Member Since: 25 Aug 2018
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 382
Driving 1404 Miles, in Two Days Weighing, 7 tonnes
Click image to enlarge
Older picture of the rig
My experience driving a D3 TDV6 Auto for 1,404 miles, in two days, weighing in at a GTW/GCW of 7 tonnes.
I have recently completed a journey I wasn’t particularly looking forward to. I have made this journey at least twice a year for the last 5 years but never towing more than around 2.5 tonnes. I thought I'd do a quick write up for those who are interested.
Obviously towing up to the weight limits of these vehicles is nothing new but going slightly beyond and sustained for 15 hours is probably quite rare.
Before departing, I visited the local weighbridge and was surprised to see the trailer weighing in at 3,780kg. I knew I’d be close; I didn’t think I’d be over. The D3 came in at 2,800kg, mostly empty with some tools, half a tank of fuel and no driver.
The trailer is a twin axle, 14" 6' box van from BlueLine in Boston. Fitted with brand new axles, wheels and tyres, I was happy the trailer would be ok but not so sure the Disco would be. I had not driven more than a few miles and not exceeded 40mph. She pulled well enough so far however.
As mentioned, the D3 came in at 2800kg but that was before I loaded it for the journey. Now you’d think I’d be trying to keep weight down but my goal was actually to add as much weight as reasonably possible to bring the two units as close to a 1:1 weight ratio as I could:
Two humans: 150kg
30kg of oat milk (i’m lactose intolerant OK and I’m not paying €4/litre for the stuff!)
32kg trolley jack
Misc items coming in at lets say another 40kg
and of course the other half a tank that wasn't present during the weigh in, 40kg
I also have 90 litres of onboard water, filled, 90kg
Total D3 weight: 3,182kg
Total D3 weight (including hitch vertical of 150kg estimate): 3,332kg
Total Trailer weight: 3,780kg
Net Train Weight: 6,962kg. Slightly over the vehicle’s GTW of 6,700kg.
Some key facts - 2007 D3 2.7 Auto:
Mileage: 229,000 (engine replaced at 180,000 (new rad), autobox recon at 175,000).
Castrol 5w40 since engine replacement
EGR coolers removed, coolant loop cut and blanked.
Tuned: 225hp/475Nm (previous engine, MMV on replacement)
V8 Brakes.
Tyres: Cooper ST Maxx 44 psi rear, 33 front, trailer 65 all round (max as per tyre wall)
Ambient temps 10-13c
Never exceeded 3100 rpm
For the most part, the drive was perfect. I was able to sit comfortably at 56mph (90kph) with the trucks. I found that locking in 4th gear at 2,450rpm was the most economical. On the flats, 5th gear would hold but would use more fuel, less responsive to cruise control and changing gear is just something you want to avoid in general.
Stability was incredible and I owe that to several factors including but not limited to:
An incredibly well balanced load
Wheel alignment before departure (revisited 3 times)
The weight of the D3
Correct tyre pressures all round
Balanced brakes on both units and a well maintained hitch coupling
Of course, to say there was no sway would be a lie, with a large box van, vehicles passing at 155mph and tall tyre walls, things wobble. But the important thing is, none of that wobble transferred into the D3 with any noticeable effect and the trailer would shrug it off within seconds. There were a couple of occasions when heavier-than-desirable braking was required and it was just solid to the road.
Downhill, I kept speeds to 56 but on a few occasions crept up to 60; I think I peaked around 62mph. Controlled, short burst braking, gentle enough to avoid any sudden movements, hard enough to engage the trailer brakes and allow them to do the work.
Uphill. Well this is where the caveat of “for the most part” kicks in. And if I could use the caveat again, for the most part, uphill was fine. But Central and South Germany can throw some pretty long, nasty hills at you. We are talking 5-10km drags of 5 degree inclines. The first one, which I believe was actually in Luxembourg, caught me out a little. I had pushed a little too hard, lapsed in concentration and failed to change down to 3rd in response and sure enough found myself in the crawler lane doing 30mph in 2nd. Coolant temp got quite high at 110c, oil temp 118c and I definitely lost a little power. These figures were likely quite a bit higher as I checked them only once I had got my **** together. I'm a bit annoyed about this one.
After that point, the moment I knew I couldn't hold 56mph, it was down to 3rd and sitting at 48mph. There was one other occasion where I could tell early that 3rd wasn't going to hold and got myself into 2nd doing 30mph quite early. These are basically the 3 speeds available to me, there was effectively no inbetween. Obviously these are serious inclines for motorways, you're never alone in the crawler lane on these. I overtook a tanker whilst doing 30mph…
On lesser inclines, where 56 would hold, I would occasionally drop down to 50 maintaining 4th gear if traffic was light, keeping exhaust temps down and falling more into the peak of the torque curve.
