Xm Towing Capacity, 2.5 Diesel Estate

[martybiff]

Have no log book with my 2.5 estate and no luck with an Internet search.

Can anyone advise the max towing capacity please ? Know its 1500 kilos for the petrol saloon , but think the diesel is 1700 .

If anyone can give a definite answer I would be pleased to receive it !

Martybiff

[techmanagain]

Capacity of 2.5 diesel is - by the book - also 1500 kg. My caravan weighs 1500 kg max when loaded, so the plate says, but I often forget the weight, having a job to keep to speed limits and finding lots of acceleration left if needed. 2000 kg would seem a more practical limit for the estate, lower for the saloon because of its lower load-carrying capacityand lower weight.

[martybiff]

Thanks Techmanagain .

yes it does seem strange that the weights are the same for saloon and estate. Caravan I have in mind to purchase comes in at 1475 unladen , max 1700 laden so its pushing the limit a bit and dont want to invalidate the insurance should the unspeakable happen

At least I can get the 'van home and seehow she goes before making the final decision to carry on with the 2.5 or change to a (dare I mention the word) Disco

Martybiff

[techmanagain]

And the reason for contemplating the Disco? A good choice in my opinion as we have one on the farm. The down side is the fuel consumption - not much over 35 under many circumstances.
One reason for its greater towing capacity is its weight, so if you load your 2.5 estate heavily (and evenly) with the rear seats down, you can increase the safety towing weight accordingly as the brakes and power are more than adequate. You will then have to leave the kids at home (or have them sit on the luggage in the back without seat belts) and the Mother-in-Law is a no-no too. Decisions, decisions !!

[onthecut]

Hi Martybiff.

One other element you might wish to consider is the cooling situation, especially if you are aiming at warmer European climes. I've towed with several 2.5s and they do tend to push the needle up the gauge if you're punting along a bit -- and that's in the UK. I've often thought that a long climb in high ambient temperatures must really push them === no doubt other forum members will have first hand experience on this front. Economy wise, while you stand to get around 40 out of the 2.5 driven steadily, solo, towing definitely knocks them back. Never measured it accurately, but I always felt it made quite an impact. On the other hand, when we caravanned with them, the grunt was nice and the back makes a cracking spare bedroom if you have surplus children to accommodate.
I also tow with Landies, petrol and diesel, and they definitely don't get as excited temperature wise by the extra effort. Incidentally, if you are thinking Disco, I'd give some thought to going 'hardcore' --- 90 or 110. A nicely specced later one (or indeed any half tidy one) will maintain a residual value that would be fantasy for most other marques and models. They also seem to avoid getting tarred with this present ludicrous hysteria about 4 x 4s. Whatever you end up with --- enjoy !

Mike.

[martybiff]

Thanks for the thoughts !

only thinking Disco as friend of my had one with loads of toys - some many that the darn thing could hardly move ... only joking .

Yes am worried about the overheating issue - just getting stuck in traffic around the M25 gets the needle way over the 90 mark . Lugging a large van could do some termianl damage . Yes , realise could just be a dodgy sender unit on one of the rads.

I'll try the tow with the 2.5 in the next week or two and see how she gets along . The van has some form of extra braking device fitted - just hope that works properly

Martybiff

[beachcomber]

Hi Guys,

I've just returned from Germany where I towed my pal's Jag C Type replica with large Brian James trailer - all up weight close to 2.5 tons - haven't a clue what that might be in kilowotsits.

70 - 80mph all the way there [ 800 kms ] and 90 - 100mph all the way back empty. Car's a 2ltr turbo petrol auto. estate. Absolutely no problems pulling or stopping and the whole journey averaged 26.9 mpg.

I used to do similar trips all the time [ mainly France ] with my old 2.1 turbo diesel auto with Cobra replicas and similar speeds but closer to 30 mpg.

BTW - on the subject of headlamp masking. I have NEVER fitted or needed them with the XM's and I travel every other 3 weeks or so to the continent. Never had a problem with being flashed or with the Politzei.

I remember my old Renault R8 Gordinis - you just used to take the bulb out and refit it in the "LHD" position !
ATB
Beachcomber