Towing too much for 2018 Disco?

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Mark the Macam

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I’m looking to buy a 2018 Disco HSE with the Supercharged Gas engine. I want to tow a travel trailer which when loaded (stuff in the trailer plus us) will be a little less than 8000lbs. The brochure says it’s rated for 8200lbs and although I’m careful with weight I’m worried I’m over cooking the tow vehicle? Also should I use a weight distribution hitch with the air suspension???
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jaguardoc504

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Do not use weight distribution or sway control.
The manual is explicit about this. The vehicle air suspension and software are utilized for towing.
If the vehicle is rated for 8200, the is can tow 8200 safely.
I towed fairly regularly with my LR4 and never had an issue.
 

Mark the Macam

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Thanks for the comments...I figure they build in a buffer into their figures. It’s a shame the Tdi does not tow as much! I’m guessing that’s because of the additional weight of the Diesel engine?
 

jwest

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Thanks for the comments...I figure they build in a buffer into their figures. It’s a shame the Tdi does not tow as much! I’m guessing that’s because of the additional weight of the Diesel engine?

A lot of that is also based on the factory tires which dramatically limit the towing capacity and safety. Get proper tires like D or E load and you'll have plenty for the added hitch weight and the massive sway 8000 lbs will push into the rear end.

I towed a nearly 8000 lb loaded tandem coast to coast with no issues at all but was also on E load tires at 50 psi. The vehicle has a lot of extra stuff on it too so the use of E was absolutely necessary for safety.
 

nhskibm

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We have a 25' FB AS that's 7,600lbs, 835 tongue. We tow with a 2017 Disco TD6. I have also towed it with a 2016 LR4 SCV6 and a 2014 RRSS (V8).

All three vehicles did a great job. The D5 has done the best.

1. Yes, we use weight distribution. The air-ride suspension does not mean you cannot use it. In fact if you look at Jeep Overland's and higher with air-ride they suggest you use weight distribution, which is a very US thing. Europe doesn't believe in weight distribution and also has trailers, like airstreams, that are made a little different lowering the tongue weights.

2. We have towed the AS with the D5 11k miles or so last summer without issue. It HAS to be set up properly. Meaning that we spend 3 hours getting the drop bar on the hitch just right so the AS was level and not pushing up or down on the air-ride.. This is where I agree with another poster about not using weight distribution.

3. Towing last summer we saw between 11mpg and 16mpg towing with the D5TD6. With the RRSS and the LR4 we saw 9-13mpg. The low end torque on the TD6 is unbelievable and between the three vehicles the "fun factor" when not driving is closer to the 500hp RRSS than the LR4.

My suggestion is that if you are going to use this for a tow vehicle get the TD6. The SCV6 will be fine but the TD6 is better. We have 35k on our 2017 (Dec 2017 delivery) and I couldn't be happier.

I have also thrown on BFG KO2s for that 11k trip and they rode great. Finally this D5 TD6 is the best vehicle I've owned and I'd consider myself an enthusiast (we currently have a fleet of 6 cars - all German or British). It's the perfect combo of utility, fun, and nice. Was looking at a TD6 Full Size but went with the Disco to get the seats that go flat for mtb and dog transport inside.

It's a great car and tows perfectly.
 

jaguardoc504

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We have a 25' FB AS that's 7,600lbs, 835 tongue. We tow with a 2017 Disco TD6. I have also towed it with a 2016 LR4 SCV6 and a 2014 RRSS (V8).

All three vehicles did a great job. The D5 has done the best.

1. Yes, we use weight distribution. The air-ride suspension does not mean you cannot use it. In fact if you look at Jeep Overland's and higher with air-ride they suggest you use weight distribution, which is a very US thing. Europe doesn't believe in weight distribution and also has trailers, like airstreams, that are made a little different lowering the tongue weights.

2. We have towed the AS with the D5 11k miles or so last summer without issue. It HAS to be set up properly. Meaning that we spend 3 hours getting the drop bar on the hitch just right so the AS was level and not pushing up or down on the air-ride.. This is where I agree with another poster about not using weight distribution.

3. Towing last summer we saw between 11mpg and 16mpg towing with the D5TD6. With the RRSS and the LR4 we saw 9-13mpg. The low end torque on the TD6 is unbelievable and between the three vehicles the "fun factor" when not driving is closer to the 500hp RRSS than the LR4.

My suggestion is that if you are going to use this for a tow vehicle get the TD6. The SCV6 will be fine but the TD6 is better. We have 35k on our 2017 (Dec 2017 delivery) and I couldn't be happier.

I have also thrown on BFG KO2s for that 11k trip and they rode great. Finally this D5 TD6 is the best vehicle I've owned and I'd consider myself an enthusiast (we currently have a fleet of 6 cars - all German or British). It's the perfect combo of utility, fun, and nice. Was looking at a TD6 Full Size but went with the Disco to get the seats that go flat for mtb and dog transport inside.

It's a great car and tows perfectly.

Good thing we did not buy a Jeep. Please do not use a vehicle whos' tow software is far inferior, as reference.

