@Steedracer Thanks for the good news! Could you share more details about your 130's configuration and its measured curb weight? I noticed the specs below list a 6,613 lbs maximum towing capacity for the 2025 130.

 

My Disco 5 was a 2017 HSE Luxury, the first model year. From 2017-2020 they offered two engines, a 3.0 liter supercharged V6 (what I had) and a 3.0 liter turbodiesel V6. Weirdly, the diesel could only tow 7,716 lbs., while the supercharged could tow 8,201 lbs. No, I have never weighed any of my vehicles, as payload capacity doesn't mean anything to me personally. However, IIRC, the Disco 5's payload capacity is also 1900 lbs. I had mine for five years and I put 39k miles on it and it was pretty much flawless. I traded it almost two years ago for a Porsche Macan S. My car was at a dealer out of state and my dealer did a trade to get it to me, so it was already preconfigured. It did have the towing pack, but I never used it. It didn't have the rear diff lock (which at the time was a stand-alone option on 7-seat models, as the Advanced Off-Road Pack didn't come until the facelift for the 21MY), but it did have the two-speed transfer case, as it was standard on all seven passenger cars at the time. I will say, the rear diff lock isn't necessary on the Defender. I have it on mine, but because the Defender's electrical architecture is so much more advanced than the earlier D7 platform cars, the traction control reacts much quicker and the same can be said for the ABS, thanks to the brake-by-wire system. I've been off-roading with Defenders without the diff lock, and they were able to do everything I was able to do, with just a touch more wheelspin. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask!



This was after I spent an entire morning detailing the Disco. The Aintree Green paint was fantastic.





The Vintage Tan/Ebony interior was also a favorite of mine, especially with the Gloss Charcoal Oak wood trim.

 

Very interesting...I think for every year up for the Defender up to 2025, the numbers below have always been the max cargo capacity. Now, on the 2025 model year/LR website, they are stating what you posted earlier. I have no idea why the change, and don't think I've seen that publicized before (same powertrain, chassis, brakes, etc). Specs in our Owners manual support that...max towing capacity is 8,201 lbs.

 

I now see on the 2025 website that only the 130 is showing that lower towing capacity. I'd feel much more comfortable towing 8,000 lb trailer/cargo with a 130 vs a much shorter 90. I would think that the 130 specs are an error, but I would've thought their editors would've caught that. Interesting. I would hope they haven't reduced it or that will definitely hurt in comparos with Expeditions, Tahoes, Sequoias, and Grand Wagoneers.

 

It is quite possible that the towing capacity reduction for the 130 is directly related to the length of the chassis behind the rear axle. That lever arm put substantially more leverage on the chassis from tongue weight over bumps for example. It would also cause a significant impact to stability with side wind loads too. And of course there is the overall impact of higher weight of the combination and the limits on GCWR. Depending on what combination of these factors (and probably others I am not aware of) are it is easy to see where the 90 would still be within the performance envelope and the 130 would not.

 

Likely had to do with the diesel engine being heavier.

 

@CincyRovers Thanks for the details and photos! Your Disco 5 looks better than the current version with its simpler lower front design and more premium interior featuring wood trim instead of piano paint plastic.

I'm glad to hear the Defender outperforms the Disco 5 off-road. How do they compare in other areas?

From what I've seen, real diff locks can help in tougher situations, adding peace of mind and boosting resale value.

@Steedracer @Kazimir Tow capacity is calculated by subtracting GVM from GCM. Diesel models are heavier, so while the GCM remains consistent, their tow capacity is reduced.

Payload capacity is also tricky. Manufacturers calculate it by subtracting the 'base curb weight' from the GCM, but this base curb weight excludes additional optional equipment. This makes advertised payload capacities appear higher than they are in reality. For instance, the Defender 110's max payload is around 1,900 lbs, but adding options like air suspension, off-road packs, towing packs, and bigger wheels can reduce this by 300-400 lbs.

This video below demonstrates a complete case where, although within the towing capacity, the tongue weight limit, payload limit, and rear axle limit were all exceeded after scaling:

The UK website also drops the 2025 Defender 130's tow capacity to 3,000 kg. I highly recommend weighing your 130 and trailer to ensure safety.

I've also researched the full-size SUVs you mentioned. Models like the Tahoe Z71 and Sequoia TRD Pro, with less than 1,400 lbs of actual payload, definitely can't tow over 7,000 lbs when fully seated - far less than their claimed tow capacity.

@pinion I agree about the side wind load issue with the 130. The Defender 90 is also subject to rear overhang leverage due to its shorter wheelbase, but without exact overhang lengths, it's hard to say which is more affected. Overall, the Defender 110 is the best for towing, while the 90 and 130 have their own strengths.

 

While they may have reduced the towing capacity, there is no doubt in my mind that you can easily and safely pull a trailer exceeding the weight limit. Sure, if something were to go wrong while towing, it probably wouldn't be covered under warranty, but I digress. The reason I'm saying this, is because JLR made a claim how the rear tow hooks can support 3.5x the weight of the car itself. Top Gear magazine proved this - when they named the Defender their car of the year a few years back, they suspended three Defenders on a suspended by the recovery hooks. These cars are over-engineered, and I find it highly unlikely that regularly towing a heavy trailer will cause any structural damage over time.

 

Thanks for the interesting perspective and photos.

Towing capacity is constrained by GCM (Gross Combined Mass), GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass), GAM (Gross Axle Mass), and tongue weight.

Beyond the vehicle's body structure, GCM, GVM, and GAM also account for the suspension, wheels, and other weight-bearing components, unlike during vehicle recovery. Tongue weight not only contributes to these limits but also affects steering and braking. Excessive rear weight can lift the front wheels, reducing traction and steering control, which compromises safety and handling.

@pinion @Steedracer I noticed that the GCM of the Defender 130 has been reduced to 14,065 lbs, which is even lower than that of the 90, while the GVM remains unchanged. This suggests that the manufacturer may be limiting the weight on the tow hitch, likely due to concerns about the impact on the GAM and tongue weight caused by the long rear overhang.