Land Rover Defender, Range Rover and Discovery Towing Capacity

Hauling a boat to the lake, a camper for a long weekend or a trailer full of gear all start with the same question: how much can your SUV safely pull? The number on a spec sheet is only the starting point. Below, we break down the towing capacity of the Defender, Range Rover and Discovery by model and engine, then walk through what to check before you hitch up. 

As your local Defender, Range Rover and Discovery retailer in Naperville, we can match the right model to the trailer you actually own. Every figure here is a maximum when the vehicle is properly equipped, so confirm the rating for your exact vehicle before you tow. 

Towing capacity by model 

Defender towing capacity 

The Defender is the tow-ready choice of the lineup. Every body style, the 90, 110 and 130, is rated at 8,200 pounds, and so is the high-performance Defender 110 OCTA. You do not give up towing power by choosing the compact 90 or the eight-seat 130, so pick the body style by how many people and how much gear you carry, not by towing worries. 

Range Rover towing capacity 

The flagship Range Rover tows up to 8,200 pounds with the P530 and P615 SV engines. The P400 six-cylinder is rated for 7,715 pounds, which is still enough for most boats and campers. The P550e plug-in hybrid is rated lower, at 6,613 pounds, so buyers who tow often should weigh that trade-off. Long-wheelbase and seven-seat versions keep the same rating as their standard-wheelbase siblings. 

Range Rover Sport towing capacity 

The Range Rover Sport is rated at 7,716 pounds across its gas engines, from the P360 to the P635 SV. The P460e and P550e plug-in hybrids are rated at 6,614 pounds. If you want a sportier driving feel and still need to pull a mid-size trailer, the Sport is a strong fit. For the full picture of how it differs from the flagship, see our guide to the Range Rover vs. Range Rover Sport. 

Discovery towing capacity 

The three-row Discovery splits into two tiers. The 2.0-liter P300 is rated at 5,952 pounds, while the 3.0-liter mild-hybrid P360 reaches 8,200 pounds, level with the Defender and the top Range Rover engines. If you want a seven-seat family SUV that also pulls a camper, the P360 is the one to ask about. 

Discovery Sport towing capacity 

The compact Discovery Sport is rated at 4,409 pounds on the 2025 models we checked. That suits a small utility trailer, a pair of jet skis or a lightweight pop-up camper. For larger loads, step up to a Discovery, Defender or Range Rover. We could not confirm a 2026 figure from the sources we checked, so ask us for the current rating. 

How engine and configuration change towing capacity 

Two vehicles with the same name can tow very different loads. These are the factors that move the number. 

• Engine. In the Range Rover, the P400 is rated at 7,715 pounds and the P530 reaches 8,200. In the Discovery, the P300 is rated at 5,952 pounds and the P360 reaches 8,200. 

• Plug-in hybrid versus gas. The Range Rover P550e (6,613 pounds) and the Range Rover Sport P460e and P550e (6,614 pounds) tow less than their gas siblings, because of the added battery weight. 

• Body style. The Defender 90, 110 and 130 share one rating, so wheelbase and seating do not change the number there. 

• Equipment. Towing capacity is quoted for a properly equipped vehicle, which means a factory-approved tow hitch and the right wiring. 

• Model year. Ratings can change from one year to the next, so a pre-owned vehicle may differ from a new one. 

Before you buy, ask us to confirm the rating for the specific vehicle on the lot, not just the model line. 

What to consider when towing a trailer, boat or camper 

A tow rating is a ceiling, not a target. Use this checklist when you choose a vehicle. 

• Weigh the whole load. Use the loaded weight of the trailer, with water, fuel, gear and cargo, not the dry weight on the brochure. 

• Leave a margin. A common rule of thumb is to stay well under the maximum, so the vehicle is not working at its limit on hills and in wind. 

• Check tongue weight. Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer puts on the hitch. It is often around 10 to 15 percent of trailer weight, and it counts against your payload. 

• Count your payload. Passengers, cargo and tongue weight all draw from the same payload limit. A full family and a loaded roof rack leave less room for the trailer. 

• Confirm the hitch and wiring. You need a hitch rated for the load, a trailer wiring connection and, for heavier trailers, a brake controller as required by your state. 

• Match the trailer to your driving. Frequent towers should lean toward the higher-rated engines. Occasional towers can often choose a lower-rated engine and save on cost. 

• Think about the trailer type. A boat, a travel trailer and an enclosed cargo trailer each catch the wind and load the hitch differently. 

These models offer towing aids such as Trailer Stability Assist and Hill Descent Control, so ask which are fitted to the vehicle you are considering. Towing laws and trailer-brake requirements vary by state, so check Illinois rules and any state you plan to travel through. 

Towing capacity FAQ 

Which model has the highest towing capacity? 

The Defender, the Range Rover P530 and P615 SV, and the Discovery P360 each reach 8,200 pounds, the highest rating in the lineup. 

What is the Defender towing capacity? 

Every Defender 90, 110 and 130, including the OCTA, is rated at 8,200 pounds. 

What is the Range Rover towing capacity? 

Between 7,715 and 8,200 pounds for gas models, depending on engine. The plug-in hybrid is rated at 6,613 pounds. 

What is the Discovery towing capacity? 

The P300 is rated at 5,952 pounds and the P360 mild hybrid is rated at 8,200 pounds. The smaller Discovery Sport is rated at 4,409 pounds on 2025 models. 

Can a Defender, Range Rover or Discovery tow a camper or boat? 

Yes, as long as the loaded weight of the camper or boat, plus tongue weight, stays within the vehicle’s tow rating and payload. Always leave a safety margin. 

Do plug-in hybrids tow less? 

On the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, yes. The plug-in hybrids are rated about 1,100 to 1,600 pounds below their gas siblings. 

Find your next SUV in Land Rover Naperville, IL

Explore the latest Defender, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, and Discovery models at Land Rover Naperville, along with our selection of pre-owned and Certified Pre-Owned vehicles. Our team can help you compare available models, engine options, towing capacities, and approved towing equipment to find the right SUV for your lifestyle. Browse our new Land Rover inventory or pre-owned inventory, or visit our dealership at 1559 W Ogden Ave, Naperville, IL 60540, to get started.