The towing capacity power of various vehicles is massively important from a safety perspective and an interesting point of discussion among caravanning grey nomads. It was perhaps with that in mind that Land Rover recently conducted a startling experiment with the newly-arrived 2018 model of its Discovery.
Out on the Northern Territory’s Lasseter Highway, the vehicle successfully hauled a 121-tonne road train with a whopping seven trailers for 16 kilometres.
The Discovery HSE Td6 has a maximum permissible towing capacity of 3,500kg on public roads, and boasts a 254hp 3.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine.
Road trains of up to four trailers are only permitted in the Outback and typically carry fuel, mineral ore and cattle between remote rural communities. Strict regulations limit their length so Land Rover obtained special permission to pull seven trailers and the 13-ton tractor unit – retained to operate the hydraulic brakes fitted to the trailers.
“Towing capability has always been an important part of Discovery DNA and the raw weight of the road train tells only half the story here,” said Land Rover Engineer, Quentin Spottiswoode, who drove the vehicle during the experiment. “Pulling a rig and seven trailers, with the rolling resistance of so many axles to overcome, is a huge achievement.”
The unusual towing combination apparently hit a maximum speed of 44km/h during the adventure.
John Bilato, Managing Director of haulage specialist G&S Transport, was exceptionally surprised at how things turned out.
“I was amazed by how easily the standard Discovery pulled a road train, and the smoothness of the gear changes under that amount of load was genuinely impressive,” he said. “These road trains are the most efficient form of road haulage on the planet and using the Discovery made this the most economical of all!”
we dont have tractor units in australia we have prime movers. also road trains dont have hydraulic brakes they are fitted with air brakes.
Impressed yes. but i think they would have been air brakes not hydraulic,
could be mistaken or out of touch.
I’m presuming the prime mover had its motor running to power the air brakes? I’ve driven these land rovers and I doubt it could pull the rig from rest. I think they got it up to speed and then let the landy take over. If I’m wrong I’ll concede.
Don’t forget people, the Poms do talk differently.
The real test will be if they can tow a caravan without it tipping over.
I wouldn’t like to be the one who buys it as a demo with only 16km on the clock. I hope they supply a full history of the 16km thus so farrrrrr.