- You are currently viewing DISCO3.CO.UK as a guest - Register to take part or Log In
jhunty
Member Since: 11 Mar 2007
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 14
|
| Disco 3 capable of commercial towing duties? |
|
Dear All,
Firstly, I'm new to this forum and am impressed with the wealth of infomation here dedicated to the Discovery 3.
I'm not an owner as yet but would be grateful for views on both the Discovery 3 as a towing workhorse.
After reading and enquiring about the commercial version coming out shortly its got me thinking about replacing our current vehicle (Isuzu Rodeo / Dmax auto) which is nearly 3 years old with 76,000 miles. It tows a 16 ft flatbed trailer about 98% of the time with as much as 2 ton loads. I'm very impressed with it to date with very little problems (fan belt broke, and offside front brakes stuck on). Still on original tyres and averages 28 mpg on a round trip towing (have had 38 mpg without trailer).
My only real complaints are: the is ride is harsh (leaf springs) while towing, not the most comfortable seats and no cruise control (a must!).
I have since started to consider the Discovery 3 Commercial XS because of the cruise control, air suspension, larger towing capacity @ 3,500kg, and its VAT reclaimable etc.. However, after reading some general comments on here and www.haveyoursay.com about the Discovery 3, I'm a little dubious about its reliability and costly ownership.
For a start spending £ 31,000 ish for a vehicle with only 2 seats takes some serious thinking about!
Secondly, I havn't seen many people getting high 20's mpg (even without a trailer!!)
Payload in the back doesn't appear to be much more than 600kg whereas the Isuzu pickup is about 1 ton and has 5 seats! Therefore the Discovery 3 doesn't justify the lack of seating for such a small payload.
That removable panel for the towbar electrics appears to be very tacky and the whole back bumper feels like it could fall off with the lightest of knocks.
What I really want to know is would anyone truly recommend one for full time commercial towing duties and loading tools and stuff in the back? It seems to me that if you want a Land Rover for heavy farm / commercial duties, the crude Defender is the only vehicle suitable. Why is it 4x4 of the year if there are this many faults?
I would be very grateful for anyones comments and would love to be corrected on my initial thoughts!
I understand that the only reason people may post comments on these forums is because they've had problems whereas you never hear about the good points.
Many thanks
James
|
 11th Mar 2007 8:49 pm |
|
|
Jads777
Member Since: 03 Sep 2005
Location: Channel Islands
Posts: 697
|
| Re: Disco 3 capable of commercial towing duties? |
|
jhunty wrote: I understand that the only reason people may post comments on these forums is because they've had problems whereas you never hear about the good points.
Hi jhunty,
You have answered your own question really. Thousands of D3 owners are happy and have had no problems. Those who have had problems tend to mention them, including the plonker on haveyoursay.com.
As a tow car the D3 is very hard to beat.
There are tales here, and photos, of cars which have been hit up the rear and sustained scratched bumpers while the other vehicle has been smashed to bits.
Do a search for all of these things, draw your own conclusions and then visit your dealer. You won't be disappointed.
|
| 11th Mar 2007 9:24 pm |
|
|
Points Mean Prizes
Member Since: 06 Feb 2007
Location: Doncaster
Posts: 42
|
From your negative comments I would suggest you don't buy one as someone with that sort of view will never be convinced otherwise. I bought one because it is capable of both towing several tonnes of bricks and mortar, towing my caravan on holiday, fitting a full sheet of ply in the back with my wife and child in the car, and finally because after having done all of those things we can drive down to London for the weekend and park it outside of Harrods with pride. I don't think there is a pick-up truck in the world which can do all of those things.
I must admit that the two seats in the commercial version is not so good but I have heard of people having conversions done to new ones, claiming the VAT back and then converting back. 
All being said I was considering one of the Nissan Navaras as they look quite nice and ride OK.
|
| 11th Mar 2007 9:26 pm |
|
|
Dave
Member Since: 08 Mar 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 2462
|
Welcome to the site James, you will mainly find the views of the believer and the converted on here, the odd trouble maker appears and gets sent  packing. These believers will still point out issues but they are still loyal to the D3 because it so good in many other ways
Will tow with minimal effort, 07 models are rumoured to be around 27-28MPG Ave without trailer.
