i know i use it every week or two on the forecourt

Thanks for all your threads so far they have been greatly appreciated. I have a lot to consider.

We've recently swapped our Disco 3 Auto for an FL2 HSE SD4 Auto.
Looking forward to the 1st trip away with the FL2 & caravan at the start of June.
I suspect we will know the caravan is behind us a bit more with the FL than the Disco, due to the towcar weight difference.

On the auto vs manual option for towing, I would go for auto every time.
Easier slow speed manoeuvring, a dream in stop start traffic, and I think less snatch on the caravan/trailer.
But I know there are others who swear by a manual, so I guess it comes down to personal choice.

Hi

Could someone advise me of the kerb weight of a new freelandr2 xs sd4 auto. I'm considering 1 of these to tow our caravan (1610kgs) but want to be below the 85% towing calc.

Thanks in advance 2010 LR Freelander2 XS TD4_e Manual - Santorini Black (family car for the misses)
2009 OVLOV XC70 D5 - Company motor

http://www.towcar.info/

About 1850kg iirc max towing 2000kg 150kg ball weight

http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic3030.html...ng+weights

Last edited by npinks on 17th May 2012 6:12 am. Edited 1 time in total

All the specs are telling me is 'from 1805kg' which will be the safe figure to work from, any accessories etc would not weigh in much more to increase a permanent kerbweight figure.
So 85% of that is 1534kg.
and 90% is 1624kg.

Your kerb weight is on your V5, I think my HSE is 1957kgs or there or there abouts?

Model year 2008 TD4 ours is 1970kg (as ad123456789 says it's on the V5 doc section 4 letter G). Take your car to your local weighbridge it used to be about £5 for a printout receipt

Perfect, thanks chaps

I would've taken to weighbridge or looked at the v5 if we'd got a Freel2 currently.

Looks like an XS SD4 auto will do the job then. Planning to wait until my13 details published - looking for delivery in January. 2010 LR Freelander2 XS TD4_e Manual - Santorini Black (family car for the misses)
2009 OVLOV XC70 D5 - Company motor

coolie, I really wouldn't worry about the 85% ratio with an FR2
100% is fine with one of these. I have towed fully loaded twin axle van from the Med to Calais in 11.5 hrs with the van weighing in at around 1800KG+ and sat easily at 80+ often touching 90 on the auto route.
The trouble with towing at 65 is it struggles as its not quite on the power band and needs more gear changes whereas at 80+ just sits in 6th ( lock up as auto ) even up the long inclines.
at 93mph and above the front locker pops inwards and needs to be popped back out.
Stability was 100 % even when locked up at 70+ once when two nerds touch mirrors (both changing lanes )& went to stop in front of me in pouring rain just north of Paris !
The van stayed 100% straight with wheels locked up & the FR2 held it all dead straight ! then the nerds realised there was a L/R aiming at them fast and got out the way.
Speed limit in France for vans was 83MPH but they have dropped it now which is a pain.
I have towed for over 20 years mostly at the 100% ratio all over Europe never a hiccup.

I going to disagree with 'oldgeezers' advice of disregarding the 85% rule. No matter what car you drive the tail can wag the dog if the tail becomes as heavy or heavier than the dog.
Telling someone to break the 85% rule is irresponsible without knowing their expertise at towing, it may be that it works for you oldgeezer because of your many years of towing but your blanket statement is not one to make lightly without knowing the drivers ability.
This can fuel others arguments when you see on the road the tell tale instability problems due to poor loading, poor car/van matching and bad noseweights. No wonder we get a bad name

EYorkshire wrote:

No wonder we get a bad name

A cue for CG perhaps


Even though I don't and have never towed in my life - I would follow the advice and guidelines issued - at least until you are comfortable with towing and then make your own informed decision as to how "you" tow.  2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

With some cars 85% is a good ratio as the van as the tail does wag the dog but I have never ever been able to provoke the FR2 with instability even when at 100% even when in the Alps in Switzerland or france.

Loading is far more serious than the 85%ratio.

I do agree the way some load their vans they pack em like a garden shed !
Me i never even carry anything on the floor ! iether in the car or packed away in the van.

The 85% ratio is a recommendation only.

All trailers can do odd things totally unexpectedly so why push limits? lets face it caravans can and do 'fall over' from time to time. never mind that your car might develop a brake problem on its own so why have an extra huge load behind it stick to a safer margin.

for the same reasoning my farm trailers have oversized HGV brakes on them At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

My car is that spec and shows 1967Kg in section 4G of the V5 Prog rock is cool!
2012 XS SD4 Indus Silver