Is a 130 too big for the high country?

[POD]

G'day all,
Don't tell anyone in the Rangie section, but I am considering getting rid of my 2 Range Rovers- a '94 soft-dash that never sees a dirt road and a '90 model that is my bush vehicle and workhorse- and getting a dual-cab 130. I would most likely be looking for a td5. I test-drove a few examples a couple of years ago but decided that they would not be acceptable as a family car, now the time has come that the kids are all driving their own cars and I can please myself.
I think the 130 is the ideal vehicle for outback trips, my plan would be to build a camper in the 'trayon' style. One of my concerns though is the wheelbase being a full 30 inches longer than what I have been driving for the last 18 years. Can those who have experience in the 130 tell me whether the length of the vehicle is an impairment in high-country 4wheel driving? Much of my recreational use is in fishing and hunting trips on the most challenging tracks in the high country. I'd value the opinions of those who have used a 130 in these conditions, hopefully without the rose-coloured glasses usually worn when talking about one's own vehicle.
Thanks in anticipation.

[towe0609]

I can't answer your specific questions, as I haven't taken it on the sorts of tracks you are referring to. Having come from a Troopcarrier, there is no doubt the wheelbase makes it substantially less agile.

You are welcome to come by if you want to take a good look (without it being about the purchase - she's not for sale) so you can get a feel again for what you'd be getting yourself in for. Just up the highway.... pm if that would help.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[DiscoDan]

HI haven't owned a 130 however I did have one follow once down Zeka Spur and he had to do 3 pointg turns on some of the corners Hope this helps

[MLD]

The Zuka Spur is a tight track for any truck. I found the 110 had to be carefully manoeuvred on some corners. That track aside the majority of the tracks are suitable for fire trucks at similar wheelbase to the 130. People tow in the high country. If you think a 3 point turn in a 130 is a challenge, I can't imagine doing it with a trailer in tow.

You should be fine with the extra length. And appreciate the way it will ride over obstacles. There is nothing wrong with rose coloured glasses, it makes the unique characteristic of defender build quality endearing.

cheers MLD

[Summiitt]

I run a couple of 130s for work on forestry tracks and have done a lot of driving in the nsw and Vic high country in 130s. You won't have a drama, in some cases the extra wheel base can help where others have got bogged, the areas they arnt as good is on ramp over angle, and switchback turns, which is more about planning ahead and driving style.one thing that really helps is payload, the more you can put in it the better it will flex off road.my work utes run between3-3.5+ ton gvm and i will run them up some pretty serious tracks which they handle very well.

[lambrover]

G'day all,
Don't tell anyone in the Rangie section, but I am considering getting rid of my 2 Range Rovers- a '94 soft-dash that never sees a dirt road and a '90 model that is my bush vehicle and workhorse- and getting a dual-cab 130. I would most likely be looking for a td5. I test-drove a few examples a couple of years ago but decided that they would not be acceptable as a family car, now the time has come that the kids are all driving their own cars and I can please myself.
I think the 130 is the ideal vehicle for outback trips, my plan would be to build a camper in the 'trayon' style. One of my concerns though is the wheelbase being a full 30 inches longer than what I have been driving for the last 18 years. Can those who have experience in the 130 tell me whether the length of the vehicle is an impairment in high-country 4wheel driving? Much of my recreational use is in fishing and hunting trips on the most challenging tracks in the high country. I'd value the opinions of those who have used a 130 in these conditions, hopefully without the rose-coloured glasses usually worn when talking about one's own vehicle.
Thanks in anticipation.

Hi mate, I used to have a 110 now I have a td5 130 and love it. I have it lifted 3 inch and on 33 inch tyres on neg 25 rims, this allows you to wind in the steering stops and I don't really have any problems with it in the bush. Of course its not going to turn as well as your current cars.

I have been out with a couple of the guys from here with there 110's rock crawling and I can defenitly say the 130 didnt get left behind.

If you check out the NSW trips section, there is the Zig Zag and a Wheeny Ck trip, Lowranger has posted video and MLD has photo's, take a look.

Over all I think there are benefits of the 130, the ride on road is better and for touring heaps of room and payload. The 130 climbs rocks really well too. In car parks I actually reverse park as its easier.

Hope this helps mate

[cewilson]

Do you really need a dual cab, or will a single cab suffice? Reason for asking is single cabs come in 110 & 130 guise don't they?

[Hymie]

Apart from tight turns, the 130 really shines in the High Country. The long wheelbase makes it a dream to climb hills in.
P.M me and have a spin in mine if you need a drive of one.

[newhue]

My experience of the 130 in the high country was fine and went all the places the 110's did. I have an vinyl sided alloy canopy square box on the back that is 100mm wider either side of the vehicle. Potentially it can be problematic, but has never been a show stopper. Perhaps consider raking the sides if you build a box, or just make it strong if it's square. I have had to lean the vehicle on a tree with the roof rail of the canopy to get through a tricky bit, but it all worked. I have also pivoted the truck around a tree on the sliders due to it's length, again all worked fine if they are quite strong. We were in places that the track wasn't, so it you stick to the track generally then a 130 will be fine. And even if you don't as mentioned before they do very well for themselves anyway.

[ThoBar]

Can't speak for the high country, but the key to a 130 for me:
Think before the corner & start wide, swing hard!

I managed some very technical driving (read: trail bike tracks) behind a small Jeep without any real dramas. If it takes you an extra bite at the cherry every once in a while... so what! If you've got a vehicle that does what you want 99.999% of the time (which it will), there's no *real* issue.

T

[POD]

Thanks for all the responses, just the sort of info I was after really. some of the tracks I frequent require repeated 3-point turns in the Rangie with a 100" wheelbase, so I guess it's just a matter of an extra bite or two. The other big thing to consider of course is whether I can live with a deefer as a daily commuter, big difference from a RR, still undecided on that.

[dullbird]

POD have you driven a new defender?

you should have no dramas as a commuter, I find them comfortble more so than my D1 I have back issues and the defender is by far the most comfy seat for me to drive..plus I'm 6 foot.

I dont know how long your commute is but I used to commute and 1.5hrs too work each way and never a drama that included crawling traffic.

Also just done a 8000k trip with some long days of driving...I find it very easy once in 6th to just sit back and rest on the accelerator

Of course everyone is different and this is just my opinion but I think you will find many people will share it.

[POD]

Yes, a friend has a 110 puma and it is certainly an improvement on the previous models with regard to ergonomics, but current used value on the puma models is considerably more than I could justify spending on a vehicle that will see some rough use. TD5 models appear to be more in the right price bracket.

[lambrover]

Yes, a friend has a 110 puma and it is certainly an improvement on the previous models with regard to ergonomics, but current used value on the puma models is considerably more than I could justify spending on a vehicle that will see some rough use. TD5 models appear to be more in the right price bracket.

And the td5 has more potential power then a puma 2.4