Towing with Disco I

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Towing with Disco I

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Towing with Disco I - 7/16/2008 8:06:23 AM

GeoC

Posts: 10
Joined: 4/13/2007
Status: offline

My 97 Disco I manual gives a max towing weight in hi range as 5500 lbs. It also states that max tongue weight is 330 lbs. Something is not quite right here because towing the max trailer wt at max tongue wt gives you only 6% of the trailer wt as the tongue wt, that''s too low a % to be safe on the hwy. A safe tongue wt % would be in the range of 10-15%. I am thinking that the problem with the low max tongue wt is a result of the dinky looking hitch. (I friend of mine''s 96 D1 cracked a weld on his hitch!) Question: is anyone aware of another hitch that is available or has anyone out there fabricated one for a D1 that can take a higher max tongue wt? I think the obvious answer is that the D1 realisticly can only safely tow a trailer weighing max of about 3500 lbs. Thoughts or comments?

Post #: 1

RE: Towing with Disco I - 7/16/2008 2:39:00 PM

Disco Mike

Posts: 9582
Joined: 4/27/2006
Status: online

They can tow a 5500 # trailor but you are limited to a 350# tongue weight.

_____________________________

Mike
Retired service manager. Member of the Solihull Society, NCLR club,past member of the SCLR club and Santa Barbara 4 Wheelers.
99 D2, 3" lift, lockers, H.D. axles, 4:11 gears, Custom front and rear bumpers, Warn winch, HID lights and an Engel 45.

(in reply to GeoC)

Post #: 2

RE: Towing with Disco I - 7/16/2008 6:21:35 PM

NiteTrain

Posts: 200
Joined: 3/31/2008
Status: offline

you can load the trailer so the bulk of the weight is over the trailer tires and towards the back of the trailer to keep weight off the tongue.

(in reply to Disco Mike)

Post #: 3

RE: Towing with Disco I - 7/17/2008 3:26:21 PM

GeoC

Posts: 10
Joined: 4/13/2007
Status: offline

Exactly, but that''s a recipe for disaster. Hit any kind of bump at freeway speed and the forces at play can completely unload the tow vehicle''s rear axle. Add a touch of brake and you will find your trailer pushing the rear of the tow vehicle around. Result: all of a sudden you can find yourself sideways on the freeway. It''s a very common mishap and it happens suddenly. That is why tongue wt as a % of trailer wt is so important. I want everyone to be safe out there as well as the folks that happen to be sharing the hwy with you.

(in reply to NiteTrain)

Post #: 4

RE: Towing with Disco I - 7/17/2008 4:11:41 PM

Spike555

Posts: 2986
Joined: 6/22/2007
From: Grand Rapids MI
Status: online

The trick is to not go to fast. Load most of the weight just in front of the trailer axle whenever possible. You want some weight on the tougne but not to much.
And if your driving so fast that you cannot control the vehicle under any circumstance then you are going to fast.

_____________________________

If it ain''''''''t leakin'''''''' it must be empty!
Yes, one man can change the world.
If the citizens are affraid then they are easier to control.

The "Storm Trooper",''''''''97 in Alpine White.

(in reply to GeoC)

Post #: 5

RE: Towing with Disco I - 7/17/2008 5:19:21 PM

NiteTrain

Posts: 200
Joined: 3/31/2008
Status: offline

too far forward or too far towards the rear are neither good..I try to get most of the weight over the trailer axles when I tow. make sure your trailer brakes are in good working order.

(in reply to Spike555)

Post #: 6