Hi guys, anyone had any experiences towing a travel trailer? Is the 2004 discovery capable of towing one? The trailer is close to 6000lbs and checking the specs online it could tow up to 7700lbs. Have not tried this but any information will help. Thanks

 

What do you mean by a 'travel trailer', is it like one of these types in the photos?

https://www.google.fr/webhp?sourceid...0of%20caravans

Forget avoisdupois and lets talk tons. The D2 can tow a total braked mass (PTAC) of 3.5 imperial tons which I have done on a regular basis all over europe at speeds of up to 80mph with a 2003 D2 TD5. I hope that answers your question.

Therefore the D2 is capable of towing a braked load to a maximum of 3.5 tons. 1 imperial ton UK = 2,240 lbs, therefore 6,000 lbs = 2.67 tons which is well within the D2 towing limits for a BRAKED trailer.

Therefore you have to look at the total train weight which is the total laden weight of the tow vehicle and the total laden weight of trailer to ensure it complies with your local regulations in say the US.

The regs in Europe are probably very different so I won't confuse you with those only to say that total train weight comes into the equation also.

PS. The modern tow weights are now quoted in metric tons which is less than imperial tons and the conversion factor is 0.9842. Therefore the D2 this side of the pond is quoted as having a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilogrammes or 3.5 metric tons. It's all EU BS in the final analysis.

 

Car manufacturers almost always overstate what their vehicles can tow and trailer manufacturers almost always understate what they weigh. I wouldn't touch a travel trailer with over a 4000lb "dry weight" with a D2, personally. By the time you add all your crap, fill up the water tanks, and add all the options that are in the trailer (dry weight is taken with a gutted base model usually) you will easily be at 6000lbs. If the trailer your looking at says it weighs 6000lbs on the spec sheet, it will be closer to 7500-8000 in the really world. If that's the weight you got from driving it onto a scale than that's a different story. I towed a 7000lb 23'travel trailer with a 2007 f-150 with a 5.4L V8 that made nearly double the D2s power and it was working hard going up hills. With our D2s gutless V8s I'd stick to the ultra-light families of travel trailers if you have a choice.

 

I tow a 2 place snowmobile trailer with mine, but it's not the best tow vehicle. It seems the gearing it too high and it like it always in the wrong gear. When going up a grade it won't stay locked in the gear you want and occasionally shifts into 2nd and revs the snot out of the engine. I would think the 4.6 engine will be better, but what it needs is a manual transmission.

 

Shsssssshhh, TD5 diesel .................. 3.5 tons anywhere any hill - no worries ......... Don't tell everyone though ..............