Land Rover Discovery 2.5 litre (Manual) for towing a speedboat

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lellylel

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HI boat people,

I need help!

I own a

Bombardier Celebrity 220 CC Cuddy Cabin
Mercruiser Engine 5.7LX/V8 Thunderbolt 'V' Ignition Alpha
Dimensions: LOA 6.70m/LWL 5.80m/Beam 2.50m/
Draft Min 0.50m/ Draft Max 0.90m/
Displacement 1,780kg/Headroom 1.60m


I am asking if a Land Rover Discovery 2.5 litre (Manual) would be suitable to tow it.
I also have the trailer Thalmar approx 400 trailer SO: 2,200 - 2,400 (max 2.5 tonne)

Would the Landy be suitable to tow the Boat and trailer from France to Spain.

We have a 4L auto and a 2.5 manual: if both OK (2.5 manage 2.5 tonnes OK), we prefer to take 2.5 manual to Spain (friends used 4litre, an Auto we think, before on it)

Many thanks
 
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the Landrover will tow anything up to 3.5 tonnes, but the trailer must be plated for the 1.7 t of the boat.


As for being "suitable", the only time I would worry is going down a really really long winding road, when you might need to use engine braking to prevent the brakes over heating. But that applies to all tow vehicles.
 
I think the 2.5l had an oil cooler for the European market. You should be fine, if a bit slower uphill than the 4l. Keep an eye on the temps and a nose for oil smells.


Enjoy the drive :)
 
Also make sure you balance the trailer to get proper weight on the tow ball. If too little load it'll be a wiggling b!tch to tow at anything above walking pace
 
Don't worry, I have towed up to 2.7 tons behind a 2.5 diesel Disco for many tens of thousands of miles. I concur with sarabande, keep an eagle eye on temps, that is the only problem I ever had, if the water temp starts to rise quickly, STOP, I tried to run on to the next safe stop which was around 3 miles, engine wrecked.
 
1 the chocolate gearbox is a myth. Searanger is pulling your leg a bit.

2 to check the balance on the tow bar. You need about 75lbs (30) kg onto the tow ball. If you load the boat on the trailer and can just lift the front, that should be OK. Landrovers will be fine with a bit more weight on the tow ball, but anything less is not to be encouraged.


Oh, just make sure that you have ratchet straps or other retaining lines to prevent the boat moving forwards or backwards on the trailer. That can produce considerable handling difficulties. Vertical supports on their own are not enough.
 
You'll be fine. We have towed a 23ft Sealine to the Med numerous times in the past behind a 2.8 Shogun.
The only problems we had were trailer punctures (I think they are designed on the limit) so take a spare wheel (of course) but also suggest a spare tyre because we found our tyre size/type was not available in France/Spain.
 
Thanks sarabande, the weight needed on the tow bar is noted/along with straps
(getting the boat to sit right was hard and not perfect: trailer can take 2.5 tonnes)

BTW: Quid pro quo Clarice...

Trailers are like a separate vehicle in Spain.
And have their own everything, V5, MOT, Plates etc

Driving a boat in Spain.
Now you need a captains qualification (even if a foreigner and don't in own country)
 
lellylel said:
Trailers are like a separate vehicle in Spain.
And have their own everything, V5, MOT, Plates etc

Didn't know that nor do the hundreds of French and Germans who decend on Spain every year

Driving a boat in Spain.
Now you need a captains qualification (even if a foreigner and don't in own country)
Click to expand...

Not actually required but try explaining that in Spanish to the Guardia Civil ..... an International Certificate of Competence will do for this though.
 
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