Freelander/Discovery

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horsegirl

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Hi

I am thinking of buying a land rover as my car can't tow a trailer and 2 horses. It would need to tow a light trailer (730KG) plus 2 x 16.1 horses, 1 quite fine TB and one heavier TB X ID. Probably looking at about a 2002 model would either car be ok for towing?
 
I would say a Disco would be cheaper as you can get an older one. Not an expert but Freelanders are relatively new, again no idea when they first came out. How much are you looking to spend?
 
I might be wrong but I thought the GTW for a freelander was about 1800kg - with two horses weighing 550kg and a trailer weighing 730kg you would be over the limit - the recommendation is 85% of kerbweight as well and I'm pretty sure you'd be over that. I'd go for the disco, definitely, if you want to pull two horses.
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My advice would be not to buy a Freelander (I've had one). Their maximum towing weight is 2000kg but they're pretty gutless and the worst thing about them is they're a really lightweight vehicle. I would definitely go with the Disco. Check this page out for weights etc

http://www.cuddles.abelgratis.net/landrover.htm#freelander502

Personally I got fed up with Land Rover generally and bought a Jeep, but a LWB Shogun also makes a great towing vehicle.
 
If you want to tow 2 horses the freelander isn't an option, they are gutless! My friend has a lightweight small trailer and one small TB and she struggles up not very steep hills!
Discovery would be more expensive if you are looking at prices on Disco's v freelanders made in the same year, but there is a reason for it!
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MissTipps Im the opposite of you lol ... Im getting rid of our Jeep as the head gasket is quite dodgey on them , Ours overheated going down the motorway yesterday while towing , We have already replaced the head gasket costing us £800 and over .


So just heading in 10 mins to go have a look at a discovery Td5 , We have had a discovery 6 odd years ago and I didnt mind it , We just needed an upgrade and went for a cherokee .
 
We used to have to have a disco to tow our Ifor Williams trailer and it was always great for the job - it felt effortless towing and if you drive carefully (which you should anyway!!!) will do great on fuel consumption as well.
If you are looking at Disco's tho check the vehicle carefully for rust - the outer body work, and if the seller will let you - pull up the carpet and such like in the boot and check there. We had awful problems with rust on our last discovery - and we haven't had one again since. I know that they still do have a reputation for rust problems - but whether they have improved I don't know.
 
I have a disco tows 2 perfectly would not touch a freelander with a barge pole my friend has one and asked to borrow trailer and could not move practically it was awful.
 
we were told to steer clear from both, freelanders have the looks but dont two and disco's are called dicoverys becuase you discover a new problem everyday!!
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Go for a pre M reg Disco, the engines and build quality are generally better than the newer ones.

Freelanders are light cars made to look like 4wd's and arent really suitable for towing horses.
 
disco deff my oh landrover mad says freelander not got enough power used to have a disco found it great for towing but as someone else said it always had problems ive just bought a lwb terrano havnt towed with it yet though
 
Defo a Discovery - the other day I towed my trailer (large Richardson Supreme Grande) with my 17'2 and a 16'3 and I had to go up a huge long hill and it was effortless! Mine is M reg and I am so pleased with it!
 
I have a N reg Disco (2.5 diesel) and it copes fine towing a 510 trailer with a 16.3 WB and a 15.3 TB plus 4 people and 2 people's show stuff!
 
Freelanders are awful for towing (IMHO), tried an Ifor Williams 505 with 2 x 14.2 and not an enjoyable drive at all! Plus they are not exactly without mechanical faults, once the gtee had run out mu Freelander cost be £3K in 18 months to keep it going........... never buy another! On the flip side our 1996 Discovery has been perfect a really sound 'woirkhorse' and tows wonderfully, even heavy trailer with 2 biggies
 
don't touch the freelander with a barge pole IMO, it doesn't have enough power at the bottom end of the speed range to get a trailer moving - my friend had one for a while but had to sell it as her mechanic said she would end up pulling its insides out.
i tow with a disco and its great for two big horses (IDx and WelshxHan both 16.2) in a heavy (wooden) trailer.
 
I have a disco and i love mine! It pulls my 510 trailer with 16.2 and 17.3 in it fine! I think Freelander's can pull a 505 with 1 horse or 2 ponies, no more, they haven't got the power.

Hope this helps!
 
Hello. I would definitely go for a Discovery. Apart from anything else, you will find it a struggle to fit all your kit in the Freelander. If you check out the towing capacity, you will find Disco and Range River are the best. Although even better is the Defender, which is the original 4x4, but not very comfy for 'normal' driving.

I am v v lucky and have a diesel new Range Rover - it is fantastic for towing and copes with mud and hills etc, but the Disco shares the same engine so would be just as good practically speaking. The Freelander is classed as an SUV and designed as a 'softer' off roader so has the looks but can't match up on the fundamentals!

Have a look at the What Car? website - it has very useful reviews and advice for used car buying.
 
My friend sold her Freelander as in her words it 'wouldn't pull a shopping trolley up a hill' !! She now has a Shogun to tow with. Freelanders look nice/trendy but think they are classed more as an SUV (Sports utility Vehicle) rather than a serious off road, pulling work horse.
 
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