camping in defender 90 with 2 kids?

[yagon]

I'm thinking about replacing my jeep cherokee with a defender 90.

One of the things I'd like to do with the 90 is short camping trips with my kids - 2 or 3 hour drives from Sydney for 2 or 3 nights. My kids are currently 4 and 1 years old, but I plan on doing these trips for the next 5 to 10 years (hopefully). I'll probably wait until my youngest is ~3 years old before she comes. My wife will stay at home and enjoy the break from the kids.

Would a defender 90 be comfortable enough for 2 young kids for 2 or 3 hour trips? Would I need a trailer to carry camping gear, or would roof racks suffice? Should I get a 110 instead?

[87County]

horses for courses so to speak... the 90s have style, the 110s have practicality

with a 110 you won't ever have to leave anything at home, you probably won't even have to unpack it between trips, and in the worst weather the kids can sleep in it

there will be as many opinions as there will be owners I guess :)

[series3]

It depends on how much gear you will be planning on taking I think; a SWB will do if all you plan on taking is a minimalist setup, but a LWB has that 'throw it in no worries' factor that is have to look past.

A shortie will do it with three across the front and gear in the back, but you probably will struggle to fit the kitchen sink.

Sam

[Tote]

Where you will suffer is the stuff like the fridge and the other gear that you can't put on the roof. A trailer would make it easy but do you want to tow a trailer? I'd go the 110 which would be more than big enough. We can do a month on the road in a D3 with 2 kids and the camping gear on the roof so you would do it easily in a 110. But those 90s look sooo good.......

Regards,
Tote

[Johnno1969]

Yeah, unless you particularly want a 90, I reckon consider the 110. I've had an 88 for years and always loved it; a few years ago I bought a 110 as well and the cavernous space (great for sleeping in) is wonderful while the vehicle is still very, very capable. Definitely it is the better option for any sort of expedition where you might need to jam in a fair bit of kit or a handful of people.

Cheers,

John

P.S. 90s are lovely, though....

[Quarks]

It's certainly possible. :)

Dad managed to get 4 of us into the SIII 88" (Mum & Dad up front, brother & I on the bench seat in the back), plus food and gear.
This was for two weeks around WA - no trailer, no roofrack either. ;)

Admittedly, there were a few handy mods that you wouldn't do to a 90 - like putting cupboards/shelf in the top corner of the roof; or running the tent poles in a tube down through the PTO hole.

I guess it depends on your camping style as to how much stuff you take & how much you need; however whatever you take tends to expand to fill the available space!!! :D

:)

[Yorkie]

if buying new get the 110, simalar price but more real estate for growing pains.
i have a d2 which with 2 kids, 2 dogs wifey and me is boarderline acceptable (hence camper trailor), might be needing a unimog sooner than later. :D

[scrambler]

Given you have young kids, you'll need child seats and in a Defender that means adding anchorages. The safety and convenience with entry/exit are much better in a 110. I've had a three-seat Series utility and fitted an (unapproved) anchorage in centre position for H-harness, but current laws require full raised seating until age 7. In a D90 you'd need rear seats plus anchorage, and that would leave Suzuki-style load area. I weighed this (with older kids) and went LWB. Also lets you get everything inside out of the wet, and plenty of access to pillows, toys etc.

[KarlB]

Purchased a new D90 earlier this year with the express purpose of touring. However that was not with a partner and 2 kids in tow. The Puma 90 rear seats are certainly quality and more than adequate for adults of average height (head room issue) let alone children. Problem is, with the seats down there is not a lot of room in the back, particularly if you want to have easy access for the chidren. A fridge or Esky of similar size is essentailly a no-no. Almost all your gear would need to be in soft bags (ie no boxes). Indeed, I have taken out the rear seats of my D90 to give mw more space. I really like shorties (the current one is my third), but for a family a 110 SW is the way to go.

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[PhilipA]

Well I used to go camping with 2 littlies in a FJ40 back in the 70s.
Bought side benches and put their baby seats facing inwards with the fridge on the floor between.

That horrifies the chattering classes now, but funnily enough they survived and prospered.

I think you will have problems , because of the bulk of the back seats and unless they are old enough not to need boosters, it is illegal AFAIK to have one in the front.
Get a 110.
Regards Philip A

[Psimpson7]

We go camping in our 90, have done the cape, simpson and high country along with numerous weekend trips over the last 3 years or so. Its fine!

[KarlB]

We go camping in our 90, have done the cape, simpson and high country along with numerous weekend trips over the last 3 years or so. Its fine!
But have you done these trips with four people in the vehicle? Seems to me that is what Yagon needs to know.

Cheers
KarlB

[Psimpson7]

ah, no, 2! Sorry must have missed where he said 4 people

[JDNSW]

......... it is illegal AFAIK to have one in the front.
Get a 110.
Regards Philip A

I think it is only illegal if there are no back seats without kids in them. But I agree. A 110 is probably your better solution.

John

[one_iota]

We live in the age of MacMansions so getting away for the weekend involves taking stuff...with kids you need to take more than a just bloke and his beer.

In simpler days a 90 would do. A 110 copes....a 130 excels.

Simongenet (a member here) travelled in a SWB Series Game with 2 kids and a Labrador and still managed to fit in the canvas castle :eek:

[CraigE]

A 90 will do with a roof rack while the kids are little, but as they grow the 110 will be far more practical. Our 60litre engel lives in the back on a set of roller drawers. We often fill the back right up now the kids are 14 and 10. Bear in mind as they grow more camping gear will be req and they will start wanting to take stuff.

[Tote]

Child seats shouldn't be an issue once the kids are old enough for a booster seat(4yrs). There are approved booster seats that are perfectly legal without an additional anchorage. Baby seats are a problem however as they will require an anchorage.

Regards,
Tote