Having the vehicle brings with it the owner's manual -- and much more clarity on the towing capability and approach. Everything noted in this message applies to all Defender models and engines offered in North America:

"Engage low range in order to achieve a smoother pull away from standstill when towing a trailer weighing more than 4409 lbs. (2000 kg.). Change to high range once the vehicle is moving."
"NOTICE: To avoid overheating the transmission, it is not advisable to tow heavy loads at speeds less than 20 mph (32 km/h) in high range. In these circumstances, select low range."
"NOTE: A reduction in the performance of the Air Conditioning (A/C) system is normal under high load towing conditions."

Reading this caused me to recall my prior learnings regarding the ZF 8HP transmission sourced for our Defenders. https://www.zf.com/products/en/cars/products_29289.html I believe it has an integrated transmission oil pump, and I suspect loading the transmission with heavy trailer loads in HI range may not generate enough RPMs to create oil flow for sufficient cooling (or so I am surmising.)

This is in the transmission section of the manual:

"NOTICE: Do not change from high range to low range while the vehicle is in motion. Doing so can result in damage to the transmission."

The procedure to change from Hi to LO or from LO to HI both require the change to occur while in Neutral (N).

Per the manual, "The procedure can also be used for changing from low range to high range" . . . (but NOT in the Opposite direction!) ... "with the vehicle traveling at a speed of less than 37 mph (60 Km/hr)"

So, when we are towing greater than 2000 kg (4409 lbs), we will need to start from a dead stop in LO, then accelerate to above 20 mph (32 km/hr), and before reaching 37 mph (60 km/hr), we will need to place the transmission in neutral (N), change to HI range, then go back into drive (D). For me, this means,I will drive in LO at below 35 miles per hour until I reach the interstate. Then, I will reach flat ground, move the transmission to N and change to HI range, then shift back into D.

When slowing down, I will remain in HI, coasting down speed, and commit to stop the vehicle once I drop below 20 MPH (32 km/hr), then safely stop, then switch to Neutral (N), then go shift the transfer case into LO. Then go back into drive (D), and drive at a speed below 35 mph.

More likely, I will try hard to use the LR4 for towing any weight above 2000 Kg. But, it is good to have more than one option.

 

These actions remind me of using my Nintendo. UP UP DOWN DOWN RIGHT LEFT RIGHT LEFT LEFT A B B A START.

 

Is it just me that thinks this whole process is "nuts"? If a vehicle has a certain "tow limit" you shouldn't have to follow such a procedure to get rolling to "save" the transmission.

 

My wholly subjective thought is that the 7000 lbs. min. tow design target could not be sacrificed without destroying the positioning in the market specification wars, the V8 drivetrain was not yet ready, and the incremental 800? lbs. of body weight / roof load necessary to compete off road and as an exhibition vehicle could not be reduced in order to meet the target toughness and stiffness specifications.

So, practically we have a 4500 ish lb. tow vehicle, until the V8 arrives. I hope my purchase helps fund that development. Certainly, it would be unwise to challenge the transmission oil cooler flow rate -- too likely to break the transmission, I think. I will keep the LR4 tow ready until then.

 

I'm just going to say this is crazy... I don't tow very often but this process means I will likely never tow with the Defender. My wife's 2020 X5 will do 7200 and not require any thought about what I'm doing...

 

All:

I spent time in LO range driving off-road this weekend and took the opportunity to practice the "on-the-fly" shifting from LO to HI range between 10 and 37 mph (I am limiting myself to 30 mph so as to not trigger the computer to fuss at me) which is described in the post.

I have to say that it really worked smoothly (making sure my mind was fully focused and making sure not to rush). No sound nor "jerking" of any kind. No negative feel in the throttle. The time necessary to do the change steps I noted above happened in the same time or less than it takes to read the steps I wrote.

I think I will continue to refine the technique even at lower tow weights than 2000 Kg -- so, the practice is fully ingrained.

Enjoy!

 

It’s just a recommendation for a smoother launch from standstill. You don’t have to do all this. Same goes for any other vehicle towing a heavy load.

 

Tartan: Yes, I thought the same on the ""just a smooth start comment", until I read this NOTICE:

"NOTICE: To avoid overheating the transmission, it is not advisable to tow heavy loads at speeds less than 20 mph (32 km/h) in high range. In these circumstances, select low range." I read this to mean that one should not drive in city stop and go traffic, or on a slow-go, off-road trail, with a heavy load, without using low-range.

YOU ARE CORRECT --- a similar caution is in the manual for my 2011 my LR4: "CAUTION: To avoid overheating the gearbox, it is not advisable to tow heavy trailer loads at speeds less than 21 MPH (32 km/hr) in HI range, select LO range, instead".

 

Yeah, that means don’t drive below 20mph all day in high. Doesn’t mean you have start in low every time you get to a light.

 

Correct. Thank you.