Another newbie

Hi all, just thought I would introduce myself, as you can probably tell from my user name I am called Andy and I live in Blackpool. I have just purchased a 1996 Terrano 2.7 TDi SWB off ebay. I have always had Land Rovers but finally had enough of all the problems with them so decided to change. Primarily I do a lot of towing and the odd bit of off roading. Before anyone tells me I will be paying my £10 membership to become a full member. Not found any problems with the Terrano yet which is a first for an ebay motor. I do have 1 question though, for towing / off roading which is best any why? SWB or LWB - Diesel or Petrol - Manaul or Automatic and what are the pro's and cons to each combination? As I said mine is a SWB TDi and the first thing my mate said when he saw it was "that wont be any good for towing" although I take no notice of him as he drives an X5. Well a big hello to everyone and thanks in advance for any ifo given.

[zippy656]

Ive the LWB T2 with 2.7 tdi..

towing GREAT

cant see why the SWB be anything but as good. same motor, but a little lighter thats all.


as to bok each to there own, ive the manual. but some use autos to tow just as easly


PS. youll get to know me .... Im here a LOT.. before the other tell you


OK yer welcome!!

[vatco]

Firstly welcome (I'm nearly new as well) and you will find it is well worth the tenner to become a full member

I own a 95 Troll 4.2 Auto

As towing is my business I would always recommend longer wheel base but a shortie can tow no probs.

There is nothing wrong with using Auto's for towing but I suspect opinions will be split on this. Only thing I would say is if you are doing a lot of towing with any auto then look after the transmission cooling. Often fitting an extra trans cooler is advisable.

Interesting that you are a Landie convert (runs, ducks and hides from all the landie owners throwing broken half shafts and other useless bits )
I always was a landie man but also got miffed. Since then I have tried just about every real 4x4 going and settled on Nissan and specifically the Trolls as being one of the toughest and most reliable as well as being superb for towing.

[tezzer]

hi andy, welcome aboard mate, swb will tow just fine and is proberly better off road, but definately better off road than your mates X5 lol

[thor]

just as tezzer says....I had t2 SWB great off road and have towed some heavy stuff with no issues.

Hi, he is too scared to take his X5 off road, doesnt want to scratch it and deep down he knows he will get stuck although he will never admit it. I was originally looking for a LWB as the 7 seats would come in handy but this SWB came along at the right price so I couldn't say no really. One thing I have come across when reading through the threads on here is regarding been in 4H when on tarmac been a no no where as my Discovery spent most of its time in 4H as the drive seemed smoother. I know in 4L your not supposed to go over certain speeds but I thought 4H was ok for normal driving

[zippy656]

Originally Posted by Andy-Blackpool

4H was ok for normal driving

the T2 dont have a centre dif, so you get "wind up" and things can break if your unlcky

[makeitfit]

X5PMSL, I had to pull one them off the beach last year
Two years ago I pulled one out of the snow in France with a bloody transit
Loads of torque with the 2.7 TDi mate no worries, oh welcome by the way

[DEE]

Welcome Its a great site mate does what it say on the tin, £10 well spent

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

the disco is full time 4wd so 4hi means it has centre diff open for road
use and lock able for when its sticky. in fact you can have 4 lo without
centre locked too common to solihull 4wds where as part time trucks
tend to be locked centrally by time their in lo box.

[BigBlack]

Hi and welcome Andy,

I tow various things both with a SWB and a LWB 2.7tdi T2.
Both are damn fine towcars... not speed machines (although no slouch) and on long motorway inclines you need to drop down the gears with alot of weight on, but difficult to make any comparison really.

Only thing I could say (at a push) is that the LWB has 'slightly' less bounce with weight on the back then the LWB..... although that might just be to do with fitting more weight into the back of the LWB?

Either way.... better then an X5 anyday!!!!

[lacroupade]

Re vatco's point about autos, the automatic does indeed have an oil cooler fitted for that very reason.

However its towing capacity is a lot less than the manual - from memory its something like 1750 kgs versus 3000kgs or so. But if the lower figure is sufficient, I much prefer the auto; its a quieter, smoother drive and just as capable offroad - I've got one of each.

And unlike a Disco, you will never blow your engine up!

Thanks everyone for the great welcome and advice, at the risk of sounding stupid, when it was mentioned I could get wind up if I use 4h on tarmac, why cant I get wind up if I am on mud, snow etc as the car in effect is doing nothing different, all 4 wheels are doing the same as they would be onroad so would I get wind up then too? I know this probably sounds a stupid question so take it easy on me

[zippy656]

simples. the tyres can slip on mud snow ice ect.. so no wind up.

[Paul]

Hi Andy welcome over, nice to see someone else on this side of the hill's.. we tow with our swb with no prob's..
We are just outside Manchester & have our van stored at Warton,so if you need ant help!!

Paul.