So I'm looking to get rid of my '97 F150 that I use to tow my RV. The RV is about 5500 lbs when provisioned.

The F150 barely handles it in the hills. It's supposedly rated for 6200 lbs towing, and came out of the factory with 220 HP and 290 peak torque. It's old and tired (over 200k miles) so I know its way off those numbers by now.

I'd like to get a DII, which would be a lot more comfortable for the family when going on trips, as well as being a lot more fun and capable once I get there. My concern is with towing capacity in the real world. Its obviously built like an American 3/4 ton truck - definitely heavier than the F150. The specs I'm finding say it puts down 217 HP and 300 ft-lbs (03/04 4.6 models) and is rated for 5500 lbs towing. This capacity seems low - of course, the rating on my F150 seems high. The power is probably about the same, but the frame and suspension on the DII is obviously much meatier.

I've played with a few DIIs, but never had the opportunity to tow with one. So, for those of you who have towed HEAVY with them, what do you think? We're talking a max capacity tow of a 24' long trailer with a nice weight distribution hitch with sway control, or something similar. Is the truck heavy enough? Is it long enough to not be twitchy (the wheel base isn't too much shorter than my pickup, which is a short bed extended cab)? Am I better off going with a Range Rover?

 

The Disco will handle your RV no problem. Our trucks are heavy and underpowered but they're geared right and can handle a lot of towing weight. I'll check my manual and get the exact specs for you when I get my laptop back later today.

 

ALL D2's are rated at 3500 KG's in Europe and AUS.

 

I would worry more about stopping than going...

 

I regularly tow my camper, it's about 3000 pounds fully loaded. It's horrible in the mountains. flat and some hills are no problem, but it really sucks in the mountains. After towing with my DII over the past 3 years I wouldn't go any heavier then 3000 lbs. the 6-7000 foot mountain passes around my place will keep the rover in 3rd gear close to 4500 RPM and that's MAYBE 45 MPH. Last weekend I was up in Duck Creek, UT there is a good 3000 foot climb over the course of 25 miles. I was struggling to hit 35 MPH. It works, it's just VERY slow going.

One thing though, make sure your trailer has brakes, and an anti-sway hitch. Holy cow, I forgot my anti-sway bar once. Whew, I'll never do that again. Brakes are also important. I towed a friends pop-up up to lake tahoe a few years ago. I used an entire set of brake pads in one trip. My camper has brakes and it's made a huge difference.

I tow my camper at least twice a month and at least 100 miles one way each time I have intimate knowledge of the capabilites of the DII towing.

You can see pictures of my camper and Rover at http://photos.theholmesnetwork.com click on "travel and vacations" and one of the last pages has some good pictures.

Anyway, email me at Landrover@theholmesnetwork.com if you want more info.

Brian

 

What he meant to say is that ALL Disco's, DI's AND DII's are rated for 7,700lbs towing in everywhere but the US.
The ONLY difference between a UK DII with a V8 and the US version is the location of the steering wheel...its on the wrong side.

A trailer that size will have electric brakes, with the sway bars and brakes you will be fine, just make sure that you are in 3rd gear and keep it under 65mph.
If you have been towing for sometime you know how to stop and turn corners.
As long as your trailer and gear weigh less than the tow vehicle it wont push your rear end out from under you in a turn.
Now this is the only reason that you will ever hear me recommend a DII with the SLS (self leveling suspension)
Your butt wont sag, the truck will always side level...until the SLS acts up anyway.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ultra-Fab-5th-Fi...item19b4cac653

You guys might want to consider something like this too, mount it when needed and remove it when you dont.
They come is various forms and mount options, we had one when I was a kid for our Chevy truck, it had suction cups and just stuck to the roof, took it off once we got back home.
My grandparents who lived in their 5th wheel and went from AZ to MI twice a year had one that folded down mounted to the top of their truck, it makes the air go up and over the front of the camper to reduce wind drag, big rigs have them if you ever noticed.
it helps MPG as well as increses engine power.
Mount it on your roof rails when camping, throw it in the garage rafters when not camping.

 

My manual says My DII has a 5500 Lb towing in high-gear, 7700 in low. Oh and the air suspension is AWESOME for towing. Although I'm sure you'll be fine without it... boy it sure is nice though.

Brian

 

Yes, that is for the NAS version which is no different than the rest of the world version, same axles, same diffs, same t-case, same engine, same brakes, same paint, same steering wheel, same everything EXECPT the owners manual.
Ever notice that here in the US we get everything dumbed down to us?
Thats because we are sue happy, Rover says you can tow 7700lbs and you drive off a cliff because your a idiot you get to sue them because you couldnt stop with 7700lbs.
In the UK, you drive off a cliff and your dead, you dont get to sue because your a idiot and didnt know what you were doing.
The 5500lbs US rating is just for us dumb Americans.

EDIT:I have towed a hay wagon loaded with 3 round bales of hay and 50 small square bales and another time I towed a 5300lbs pickup truck on a car dolly, both with my DI.
FYI, 1 round bale is 2000lbs and a small square bale is 25-30lbs.
You do the math.

 

NICE! I always figured it was more of a CYA thing. If I was back home in Chicago I wouldn't think twice about towing 5000 pounds or more, but where I live it's ALL very high mountain passes. You loose power with altitude*, and the inclines are brutal.

Brian

*I know in a single engine piston airplane you need to start screwing with the fuel to air mixture around 5000 feet. I have to assume there is a similar situation with an automobile.