towing an Airstream with 2008 Range Rover Sport

[allen galkin]

Towing a travel trailer with a range rover sport. Any success stories? Not getting much help from Airstream or Land Rover dealers. A photo or conversation regarding this matter would be appricated.

[boondockdad]

using a chevy... but this looks kewl...
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Bwy45BoD5fN5JoZKMvfj1A

[CanoeStream]

Hello Allen -- Welcome to the Forums! Seat of the pants I don't recall much favorable about either Land Rovers or Range Rovers from people who have towed with them. You are entirely correct that auto dealers are usually out of their league in discussing towing anything more than a small boat or popup camper. They

Here are only 2 threads among quite a few mentions:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...ver-32799.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...ory-17136.html

For more do an advanced search on the word rover only but select the Towing, Tow Vehicles & Hitches subforum.

The Rover Sport payload capacity looks pretty darned low -- 1070 to 1126 pounds depending on engine, optional equipment, etc.

[Silvertwinkie]

19' might not be too bad....16' would be better.

[Darol Ingalls]

Both Aistream and Rover dealers will avoid making recommendations concerning that combination. That vehicle lacks enough power to be on the road with "bigger dogs" even on its own let alone pulling any type of trailer. Dealers are very wary of liability issues and will only direct you to the owner's manual which is not always that believable. Think wheelbase and weight/horsepower ratio. The old Airstream owners manuals had weight/power recommendations but I can't remember exact figures. You may be able to find an older manual on-line and check it out. Darol

[RichSM]

You may want to rethink the Land Rover as a TV. June 16, 2010 The Land Rover Discovery 4 has been awarded " Britain's best Tow Vehicle"

The Land Rover Discovery 4 Scoops Britain's Best Towcar Award

[rovercamper]

Not sure on the Sport with towing or new Airstream weights but my Disco 3 tows the old 71 TW like it's not there, I think it's around 5000ish loaded. Max braked trailer load for a D3 is ~7700# I've towed trailers near max, and that was a long slow drive, wouldn't want to do that very often! Your Rangie's owners manual lists the tow capacities.

[RoverOwner]

I've used my LR3 to tow a 3500lb boat through the adirondacks a number of times. I believe the LR3 and RR Sport share a chassis. No trouble with the tow whatsoever. Very stable. I only tow the boat a couple times a year, and if I did it more I would want to install a tranny cooler. Other than that, it's a great tow vehicle.

edit: Looks like the LR3 comes from the factory with a transmission cooler, so I'm sure the Sport does as well. Great tow vehicles for a light trailer.

[RichSM]

I've towed my 72 Safari and 74 tradewind many miles with my 2008 Range Rover Sport. No problems at all. The Safari from Houston through the mountains Durango, Telluride, Ouray along the Million Dollar Highway. The tradewind through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The RRS even adjusts fo weight automatically.

[purman]

You need to remember what they were designed for and what they are used for in England to tow with. They were a farm truck. They were designed to tow horse trailers and very small Camping trailers. You don't get them much bigger than 16-20 feet over there. So yeah it's a great TV over there but over here I would put it with the Grand Cherokee. The are dogs. And then there's the reliability factor. It's not know for that. My aunt has had a few and they all had problems.

You will probably been fine but I would try to get the tow ratings for it.

[Journalist]

Originally Posted by RichSM

You may want to rethink the Land Rover as a TV. June 16, 2010 The Land Rover Discovery 4 has been awarded " Britain's best Tow Vehicle"

The Land Rover Discovery 4 Scoops Britain's Best Towcar Award

That's because it's the only british vehicle capable of towing anything. It's kind of like awarding Airstream with 'America's best rounded aluminum monocoque travel trailer'.

[aheun]

Well the Range Rover Sport is actually a Discovery not a Range Rover.
But it is an awesome towing car.
We use the Range Sport TDV8 a lot for towing Airstreams and also commercial trailers.
Here in Germany it is rated at 7700 LBS towing capacity which is the maximum anyway for these kind of trailers over here.

Here is a Range Rover Airstreaming Video from last weekend...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCjGgICaRUw

[Dave Park]

Originally Posted by Journalist

That's because it's the only british vehicle capable of towing anything. It's kind of like awarding Airstream with 'America's best rounded aluminum monocoque travel trailer'.

Britain isn't like America. When Britain has World Championships, they invite other countries.

[Dave Park]

Originally Posted by Journalist

That's because it's the only british vehicle capable of towing anything. It's kind of like awarding Airstream with 'America's best rounded aluminum monocoque travel trailer'.

And like I thought: other weight category winners were:

Kia 1.6 (not British)
Mazda6 2.2D (not British)
Skoda 3.6 V6 (not British)
Volvo XC60 (not British)

[rovercamper]

Me and my boyfriend both own Land Rovers, and will always own Land Rovers. Nothing else would put that permagrin across my mug every time I jump in the drivers seat

Like that passionate feeling many of us have for our Airstream - they are more than just campers, Land Rovers are much more than just a means of transportation. You either get it, or you don't

Just remember that if you get a Land Rover, they like to have some dirt on em!

[purman]

The land rover or range rover will tow. no doubt. Personally I live the Defenders. And the older ones. They will go anywhere. Why do you see older Toyotas and land/range rovers in all the 3 world countries. They last for ever and go anywhere.

[RichSM]

You need to remember the original question.

"Towing a travel trailer with a range rover sport. Any success stories? Not getting much help from Airstream or Land Rover dealers. A photo or conversation regarding this matter would be appricated."

I'm not arguing that there are not better tow vehicles - just that my experience towing my AS with my RRS has been very succcessful.

End of Story.

[motoswiss]

Very successful 1200 mile trip this last weekend. Plenty of power but I recommend ensuring the water tanks are emptied.