I've recently been using my 110 TD5 Defender for heavy towing (basically me and a friend buy and sell large vans), but as much as I love the Defender, it's uncomfortable on long journeys, and I think because of the heavy nature of the towing, an automatic would be better.

I was looking at Disco 3 TDV6s, but then stumbled on a very nice local P38 4.6 HSE with only 75k on the clock with a knackered engine. It then occurred to me that I could buy this at the advertised £900, and a TDV6 engine completely dressed and with the loom from a local breaker for ~£2800 and a Simtec conversion deal as advertised in LRO a few months back, and have a significant saving over a Disco 3, and IMO a nicer place to be aswell, with better power to weight.

My only concern is whether the air suspension is upto this level of constant punishment (even if very well maintained)

I know you lock the EAS in standard height and it will auto correct any load, but are the airbags upto constant heavy commercial use like this?

We're talking about LWB Sprinters on a 3 axle trailer on the back.

no unless smooth roads

Don't do it! Get a D3. All my colleagues who used to swear by (and at) their 90's have recently switched to D3's. They're far superior in their handling and manoeuvre ability I'm told, and can handle the trailers much better. D4's are even more so with the newer software and gizmo's and the bigger engine.
A P38 for this will be expensive to run in the long term. A D2 TD5 would be cheaper IMHO.

Have a look at the Sorento diesel auto and the Terracan, both nice places to be and both will pull 3500KG. Old man bought a Terracan and its a much better motor than its given credit for, cracking engine.
Davie

Davie F said:

Have a look at the Sorento diesel auto and the Terracan, both nice places to be and both will pull 3500KG. Old man bought a Terracan and its a much better motor than its given credit for, cracking engine.
Davie

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Sacrilege!!

But true as far as the Terracan goes. Good cars. Never been in a Sorento.

HMMM
I had a p38 manuel on an R plate years ago and it towed like a dream
Im talking about towing an ifor williams 510horse trailer(1.25 ton)
Then with a 17.2 irish sports horse (nearly 750 kilo) plus a 16.2 apoloosa/cross 700 kilo.

So all in all nearly 3 ton

It pulled and pulled and pulled.

Air suspension well maintainedm no issues

The only car that i have found that tows better is my 3ltr vogue auto

P38's are made for tow with that air suspension.
Arnott airsprings maximum load is 2200 lbs / per spring.

Tows my digger a treat.

air suspension is prime for heavy loads.Buses and lorrys(and d2s and d3s) all have it.However ****ing about with the p38 and a tdv6 sounds like a gang**** waiting to happen.