to do it.

lynall · Apr 17, 2021

NE-Disco said:
I’ve been lucky enough to buy a new twin axle caravan (1724Kg) and now need to invest in a capable tow car. I’ve had two D3’s many years back then switched away from LR. I’ve seen what looks to be a good example of a 2007 D3, FSH, belts done twice (as 14 years old), with 104,000. Fixed tow bar in excellent order. Question is whether buying this D3 is a wise or savvy move, or a risk. Alternative is to buy a D4 SDV6 on a late 12 plate for twice the price with say 70k on the dial, belts done, and with full history. D4 is still 9-years old.. Risks with any car, I know, but wanted to see what you would do.

On the d3 ask if the oil pump was done at the same time as the belts, it they reply they dont know/no/never heard of it before sir, go elsewhere.

Tbh I would go for the d3, that way not so much money tied up in an old car, and if/when the govt starts to get tight on old diesels, it wont come as such a financial shock as it would if you owned the d4.

D4 is 65 more bhp then the d3, and 12 plate will have the 8 speed auto box.

NE-Disco · Apr 17, 2021

Ratae said:
I'm towing with a 35 year old 3.5 Classic auto
Twin axle Avondale Leda Pentland caravan for some years & now a twin axle boat trailer with a 17' dory.
You'll find twin axles a lot nicer to tow than singles.
Not as easy to push around by hand as a single axle so a motor mover isn't a bad idea if you don;t want to use the car to do it.

This is good to hear. I’ve towed a single axle van for 13 years and the twin is fitted with a mover to make it easier to move about.

NE-Disco · Apr 17, 2021

lynall said:
On the d3 ask if the oil pump was done at the same time as the belts, it they reply they dont know/no/never heard of it before sir, go elsewhere.

Tbh I would go for the d3, that way not so much money tied up in an old car, and if/when the govt starts to get tight on old diesels, it wont come as such a financial shock as it would if you owned the d4.

D4 is 65 more bhp then the d3, and 12 plate will have the 8 speed auto box.

I’m leaning D3 way if the history file stacks up and the oil pump was addressed. My first D3, an 06 auto was pretty problem free for 4 years before I sold it. I then had a few estates and another D3 which was an 05 on 124k, which I sold on as I just didn’t like the manual gearbox..

Nodge68 · Apr 19, 2021

NE-Disco said:
which I sold on as I just didn’t like the manual gearbox..

Get an auto then.

I prefer the D3 in an auto myself, as I don't like the gear change on the manual. The lever is too long, and just not crisp enough for my liking.
The manual box on my current FL2 is much nicer to use, than the D3.

As a tow car, the D3/4 are brilliant, but the D3 won't loose you so much money in the future.

MJI · Apr 19, 2021

Most award winning caravan tow car

NE-Disco · Apr 20, 2021

Nodge68 said:
Get an auto then.
I prefer the D3 in an auto myself, as I don't like the gear change on the manual. The lever is too long, and just not crisp enough for my liking.
The manual box on my current FL2 is much nicer to use, than the D3.

As a tow car, the D3/4 are brilliant, but the D3 won't loose you so much money in the future.

NE-Disco · Apr 20, 2021

Yeah - hated that long manual shift stick.

I’ve a few D3’s to look at later this week. I guess I could buy the best and then put it in an indi to check it over and change any potential weaknesses for towing. Intercooler pope, EGR, suspension etc. That way it should be less likely to cause an issue once I set off with the big van out back. Last thing I want is the wife in my ear if it brakes down..

bluedog333 · Apr 20, 2021

Ratae said:
I'm towing with a 35 year old 3.5 Classic auto
Twin axle Avondale Leda Pentland caravan for some years & now a twin axle boat trailer with a 17' dory.
You'll find twin axles a lot nicer to tow than singles.
Not as easy to push around by hand as a single axle so a motor mover isn't a bad idea if you don;t want to use the car to do it.

I prefer larger, twin axles too, especially for reversing. If there’s not too much weight on I wind the jockey wheel down until the front axle is off the ground, much easier to move about by hand then.

Ratae · Apr 20, 2021

bluedog333 said:
I prefer larger, twin axles too, especially for reversing. If there’s not too much weight on I wind the jockey wheel down until the front axle is off the ground, much easier to move about by hand then.

I've got a very long jockey wheel set up on the boat trailer & that's what I do if necessary - turning it round in a tight space where I go has to be done off the car due to lack of room.
A motor mover would be in the water!

boguing · Apr 20, 2021

bluedog333 said:
I prefer larger, twin axles too, especially for reversing. If there’s not too much weight on I wind the jockey wheel down until the front axle is off the ground, much easier to move about by hand then.

I hadn't thought of that... ta very.

ronsealdeath · Apr 23, 2021

I know this is Landyzone, but id buy a shogun to tow that, not a D3. Or fork out on the D4 and hope you dont snap the crankshaft.

Stanleysteamer · Apr 23, 2021

I've towed our twin axle huge box trailer all up weight often up to the legal 3.5 tonne limit. over the past 13 years regularly up and down to the Tarn in France.
With a Disco 1 300tdi and a Disco 2 TD5.
They both coped absolutely fine.
Only thing that would put me off the D3/4 would be all the issues they are famous for and that would make me hang on to my Discos 1 and 2.

Towing Twin Axle with a 2007 D3 - Y/N?

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