Range Rover v Discovery-thoughts/clarifying

Normally the hitch head max capacity 100kg is moulded as part of (alko) coupling head

Posted on 14/07/2020 16:36 by Metheven

"LR says ***Towing nose weight varies by powertrain and wheels fitted. I believe the 350kg is only for the multi height towbar as normally fitted to the commercial Discovery".

Not according to the weight chart in the Discovery manual that I provided in my previous post.

Having had a D3, D4 and now D5, I can confirm that the Discovery will tow 3500kg with originally 350kg nose weight on the D3 & D4, which was reduced when they started having issues with the removable towbars, but remained 350kg with the fixed towbar (which I always use as I carry 3 bikes on a flange mounted maxxraxx whilst towing).

The D5 remains at 3500kg / 350kg with either the electrically deployed towbar or the fixed tow bar, but reduces to 195kg on the manual removable.

....but as has been said, that is pretty academic, because unless you are towing a 3500kg Ifor (which I also do), then the nose weight is constrained by the caravan chassis.

...nice to know you are never going to stress the car though!

Official D5 tech spec can be found here:

https://www.landrover.co.uk/Images/Land-Rover-Discovery-Brochure-1L4621910000BGBEN01P_tcm295-616909.pdf?tltsid=50890025523349281651594931124017&_ga=2.168147873.1436045603.1594931124-348644171.1594931124

Well, I did consider such, and also did so on current Swift van. But I have a logistical conundrum, in that we store our van in private undercover premises about 7-8 miles away from our home. There isn’t room in the storage garage to leave a cycle rack on the rear of the van, whereas of course, on the A-frame, it takes up no extra length.

In fact, we’re considering buying extra bikes, so as to leave them mounted on the van. It’s not practical to bring van home, so however we carry bikes, getting them from house to storage is an issue. Up until now, I’ve carried them on a car roof rack for caravan trips but I find that a pain to fit on car (when needed) and hassle to get bikes on/off.

Thanks for further responses. I did test drive a 2018 Discovery this week, but, as stated, I’m only thinking at the moment. Lot to like about it though, although I found seats a bit firm, and OH baulked at sheer size of vehicle!

Jaguar F pace also on list to try, but they too seem to issue conflicting info re tow ball capacity, depending on where in brochure/on website/who you ask. But in any case, thanks to this forum, I am now clearer about Alko coupling limits, which may dilute the issue of car towball weight anyway.

Until I juggle with weight distribution in the new van, I won’t really know what’s what. I already have a A-frame cycle carrier, snapped up at a bargain price off EBay, so the idea is easy/cheap to experiment.

I have owned 6 Discoveries since the early 90s and just changed to a R.R. Sport. I found the Discovery Sport was well able to tow a Hymer Nova with a max weight of 2000kgs both hill climbing and handling were  excellent. I then moved back to a full size 3-0 litre Discovery and found perhaps the auto gear changes were a little smoother although the Sport was perfectly fine. Having just changed to the R.R Sport it too is effortless. The Sport is a little more car like when solo and can be pushed round corners a little easier than the full sized Discovery. The R.R. Evoque has less towing weight allowance than the Discovery Sport which also benefits from more boot room so I would prefer the D/Sport over the Evoque for an 1800 kg caravan. I always tow with a 100kg nose weight (the max for an AlKo chassis) but well under the max for Landrover and Range Rovers. 

A further update...

we have the new Adria van, and the max coupling capacity on the Alko hitch is 150kg. We haven’t yet fitted the already acquired A-frame cycle rack so still to check out impact on nose weight.

Have test driven Discovery and Discovery Sport (although the latter is limited to 100kg towball weight according to LR spec), as well as Audi Q7 and Mercedes GLE 400d. At the moment, the latter ticks most of my boxes. Have to say that it is starting to worry me as to how many people    (Not necessarily experts but perception) mention RR unreliability, although I still plan to test a RR Sport. 
A fellow caravanner with a RR Sport on one site said “ I love it, but I’d never buy one for reliability!”

Doesn't that tell you something IanTG if an owner tells you that he wouldn't buy one for reliabilty. 

A fellow caravanner with a RR Sport on one site said “ I love it, but I’d never buy one for reliability!”

Well lornalou1, here's another long standing member that is on my seventh Land Rover and none of them have been unreliable. I must admit prior to getting my first RR Sport I heard what people were saying and wondered if there was some much technology in the vehicle that they may have a point, how glad am I that I ignored them, a superb all round vehicle and to cap it all they all came with properly wired tow bar electrics without having to beg. 

Well done Vulcan.