The New Land Rover Defender 130 Surprises Me When Towing 7,300 Lbs, But Not All Is Great!

[@Pesmog]

Owners of Defenders do a lot of towing. Here they are regularly used for 7500lb drop side or car trailers but they are also very popular for towing horse, cattle or sheep trailers. TFL's Defender would have ridden even better had your drop hitch been adjusted so that it was a couple of inches closer to the rear of the vehicle.

[@spcneary]

With a trailer, IMO 20mph to 70mph (highway merge) is more relevant than a 0-60 run with brake torqueing. Most folks don't come off the line full throttle, a highway merge typically up a slight grade is something we all do.

[@ALMX5DP]

Totally but I think for comparison and consistency sake a 0-60 conveys good information that can be extrapolated to that.

[@garysarratt1]

@@ALMX5DP Like ballistic gelatin.

[@ALMX5DP]

@@garysarratt1 haha interesting comparison but I like it!

[@dennissmith7214]

@@ALMX5DP We get you but brake torquing a turbo off the line and flooring a N/A at merging speeds are two different animals and don’t really tell you anything. 20mph in first gear while the engine is in its rev range tells me a lot more about real world situations! 😳🤷🏽‍♂️

[@ALMX5DP]

@@dennissmith7214 sure but each vehicle will differ depending on gearing or response characteristics. Some starting speeds will favor vehicles with a certain number of transmission ratios or rpm range (ex at 20mph one vehicle might have to downshift from 4th to 1st, while another may only need to go from 3rd gear to 2nd). Starting at zero means every vehicle gets a chance to run through the entire rpm range from first gear. I don’t necessarily agree with the brake torquing aspect but at least that remains consistent if they test their vehicles unloaded in the same way (to illustrate performance loss when towing) as you could imagine people would also complain about the lack of brake torquing when unloaded. Essentially there is no perfect answer so I just feel TFL is doing their best to provide something of value while being entertaining.

[@zachlafond2652]

I like it. Price starts about 70k. Nice alternative to American SUVs. Inline 6s are great motors usually.

[@HO-be9fy]

There is a trick for the 130 to look better, install the side ladder at the end of the roof rack (you hv to do some modification on the mounting side), it will balance the rear proportion. with some rear-end stickers, it will look as great as the 110.

[@chrisbray4322]

Hello from the UK .It's a great car to drive ,at 55 mph you will get better mpg ! The old Defender you could get a 140 and 6 x 6 .

[@beaviccoon470]

The original defenders were used a lot on farms for towing cattle and sheep and more so it's no surprise it tows well as that's what the defender was really built for with off-roading in mind of course.

[@kam1leon]

Good review. FYI although there is no installed trailer brake controller, the wiring is there on the driver door side, underneath the dash. It is super easy to integrate. No running wires to the back necessary :)

[@Mako2-1]

I wonder if the tacoma has that

[@C10-BMC]

The third gen Tacoma does. Look in your owners manual. Also read about the transmission if you’re going to tow. On what gear selection to use if you hav an automatic trans.

[@hedydd2]

The towing equipment on US vehicles is very different to what is available in Europe. I should mention that I regularly tow 7700lbs [+ ;-) ] with my Land Rovers [which are no longer owned] and current Ford Ranger. I have two 14ft bed trailers with wide bodies that have small wheels underneath, one being a twin axle dropside and the other a triple with livestock body. Specifically on LR hitch the standard ball is 50mm and the brakes are over-run. Electric brakes are not legal in the UK and I don’t think in most of mainland Europe either. The standard electric light and auxiliary socket is a single 13 pin with twist-lock that is far superior to the older 7 pin with optional white 7 pin auxiliary that can still be found on older vehicles [most often only with the main black 7 pin socket] We do not have the nasty noisy and wear-prone receiver hitch with single pin plus locking lynchpin as shown in the video. Currently LR offer a fixed plate with three height settings which is permanently fixed to the vehicle. Secondly a Westfalia or similar manually removable swan neck ball hitch. Thirdly and increasingly popular is an electrically folding swan neck hitch. Only the first fixed type allows the option of a jaw drawbar and ball combined unit to be bolted on. The disadvantage with this latter type is that it does compromise the rear departure angle off-road. It is, however, not prone to wear and knocking noise and feeling which all others tend to get with intensive use.

[@jamesbeaman6337]

I think some of the difference in hitches you mentioned are related to the relative amount of weight on the trailer tongue. In the US, 10% of the total weight of the trailer is the general rule whereas I understand in Europe, it is 5% or less. Do you know what your tongue weight is on your hitch when you are towing 7700 lb?

