Ute or wagon

[jc109]

So...I've been lusting after a new Defender for a while, but just when I think I've made my mind up I then think of another reason to go for the other option.

Does anyone want to have a go at convincing me either way between a 110CC and a wagon?

[Michael2]

How many of you are there (single or family), where do you live (country or urban) and what is your intended use?

A well set up ute is exceptionally easy to live out of on an extended outback trip, but a wagon offers the benefits of carrying additional passengers, and keeping things locked up and out of the way around town.

I've travelled outback with a Defender ute and the capacity and accessibility made it so easy to live with. But for my needs I prefer a wagon.

[Landy Smurf]

yes it reely depends on what you intend on doing with it

[pc3]

Get a 130 then you have almost best of both worlds!

[VladTepes]

Yes the words "110 dual cab" and "capacity" rarely appear together.

If you want a 110 wheelbase, but have a heap of gear to carry then the wagon makes it a bit easier. You can stack things to the roof, have a full length roof rack etc.

Having said that I'd get the ute because I go shooting now and then and a dead animal is better in the back of a ute than the wagon and its easier to hose out !

A 130 really is best of most worlds, which is why I have one (an old one I grant you), especially good for touring. But if you do a lot of bush work you'll do a LOT of 3 (and 5) point turns !

Horses for courses.

Cheers

[isuzutoo-eh]

To me, a 110DC is kinda like a 110 Wagon with a cargo barrier and a hard canopy. So if you need the soft top because you carry stuff higher than the roof, or you carry dead animals as Vlad does, then the DC is the way to go.

The wagon has load length in its advantage, you can fold the seats down to fit a lump of plywood in from Bunnings. You'd need a roofrack for that on the dual cab ute.

Then again, the 110DC is one sensational and tough looking vehicle and i'd probably talk my easily influenced mind into buying one over a wagon if i had the money for a new Landy.

[Landy Smurf]

the main benefit i can see of the 110dc is height of something , throwing stuff in the back(work vehicle),5th wheeler or putting a tent on the back

[eezeetoo]

I would think the wagon is more versatile than the 110CC as far as load room goes, as long as you don't want to load high or obnoxious items (e.g. the aforementioned dead animals). The 110CC load area is very short. I, personnally, have a 110HCPU - vast cargo space, but I only ever need 2 seats. A 130HCPU has almost as vast a load area as a 110HCPU and as many seats as a wagon.
Cheers,
Dave

[jc109]

Hey guys. Thanks for the replies. Just to clarify, and it may seem odd, but I'm not really interested in a dual cab. It's the 110 cab chassis that I'm considering. The bloke in me wants a ute, and has always wanted a ute. My head says go the wagon. It's probably better value for money, and I wouldn't have to part with it if a family were to appear.

As you may have seen in my profile I have a SIII 109 soft top, which isn't too great for serious loads or for carrying passengers. I have a live-in girlfriend, but no kids. I don't intend lugging dead animals, but I am pretty handy (ex tradesman) and like the idea of just throwing stuff in the back. How often I'd really do it though is a different story. We enjoy camping, and until the last trip my swag was sufficient. It will still be fine when I'm on my own or out with mates. I will tour, and do some off-roading for the fun of it, but it's unlikely to be too serious. At least not until the car's got a few years under its belt.

I don't use my car for work, but my commute is about 80km return each day. I guess either is fine for that.

I can't decide. Should I just get both?

[JDNSW]

As suggested, it really comes down to waht you want to use it for. If you need to carry more than two, you have to choose the Double Cab or wagon.

On the other hand, if you need to carry chemicals which must legally be carried outside the passenger space, you have to choose the Double Cab, ute or trayback.

If neither of these requirements apply, then you are not as constrained. For most people the need to carry at least occasionally more than two usually means the wagon or Double Cab are better, and in my view the wagon is usually preferred because the load space is more versatile - you can carry larger and longer stuff.

You need to decide what your priorities are.

John

[Landy Smurf]

if you are unsure get the wagon, cant go wrong

[circlework]

^^^ what he said! Also they get better resale $.

[jc109]

If I ever sell it...

I guess the weight of numbers is certainly with the wagon. Looks clear-cut.

[jplambs]

Get the ute, much more versatile in my (not very) humble opinion. As far as load space goes I'd be worried about tearing seats etc by putting things in a wagon. Then again as long as you're buying a defender you're buying the right vehicle, no matter which varient you choose.

[muddys1]

get the crew cab, i just bought one, i did look at the single cab, but you just cant adjust the seat, its jammed against the back of the cab.
i had thought about one for a few seconds and then returned to the CC, if you need to move something big you have 3.5t capacity with a braked trailer,anjd they just look great.:)
good luck.

[eezeetoo]

I can't decide. Should I just get both?

Of course - the simplest solution all along:D:D:D:D:D

[VladTepes]

jc109 Have you ever had a single cab Landy? Drive one if you haven't -not much room behind your head especially if you are taller.

[garryseries3]

jc109 Have you ever had a single cab Landy? Drive one if you haven't -not much room behind your head especially if you are taller.

