Puma wagon or cab chassis

[clintox]

Hi guys I currently drive a v8 2004 disco 2, and have done a fair bit of travelling in the old girl, but I'm looking at upgrading into a new defender but cannot make my mind up as to a wagon or cab chassis.

The vehicle will be used as mainly my/our tourer(wife, 1 year old and one on the way) we do a couple of extended trips a year and recently upgraded from oztents to an adventure campertrailer.

I enjoy the idea of being able to through gear in a ute back but also like the security of the wagon.

I assume there are no child restraints for car seats in a defender as its classed as a commercial vehicle, so I'm sure many have had this done before.

I would imagine there would be no issue with towing the ct and am prepared to sacrifice a little of the line speed for excellent fuel consumption.

Would like to hear all the pro/cons

[isuzurover]

I assume you mean 110 Wagon vs 130 Dual cab chassis?

One thing to keep in mind, is the 130 has no ABS and so no Traction Control.

As a touring vehicle for 2+2 people, I would think a 130 with a box body on the back would be better than a 110. (even though we have a 110!).

[uninformed]

if you mean the 110 cab chassis make sure your dealer throws in 15 free yoga classes.....

130 will have a horrible turing circle...

[roverrescue]

drive a 130 hard over fast dirt and you will never and I mean never want to go back to a vehicle of shorter wheel base...

own a ute and you will always wonder why you never got into one sooner...

I spent 9 years in a disco 1 until I saw the light and bought a 130. I only wish I saw the light earlier!

Steve

[clintox]

Isuzurover I was actually thinking the 110 dual cab chassis, as I feel the 130 is to large a vehicle.

Uninformed Why do you say free yoga classes I thought the seating areas would be the same on both wagon and dual cab.

One issue is te dealer said there is a bit of a wait for 110 dual cab.

[blue_mini]

The wagon and dual cab are the same.
The single cab is the one where your cramped.

[clintox]

Can you still get anchor points for car seats in a dual cab?

[Vern]

Sit the family in one with kiddy car seats, you may find a lack of room. This is what turned me off getting one, wagon may be different, but duel cab was cramped. :)

[rick130]

Isuzurover I was actually thinking the 110 dual cab chassis, as I feel the 130 is to large a vehicle.

Uninformed Why do you say free yoga classes I thought the seating areas would be the same on both wagon and dual cab.

One issue is te dealer said there is a bit of a wait for 110 dual cab.

Serg is talking of a single cab ute.

The seat doesn't go back far enough for those of above average height or long of leg.

[weeds]

Isuzurover I was actually thinking the 110 dual cab chassis, as I feel the 130 is to large a vehicle.

Uninformed Why do you say free yoga classes I thought the seating areas would be the same on both wagon and dual cab.

One issue is te dealer said there is a bit of a wait for 110 dual cab.

i would go the wagon......i reckon you would loose too much space with the 110 dual cab thingy

with the wagon you can easily run a full length roof rack

[juddy]

This is something we were deciding before we bought another 130.

I liked the 110 Double-cab, as it was a little different to the Station Wagon, and it had more toys than a 130, but if you are using it as a touring vehicle then, there’s not much point to it, as having a secure rear section, like a station wagon makes more sense, of course you could fit a rear hard canopy, but this would then make it more expensive than the Station Wagon.

The small rear section, can be used for storing, fuel, and dirty things i suppose, but bear in mind the spare wheel also lives in there. If you have dogs then a station wagon would be better, as at least they would have some Air Con in the summer.

You can get a full length rack for the 110 Double cab ( Hannibal and Patriot ) do them

Its really down to if it suits your life style needs. A 130 is probably the ultimate choice for Expedition/Long Range Touring, but will not suit all peoples day to day requirements….

[clintox]

Well I'm definitely leaning towards the wagon thanks guys for all the input

[roverrescue]

"If you have dogs then a station wagon would be better, as at least they would have some Air Con in the summer. "

No offense Juddy but I think this is the funniest thing I have read on aulro ever!
If your hounds need aircon I would argue you need to get a real dog!

S

[Chops]

We chose to purchase a 110 C/C as we decided the 130 was just a tad too long. But, having said that, theres only two of us, and the dog, and she gets the whole back seat to herself. ;)
Am in the process of making a hard back canopy at the moment that can be removed when needed. The spare wheel will go on the rear (swingaway, when I make it) and the RTT will be on the canopy, the fridge is in the ute back, which will also hold draws with recovery equipment etc, and another fuel cell. Extra water will go under the rear seat.
In my opinion, for two of us and our travelling needs, the 110 is ideal, however, as said previously, the rear has little room in it, but with only "little tackers", this may not be a real issue.
Good luck with your choice,,

Ps,, check if the rear seats in the wagon actually move back/forward to give more/less legroom (??) A hard canopy is a cheapish option to have the use of a "ute" (albeit small) throughout the year for rubbish runs etc,,

[jimb]

Mate.
Had same decision to make: went with 110wagon.

Mate had 110CC, and as mentioned the ute tray is tiny+ the wheel lives there- so another expenses to get it onto the back.

I have 2 small kids also, what I have already noticed us being able to fold the rear seats down, and with 60/40 rear seat split you can have both kids in car seats and still have one seat folded for longer stuff if needed. Btw this must be the best simplistic folding arrangement designed I have ever used. Just great.

The 110cab rear seats are not bolted in although looking at it, appears to be identical to 110 system so should be foldable with a tinker.

Finally we went with a full length rack and basically can carry way more than we need to camp, which always amazes(read=annoys) me how much we need/choose to take for just family of 4.

Yeah I reckon you might miss space with the kid stuff eyc because nothing will fit in the rear seats and ute tray is just so small.


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