A Fender 90 or 130 HD

[Witchdoctor]

Hi Guys,

Im thinking of up grading from our faithful Courier tray top, that carries a custom tray top camper. The problem we now have the complete package in remote travel setup is just over its GVM.
Do we purchase a 130 single cab HD & start afresh setting the truck up or do we get a 90 & put the camper on a chassis & tow it.
The other factor is, this vehicle is my wife's work car, my thinking is the 90 would be more civilised in day to day use for her.
More work is required for the 90, as the 130 would only require a custom tray & camping we go.
As i've always owned 4x4 ute's i'm starting to tip to the 90.
The other thing on my mind is i've never owned a Landy, they have a great reputation as a hard as offroader but this comes with nigles.

Cheers

[vnx205]

Something else to consider is what sort of driving and camping you do.

For example, there are places I go to a lot that I either couldn't or wouldn't want to tow a trailer. Getting there with my slide-on camper is no problem. So a trailer is out of the question for what I want to do. It also save me an extra lot of rego and saves me having to maintain another set of tyres, wheel bearings etc.

If you frequently set up camp and then want to go driving, then a trailer is a slightly simpler arrangement. My camper takes about 5 minutes to pack up, so this isn't a huge problem for me.

Both arrangements have their advantages. You just need to think carefully about where you want to go and what you want to do when you get there.

[Witchdoctor]

vnx205,

Our camping of late has involved trips down the Birdsville track & the Strezie across the Simpson. Many trips into the Vic high country & across to Moreton & Fraser Island.
Most of our camping is short stays, the camper can be removed with jacking legs if need be.
Yes the trailer would be a cost problem & a manoeuvre issue in tight country also double fee's on barges.
What is the load capacity of the 130 HD single cab? What bits of kit are available to improve there off road ability on the 130? Do they take kindly to engine mods?
My wife just informed me she would be happy with the ute,rather than towing.

Thanks for your help.

[Benz]

looking at my land rover hand book (this one is for a td5 but i would imagine other defenders would be the same)
it states 110 Heavy Duty and 130 models
1580kg front axle
2200kg rear axle
gross weight = 3500kg

but...

my rego papers say my 130 crew cab has a Tare of 2058kg, Agg of 3500kg and a GCM of 7500kg :o

to me that doesn't makes sense....

[Psimpson7]

GCM is including a trailer which is 4000kg maximum.

tare = unladen (maybe fuel and driver?) weight so subtract that from the 3500 gross to get payload.

so 1442kgs capacity all up. obviously you would need to stay within the axle weights

3500 gross is the capacity for 130's and heavy duty 110's

standard duty 110's have a 3050kg gross

[austastar]

Hi
I'm very happy with my D130, it carries the Innovan with ease.

(click on the thumbnails to see a bigger image)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/12/459.jpg (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g8JAwnZJL0o/TmgLsZrlIeI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/eK0wuKld_oI/s800/DSC00732.JPG)


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/12/460.jpg (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PRZwgkoB2XE/TmgMvlNfxoI/AAAAAAAAA6s/-l4gGyfPeGM/s800/DSC00809.JPG)


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/12/461.jpg (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xjpNDvznRu8/TiOFCWcN6ZI/AAAAAAAAAxI/skMXmRrIa10/s800/DSC00534.JPG)

The Innovan is 2800 long, 2150 wide and 1500 high when driving, 2620 high when camped.

It just over hangs a standard 8ft tray, but the 130 could legally go another 400mm on the tray, taking it to about 10ft.

The max payload for the D130 cab chassis is 1.7tonne according to the brochure.

cheers

[Witchdoctor]

austastar,

Thanks for the info on the load carrying capacity of 1.7t. That number was one big concern for me as my Courier has a load capacity of 1.2t, but with all the gear on the truck & camper onboard for our last trip across the Simpson our GVM was 2.97 with out my wife, our legal GVM is 2.919, not happy.
The truck has always performed excellently off road, but i'm just not prepared to get in to legal problems if involved in an accident.
This is the real driving force to move to a bigger capacity truck & had been told the Defender was the way to go.
The 130 looks the goods so far.
Now find one!