Just to add to Vlad I have had both ute and wagon, the ute without a load in the back has suspension akin to a billycart (IMO) whereas the wagon is a more comfortable driver. If your not doing much serious 4X4 or camping go the wagon, build a bed base for the back stash all the necessities under it and sleep in it. Your a trady I take it so this would be an easy achiever keep it light for removal and your away. There is possibly a thread on this topic, I built mine out of Aluminium square tube and joiners been great and is a breeze to remove when needed.
Garry

[jc109]

G'day guys. Thanks again for all your input. I think I'll do the sensible thing and take both for a spin before I sign over my hard-earned, but I'm pretty certain the wagon is where I'll go. I guess I could always drop a cab roof on the SIII if I still felt I needed a ute. I know the missus would be happier with a wagon. They are a bit prettier.

I thought i'd have started a raging debate with a question like this, but you've all been quite calm. We landy crowd are a very polite bunch aren't we?

[dromader driver]

If there is only two of you, get a ute and put a canopy on the tray. If you really need to shift something drop the canopy off. Tray is then almost long enough to sleep in comfort.

just remember to seal it well as the dust sucks in without the rear window deflector.

forgot to mention if the ride is a bit rough with the tray back adjust to the sedan tyre pressures. don't need the high pressures unless laden.

[rovercare]

How tall are you? a single cab is mighty uncomfy if your long;)

[jc109]

Just to add to Vlad I have had both ute and wagon, the ute without a load in the back has suspension akin to a billycart (IMO) whereas the wagon is a more comfortable driver. If your not doing much serious 4X4 or camping go the wagon, build a bed base for the back stash all the necessities under it and sleep in it. Your a trady I take it so this would be an easy achiever keep it light for removal and your away. There is possibly a thread on this topic, I built mine out of Aluminium square tube and joiners been great and is a breeze to remove when needed.
Garry

G'day Garry,

I had a crack at this myself recently with something called Qubelok (I think). It's brilliant stuff. I think I will go the same route with a wagon. At least I've now learnt from my first attempt and will probably get the second one just right.

[jc109]

Hello All once again,

I think I'll settle on the wagon for its practicality around town. If I still need a ute, or just really want one, I'll pop a cab roof on the SIII and try it out for a while.

Oh, and in response to a couple of your posts, I'm not all that tall (5'11") and like a really upright driving position.

Cheers,

James

[lardy]

but a wagon offers the benefits of carrying additional passengers, and keeping things locked up and out of the way around town.
I BEG TO DIFFER HAVE YOU SEEN MY TUB TOP LOL

[Allan]

but a wagon offers the benefits of carrying additional passengers, and keeping things locked up and out of the way around town.
I BEG TO DIFFER HAVE YOU SEEN MY TUB TOP LOL

Sorry to hijack your thread Lardy, but I met you at Barbagallos - I was in the 90, just thought I would say hello (an cyber Land Rover wave!) - How's Doug?:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

Regards
Yvonne

[windsock]

If I ever sell it...

I guess the weight of numbers is certainly with the wagon. Looks clear-cut.

Count one more for the cab/chassis.

Great for knocking around in tight spots off road as you don't have the height of excess cab/wagon swinging around above the rear wheels.
Good for camping as you can either load it up beyond the gunnels of what you can get in a wagon or you can travel light, as in light with none of the wagon body.
A 'wagon body' can be added later as a custom canopy - you are a builder I think you said earlier.
Throwing firewood into the back of a trayback is easy.
Dogs have more fun running from side to side on the trayback
A beer at the river bank after a good days fishing is very satifying on the trayback
Traybacks make great work benches, just add a toolbox and a proper heavy duty bench vice
You can rebuild damaged traybacks with a six-pound sledge and an arc-welder. Try rebuilding a wagon like that - aesthetics differ somewhat. :p
The LR heater is more effective in the small single cabin of the cab/chassis
The 'man' in you wants a ute, get a ute... ;)

[bcj]

I've a c/chassis,want a wagon,like a twin cab,had a h/top,want a wagon but got a c/chassis
-bouncy when unloaded
-squishy with 3 people
-got to tie loads on (usually got no sides on tray for better view)
+good on fuel (very light with alloy tray)
+carry any load (heavy,bulky,hazardous)
luv it -though would like a wagon as well
think I just need two 110's
Brett
110 300tdi

[JamesH]

I think you'll be fine either way. I want to add another voice saying the cab in 110 CC is cramped. My farmer mates always say when the hop in my wagon "ahh isn't this roomy, and I love the comfy laid back driving position" (Laid back driving position??:eek:). They complain about the lack of space for bits and pieces as well in their CC - but they need a ute and they love it.

Think of suitcases, bags of shopping etc - wagon handles these day to items so much better.

When we go camping we have both and that is a top combination. Their ute can take more bags of firewood and tables and chairs etc leaving me to just pack my Engel, clothes and booze, recorvery gear and other bits.

Unless you need it to be a ute I believe the default choice is the 110 wagon, and as has been said her don't think you won't be able to load it up when necessary. It seems you have figured this out.

Good luck with it whatever it is - I wish I was needing to make that choice!