[@hedydd2]

@@jamesbeaman6337 It varies according to which way round the cows choose to stand, from about 100lbs to 2200lbs, on the move. My Land Cruiser 100 with hydraulic ‘skyhook’ suspension would sink to its lowest ride height and for 90% of a journey would stay there, unable to lift to the standard ride height.

[@mvcharisma]

Since when are hitches wear prone? 🤣

[@hedydd2]

@@mvcharisma If you towed a lot and kept the vehicle and trailer for long enough, you would find out.

[@donleamon8653]

@@mvcharisma - I think he is referring to our NA receiver type hitches, where there can be slop, especially on the older 2" variants.

[@jakes5530]

400 hp and a long wheelbase is generally a good recipe for towing. Plus it weighs over 5500 lbs for added stability.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

true one has to watch how long and wide a trailer is , hitch wt , payload , where is one towing ?

[@shitloveaduck]

@@youtubecarspottersguide1 - one?? Not all?? 😂😊

[@Le_Royaliste_Perlino]

the wheelbase is identical to the 110, the extended length is behind the rear tire only.

[@ToddVoght]

​@@Le_Royaliste_Perlino The 110 did pretty good in the Gauntlet test as well.

[@timoliver8940]

Such a pity you guys over there don’t get the D300 diesel - it’s even better for towing than the P400 having ‘only’ 300hp but 650nm of torque at 1500rpm

[@JasonHam41]

I’ll never know why you all add the complication of brake controllers in the US. The overrun brake built into the drawbar that we run in the U.K. works perfectly well and is all mechanical. Hence Lr’s not having controllers built in.

[@donhappel9566]

By 'overrun' I think you mean what we call 'surge' brakes - i.e. a hydraulic master cylinder built into the tongue of the trailer that actuates the brakes based on how much the trailer is pushing against it? Those are common enough over here for boats where the brakes will be regularly dunked in water (even salt water in coastal areas) but not on over-the-road type trailers like utility or auto haulers. Having used both I much prefer the electric controllers as it gives easy adjustments of the brakes on the trailer for initial activation, total power output, etc. Another feature I really like is that if you get into a sway situation you can manually actuate just the trailer brakes to settle things back down. Additionally there's no need to worry about a manual lock-out to back the trailer up a hill, say into a driveway or such where surge brakes would otherwise lock up when reversing uphill unless you get out and pull a lever to disable them. Even nicer boat trailers here are going to electric-over-hydraulic more and more, where the brakes are still hydraulic but instead of just relying on inertia to actuate them they have an electronically controlled master cylinder. However more than anything I think it's just what each country has become accustom to using.

[@JasonHam41]

@@donhappel9566 Vaguely similar but not the same. The drawbar is sliding but actuates a mechanical lever which pulls cables leading to drum brakes. The drums have a detaching shoe which allows automatic disengagement when reversing. Handbrake mechanism has a spring accumulator of sorts that works beyond the travel of the overrun mechanism so the shoes are pulled tight against the drum even after the moving shoe has detached. Preventing any runaway situation with automatic mechanical engagement. It’s a really simple system and when adjusted properly the trailer will start with the brakes even if you gently back off the throttle.

[@MIZUNOMP60]

Interesting video! Isn't the 0-60 time more like 6.5s or so in the 130? Approximately a half second slower than the same P400 in the 110.

[@StephenFogarty2023]

Great video Andre, Overall, an excellent result, for the Defender. A lot of people buy LR vehicles, for their excellent towing ability, rather then for off road ability. U said that u would like better vision from the door mirrors, when towing. But, u did not show the Clear Sight Rear View Mirror Camera in use ? This would be very useful at letting u have a good view of what u r towing, and rear view vision. This rear view camera can easily have its angle of view, adjusted up and down, or left & right, via buttons on the rear view mirror. This lets u focus the camera view, on what U r towing, and u can easily change the camera view, to also see behind what u r towing. A very handy feature that u should have demonstrated. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@shitloveaduck]

How can he see behind the trailer? The load is taller than the Defender. I’m curious, as I don’t know how that works with the defender.

[@StephenFogarty2023]

@@shitloveaduck The camera is mounted high, up on the roof, at rear of Defender. U won’t b able to see the ground directly behind the item being towed, but, as described, u can adjust the angle of the camera, which would allow u to see further behind the item being towed. EG u can view traffic following behind you.

[@shitloveaduck]

@@StephenFogarty2023 - I doubt you can see much at all. I was wondering if it was like the Chevy system where you see through the trailer due to a camera at the back of the trailer etc. unless it’s 3 ft above the rear of the Defender, it’s next to useless.

