Towing capacity for a Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover Discovery towing capacity : the practical guide

The Land Rover Discovery belongs to the SUV family, a body style that combines a raised driving position with the structural rigidity needed for towing. Its higher ground clearance and longer wheelbase typically give a more stable behaviour with a caravan than a compact saloon. Across the 3 listed engines, figures vary depending on transmission and gearbox.

Land Rover Discovery towing capacity in one line

Across the 3 engines listed, built 2017, towing capacity is 3,500 kg (7,716 lb), with a manufacturer maximum braked towing weight of 3,500 kg (7,716 lb). Take the lower of those two figures and you have the real limit, before factoring in your gross train weight.

The diesel, petrol line-up gives you a real choice: diesel versions usually quote a higher towing capacity for the same trim, thanks to greater low-end torque, while petrol versions trade towing margin for lower CO2 figures.

What you can actually tow with this Land Rover Discovery

3,000 kg is heavyweight class: double-cab pickups, large utility 4x4s (Land Cruiser, Defender, Wrangler, Ranger), Tesla Model X and a handful of very high-end electric SUVs. At this towing level: mini-digger trailer, three-horse trailer, towed motorhome, large cabin boat.

Best fit: Professionals, landscapers, equine professionals, high-end boaters. For private use, this threshold is usually overkill for caravan duty.

Watch out: Above 3,000 kg, a B+E entitlement is almost always required in the UK and in France. Fuel or energy consumption while towing rises sharply: on electric, expect range to roughly halve.

Gross vehicle weight, gross train weight and payload

Gross vehicle weight (GVW) is the maximum laden weight of the car alone : 3,210 kg (7,077 lb) to 3,260 kg (7,187 lb). Gross train weight (GTW) is the maximum laden weight of the whole outfit : 6,710 kg (14,793 lb) to 6,760 kg (14,903 lb). Payload (GVW minus kerbweight) sits at 793 kg (1,748 lb) to 823 kg (1,814 lb), the share you can use for passengers, luggage and the towbar noseweight.

What to check on the V5C of your own Land Rover Discovery

• Field F.1 / F.2 : maximum laden weight (GVW). The figure on your logbook is the only one that legally applies to your car.
• Field F.3 : gross train weight (GTW). Compare it to the published values above to spot a discrepancy.
• Field O.1 : maximum braked towing weight. Sometimes lower than the manufacturer brochure if your car was originally fitted without a towbar.
• Field O.2 : maximum unbraked towing weight. Capped at 750 kg in most cases.

What licence do you need to tow with a Land Rover Discovery?

If you passed the UK car driving test on or after 1 January 1997, you can now tow a trailer up to 3,500 kg MAM with a standard category B licence: the rules changed in December 2021 and the separate car-and-trailer (B+E) test was scrapped. Drivers who passed earlier usually keep grandfather rights. As a stability rule, less experienced drivers should keep the loaded caravan weight to no more than about 85 % of the car kerbweight, especially on motorways and in crosswinds. Always check the V5C logbook and the manufacturer plate before hitching up.

FAQ

What is the gross vehicle weight of the Land Rover Discovery?
The gross vehicle weight of the Land Rover Discovery is 3,210 kg (7,077 lb) to 3,260 kg (7,187 lb).

How much can the Land Rover Discovery tow?
The Land Rover Discovery can tow up to 3,500 kg (7,716 lb) depending on the engine.

Can you tow a caravan with a Land Rover Discovery?
Yes, within its towing capacity of 3,500 kg (7,716 lb). Compare it with your caravan loaded weight (MTPLM) before buying.

What licence do you need to tow with a Land Rover Discovery?
In the UK, drivers who passed the car test on or after 1 January 1997 can tow a trailer up to 3,500 kg MAM on a standard category B licence (the rules changed in December 2021 and the separate car-and-trailer test was scrapped). Drivers who passed before then usually keep larger entitlements. Always check the V5C logbook and the manufacturer plate.