2 Seats or VAT, the choice you make.
D3 is hard as nails, the bumper cover is a neat solution to having its  and balls on display on a permanent basis
The "faults" (not bothered me) have been built out in the time its been around
£31,000 - a reasonable amount to pay for such an ultimate vehicle with LR Pedigree
IN MY OPINION 
Test drive one for a day, put your trailer on.....you'll see 
|
| 11th Mar 2007 9:28 pm |
|
|
d3matt
Member Since: 03 Aug 2005
Location: South Oxfordshire
Posts: 1485
 
|
jhunty
From what you write, it seems to me that you'd be better off looking at a top spec Nissan Navara twincab. This would feel like a big upgrade from an Isuzu and is much cheaper than the D3 and cheaper to run. A D3 commercial still has the car interior so the rear door linings can easily suffer damage and is still carpeted in the rear. It is really a bit too posh to use for many trades.
However, I've gone from driving various vans for 5 years, to a D3. The extra cost (in fuel bills, not being able to claim the VAT on vehicle purchase & depreciation) is a bit too much for my business (my accountant isn't happy!), but I wouldn't swap it now for anything.
The D3 does everything - it is my van during the week, a luxury family car at weekends, a seven seater people carrier when we take friends out and now a fantastic hobby with these off-roading events.
It depends on what you want and what value you put on it. If you want a workhorse that you can afford to knock about over the years, get a Nivaro. If you want to drive something that is very luxurious, yet tows better than anything else and you're prepared to look after it carefully, get a D3. Matt
|
| 11th Mar 2007 9:59 pm |
|
|
DG
Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50944
|
I agree with Matt....if your not really taken with the spec of the D3 from the outset then it may not be right for you. Having said that there are many members here that use theirs for commecial purposes and sing it's praises. It will have no problem towing the weights you require....but as with all commercial uses over 3500kg's, don't forget to fit a tacho 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
|
| 11th Mar 2007 10:26 pm |
|
|
DiscoDad
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: Beautiful Teesdale
Posts: 3003
 
|
If you tow a 16ft flatbed trailer 98% of the time then why don't you buy a lorry? Back in the game!
|
| 12th Mar 2007 10:41 am |
|
|
jhunty
Member Since: 11 Mar 2007
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 14
|
A truck just isn't practiclal what with requiring an operators licence, regular roadside checks etc.. At present the pickup and trailer is only used about 2 times a week for deliveries. If we had to deliver day in day out to a large number of customers then fine but presently this combination suits us very well, and to be honest the payload and space available on a 7.5 tonner isn't a whole lot more for the type of goods we carry. Plus the option of decoupling the trailer gives added flexibility when visiting customers or carrying smaller loads.
Cheers
James
|
| 12th Mar 2007 10:43 pm |
|
|
Bodsy
Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
|
Do you have a Tacho currently connected to your Isuzu? Bodsys Brake Bible
D4/D3 Remote FBH heat kits
BAS Remaps/ EGR Blank
Transmission Flush
Software updates/enabling
Clock/ SNOTM /3Flash / 4x4Info /BT Update /Service Reset/Error Codes / Gearbox Reset
See It Here
|
| 12th Mar 2007 10:44 pm |
|
|
jhunty
Member Since: 11 Mar 2007
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 14
|
Yes, we have a tacho fitted in the Isuzu. If we went for another Isuzu we'd have to have a digital tacho fitted but I have seen on here that the Disco 3 would need the analogue type.
Not sure if thats a possible argument for having a D3! I heard that just prior to the digital system being introduced (1st May 2006), a terrific amount of haulage compaines were buying new trucks so they could have the older analogue system because of the expensive etc..
We priced a new digital system to be fitted in a new Isuzu and it was around £1,500!! + applying for driver cards and card readers etc.. Certainly not cheap.
|
| 13th Mar 2007 8:30 am |
|
|
|
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
|
DISCO3.CO.UK Copyright © 2004-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
|
|
