Free lander 2?

[Bigo]

Hi all,

After some advice on a FL2 before I purchase one. I have seen many people launch and recovery with FL2’s but have heard story’s regarding the Manual clutch not being man enough.

I launch and recover a 5.8m rib weighing around 1.2 ton with the trailer. Would a Manual fl2 be ok for this or do I need an auto ?

Cheers

[Starovich]

manual or auto makes little difference, 2/4 wd can, some freelander 's are 2wd (eD4).

How often are you launching, how steep is the slip etc is more pertinent.

I used to launch a 5.2 rib with a FL1 with ease and very occasionally a 7.8 this was OK on fairly level concrete slip, struggled on steep gravel.

[Bigo]

Launching twice a month currently and it’s fairly steep.

[Bigo]

I had just read differing reviews about the auto being much better because of the torque converter.

[beamishken]

With no low range I'd go for a different vehicle.
Yes the auto will get off the mark easier but you don't know what strain your putting on the autobox and with a typical auto repair north of 2.5k I wouldn't risk it.
My thoughts are I'd rather burn the clutch out in a manual with a repair cost under 1k than risk an autobox failure
The weight of your boat shouldn't be an issue fpr the freelander but to me a 4x4 without low range is as much use as a chocolate fireguard.
A lot of manufacturers say their autos are sealed for life but in reality they should be serviced and oil changed which isn't cheap (£450 for a 5 series bmw).
Plenty of people will say autos are great for towing but I've got both a manual 4×4 and an auto 4x4 and I much prefer the manual for towing it's also far better on fuel

[Bigo]

Thanks for the reply! The problem is I can’t find a SUV or truck with 4x4 that will do over 30-32mpg under 10k price. I do 20000 miles a year so economy is quite important that’s why I think the FL2 is a good match currently

[willk]

Originally Posted by Bigo

Thanks for the reply! The problem is I can’t find a SUV or truck with 4x4 that will do over 30-32mpg under 10k price. I do 20000 miles a year so economy is quite important that’s why I think the FL2 is a good match currently

A steep slip with no low box is always going to be tough! I've seen things like Ravs really struggle on slips - no low box.

Grand Vitara perhaps? Around 45MPG and has a low box?

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by Bigo

Thanks for the reply! The problem is I can’t find a SUV or truck with 4x4 that will do over 30-32mpg under 10k price. I do 20000 miles a year so economy is quite important that’s why I think the FL2 is a good match currently

If economy is important then an auto isnt the thing for you.fuel figures are usually far worse than published for an auto unless you drive like miss daisy.
If you are set on a freelander I'd go for the manual and try to pick none challenging slips.
I'm sure if you looked around you'd find a 4x4 with low box that will give decent mpg
My old manual m class merc used to give 35mpg on a run and that's a full size suv

[Xk59D]

No need for a low box with a 1200kg boat for me, I've never had a low box in 20 years of driving and towing boats similar weight. Nice to have yes but not essential.

New Nissan xtrail is good for over 50mpg. I think the auto tows 1500kg and manual up to 2000kg.

I would get an auto for towing but a manual for economy so you will need to test drive them and decide. Just be careful as most modern autos are dual clutches and not a torque converter. You will need to do some research on whatever car it is you end up in to see what it has. The pro to this over a torque converter is mpg is way better.

I know fact the new 1.6dci xtrail gets 56mpg in real life and tows a 1400kg caravan fine getting about 34mpg. I used to have a 2l old shape xtrail and I was amazed with that 1.6 engine. It had as much power and torque as the 2l I had. The 2l got 46mpg and 22 towing my boat but I just let the engine rev while towing.

I think in your shoes I would get the auto and live with a little less mpg.

One thing though, I used to tow 1960kg to be exact with a manual xtrail, I left it in 2wd and let tyres spin on slip, save the clutch a little. I sold it with 65k on it and no clutch issues....but it would have come I'm sure. I only used 4wd on dodgy slips but nice to have.

