It's a tandem axle trailer, but this is all good input. Interesting to hear Robert saying that there's more comfort to be had in American SUV's. The interior of this Disco looks incredible - much more comfortable looking than any American SUV's I've found. Are you talking about ride comfort, etc?

I also asked a similar question (what to tow with) on an RV forum, and what they said basically boiled down to my needing a huge truck to get the job done. I don't like trucks, so I want to avoid getting one as much as I can. My favorite type of car is a hatchback, so even switching to an SUV will be a stretch for me.

Looks like the Jeep Liberty's wheelbase is only 104", compared to the Land Rover's 100". However, at the Escape forums, I've read from many people who tow their 19' trailers with a Liberty with no problem.

Edit: on second thought, after multiple searches for wheelbase lengths, they're all about the same. Now I don't quite understand why the Disco II would be seen as too short...

 

Here's a better question for me to ask - if I buy this Disco and do the 60k maintenance listed in this thread, replace all the hoses / etc, and do the head gasket, is there any other regular sort of problem with this model that I should expect to see, or should I be good for at least another 5-10k miles before needing the next service (oil change, etc).

Also, the KBB value on the Disco I'm looking at is right around $4.7k, even though it only has 38k miles (and it's being listed at $8k). Is the KBB so low because these cars are notorious for being expensive to maintain, or because of the low mpg, or a combination of the two?

 

You're certainly asking many of the right questions

This is just my opinion, and as an EX Pat living in the States, it will be different to that of many of the other enthusiasts and peers on this site.

If you were to test drive a discovery 2 back to back with a Tahoe or some other U.S. Suv, I suggest that you might find that the American "truck" delivers a softer ride, with more passenger comfort. The Discovery is a very focussed vehicle that was designed for Farmers and Land Owners to transport their families, in addition to pulling the horse trailer and other light utility roles. In the UK we don't really have the full size SUV market segment or the pick up truck market, so unless you're going to put your family in an uncomfortable and uncompromising Defender, the Discovery would be your vehicle of choice.

Here in the U.S. though, driving conditions and vehicle availability is different. As many others have mentioned, the availability of longer wheelbase vehicles with much higher towing capability, means that the Discovery is not really considered as a tow vehicle in this country.

About comfort. The back doors of the Disco are challenging to get an adult in an out of. The driving position is a little frustrating for someone who's not of Celtic ancestry (meaning taller than 5'10 ) I'm 5' 9 and can't see stop lights that are suspended from intersections due to the driving position.
But, it's more comfortable than a wrangler and a defender

Regarding reliability.
The rover v8 and cooling system will always be considered the discos weakness as the vehicles age and contribute greatly to the poor reputation for reliability. Combine that with the added stresses of towing and the age of the vehicle, coupled with the fact that parts availability isn't as good as for any domestic vehicle you could choose and you increase your potential for delays while you wait for a new hose/MAF/stoplight switch/crank position sensor/ etc etc etc

How many folks with domestic vehicles carry a spare radiator, tstat, hoses, MAF, crank position sensor and stoplight switch when they road trip? I do. And I bet a lot of other forum members carry them too

 

Thanks so much for all this information. I feel like I got a lot of really useful help here, and it's led me to the decision that I'm not going to purchase the Disco II for towing our trailer. Here's the link, for anyone else interested in what looks to be an incredibly clean, super low mileage Disco:

Used 1999 Land Rover Discovery For Sale | West Milford NJ

A bit over priced, but I bet it would be easy to talk them down, since they've had that truck on their site for over 2 months now.

Anyway, I'm going to continue the search for a different vehicle. I'll probably end up with either an F150 or a Silverado 1500, even though I really dislike trucks. We won't be full-timing forever (at least I don't think so at this point), so we can always change vehicles later. Now I just have to work on selling my 02 Golf TDI.

Thanks again for all the great input here.

 

Either option would probably be a better tow option or perhaps something like an Envoy, Explorer, Expedition, etc.

Btw, that Disco price is at least 3-4x what you should pay for that year.

 

Just the fact of parts availability and places to get it repaired might be enough to make you think twice about a LR as a tow vehicle. I have towed a few smaller trailers with my Disco 1 and it does a great job, but the interior is a bit 'small' for me at 6'5" and lets just say 'pushing maximum density' I had a 99 Expedition that I absolutely loved and it could tow anything I put behind it. Plenty of room inside, tons of power, aside from the occasional spark plug being launched out of the head, a great truck. If it didn't have close to 300K miles, and rusted out everything (including the frame) I would still have it.

Whatever you end up getting, I would suggest a regular schedule for the trans fluid changes. My Expedition would shudder when the torque converter would lock up at about 50-60 mph if the fluid wasn't changed at around 30-40K miles. First time it happened they told me I needed a new trans. hen one old Ford mechanic said just change the trans fluid and drive it. Lasted another 230K miles.. Never did put a new trans in.

Love my Disco 1 but I have a hard time driving 250 miles up to the cabin in it just because the steering wheel is too close to the seat.

 

Sounds like my Dad's Expedition, rusty as can be and has spit out 3 spark plugs. Keeps on going though he is at 250k on it. Gas mileage on it makes the Disco look good though

 

Congrats on full or even 1/2 time rv life...But how are you going to do it with a fully loaded trailer weighing in at only 3,500 pounds? Seems small to me. Don't forget about the possibility of being stuck in cold, wet, windy weather for a week somewhere....I wouldn't want to be cooped up in some coffin (thats just me). I wouldn't buy a disco for the tow rig myself...It already weighs 5k, and it's small. Get a truck with a good rep and decent GVWR....BUT! If your the adventurist person, GO FOR IT!!!!!

 

Honest opinion: For your use, DEFINITELY avoid a Land Rover purchase.

 

I was thinking the same thing. Our Motocross trailer with no living quarters weighed in WAY over that with just bikes, tools, and fluids. That was without the water tank full.