The manual is explicit on not using Weight Distribution or Sway Control.
The software in the D5 is designed in a way that if you used the sway control and weight distribution it will cause more severe incidents. Because by the time the vehicle can sense an issue the hardware installed has buffered it too much. Past the point of saving in some cases.

You are correct, in Europe they do not use sway control. Most of the trailers have a sway control device built in. But the European manual, has you deactivate this for the D5 with Air Suspension. The idea of weight distribution is to level out the vehicle. Keeping hitch height in mind. Vehicles with 4 corner air suspension should not have WD equipped. Vehicle with only rear air suspension should have WD equipped as the vehicle has no way of bring the vehicle full level.

I am speaking from experience, both personal and from a technical standpoint.

It is great if you have had good luck on your side so far. But going against what LR suggest, is not a wise descision.
 

nhskibm

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Good thing we did not buy a Jeep. Please do not use a vehicle whos' tow software is far inferior, as reference.

The manual is explicit on not using Weight Distribution or Sway Control.
The software in the D5 is designed in a way that if you used the sway control and weight distribution it will cause more severe incidents. Because by the time the vehicle can sense an issue the hardware installed has buffered it too much. Past the point of saving in some cases.

You are correct, in Europe they do not use sway control. Most of the trailers have a sway control device built in. But the European manual, has you deactivate this for the D5 with Air Suspension. The idea of weight distribution is to level out the vehicle. Keeping hitch height in mind. Vehicles with 4 corner air suspension should not have WD equipped. Vehicle with only rear air suspension should have WD equipped as the vehicle has no way of bring the vehicle full level.

I am speaking from experience, both personal and from a technical standpoint.

It is great if you have had good luck on your side so far. But going against what LR suggest, is not a wise descision.

We are not using a WD with sway control. Only WD. Sincerely (not internet tough guy style) would love you to run down the experience, etc. been using only vehicles with air suspension to tow for the past 4 years with WD (no sway). Also spent a significant amount of time researching and talking to techs of both the vehicles and trailers - ie canam who are “the gurus”.

On our LR4 we ended up with a curt hitch to the frame with WD because of LRs dumb receiver. Again after exhaustive research and only WD.

Any knowledge would be appreciated.

Thanks
 

jaguardoc504

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We are not using a WD with sway control. Only WD. Sincerely (not internet tough guy style) would love you to run down the experience, etc. been using only vehicles with air suspension to tow for the past 4 years with WD (no sway). Also spent a significant amount of time researching and talking to techs of both the vehicles and trailers - ie canam who are “the gurus”.

On our LR4 we ended up with a curt hitch to the frame with WD because of LRs dumb receiver. Again after exhaustive research and only WD.

Any knowledge would be appreciated.

Thanks

This is enough information for me. JLR has done a lot more research on the subject than myself.
http://www.ownerinfo.landrover.com/document/3D/2017/T22693/22188_en_GBR/proc/G1858166

The rule of thumb only really applies to a vehicle with traditional suspension. Talking with experts who have no major experience with 4 corner air suspension does not add any significant data IMO. I have talked with a few different RV places and they all recommend WD at a minimum. When I ask them why JLR states something to the contrary, they cannot muster a reasonable response (at most I get a lesson on how WD works). This is telling in itself. Also who benefits the most from you using a WD system, when the OEM suggest otherwise? The person selling it to you. I have scoured the internet, and the only people who adamantly push WD or sway control, for ALL vehicle, are dealers and trailer manufacturers.

But as previously stated everyone has their own comfort levels when interpreting and applying information.
You do what is best for you and in your situation.
 

nhskibm

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Ah, so this is interesting. Note this is the fourth note in this section. The first three are “red alert” warnings with the languagr of “never”. The WD comment is a caution and recommendation.

To me this is “use at your own risk” and the risk is a blown suspension that warranty won’t cover. From a liability standpoint it’s super grey area. On one hand defense counsel will say it might just break electronics of suspension and plaintiffs counsel will argue that it inherently means a dangerous situation was caused. Is it negligence? Maybe? Gross negligence? Probably not. Is there any case law? None I’ve seen - but I haven’t done an exhaustive search.

Like all of the vehicles I’ve modified in my time while under warranty I think this falls in that bucket - if properly set up and thought through risk is minimized. Does it go away? No. Can you make it deminimus? I think so.

Possibly one of the most interesting topics you read on the web with honestly no definitive answer. “Caution” and “not recommended” is not finite. Skewed. Sure. But not “never use WD”.

Thanks for linking.

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DiscoRover

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I tow a 6500 lb travel trailer with a TD6 up 8% grades with no problem. I suspect you'll get much better gas mileage towing with the Td6.
I get about 14-15 mpg towing.
I have BFG Ko2 with slightly more weight capacity than oem tires.
I have towed with no WD
I have towed w/ WD
And now I use a Hensley Arrow
If you are towing a high profile travel trailer you will experience trailer sway even with a standard WD.
The Hensley or Pro Pride Hitch is the only thing that will stop it.
 

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