MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: InMused on February 21, 2015, 03:06:25 PM
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So after a year of lurking and months of planning, we are now at a point of ordering our first camper. However, I have to wait until June/July to order it (Austrack tent on a custom fabricated trailer).
So now my mind has turned to what's going to pull it. We currently own a 2003 Toyota Avalon which will require a tow bar and suspension work to tow it properly. We also own a VW Jetta TDI which is really too small for our growing family of 5.
So now we thinks of a 4x4. Thanks mySwag. :)
Budget: around $10k. maybe a bit more. Or what ever I can sell/trade my two vehicles for.
I have rued out GU Patrols and Series 100 Cruisers due to the 50/50 rear seats.
Now looking at a Series 2 Landy Discovery.
Am I mad?
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/10529128/Landy%20Series%202.jpg)
Dream Car?
So...any other options I should be looking at?
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As I understand it the Series 2 (& 1) Discovery can be problematic. The main caution would be to be really confident in the history of the car you are looking at.
The Holden Jackaroo has a 2/3 : 1/3 rear fold seat. However, with the RHS single seat folded forward into the foot well you can't use the centre seat, due to the centre seat belt clip anchoring being part of the RHS seat lock down.
Given they would be similar ages I would probably be more confident of a Jackaroo than of a Series 2 Discovery.
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As I understand it the Series 2 (& 1) Discovery can be problematic. The main caution would be to be really confident in the history of the car you are looking at.
As far as I m ow there are fixs for the few known issues with the D2.........
Knowing the history of any second hand car is good if you can get it. Buyer be ware with any second hand car purchase.
If you are keen on a D2 pop over to aulro.com the lads there will help you out with any questions.
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Gidday IM
First question is how much will the GVM of your new CT be? That's including all the crap we all lug around ...
Second: will the CT be single or double axle? i.e. dimensions, including track, ball weight, etc.
Those two parameters define the basic parameters of the tug, IMHO. Then you look within those parameters for something that suits your other needs/wants.
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Not sure what version of the 100 series you looked at, but I have not seen a 50/50 rear seat. The 3rd row dicky seats are 50/50, if that is what your thinking of.
The disco has a great back seat for 3 kids, the later version of the D2 has a 3 point seat belt in the middle. The 3rd row seats (which make it a 7 seater) fold into the side walls of the rear and don't block out windows like the rest of them do.
If you consider the jackaroo, be very careful, the diesel angine is bad, realy bad. Also the barn door opens the wrong way for the side of the raod we drive on, my Mrs struggles with it and it is why I hope to upgrade to a Pathfinder some time soon.
No matter what you buy, if you know the history it is worth paying extra $ for it.
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lf the Disco is your dream rig then , live the dream . Or get real & buy a Pajero :cheers:
But who wants an all black 4WD , it will be so easy to keep clean , NOT :'(
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I drive a D2 V8 auto. It has now troubles towing at all. My camper is an Austrack tent on a home made trailer. Fully loaded ready to go for a week away, it would be close to 700kg and doesnt worry the Disco. I have even towed a prado on a car trailer, and although i knew it was there, the disco didnt work much harder than normal.
The most popular complaint with them is nicknamed "The 3 amigos". Most commonly caused by a faulty ABS hub sensor. I have done plenty of research on it just incase, and it appears to be an easy fix should I have a problem.
Mine also has the ACE option. Active Cornering Enhancement. Basically, its a hydraulic ram that opposes the twist in the swaybars whilst cornering. It sits flatter than a commodore with cut springs driven by a P plater mid corner. I also have air suspension in the rear which is also self leveling.
As said by others, pay the AULRO forum a visit.
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^ I wouldn't expect it to have any problems towing a 700 kg trailer.
Neither does my 2.5L N/A Subaru Forester ... ;D. My CT weighs in at around 700 Kgs.
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Gidday IM
First question is how much will the GVM of your new CT be? That's including all the crap we all lug around ...
Second: will the CT be single or double axle? i.e. dimensions, including track, ball weight, etc.
Those two parameters define the basic parameters of the tug, IMHO. Then you look within those parameters for something that suits your other needs/wants.
I am not expecting the GVM to exceed 1100kg. Towing capacity of the D2 should not be an issue.
I drive a D2 V8 auto. It has now troubles towing at all. My camper is an Austrack tent on a home made trailer. Fully loaded ready to go for a week away, it would be close to 700kg and doesnt worry the Disco. I have even towed a prado on a car trailer, and although i knew it was there, the disco didnt work much harder than normal.