[@StephenFogarty2023]

@@shitloveaduck It’s better then nothing, and depends on what u r towing.

[@hedydd2]

You miss out greatly on the option of the 250 and 300 hp diesel engines that account for 90% of sales in Europe. The gas six cylinder engine is great, for a gas engine. I would expect 15 USmpg from either of the two six cylinder diesels available towing that load on the flat. About the same as my 2.2litre diesel six speed automatic Ranger but this would be slower accelerating with only 150hp, but still adequate on those relatively flat roads and to 55mph or so.

[@reserva120]

They don’t bring the diesel to the USA

[@hedydd2]

@@reserva120 That is probably why you miss out greatly on the option. ;-)

[@TheNotimprezed]

Diesel no longer makes sense in passenger vehicles in the US. They have been regulated so heavily they have very little efficiency gain vs a similarly powerful gas power train and diesel remains over 50% more expense than gasoline. Not to mention the poor quality fuel with low cetane rating and low lubricity and they end up less reliable and less durable vs gasoline motors.

[@hedydd2]

@@TheNotimprezed I wonder then why heavy haulage still relies on diesel rather than gasoline? If the stuff is that bad you would think that the roads would be littered with diesel trucks with blown engines. Yet they keep chugging along with their cats, turbo’s, DEF and particulate filters. Which, by the way, are being required on the latest gas engines as well as diesels

[@TheDefenderSisu]

I wish we could get the diesel, I would trade in my 2020 defender 110 in a heartbeat.

[@olanygren4289]

Love all your videos. But living in Europe I don’t know about pounds or miles per gallon. Could you do metric also? ❤

[@patrickprom1410]

Andre - does it tow better than the Durango R/T tow & go? That has an 8700 lb capacity but is more limited by the rear axle limit. It also has a trailer brake option, which the Defender does not. Always looking for the "perfect" SUV.

[@choosetobefree]

nice Jan. blue sky weather!

[@guycosmo]

Super helpful video! Great info and very well done. Thank you!

[@tempestv8]

Interesting that in Australia the Defender 110 has 3500 kg max towing but the Defender 130 is down rated to 3000 kgs, which is 6613 lbs. How is it that the same Defender 130 in the USA has a max of about 8200 lbs / 3700 kgs and is the same capacity for 110 and 130? With the longer overhang, the Defender 130 should have less towing capacity to the 110 because there is no change to the max load capacity on the rear suspension.

[@nlken7175]

No IKE test?

[@untitled283]

Land Rover Defender despite of all the reliability comments, has to be the best all together SUV. Functionality, elegant, comfort, room.

[@vlecaillec]

I Have been towing with the 110 for more than a year , and I agree its wonderful stable, there is one thing tho that I hate is the size of the safety chains hooks.They are so small that I cannot use them for my 7500 lbs trailer hooks. For the braking, as my trailer as european mecanical braking system, i dont need it!

[@fritty9927]

Who brake torques while pulling a trailer? Hope your not racing from light to light; or maybe coming to a stop in the merge lane so you can brake torque to merge.😊 PS: if your including your two 0-60 runs in your MPG’s calculation you could probably increased 2 more mpg’s without them.

[@MrJcjet]

I know it's not a new video - but how did you manage tongue weight? LR manual says 147lbs hitch accessory, 330lbs max certified hitch weight and 771lbs engineered hitch weight. Can you help me understand the hitch weight meaning from LR on this and whether you discussed this test with JLR?

[@TheDefenderSisu]

I use defender 3D tow mirrors, they work great.

[@paulbarry1044]

The weight on the rear axle on that set up is probably over the vehicles max specs.

[@richardguse3410]

Enjoyed your review of the Defender 130. Seems to me most of your towing MPG loops are twice as long or more. Am I wrong?

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

nice. like it on my list , but I buy base no opt models = more payload ,towing looking for a new tow car /wagon /suv for my airstream 25' 5600-6100 lbs loaded has a 8.5' wide body 880 lb hitch. allso looking at expedtion. XL STX 2 row 4x4 , jeep wagoneer 5.7 , sequoia SR5, tahoe LS diesel not sure 6 v8 or diesel

[@RedHawkish]

Andre - any chance to create a Chart in 2023 showing comparison for this... you've done this vehicle and the Ranger... would be interesting to see ranking in a chart for 2023 (yes I know different types of vehicles).

[@markward3242]

Is the defender now the jack of all trades master of none but often times better than master of one ? Does any other SUV off such a breath of ability bot on road and off ? Yes there are better off readers and on readers but can anything do both to the same ability as the defender including mpg and towing then add 7 seats and cargo space ?

