I've got a 06 LR3 (V8) with 101,000 miles. I just bought a 3500 pound boat which would be a 3000 mile round trip. I've owned the LR3 for about 6 years and never had motor or tranny issues, but the air suspension compressor has failed twice.

I'm debating between various options to get the boat home. One is to drive the LR3 to pick it up - this option is my lowest which is about $1k lower than having it shipped (including gas, but excluding 3 days of my driving and other wear/tear).

In your opinion:

1) would you trust a 06 LR3 with 101k miles to do this non-stop drive realiability?

2) although the brochure says the LR3 can tow 7500 pounds, would towing a 3500lbs boat for 3000 miles straight be hard on the truck?

3) is 1k$ saving enough to offset wear/tear on the engine, brakes, tires, etc? Would you guys do it, or just pay the incremental 1k$ to have it delivered?


Thanks

 

Two sides to this - for starters I'm not sure if you have towed with the LR3 yet or not, but it's one of the best non-diesel tow rigs ever created. I've loaded mine up and it tracks like it's on rails in all conditions at any speed, the air suspension is simply incredible.

I got my sport (which I'm ironically selling for an LR3) to tow my 5,500lb 23' Donzi and it's been perfect, trips were usually 100 miles each way but still.

THE OTHER SIDE of the coin....

I got the Donzi in Michigan, I live in VA. I got a rental lol.
Yeah they say no towing blah blah but, and their trucks are specifically ordered with no tow receiver.. HOWEVER. Do a drive by at an enterprise rental lot, odds are hey have an expedition which comes standard with receiver and like a 10klb tow rating. It's a premium rental so costs about 120/day I think, but has unlimited miles. They shouldn't ever know, as log as you're careful. FYI I got like 9-11mpg in that pig and it was brand new!!!! Made my sport look like a Prius.

So that's what I did, I got it back in a day somehow.. awesome deal and my rover was safely at home.

So yes the LR3 can easily tow that (I towed a 20' Twin jet Yamaha with my 99 Disco 2 at 165kmi on a 1000mi road trip in 105 deg heat...) BUT doesn't mean there aren't easier and less stressful ways to bring the boat home.

Edit: sorry for typing errors, posted from my phone!