Cheers
David

[The ho har's]

Good to see you found this section;)

We opted not to have a trailer as we do remote touring, though when fully loaded our 130 HCPU is nearing the maximum of 3500kg, that's with fuel, water, food, us, gas bottles etc.

As for your wife's daily driver, the only difference is the length, just learn to reverse into car parks with gardens beds to hang the rear over:angel::D

Mrs hh:angel:

[Witchdoctor]

That is a great tip, this size could be an issue for some unsuspecting driver.
I'm hoping my wife will handle this as her last vehicle was a double cab hilux 4x4 with a canopy.

What interesting bits come with the 130 HD?

I would be looking at an exhaust system turbo back, winch to start with.

Cheers

[Offender90]

I'll second what the others have said (re: going the 130) if you're looking for a good base for a touring vehicle.

I've got both a 90 and a 120 ute. (In case you're wondering, a Land Rover "120" is an Aus special, extended version of the 110 that was available as a ute between 1984 and 1990.)

I love the 120 for camping (with a slide on camper) - excellent load capacity, huge range with 240L fuel on board, stable at speed... But I have to say it's a bit of a dog navigating around the city (big turning circle).

The 90 on the other hand is as nimble as a medium sized car (so great in the city), but I wouldn't want to do long distance travel /trailer tow with it (not to mention you're not allowed a trailer on tracks like the Canning). My better half and I have managed to get away for a week at a time in the 90 without space issues, but that's probably the limit.

Dont get me wrong, I'd easily use the 120 as a daily driver, but my better half wouldn't. If it were me, I'd encourage her to take a 130 for a test drive, make sure she's comfortable with the turning circle / parkability for her every day use, and if she says yes, then I'd go for it.

Cheers

[George130]

A well set up 130 is great. Just remember that they have the turning circle of the QE2.
I learn't that I have no hope of following the same lines as the other vehicles as I just can't turn as sharp. Also if you lift it remember the height. towing capacity will be either 4t or 3.5t depends on which year you but. gross load is 3.5t.

[Benz]

haha yeah turning circle is about 16m.....

[p38arover]

Defender 90s are on sale at $39,990 drive away at the moment.

[gusthedog]

The 90 on the other hand is as nimble as a medium sized car (so great in the city), but I wouldn't want to do long distance travel /trailer tow with it (not to mention you're not allowed a trailer on tracks like the Canning).

Sorry to be a pain but its only the last 5 wells in the south you can't do with a trailer on the canning. For other remote travelling, I think a trailer can be a viable option (extra water, extra fuel etc with less weight on the cars axles etc)

I have a TVan and tow it now behind my 2000 D2 (previously behind my 2004 110) and it makes all other trailers look bad in terms of suspension etc. Some trailers that say they are 'off-road' are not. They may be ok down a gravel road but when the going gets tough they quickly break. I am constantly surprised how far I can get with the TVan up difficult tracks compared to my old camper.

Just my 10 cents worth :D.

[Avion8]

What about a 110 Crew Cab Pick Up. With the standard 7.50R16's the turning circle is a reasonable 6.4 mtrs as opposed to the 90's 6.15. I am looking at one of these as it fits in my garage (a 130 doesn't) or a 90. Just not sure what sort of slide on you can fit on the 110 tray, but I'm sure someone makes a camper to fit.

I like the crew cab idea, as the dog still has his rear seat, & you can take friends occasionally, plus I can get rid of the Courier ute & reduce the vehicle count by one.

On Sunday's ABC1 at 12:00 there is a very nice red 110 crew cab on Beachcomber Cottage - initially upset that no Landline, but this show is good, & not just for the Landy.

For info max payload for the 110 crew cab is 1631, but for the 110 cab chassis is 1788 compared to 1777 for the 130 all in Heavy duty trim? Oh choices, choices.

[Witchdoctor]

Thanks for all the help.

The turning circle is rather scare. But the load capacity is awesome if its around 1700kg for the 110 single cab.
What is the main difference between the 110 & the 130 single cab?
I'm thinking its the truck length making the tray longer?

Our camper is 1800 wide, 1950 long if this will fit on the 110, then maybe i should look at the 110.

What good bits come standard on the 110/130 that will help when off road?
I have only been looking at their carrying ability

Thanks for the help.