On all major uphill drags (with the exception of the first), I put the heating on full on both sides, every little helps, especially with you have a winch bumper and spots restricting the rad. I managed to keep coolant temps at a peak of 100c at all times ('cept the Luxembourg disaster), most hills in the mid 90s and high 80s on the flats.
Fuel Economy and Trip Meter
As previously mentioned, the total journey was 1,404 miles as per Google Maps. I retroactively drew the precise route on Maps.
My fuel economy reading shows 18.5mpg. Brimming before and after, I used a total of 378.69 litres which equates to a real world value of 16.86mpg.
Under normal conditions I get around 29mpg reported on a long run, 25mpg average. I don’t particularly try to drive economically but I’m not at all heavy footed. Mud AT hybrid tyres, fixed weight, raised air intake, 5w40, winch bumper, bullbar and underbody protection have collectively knocked around 5mpg off my peak eco achievements and around 3mpg off my average.
The trip meter shows a reading of 1,301 - about 7% off. However based on this mileage, the corrected reported MPG stands at 17.27 which isn't too far off the real life figure of 16.86mpg
My average speed was 47.8mph. I’ll have to take this on face value, though it is arguably inaccurate because if you include stoppage, which I’d argue on a no-nonsense, dedicated drive you should, it actually equates to 30.87mph.
And I guess that pretty much sums it up. Overall, a very good run, the vehicle behaved impeccably and it only reinforces my opinion that the D3 is arguably the best vehicle of its type ever made, despite the fact I will still never recommend anyone buy it. This vehicle gets a particularly hard life, it's my workhorse, my daily and my toy. I do around 25,000 miles per year, half of that towing in excess of 2.5 tonnes. Many miles of offroad towing as part of my work on PRoW in England and on various construction sites in harsh conditions. I honestly have no idea what I would ever replace it with besides another.
Was I pushing it? Probably. Would I do it again? Yes, but preferably within the legal limits. Would I recommend anyone else doing it? Only if you are confident in your ability to balance a trailer, a high level of experience towing, follow a strict maintenance schedule on the vehicle and trailer and take your >=twice-daily check list seriously.
I hope this is useful.
17th Oct 2024 12:17 pm
sailormike
Member Since: 04 Apr 2007
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 180
I towed my boat to Greece with the D3 about 10 years ago. The car had 100k miles at the time on it. Started to get the auto gearbox judder on a long uphill climb in the alps so got the oil changed on return and ran it for another 35k miles before changing the car.
The brochure weight for the boat was 2,700kg so with trailer on the limit. The car and trailer sat happily at 56mph and in 5th.
The temperature gauge stayed in the middle the whole time not moving.
Don’t think I would do it again but the D3 was ideal for the job.
Click image to enlarge
Disco 4
Burstner motorhome
BMW 225e (only 1/2 way to electric)
17th Oct 2024 7:59 pm
Harry365
Member Since: 25 Aug 2018
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 382
Wowzers that's a big tow! Brave journey.
And you drove along the Croatian coast and didn't think "you know what, that's far enough, this'll do"?
I'm laughing looking at our old boat behind my truck in comparison to yours!
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17th Oct 2024 8:16 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10676
That boats makes the disco look tiny
17th Oct 2024 9:00 pm
RSW
Member Since: 24 Aug 2012
Location: Devon
Posts: 154
Harry365 wrote:
I'm laughing looking at our old boat behind my truck in comparison to yours!
Click image to enlarge
A boat is still better looking than a caravan !!
Can't beat being out on the water what ever size you have
18th Oct 2024 6:51 am
AnotherWill
Member Since: 25 Jan 2022
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 19
That was an interesting read. Does go to show that the Disco is a great tow vehicle, miles ahead of the older Disco 1 and 2's that my dad used to have!
18th Oct 2024 8:13 am
sailormike
Member Since: 04 Apr 2007
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 180
If I remember correctly from the LR brochure for the D1, (mine was a J reg three door diesel that I bought from a main dealer at 18 months old). The towing limits given in it were 3,500kg on over-run brakes and 4,000kg on powered brakes and a ring and pin type hitch. Not sure who, if anyone, ever made trailers for the D1 with power brakes or how the car was adapted!
The picture was of a small traction engine on a trailer behind the D1 in the brochure. I wonder if anyone on here has a copy of original D1 brochure?Disco 4
Burstner motorhome
BMW 225e (only 1/2 way to electric)
18th Oct 2024 5:00 pm
Sidestick
Member Since: 22 Apr 2012
Location: Rome
Posts: 2321
Add myself to the list...