The most popular complaint with them is nicknamed "The 3 amigos". Most commonly caused by a faulty ABS hub sensor. I have done plenty of research on it just incase, and it appears to be an easy fix should I have a problem.
Mine also has the ACE option. Active Cornering Enhancement. Basically, its a hydraulic ram that opposes the twist in the swaybars whilst cornering. It sits flatter than a commodore with cut springs driven by a P plater mid corner. I also have air suspension in the rear which is also self leveling.
As said by others, pay the AULRO forum a visit.
Thanks. Thats very helpful anecdotal evidence for me. Particularly you description of being more leve; than a P-Plater.
My thoughts are that I am yet to find a vehicle make or model that doesn;t have some sort fo niggling problem. The D2's seem to be fixable and the longevity seems good.
On the 60/40 rear seats in a 100 series. I am yet to see a picture of them.
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Having just gone through this and purchasing a disco 2, I have since ended up with a pajero.
No way would I go back to a discovery.
One thing they don't tell you is that the v8 discoverys are prone to over heating now due to the brittle plastics used in the cooling system. Although I never over heated ours, we did get close and cost me a bomb to replace all the plastic parts.
The down side to a pajero is the rear door, however it can be worked around.
It drives nicer, better vision out of it and uses less fuel.
(although doesn't have the power of the Disco)
The other down side to the discovery is the price of parts, they are stupidly expensive.
For 10grand you will pick up a very nice pajero.
Cheers
Evo
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My view is any 4wd at this price will have its issues to to age, mileage and general use and abuse.
Regardless of what others will tell you a Jeep Grand Cherokee is also a viable option although from an interior space point of view a Disco or Paj will have a slight advantage. If you are mechanically minded you'll be able to resolve most issues on any car yourself.
Jason
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lf the Disco is your dream rig then , live the dream . Or get real & buy a Pajero :cheers:
But who wants an all black 4WD , it will be so easy to keep clean , NOT :'(
l rest my case , :cup: :cheers:
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With the Pajero option, what is with the back seat having big chunks missing?
Never sat in 1, but this example has prevented me from looking at them.
(http://liveimages.carsales.com.au/carsales/car/dealer/178567563.jpg?height=700&aspect=FitWithinNoPad&width=1050)
Then there are alternatives to this where it is basically 2 seats but 3 seat belts.
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It would be a good choice ... I'm biased ! ;D Noice black D2 btw !!
My 2004 Auto Td5 D2a is coming up on 180,000km and has been pretty much hassle free. It's now 11years old, of which I've owned it for 6 of those years and 60,000km. They are a bit more of an enthusiasts vehicle than a ToyoNissUbishi. They aren't problematic like alot of Land Rover haters seem to make out ... there are always poorly maintained lemons in every marque. The known issues are not major and are easily addressed ... cheaply if your a spanner type guy!
The D2 Td5 wins out on ride comfort and fuel economy and exceptional offroad ability (in stadard form!). I'm towing a KK with mine, but it's not my or the wifes daily drive ... it's our 3rd vehicle. Camping, travelling, touring.
Spend a bit of time over at www.aulro.com (http://www.aulro.com) and educate yourself as to wether its really the best vehicle for your intended use ... and what to look for when considering one.
:cheers:
Kevin.
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For 10grand you'll possibly get a petrol 100 in reasonable nick - you'll definitely get a good petrol 80 with fruit for that price. For info the middle row in the 100 series is 60/40 and the rear row is 50/50.
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Check the off road towing capacity with Land Rover. This email is for the Defender and its capacity comes down from 3500 kg to 1500kg in off road conditions. The Disco may have a similar reduction.
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The Towing mass is reduced when the vehicle is used off-road to the levels below
Unbraked Trailer 500kg
Overrun Brakes 1000kg
Fully Coupled Brakes 1500kg
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any query.
Regards
David Jensen
Land Rover Australia
Tel: 1800 809 308
Email:contactus@landrover-customers.com.au
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Reductions in towing capacity in off road conditions apply to a lot of cars. Few people seem to be aware of it or know but choose to ignore it. This will increase your chances of having mechanical of overheating problems in difficult conditions.
Another point is check if Land Rover (or any other make for that matter) say a weight distributing hitch is necessary above a certain tow ball weight. Many do, including my Toyota, and fitting heavier rear springs as a substitute will not solve the problem if your car is over the limit. Springs don't do the same job as a hitch.
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I forgot to say in my previous post is if youre not in a hurry, stalk the market. I picked up my 1999 D2a Auto V8 with 193,000km for $3500. It was a 2 owner with the majority of the service and maintenance records for the past 13 years.
The other thing is don't judge rear seat leg room on looks. Get in and try it. You'll be surprised.