Cheers

[Avion8]

Main difference is increase in wheelbase from 110" to 130" which increases overall length from 4578mm to 5271mm - that is the rub with my garage it is only 5200 long. I would think your camper should fit a 110 with no problem anyway have a look at the Land Rover website: Land Rover Defender 90, 110 and 130 4WD | Land Rover Australia (http://www.landrover.com/au/en/lr/defender/?gclid=CJWS4u-ol60CFWdLpgodGHdrnA) you can dowload the latest defender brochure which will give you most info. The 130 comes standard with heavy duty suspension, steel wheels & strengthened chassis which is all optional on the 110 as part of the heavy duty pack. Wonder if they will have a good sale in the New Year, that 90" at $39,990 drive away for a 2011 model is very tempting - but I want a 110?

[Sitec]

Was going to ask why you were overlooking the 110 but as I read up the pages, someone beat me to it! Having owned all three in the past, the 90 was a great daily vehicle, short nimble and quite fast (original early factory V8). We did a lot of rally recovery in the UK with the 110 (SL 35 Nissan motor), and it was fantastic. Not to big at all. We now have a 2000 130 Td5, on bigger tyres with a shortish rear tray. This is a great vehicle/allrounder which does everything we ask of it. I've just built a new tray for it and am in the process of building a removable camp body with roof tent on top. My wife happily drives the 130 into the ctr of Adelaide and loves it because people move out of the way. That said, it does feel clumsy sometimes. If you don't need 4 doors and second row seats, go with the 110 Tdi or Td5. 'Vnx 205's' vehicle looks like a good setup! Having never owned a camp trailer I can't really comment on that but the thought of towing a heavy undriven box into the desert puts me off. With everything on the vehicle it is still just that.. 'one vehicle', which is towable, recoverable, usually fixable, and easily driven. Good luck with your choice!

[Rickoz]

Main difference is increase in wheelbase from 110" to 130" which increases overall length from 4578mm to 5271mm - that is the rub with my garage it is only 5200 long. I would think your camper should fit a 110 with no problem anyway have a look at the Land Rover website: Land Rover Defender 90, 110 and 130 4WD | Land Rover Australia (http://www.landrover.com/au/en/lr/defender/?gclid=CJWS4u-ol60CFWdLpgodGHdrnA) you can dowload the latest defender brochure which will give you most info. The 130 comes standard with heavy duty suspension, steel wheels & strengthened chassis which is all optional on the 110 as part of the heavy duty pack. Wonder if they will have a good sale in the New Year, that 90" at $39,990 drive away for a 2011 model is very tempting - but I want a 110?

I had a look at the 2012 LR list of Defenders [bawl]
It looks like LR have dropped the 110 Tray Ute.
Someone please tell me i've made a booboo & just missed it.

[Avion8]

I think you just missed it as the oz website still shows it as the Crew Cab Pick Up:
CREW CAB PICK UP | Land Rover Australia (http://www.landrover.com/au/en/lr/defender/explore/crew-cab-pick-up/)

[oldie]

FWIW, I bought a new HD 110 cab/chas in January which was fitted with a steel tray and it weighed in at 2000kg. With the GVM of 3500 kg for this model it means I have plenty of load capacity.

We put a 1830 wide Trayon slide on on the back and so far have done a week in the high country - with the Trayon on the back all the way for added traction and 3 weeks around Lake Eyre and the Simpson.

Apart from an ARB front bar, tow bar and an extra 84 litres alloy fuel tank under the front of the tray it is stock standard. Even to the showroom tyres !

It has been great. We found it to be surprisingly comfortable - I am 180 tall - with the only drawback being the lack of space in the cabin for odds and ends. Pity they don't make an extra cab version.

It is my daily driver, so far we have put 20,000 on the speedo and enjoy driving it as much as the D2 V8 we have. It is just different !!

I also have read that the 110 cab/chas has been discontinued. A great pity.

So good luck with your investigations.

[Witchdoctor]

Thanks Oldie,

Do you know your total weight in desert trip set up with Trayon?

I also think i'm going to miss the extra space behind the seat, thats one pay off if my total weight is well inside the GVM.

