Towing Vehicles. Discovery or L200??

nic85

nic85

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My OH and I need to buy a towing vehicle as he needs one to tow the rally car and I will need it in the not too distance future for towing my horse.

So, which do we think would be better?

Thanks :)
 
L200 has a shocking turing circle and have issues with head gaskets on the 03/04 models. Luckily...? someone stole ours before we had to fork out the money to pay for a new head gasket.
my OH is a mechanic and would probably tell you to stay clear of both a disco and an L200
I know a few people with a disco and havent had any mechanical probs and they seems reliable.
the best 4x4 we've ever had is one that my mum won for a year a Ssang Yong Rexton-good on fuel for a 4x4, lovely to drive, tow anything, looks good, huge boot space and passenger seat space too.it's the perfect equine car.lol.
 
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until the engine in my L200 blew up at just 108k miles i would have recomended it, but hear discos have their share of probs too lol. thing about a pick up is that its much easier to keep the cab clean and tidy, no hay stuck in the carpet etc. newer L200 engines much more reliable though, mine was 2004, avoid that year and you should be ok. i would certainly have a new one if i could afford it, fabulous tow vehicle,took a 15.3 and a 17hh the length and breadth of the country no bother, even through wales!

turning circle is large, but you soon get used to shunting, have a child seat put in the back and use the parent and child parking spaces ;)
 
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Yeah the Disco has a much bigger towing capacity.

My OH and I are having a 'discussion' as he had an N reg Disco in 96 and it was the most unreliable piece of junk ( says he) Ive never met anyone whos had problems with them though. He did have an L200 warrior company car and we both loved it....however, we are struggling to find one at the right price and the right age ( we are looking at an old shape L200 crew cab)

So, to sum it up.

I'd like a Discovery

OH would like an L200

Typical.
 
My isuzu trooper ( 3.1 TD) was the best vehicle I had by far for towing and 110% reliable and hard working. I had her for 9 years before changing her for a Discovery TD5. Have no complaints about my Disco but haven't had her that long so we are building up our relationship lol
 
Maybe I should throw a spanner in the works...what about a Pajero? ( thats why shocking turning circles dont bother me :P )

We had one before ( when my OH had the L200) we sold it because we didnt need to towing vehicles and then sadly the company OH worked for went belly up and no longer has a 4x4. :( The only problem now is they are getting a bit long in the tooth....

Re Fourtrak....not big enough, needs to have enough boot/back space to service out of for the rally car. And have small child and crap that comes with small child.

OH will not touch a ssang yong Rexton ( or rectum as he called it) as he found them extremely thirsty.

Keep em coming, we will make a decision before long!
 
We have an L200. Its the Walkinshaw Limited Edition and its the biggest bunch of poo!

Turning circle is awful! 4 wheel drive is rubbish. I cant even sit in the back without getting sick (I dont even suffer with travel sickness of any form).

Thank goodness ours is a company car! We are looking to change ASAP!!

Do not recommend at all! My OH prefers his 1984 Land Rover!
 
Disco everytime.

L200 is a pickup type so built for carrying not pulling.

I've had a fourtrak but as they're not made anymore parts are hard to come by. Disco parts are easy to get and fit.

I have an N 300tdi and love it, tows like a dream, I have an Equitrek and may as well be on rails.

Disco, Disco, Disco!!!!!!!
 
I have a Disco and can't wait to get rid of it. Very unreliable and always seems to be in the garage. Would not get another one. It is really good for towing but the general problems I have had with it means it has to go.
 
OH has towed with L200s all over the country (heavy stuff for farms etc) and has no problem with them....however he has no experience with a Discovery TD5 so come on people give me your experiences!!! Preferably good ones!


(I want a disco!!!):D
 
Don't think Four Traks are made any more. The new shape L200 have a better turning circle and can tow 2600kg. Mine has lots of power, also has £190 tax as commercial.
A Disco will have a much better ride, be stronger for towing, but what is the insurance/tax?

Discos had lots of different engines/gearboxes so you must know exactly what you are looking at - some were terrible. There are various experts who would look over a Disco for you, at a price.
 
Older Discos had reliability problems, but the last model of the TD5 were much improved and the TD6 is pretty good though not as good as Toyota.

My TD6 has over 70k on it in 4 years and has never missed a beat. I use it in the fields for topping, rolling etc as well as a lot of towing. So it has had a hard life and stood up pretty well.

Unless someone comes out with something else, there is no doubt my next vehicle will be a Disco.

Mine is auto, brother in law has just bought one (his 5th Disco) and regrets not getting an auto. Makes life so much easier when towing on hilly, twisty roads.
 
I've got a pajero which i adore for towing. Mine is the short wheel base version so not great for storage but i only tend to take one horse out at a time. Mine is a N reg which has only covered 60k miles and is immaculate and i picked it up for 2.5k - perfect tow car and being an automatic makes towing a complete doddle. However.....she does have a rather bad drink problem!

would def recommend a mitsubishi though - i had a land rover previously.......never again.
 
nic85 said:
OH has towed with L200s all over the country (heavy stuff for farms etc) and has no problem with them....however he has no experience with a Discovery TD5 so come on people give me your experiences!!! Preferably good ones!


(I want a disco!!!):D
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how much is the budget? if it would buy a new shape L200 then fine otherwise get the LR as the old shape L200s are truly horible, drink diesel,not nice to drive and suffer from expensive problems, If you want a pick up then ford ranger or isuzu are good as is a hilux but the towing capacity of the hilux is poor (less than 2.5 ton)
nissans seem to be unreliable, friend has had 2 new shapes both were a nightmare..
 
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