Turboman
Mab An Gov
Nothing wrong with a Rav 4 for towing little 500kg trailers.
But it isn't rated to tow a car trailer with a Roller on it.
That's a very relevant article and a lesson for all of us. No insurence on the Rolls, 2 1/2 tons high up and on its own suspension behind a Rav 4 all the way to Spain. Only got a few miles. Crazy thing is the Rolls must have ben drivable to go to the rally so it could have towed the Rav4 safely. Perhaps the answer to this whole question is "load the SWB on the trailer and tow it with the tractor.." . This sad story is probably a £5000 to £10000 loss once you account the travel and accomodation plus the direct losses and to insure and drive the Rolls would have cost a few £100. A perfect example of a "false economy". I've towed old Jaguars on car trailers, they are heavy and have soft suspension so they behave like a dymanic load (like animals too) and the CoG shifts from side to side over bumps and sets the trailer off. Once it starts you pretty much have to stop then set off again. That Rolls would be even worse to tow. I don't think I would do it now.
Only option was to tow it round the campsite dodging people going for a shower and keeping the speed up to avoid getting stuck..
Defender 90’s are rated to tow 3500kg and lots of people do with them. An 88 isn’t fundamentally all that different weight and dimension wise.My question had several parts to it. The first part was regarding capability, for which the the picture is relevant as it shows the vehicle is capable of pulling the required weight. Then there was the legality aspect, followed by the sensible aspect. Even if it is capable and legal it still does not necessarily mean it is good idea!
Defender 90’s are rated to tow 3500kg and lots of people do with them. An 88 isn’t fundamentally all that different weight and dimension wise.
Apart from less power and drum brakes. If you’d tow it with a 90. Then, provided it falls within LR’s recommended spec. I see no reason why an 88 would be just as capable.
I know this is a potential minefield and has been debated many times before and there does not seem to be an official figure, but I am trying to work out if this will be feasible and legal for a one off journey.
/.../
All opinions and suggestions welcome.
It is running and driving. But I do not know if it would be up for the journey. I am looking at it for a rolling project. It also has no lights and no reg plate (despite having a reg and v5) and it is about 65miles away. Which at a majors top speed of 13mph is a 5 hour drive!Stupid question from ringside: is the tractor in working order? If so, why not get some other means of transport to the pickup place, and then simply drive it home? However, I am sure there is a perfectly good reason as to why you want to tow it, but I thought I would ask anyway...
It is running and driving. But I do not know if it would be up for the journey. I am looking at it for a rolling project. It also has no lights and no reg plate (despite having a reg and v5) and it is about 65miles away. Which at a majors top speed of 13mph is a 5 hour drive!
I to am also class one driver...no doubt in my 50 years of series ownership...2.25d I have prob pulled just as heavy a load.
I would never consider doing it on a motorway and never go faster than 40 and only in the dry...
But if your confident and take your time and the rear x member is in good nick with well inflated tyres on the rear of the Landrover and very good brakes on the trailer and as long as no fat roads I would go for it.
Prob not legal would need to read up on small vehicle towing laws.
It is running and driving. But I do not know if it would be up for the journey. I am looking at it for a rolling project. It also has no lights and no reg plate (despite having a reg and v5) and it is about 65miles away. Which at a majors top speed of 13mph is a 5 hour drive!