[@afellowinnewengland6142]

Toyota Land Cruiser has slightly more towing capability (8100 pounds) can seat 8 and has locking diffs.

[@jeffreyday7533]

The big negative with Landrover in Australia is the tiny amount of Landrover service centres here for such a big country,Toyota have held top spot for decades with SC and reliability and this is coming from a very long term Landrover owner. There is competition on the horizon but not from JLR.

[@pernell4351]

You need to go to the Eisenhower Tunnel do the big 7% the big Ike run ike

[@eltonkingsley5617]

Would have been good to have tested the v8 version of the 130 defender with 500 plus bhp

[@ALMX5DP]

I’m not sure that is available yet, at least in North America.

[@StephenFogarty2023]

No such thing 130 only available with P400 or D300 motor. The 90 & 110 are available with the Supercharged 5 litre V8 motor

[@afellowinnewengland6142]

Let us know when it exists.

[@Dr.Meola1980]

It's sad that new defender was supposed to be the the discovery. But they wanted to add the defender name plate back. So they basically downgraded the discovery to a Ford explorer.

[@onetonlandrover]

Yep, the new "Defender" is really the discovery. I suspect the Discovery name will be dropped soon (as happened with the Freelander) as they don't sell many now.

[@natehoule567]

Thought I was watching Matt’s off road recovery 🎶

[@Dakotamagnum2006]

Would be cool to see what the mileage would be on the longer highway loops like they used to do. Maybe that’s just me?

[@lucaswayneray]

Does anybody know why they're not doing the Ike Gauntlet recently? The Ranger video a few days ago and now this. I want to see these vehicles on the gauntlet.

[@alexortiz4676]

Lots of snow up there might not be the safest

[@doublebackagain4311]

The fact that they are not talking about the Ike test makes me think maybe the manufacturers are not letting them do it with some 'borrowed' vehicles? 🤔

[@lucaswayneray]

@@doublebackagain4311 but they bought the Ranger...

[@kahangunubro]

Hi there from Australia, great review. Just wondering, over here 91 octane is considered base level. 95 and 98 is premium over here. Is it a different index in Australia?

[@carl8790]

If y'all are using the international standard RON, then 91 octane in states is the same as RON 95. So no, 91 octane is not standard, but premium.

[@tempestv8]

In Australia, unleaded petrol is rated with RON. In the USA, gasoline rating is (RON+MON)/2 so it's quite a different measurement.

[@fatherdaddy1]

I hate to contradict you, but you guys have already proven it is not in any way designed to be an off-roader. It may be dirt road capable, but it is seemingly designed more to keep you on the road while you’re on your way to the ski resort. Of course, the world has yet to see if the original configuration you ordered would be any more capable on a rough trail.

[@fenceman53]

I would have a hard time trusting that auto lock feature on trailer

[@donleamon8653]

I've got one on a new tow dolly that I pull behind our RV. They are pretty slick. I had my doubts at first, but so far I'm sold.

[@Ram14250]

I agree with a lot of folks here. Brake torqueing is useless. As I've said before, and you have found out, modern vehicles don't like to be brake torqued. While not a fan of the LR, I think some of the styling (rear end and tail lights) are awful, this vehicle is also very new/not broke in yet. Perhaps after a few thousand miles it would deliver better results?

[@mboiko]

The only question is which vehicle is more reliable the Hummer EV or the Defender.

[@C10-BMC]

The Hummer EV broke down twice already. So the Defender has a chance. 😂😂😂

[@perpelle]

Strapping to sprung weight?

[@slingerriggin5226]

several 0-60's cannot help with MPG...

[@jaimemalumbane4192]

Hey everyone Why people can say Land Rover isn’t reliable enough

[@daveharness70]

Im only a 1/3 of the way thru the video....but...Can either the trailer or the SUV use a weight distribution hitch setup? 8300# bumper pull is a lot. But trailer is aluminum, and SUV is unibody(?).

[@ALMX5DP]

I thought he said the total weight was 7300 or something. Still good to have a WD setup but not sure what LR advises for that.

[@petelattimer6808]

bumper pull? do you have ANY clue how these things are mounted aftermarket, especially in Europe? yes the new Defender is a Monocoque/unibody construction, but they still have an in-built 'chassis' and the towbar is bolted to/through the 'chassis legs'. we havent had a 'bumper pull' on cars here since the mid 70s, at best!