What is the hight to tray top with Trayon in place?
As i have just spotted the crew cab HD & it looked rather high but still looked like a standard set up. If the tray is more than 950mm from the ground i will have to make a platform to stand on to reach the cooking set up on my camper.

Cheers
David

[oldie]

Some numbers.

Looking at the weight of the 2 people, the Trayon plus water, extra fuel, 2 spare wheels, tools, food and drinks, clothes, gas etc I reckon we added very close to 1,200kg to the rego weight of 2,000kg. So well under gvm.

The tray sits about 950-980 above the ground with the Trayon.

The top of the tray is 260 mm above the top of the rear cross member.

Hope this helps.

[juddy]

And don't forget the 110 chassis cab as been discontinued.

[Witchdoctor]

Where is all the info coming from about the 110 pick up no longer available?
Just when to the web site & they are still there.
Do we have official word on this?

Not happy if its true.

David

[4wheeler]

Where is all the info coming from about the 110 pick up no longer available?
Just when to the web site & they are still there.
Do we have official word on this?

Not happy if its true.

David

I picked up a MY12 price list yesterday from the local dealer. 110 single cab chassis HCPU, hard tops, crew cabs , 110 station wagons, 90's and 130's are listed. I think that the sales representative might have mentioned in passing that some models are being dropped from the range but I might be mistaken on that point. As I was interested in the 110 station wagon which will be available, I did not take much notice.

Hence this post has been absolutely no help at all really.:)

[KarlB]

The 110 Pick-up HCPU is still imported into Australia. The 110 Cab Chassis is not though may be available via special order as it is still available in the UK but there would likely be Au compliance issues that LRA would not be keen to get involved with. The 130 Cab Chassis is still available on the Au market. Details of the 2012 Australian line up can be found at: Land Rover Defender 90, 110 and 130 4WD | Land Rover Australia (http://www.landrover.com/au/en/lr/defender/)

Cheers
KarlB
:)

[Witchdoctor]

Is one able to remove the tub from the 110 pickup & fit a tray without to many issues?

The 110 looks the goods for our requirements as the 130 is getting to long from what we are used to dealing with of road. With that said my heart still wants the 90.

I would like to thank everyone for their help with my problem searching for a 4x4 replacement.

David

[Witchdoctor]

We are one step closer to owning a LR.
The lady driver loves the idea of replacing the Courier with a 130 crew cab, so next week we will be taking one for a test drive to get a taste ;).

Thanks again.

David

[justinc]

David,

You might be interested to know that a dual cab Courier with tray is longer than a 130 DC Defender with tub, but the turning circle on the Def is worse.

I think you will be happy with a 130, a true workhorse. Standard suspension is more than adequate, braking is excellent (4w discs) and ride is really good. The only annoying thing is ergonomics as the Courier is a bit nicer in some respects.

Oh, and once you have driven a Defender, you will find that they have way more soul and character than your present vehicle. The Courier and BT50 etc are pretty good vehicles, but lack that something that a Defender has.


JC

[jplambs]

David, just been pricing a couple of the defenders and was told that the 110 had been discontinued, however the dealer did say that they would be happy to take the tub off the HCPU and put a tray on. Seems a roundabout way to do it though.

[juddy]

Theres no issue with taking the 110 HCPU tub off, however, its worth around 7f LRA price wise so i would be asking for a discount, dont Toyota do the same with the SR5 Hilux, as it only comes with a styleside

[Witchdoctor]

Took a 110 for a test drive in Brisbane to day, as i have never even sat in one i was very impressed. The seat are very comfortable, great pickup, air worked & it felt very roomy in the front, down side for me was the steering a little wishy washy but i learn to live with that.

After all that we have settled on a 90, as it is easier for my wife to see out of in tight parking situations.

The camper will have to go on alloy chassis, no big deal.

Thanks for all the input on this.

Cheers
David

[oldie]

Down at the dealer's service dept last week and in their yard was a brand new cab/chas with an extended cab just like the old "telstra" units. There was about 200 mm added into the cab, complete with a little extra side window.

Don't know if it was a 110 or 120 wb. Certainly not 130.

But it ticks all the boxes for many of us who are happy with a 2 seater but would like a bit more space in the cab, seat back a bit etc.

Apparently it is "secret"

Anybody else seen or heard of these ?

Keith