This weekend, I had an opportunity to tow a rented RPod with my P300 and I was very impressed. The Rpod, loaded up for our trip came in around 2800 and the Defender was loaded with 2 adults, a kid, and 2 50pound dogs. I have to say the P300 engine was perfect, acceleration was not muted. I did watch the Cruisemaster tow video and made sure I was using the Sport mode for jumping on the highway. I averaged around 15mpg, including being stuck in Seattle traffic and driving in the Northern portion of the Cascades. The trailer tracked perfectly and the tow assist cameras were a nice addition. I struggled using the backup tow assist but I think that it was more my first time using it. I also had to take off the rear tire because it would hit the electric trailer jack. I ended up putting it on the roof.

If you are towing anything smaller than 5k and were wondering if the P300 would be weak, I have to say it can meet the challenge. I have been happy with it offroad, now towing. I am now around averaging 19mpg in the city since the most recent software update which has made my wallet a little bit happier.

 

Is the electric trailer jack something unique to that RPod or is this a common problem folks encounter with towing? Sounds like a great trip. Renting a trailer is great fun. Did it once at Deception Pass (trailer delivered to campsite by the owner) but plan on doing it more often after we get the Defender and can tow things for ourselves.

Offtopic: Been keeping my eyes peeled to see if I can spot your p300 in the wild around Kirkland. No sightings yet. Riding my bike, I did see a blue 110 with a rack, lunchbox, ladder and hood decal up at Rattlesnake yesterday. The first blue I've seen out and about.

 

Yes, right on.

I confirm in real-life practice that 4000 to 5000 lbs is the comfortable limit for the P300 in all regimes. As well, I authored a thread (about a year ago?) examining through calculation the pounds per horsepower capabilities of the Defender (in payload and chain weight) and potential competitiors and similar products, up to 7500 lbs., and it predicted the 4500 lb (or so) result. This led me to keeping an LR4 ready for horse trailer towing.

The positive real-life test surprise is that the use of Low-range for reversing and for starting forward from zero mph, combined with the flat torque curve of the P300 and synchronization with the defender sport mode transmission makes the towing very pleasant.

 

I used the knowledge I learned from you after reading your write up a while back to help direct my wife in the trailer selection. The weight being as low as it was, I did not use the low range to start. But, if I was closer to the 4k range, then the low range would be used to start. i

 

I believe electric trailer jacks are becoming a more common sight on American trailers. The issue really is not the trailer jack but the shortness of the trailer tounges here in the US. If it was longer like you find in Australia, you wouldn't have any issues. Keep looking you will see it. We now have a white one, a black one and a grey one in the Highlands neighborhood.