Hi still a relatively new defender owner got a 90 was a 2.5td 1986 but have now put a 300tdi up rated radiator and intercooler in but left the lt77 gearbox in I am planning on towing a small touring caravan with it next weekend only 1200kgs or so have read threads saying not to tow on 5th is this right and is there any other things to look out for? And the 1200kgs shouldn't give it a problem ?
Turboman
Mab An Gov
Shouldn't be any problem at all, it would be worth checking, and changing if in doubt, all the fluids before you go, gearbox, trans box, diffs, etc.
I often used to tow trailers weighing 3500 kg all up with my Ninety, and that was with the original engine. Bit slow on uphills on the open road, but bearable. No problem on local journeys at all. I used to use fifth on downhill stretches. Up hills, I doubt if it will pull fifth anyway.
I have a 1987 90 that has been fitted with a 200tdi but retaining the LT77. I tow a 2000kgs trailer fully loaded regularly. I have not heard of not using 5th. I certainly use it 
I fitted a rear camera to aid with hitching it up but other than that, I just drive it like normal and to be fair it doesn't even notice it.
I fitted a rear camera to aid with hitching it up but other than that, I just drive it like normal and to be fair it doesn't even notice it.
I've towed 3/4 ton of boat +trailer with my 110. 200tdi plus disco transfer box, 285 tyres No problem, I've used 5th too, but only down hill.
Back in the days of me being in the RAF, towed up to 3 1/2 tons with an old series. but I don't think, it would have pulled a 5th had it had one.
Back in the days of me being in the RAF, towed up to 3 1/2 tons with an old series. but I don't think, it would have pulled a 5th had it had one.
Turboman
Mab An Gov
I have pretty often towed full weight trailers with a Series as well.
It isn't fast, but you do get there, and it doesn't feel unsafe in any way.
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
Didn’t think a Series was rated at 3.5t unless using coupled brakes?
Turboman
Mab An Gov
Not got a clue. to be honest. This was back in the 80s, when the police pretty much ignored farmers working.
We also used to drive tractors on the road without number plates, which may well never have been road registered.
Everybody did it, nobody seemed to think it was a problem.
300bhp/ton
Well-Known Member
Yes, but from April. Tractors being used for road haulage will be on white diesel.
Turboman
Mab An Gov
There was quite a stink about that when I was farming. Not involving me, I never used to go any further in the tractor than the other farm, which was about 5 miles away.
But at some stage it became known to HMRC that SEF were using tractors running on red diesel to move loads of cauli to their packhouse at Leedstown from fields all over Cornwall. HMRC asked them to stop, to which SEF came back that they couldn't. because it was simply not practical to use white diesel on the roads, and red in the fields, where the tractors spent much of their time.
They also pointed out that of they had to bear the extra cost of white diesel, the price of caulis would have to go up.
So for the time being, HMRC had to back down.
I imagine it is now felt that the growers have had enough time to make the necessary changes to procedure, so that situation is now changing.
Artificially keeping the price low isn't helping long term though
Turboman
Mab An Gov
Probably not. One of those things I can't get excited about. I have never grown any caulis, and probably eat about two a year.Artificially keeping the price low isn't helping long term though
Mmmm snow
Braemar couple of weeks ago