[@ALMX5DP]

@@petelattimer6808 bumper pull is just a common term to differentiate from fifth wheel or gooseneck hitch setups.

[@daveharness70]

@@ALMX5DP Yes, that was what he was towing, but I thought he said it was rated for 8300#

[@daveharness70]

@@petelattimer6808 "Bumper pull" term IS still used as a term for vehicles pulling on their hitch ball without a weight distributing hitch. Some unibody vehicles do not recommend WDH. I am not an expert on the Land Rover line. I'm also not an expert on the aluminum trailers.

[@cosmosdaniel4791]

You're debating so much about the third row of the defenders,,the third row isn't much important its durability and maintenance of the land rover defender mechanical equipments and most of all these vehicles should have much more greater horsepower and more torques, with better fuel efficiency.

[@jdkroh]

love to see a towing test with a Cayenne.

[@jimmyspencer4019]

Any 12 volt socket unless ubget a new Denali no 12v sockets

[@ALMX5DP]

Really no 12v outlets in the GMC?

[@jimmyspencer4019]

@@ALMX5DP nope

[@ALMX5DP]

@@jimmyspencer4019 that's pretty disappointing, i know we're moving away from that in favor of USB-C charge everything, but still nice to have the basic power socket.

[@EstorilEm]

Surprises you? 🤦‍♂️ My 18yo Land Rover LR3 tows more than that just fine, the new defender certainly better be able to at least match it. 😂

[@poppyneese1811]

I’m betting 95% of the time it will be the Land Rover being towed by the Ford 95% of all Land Rovers sold are still on the road the rest made it home 🤣😂🤣😂🤣 it’s still beautiful and if i were a rich man and not G2 rich I’d love to have one!!!

[@SavoyPrimeable]

The Ford can’t even tow the Land Rover. Also, you think Land Rover has reliability issues and Ford doesn’t?? HAHA. You know nothing about cars. Admittedly, you can’t even afford a modern Rover. Keep cracking reliability jokes based off early 2000 rovers where they sourced most of their engines from... oh thats right, BMW.

[@afellowinnewengland6142]

Sigh...25 years later and people still making that same dumb joke...Car uses an all new state of the art straight six engine built in a new billion dollar factory and the same German transmission that BMW uses. Control arms the size of logs. Engineers and managers hired from Toyota and Honda.

[@the305hauler]

Booyah 👊😁👍

[@tnargdonald]

This still isn't a real competitor to a Expedition EL or Suburban. This will not hold a 4x8 sheet of material.

[@afellowinnewengland6142]

Yeah and it's also nowhere near as big...The standard Defender 110 is the same size as a Wrangler so this is basically a Wrangler with an extra 18" tacked on. Apples and oranges.

[@robertyoung8289]

Man that thing is a whole lot of oogly!

[@macbook802]

Yes tow with a brand that can barely handle moving its own weight. That sounds like a great idea

[@SavoyPrimeable]

The hell you talking about? The thing weighs almost 3 tons and can move just as fast as jeeps, 4runners, and broncos.

[@afellowinnewengland6142]

Last time I checked 400-500hp is quite a bit in an SUV. 0-60 in 5.5 seconds in our Defender 110 P400.

[@lyfandeth]

Its a Landrover, old chap. That's a metric vehicle, and you are towing an SAE Ford behind it, without a metric adapter. A sure recipe for disaster. You did make sure to buy petrol by the liter, not Imperial gallons of gasoline, didn't you? Didn't you?

[@carl8790]

It's a US spec defender lmao. You have to be trolling.

[@williammodlin2621]

Love to see you match this against the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator as they come closest to this in price! LOL

[@afellowinnewengland6142]

Seriously? Good luck rock crawling, getting up steep inclines or going through 3 feet of water with any of those airport limos.

[@yorkchris10]

If it was Japanese, Australia would have tray-back.

[@markhamnett4997]

Imagine then the Diesel engine.....

[@jeffschimke3297]

The ranger did better towing the same rig

[@MatrixDiscovery]

SUV's = Mommy mobile. You can try hard to look cool all you like, you still driving a Mommy Mobile.

[@drivewayhero]

Someone is insecure about their masculinity...

[@MatrixDiscovery]

@@drivewayhero LOL....coming from a YT fake account bot.

[@drivewayhero]

@@MatrixDiscovery Doesn't matter where it comes from, you are still insecure, and so much so that even a "bot" picked up on it 😂

[@MatrixDiscovery]

Evil YT bots controlled by the small hat men

[@TheNotimprezed]

@@MatrixDiscovery that you Yeezy?

[@saliston]

you guys have way to big of hardons for Land Rover.