Which is better Rangie or Disco?

[Rob]

Good day.

I have been looking for a travel trailer to go behind my series 3 88 but most are too large for the series truck to handle on the highway. I am looking at trailers in the 20 - 24 foot range (about 3000-4000 lbs). I am considering an older Range Rover (1988) or possibly a Discovery (mid 90's). Is there much difference in the towing capacity and capabilities of these trucks? Being a series guy I know little about either. I would appreciate hearing your opinions and experiences regarding rangie vs disco for both towing as well as regular use and upkeep.

Thanks, Rob

[John]

Others can correct me if I am wrong, and I have never towed a camper with either so I cannot comment from that perspective but the only real differance between an '88 RR and a Series 1 Disco is the displacement on the engine, 3.5 for the RR vs 3.9 for the Disco. Later RR will also have the 3.9. Chassis are the same, RR being hand build and the Disco's being built on an automated line. For the most part I think you are looking at personal preference between these two choices.

John

[Bill E.]

Rob, both the RR and Disco have come with variations on the aluminium V8, 3.5, 3.9, 4.0 etc. Both are gas hogs as tow vehicles. Nearly all our North American Discos were automatics with a very few exceptions. All our Range Rovers are auto. Early Range Rovers in Canada(mid eighties) and grey market earlier trucks were bolted together as opposed to later RR's and all Discos which have welded bodies. None of that makes much difference to towing capacity. The long travel coil springs of these trucks makes them skitish when towing big loads, the swaying wandering and yawing can be a bit un-nerving to those used to a stable American platform. The P-38 Range Rovers and perhaps those Classics with air suspension can diminish this problem. I towed extensively with a 1989 Range Rover and a 1997 Discovery and would not recommend either as a towing platform. Have you considered a 110 with a TDI or a V8 if you must. 110's handle a load much better and still keep you in the Rover camp.

[DaveB]

I can confirm some of Bill's uneasiness with towing a heavy load, as we tow a two horse trailer with our 99 Disco locally. We have been to the Island with it and taken it to Vancouver with a non-live payload.

In every case we wished we still had our older and mostly undependable 3/4 ton Chev. It was far more comfortable towing than the Disco, although this may just be the "feel" of the suspension — but the horse seems to react more skiterishly when being towed by the Disco as well, so it might not just be us that weren't as comfortable.

The Disco solved numerous transportation problems for us, and puts a smile on our face when we drive it, but I wouldn't recommend it as a towing platform.

Dave