If you plan to buy a bigger boat anytime soon then that is a different conversation.

[matt h]

FL2 would be ideal for that set up

[Stuart1975]

Originally Posted by matt h

FL2 would be ideal for that set up

idiotttttt

[69cmw]

Originally Posted by matt h

FL2 would be ideal for that set up

[emoji106]
If a FL2 struggles with 1200 kg on a slip then there are problems [emoji848]

[beerbelly]

Originally Posted by 69cmw

[emoji106]
If a FL2 struggles with 1200 kg on a slip then there are problems [emoji848]

but it shouldn't struggle fl2 should cope fine I used a fl1 with the vc removed so just fwd and never had any issues with the sr4 or the osprey. ,y caddy van was 4 motion but no low range and I launched the osprey easily on every slip I used tbh I find my ford ranger to be the weakest vehicle iv had on slipways.i have just bought a range rover sport I'm hoping that will be ok

[Last Tango]

I've owned about a dozen Autos over the years, Vauxhall, Ford, Jaguar, Saab, Range Rover, Mercedes, Volvo, Audi. Never sold one with less than 100K and kept a few to between 150 - 200K.

Back when "Max Towing Capacity" was a suggestion rather than law, I towed trailers that were twice the recommended max weight and I have never managed to break an auto-box.
The exception to this was the ML320 that started dropping gearbox fault codes doing 15MPH down the cul-de-sac with no trailer but if you so much as gave it a dirty look something else would fall apart on that pile of sh@t@.

[lukewhiting]

I use my Kia Sorento to launch my bowrider (1400kg ish)

Manual with a low range setting. I launch on a slip much worse than that and it does it no issues. Tows perfect too!

With an engine remap they get around 35mpg. Not sure what the newer ones are like? (Mines an XT manual 2.5 170hp; cost me £4K)

[Xk59D]

I have to ask, why do you want a Sorrento to launch a 1400kg Boat?

Using a sledgehammer to hit a drawing pin certainly won't be taxing it

I have test driven a 2011 ST Sorrento about 18 months ago so I'm curious.

[lukewhiting]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

I have to ask, why do you want a Sorrento to launch a 1400kg Boat?

Using a sledgehammer to hit a drawing pin

I have test driven a 2011 ST Sorrento about 18 months ago so I'm curious.

Just seemed to fit the bill. May as well have something that's not going to struggle with the job and break. I occasionally tow cars on trailers too. I do plenty of trips down to Cornwall with it and the boat so copes well with the journey too.

Everything else within that price range didn't really fit the bill for me (too small/small engines/no low range/older/lower spec/too thirsty on fuel/not value for money etc etc)

[jambo]

Must say I liked my Sorento for towing the rib[emoji106]

[Xk59D]

They are certainly cheap if you can live with it. I only drove one for maybe 3 miles but that was plenty, not for me. Shame as it only had 28k on it and was last of the older shape, was only 7k at the time which for the spec was good. I ended up in a xc90 at way more than twice the cost for similar age and more miles (nearly twice the power to be fair too). It will only tow 2250kg though due to the stupid way they have worked out capacity ( you can have 500kg of luggage in boot and tow 2250kg)

Anyways, not a great option for the OP given mileage I would suggest.

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by lukewhiting

Just seemed to fit the bill. May as well have something that's not going to struggle with the job and break. I occasionally tow cars on trailers too. I do plenty of trips down to Cornwall with it and the boat so copes well with the journey too.

Everything else within that price range didn't really fit the bill for me (too small/small engines/no low range/older/lower spec/too thirsty on fuel/not value for money etc etc)

Nothing wrong with a sledgehammer to drive a drawing pin, when it comes to tow vehicles bigger is always better!
Too many people tow with marginal vehicles and get into bother
Probably a good choice and you can relax a little knowing the trailer isn't going to be bullying the tow vehicle