Click image to enlarge
Harry did you use 5w30 oil or 5w40?- Easy-Lift suspension module 4.0
- GoodWinch 9500 lb
- Full underbody protections
- Tree/Rock sidebars
- Prospeed roofrack & ladder
- Compressor guard
- Raised Air Intake
- Driving lights (2+4)
- 50 mm Waffle boards
- Altox Heater control
- Overland Rooftop Tent
- Rear seats entertainment
- Front & Rear camera
- GVIF
- Removable tow bar
- Cubby box fridge
- BFG KO2 265/65R17
- iidTool BT
18th Oct 2024 6:06 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14388
Feel under engined.
2005: Drove down to Lake Garda with one stop on the way down after the fuel gauge stopped working and needed some attention from LR.
Drove back in one day through the night.
Only incident was being stopped by the German Police for doing 85mph on the autobahn. He made me travel at 80kph behind him for 15miles to the Swiss border! Boy was that tortuous. Don't worry - the tyres and axles were rated for the speed and weight.
Best bit though, the boat and race series was sponsored my VW Toureg.
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
We also used to go to our French house in the Dordogne and drove a straight 14 hours with a full boot, kids, dog and bikes. Absolute beast of a car. Best car LR have made. New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
18th Oct 2024 6:24 pm
Sundayjumper
Member Since: 23 Sep 2024
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 104
Moo wrote:
...the boat and race series was sponsored by VW Toureg.
Don't pooh-pooh the Touareg ! I had one, with the V10 diesel. 309hp & 553lb-ft. Fantastic engine. With no history of broken crankshafts
Also - and this is for the trivia buffs - the V10 engine has no belts or chains. Everything is gear driven. It's a very, very impressive bit of engineering.
18th Oct 2024 8:22 pm
Harry365
Member Since: 25 Aug 2018
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 382
sailormike wrote:
If I remember correctly from the LR brochure for the D1, (mine was a J reg three door diesel that I bought from a main dealer at 18 months old). The towing limits given in it were 3,500kg on over-run brakes and 4,000kg on powered brakes and a ring and pin type hitch. Not sure who, if anyone, ever made trailers for the D1 with power brakes or how the car was adapted!
The picture was of a small traction engine on a trailer behind the D1 in the brochure. I wonder if anyone on here has a copy of original D1 brochure?
Member Since: 25 Aug 2018
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 382
Sidestick wrote:
Add myself to the list...
Click image to enlarge
Harry did you use 5w30 oil or 5w40?
5w40 all the way
19th Oct 2024 8:13 am
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14388
Sundayjumper wrote:
Moo wrote:
...the boat and race series was sponsored by VW Toureg.
Don't pooh-pooh the Touareg ! I had one, with the V10 diesel. 309hp & 553lb-ft. Fantastic engine. With no history of broken crankshafts
Also - and this is for the trivia buffs - the V10 engine has no belts or chains. Everything is gear driven. It's a very, very impressive bit of engineering.
Not dissing the Touareg, just found it amusing that my boat and the series was sponsored by VW Touareg and pulled by a LR Discovery 😂
Anyway, off the boat in Caen this morning and Milan tonight in my Defender. Not towing but definitely carrying weight! - and that doesn’t include me! 😂New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!)
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
19th Oct 2024 10:37 am
HairyFool
Member Since: 04 Jan 2023
Location: North Essex
Posts: 676
The only caveat I would add is about tyres and tyre pressures.
My Landmark has 20in rims with (relatively) low profile tyres. Although they still have 6mm tread I am having to replace both rear tyres because of heavy cracking just above the bead on the side wall and of some evidence of air getting into the bead part of the tyre.
I asked the advice of someone who has been in the trade for all his working life and he is fairly sure it is down to the maximum load on the towball for some towing distance without increasing the tyre pressures to compensate. He is fairly sure I will find the inner surface of the tyre breaking up over the bead.A visitor from the dark side, my other vehicle is an is still an EV. Strictly speaking its SWMBO.
19th Oct 2024 11:28 am
sailormike
Member Since: 04 Apr 2007
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 180
Harry365 wrote:
sailormike wrote:
If I remember correctly from the LR brochure for the D1, (mine was a J reg three door diesel that I bought from a main dealer at 18 months old). The towing limits given in it were 3,500kg on over-run brakes and 4,000kg on powered brakes and a ring and pin type hitch. Not sure who, if anyone, ever made trailers for the D1 with power brakes or how the car was adapted!
The picture was of a small traction engine on a trailer behind the D1 in the brochure. I wonder if anyone on here has a copy of original D1 brochure?
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