Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
You don’t need a disco for towing
Yes, i did say that, me who has for years has said the Disco is the best tow car to have, has an alternative.
I have towed large twin axle caravans for years, going right back to my 300Tdi Discos, coming through 2 TD5’s, then onto 2 D3’s, 2 D4’s and finally my D5. All have been great, to the point of thinking what better could you get.
After my D5 went bang, I had had enough of LR, so went for a Volvo XC90, B5D, and now after a few towing trips, including our usual hols in France, I must say I am impressed. It was much less harsh a ride with the ‘van on the back than the disco gave, and my XC is on springs, not air. It was just as capable in terms of power, the cruise control was much better than the D5 when towing, not letting the speed drop anywhere near as much on hills before trying to correct it. It was more economical as well.
I’m not saying there might be situations where things like low range might be needed, but if you want a very good tow car, with possibly the best seats you have sat in, have a serious look at the Volvo.
AlVolvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
12th Jul 2023 4:00 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14482
Couldn't agree more. My XC90 was excellent at towing and an all round great car. Still miss it. D4 HSE EU6 (Known as Jeeves)
New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!) Sold
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
12th Jul 2023 4:18 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73130
We deffo need a Volvo subsection. But only after we get one for Skodas.
12th Jul 2023 4:33 pm
Dexter
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 1394
I’ve got to agree, for most general towing use my XC60 B5 Diesel with air, tows just as well, arguably smoother than the D4s did. Quiet with no fuss although I agree that the lo box will be a miss from time to time.
Not missing the LR as much as I feared I might 🤔
12th Jul 2023 6:15 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15272
D5 XC60 I had pulled just as well as the Disco, was better on fuel also, but didn’t feel as planted on the road as the Disco was towing.
13th Jul 2023 9:02 pm
Nasher
Member Since: 07 Mar 2009
Location: Clanfield, North of Pompey - UK
Posts: 2821
What's the towing capacity of the various size XCs?
My boat fully loaded with diving and camping gear nudges 3tns including the trailer.
But mostly it's @2.4tns
Would the XC90 tow that legally?
And what's the 4x4 system like?
Would it tow the above across a wet grassy field?
Or over a hard packed shingle beach?
Honestly I'm asking seriously as I do like the look of them.
But I think I know the answer already.Heaven doesn't want me, and hell is afraid I'll take over.
13th Jul 2023 9:19 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14482
I think the XC90 is 2.7 tonnes but would check. It really is a great car and towing vehicle. D4 HSE EU6 (Known as Jeeves)
New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!) Sold
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
13th Jul 2023 9:42 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23866
In my limited experience of towing I’ve always found the weight of the tow vehicle to be a factor, the heavier the better.2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
13th Jul 2023 9:56 pm
waterbuoy
Member Since: 26 Oct 2013
Location: Argyll
Posts: 2929
I'm with you Nasher - we regularly tow various trailers/plant and boats over 3tonnes, and often off-road in somewhat adverse conditions. I suspect the XCwhatever is fine for the majority of users, but there will still be some for whom the D3/4 and even FFRR provide the best solution.
We installed six of these steel supports in the same week and were stopped twice by plod who wanted to check the weight of the trailer - both times between 3 and 3.5 tonnes - and were at times towing a 2.6/2.8t 360 on a plant trailer - for that combination you have to sometimes put the buckets in the back of the vehicle!
Currently 2009 Disco 3 SE, 2013 MY D4 HSE and 2016 D4 SE
Previously:
TD5 Defender 110 CSW (230k miles)
300TDi Disco 1 (289k)
4 RR Classics (300-350k each, 2 manual, 2 auto)
110 V8 CSW (220k)
S3 109 hi cap pickup (ex RN)
S2A 88 Safari SW with lpg conversion (bloody lethal)
13th Jul 2023 9:56 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23866
Nasher wrote:
What's the towing capacity of the various size XCs?
My boat fully loaded with diving and camping gear nudges 3tns including the trailer.
But mostly it's @2.4tns
Would the XC90 tow that legally?
And what's the 4x4 system like?
Would it tow the above across a wet grassy field?
Or over a hard packed shingle beach?
Honestly I'm asking seriously as I do like the look of them.
But I think I know the answer already.
You know you have to scratch that SDV8 itch. 2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
13th Jul 2023 10:07 pm
Dexter
Member Since: 21 Sep 2007
Location: Aberdeenshire
Posts: 1394
Hi, my xc60 B5 Diesel tow limit is 2400Kgs, my comments refer to caravan towing, single axle @ 1700Kgs, so we're well covered for that. For the heavier towing, more industrial needs then LR / Toyota etc would be the required choice.
Re 4wd I cannot comment yet, the off road drive mode offers around 3" additional ground clearance which will be handy on some sites we visit, but again for us we would never really need that option, the D4 wasn't that spectacular on wet grass from my experience but great in snow and mud, tyre dependent of course. Horses for courses as always and the 40+mpg solo / 28mpg towing economy was a major factor in my retirement planning
14th Jul 2023 6:32 am
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10361
I guess my opening comments were more about towing caravans. For serious weight and muddy fields, yes you want something with low range and some good off road tyres, as even wet grass can stump a D4 on standard road tyres.
AlVolvo XC90 B5 Plus Dark
Gone - MY18 D5 HSE - Corris on 22's with Black Pack
Now gone - MY16 D4 SE Tech, Loire Blue, Almond Leather, Privacy, plus some other goodies.
Old - MY12 D4 SDV6 XS Auto - Ipanema Sand with Almond Leather - Plus other niceties, and D4.com sticker
Older - D3 TDV6 XS Auto - Lugano Teal with Almond Leather, 20" Stormers, Shiny Tailpipes, DVD/TV - and obligatory D3 sticker
Ancient - D3 TDV6 S - Tonga with Ebony, 20" Stormers, satnav & DVD
14th Jul 2023 8:20 am
MorganD379
Member Since: 29 Sep 2016
Location: SA62 3PP
Posts: 425
I'm still waiting to take my D3 replacement onto a wet feild 'on tow' experience, but on the road the towing is fantastic with the tin tent.
I recently said goodbye to the Disco as the 7 seats requirements for tin tenting has gone, but still keeping the 6 berth twin axel.
After a lot of thinking, picked up a 2015 audi a6 allroad with the 6 cylinder 3L diesel (quattro and air suspension) still a little bemused how audi managed a 2.5 tonne rating for something with a curb weight of around 1900 kg but it works well...
Granted this would not cover alot of what's mentioned above, but may be food for thought for some others as there are options over the crossovers or the likes of the mid range suv's...
15th Jul 2023 8:54 am
ostosix
Member Since: 19 Mar 2017
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 324
VW T5
Hey up,
When my D3 let us down my brother in law allowed me to use his 14 plate VW T5 to tow our 1800kgs 6 birth double axle caravan to Il de Ray, France.
LWB Version and i must say must be the shape i found it rock steadiy to tow than the D3 which i find twitchy and seems to jump around a bit. Saved me a good bit on diesel as well as done 23mpg. There was enough power on all but the steepest of hills where I was down to third!
Only thing i found awkwardly different was sitting so near the front of the 13.6m wagon train. Much nicer in the D3 to sit nearer the center.
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