Starting to think about a new towmobile

[BrAinZ]

I currently tow our Ribeye 650S with my trusty old 2001 LandRover Freelander 1.8L petrol.

It does a fine job, but in a perfect world, I THINK the diesel would make a better job of it.

Also, mainly to help encourage the wife to drive the rig off the slipway, I reckon an Automatic would make life easier as well.

I really like the Freelander as it's very practicle for what I need (towing the Rib, Jetski and carrying my kayak), but was wondering if there's anything else that would do an equal or better job than the Freelander.

Any suggestions or comments would be welcome.

[Downhilldai]

A mate of mine has a 2005-ish Toyota RAV4 diesel, which he uses to tow a 5.85 Ribcraft. He reckons it does the job well and is really economical.

[willk]

A quick shufti around the web suggests that the RAV4 has a towing capacity of 1500kg against the Freelander's 2000kg.

An important difference in the 6.5m rib towing arena


oh, and RAV4s are for girls

[HUMBER P4VWL]

the old freelander would struggle with 6.5m rib uphill!! I take it willk refers to the new model?

[Mollers]

Need more info inc. budget.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by BrAinZ

I currently tow our Ribeye 650S with my trusty old 2001 LandRover Freelander 1.8L petrol.

It does a fine job, but in a perfect world, I THINK the diesel would make a better job of it.

Also, mainly to help encourage the wife to drive the rig off the slipway, I reckon an Automatic would make life easier as well.

I really like the Freelander as it's very practicle for what I need (towing the Rib, Jetski and carrying my kayak), but was wondering if there's anything else that would do an equal or better job than the Freelander.

Any suggestions or comments would be welcome.

There are a lot of Discovery II's popping up on ebay. 5k will get you a goodun.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by willk

RAV4s are for girls

I'll tell him you said that......


Although it doesn't have a low ratio box, 1500kg isn't a lot for a 2.2 litre diesel 4WD

[willk]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

I'll tell him you said that......

No worries - I've already had the kickin's from me two mates wot have had them too. One was know as the Pansy Wagon, it was a 2L petrol and wouldn't pull the skin off a custard. The other is diesel and better. The lack of the low box is only an issue on sand and steep slips

Remember I'm spoiled on the towing front so don't make the most objective poster. I believe there are Turbo problems cropping up on the Diesels.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by willk

RAV4s are for girls

Originally Posted by willk

I've already had the kickin's from me two mates wot have had them too.

Did these 2 laydees gang up on you, or were the kickin's done independently to give you a chance?

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by Chris

There are a lot of Discovery II's popping up on ebay. 5k will get you a goodun.

+1 for that option

A Td5 has a sort of anti-stall fitted so in low range 1st gear you could almost certainly toddle off up the slipway with a 6.5m rib on the back without touching the throttle. It is nowhere near as good as the anti-stall on the latest Puma Defenders which would tow a 6.5m rib up a cliff without touching the throttle, but I think you'll notice the different to a 1.8 Freelander

The Td4 Freelanders are OK once you get the motors wound up but for any sort of towing and particularly something like boat recovery they have two drawbacks, no real low end torque until about 2000rpm, and a poxy clutch that stinks after a steep hill start never mind a woman towing a ruddy great boat up a slipway

The Td4 auto Freebie is not bad though, and would make a much better job of it.