I agree with Harvey; park the Land Rover, buy a good used full size pickup ( or new if
your budget allows), preferrably a 3/4 ton with at least a 3.73 axle, and you will:
1. have a safer vehicle that will handle the load with better control on the highway,
especially under the dreaded push-pull scenarios when wressling with passing semis.
2. Save on the wear and tear on your expensive L-R. Chevy-Ford-Dodge P/U's are cheap
to repair compared to L-R.
3. Get better fuel economy with the biggest engine P/U. For example I tow a 26'
Overlander with either a 99 Dodge Durango with 5.9 ltr V8, 3.92 axle ratio or a '97
Chevy 2500, 7.4 Ltr V8 with 3.73 axle ratio. Both tow well, but the big Chevy does so
with complete control and the same fuel mileage.
I tow in Colorado's mountains with long, steep grades. Both handle the load well, but
on last Fall's trip to Olema, CA rally, I had to cross So. Wyoming on I-80 with a 50
mph frontal cross wind and major truck traffic. I was towing with the shorter Durango,
but was constantly push-pulled by trucks across the entire state. I wished I had
driven the Chevy, but made it with some effort when all the other 'square sided' RV's
were pulled over (Thanks to a/s' slippery shape). My Durango's MPG dropped to 8 MPG,
when 10-11 is normal towing. The Chevy would have delivered probably 9-10 mpg, with 11
normal towing.
So, save your L-R, and go with an American Made P/Up. Just so you don't think I'm anti
import, my regular car is a Volvo, which I love. But when I tow, I want reliable
American steel and muscle under my seat.
Randy Unter
'66 Overlander
Denver
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