What vehicle do you recommend?

[kaboodleschnitzer]

So I have had the ex military Canter for 4 yrs and now I want to downsize. I'm thinking Land Rover 110 with tray setup, but really don't know. So many options. I would love to hear your thoughts and any ideas or suggestions. Want it to be reasonably comfortable living still and must be quick to setup etc.
Any suggestions?


Thanks
Evan

[rar110]

Great tent setup.

I would take a Perentie for a drive before deciding on the change. The Perentie is a unique bare bones very capable off road vehicle. However, a ragtop will be a lot more spartan than your current ride.

[kaboodleschnitzer]

Great tent setup.

I would take a Perentie for a drive before deciding on the change. The Perentie is a unique bare bones very capable off road vehicle. However, a ragtop will be a lot more spartan than your current ride.



Thanks RAR110
Current setup has slide out queen size bed plus kitchen and storage etc all inside so I expect I will need to do some sort of conversion to still be happy.

[Mick_Marsh]

What will you be doing with it?


I reckon the best setup is a late model Puma with a camper trailer.

[loanrangie]

What will you be doing with it?


I reckon the best setup is a late model Puma with a camper trailer.

Like a certain extraterrestrial we know of ?

[DiscoMick]

We have that. Works fine. Good to be able to leave the camper setup while we drive around and not have to pack up all the time.

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[Mick_Marsh]

Like a certain extraterrestrial we know of ?
You've got to admit, that is a great setup.
Even what our easty old mate Chops has got.

[Sitec]

So I have had the ex military Canter for 4 yrs and now I want to downsize.......

Want it to be reasonably comfortable living still......

Any suggestions?


Thanks
Evan


Why?.....

Need to stay big then....

Canter.....?


Jokes aside, having just gone the other way, I think once you have had the comforts of a truck, you'll soon be over the setup and pull down involved with camper trailers, roof tents or tray on campers.. I started with a 130 Td5, built the box, with the roof tent, and it all got very heavy and long winded very quickly.. so I sold the 130 and bought the 101. Awesome vehicle and it was hard to see it go. With the big diesel conversion, the power, speed and fuel economy was all there, but, we still couldn't stand up in the back, and once the bed was in there was little room left for anything else, which then initially sent me down the trailer route. Then you end up with a $20000+ tow vehicle, a $20000+ camper trailer, a heavy fuel bill and a day loading and unloading at each end of your trip. With your truck (and hopefully mine once built), you get in, turn the key and go.. Is there a specific reason you need to downsize? Just my thoughts here. Will be following with interest. :)

[loanrangie]

If that was a dual cab it would be ideal , assuming its 4x4 it just needs singles on the rear.

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[kaboodleschnitzer]

Thanks Sitec,


Our current setup in the truck has a queen bed, kitchen and headroom. Current set up or pack up takes less than 2 min. So I cant see any sort of trailer or roof top being an option I would be happy with.
I was thinking maybe dual cab with a tray and a slide on. Only considering change as I really need a ute for the times I am not travelling but cant afford or justify another vehicle.
Everyone will tell you that you need singles. I tried them and they are better on the highway, but trust me when a rear lets go at 100 you will wish you never had them. I have gone back to the duals without any regret. They take me everywhere, are cheaper on rubber, safer. At low speed 4wd situation they have even performed better than singles. We have done nearly 70000 km on tracks and off road in the last 4 yr. Singles are just a great example of good marketing, the driving force behind most 4wd equipment decisions.


Cheers
Evan

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I can understand the reasons for keeping duals,,
and the fact that tyres for that vehicle will be available literally all over the world is just an added bonus,,
Just like MAN's and Mercs,,

[spudboy]

I'm going with Sitec's thoughts. It's pretty hard to downsize once you've been used to the comforts of the larger vehicle!

We are the same size as Sitec's truck (ours is a 9.5 tonne MAN 4x4) and it is very nice to just pull up somewhere and be fully set up in 2 or 3 minutes.

Re the super singles - what do you mean by letting go? A puncture? We have got an Air Central Tyre Inflation system (CTI) which monitors all 4 tyres and lets you know if one is losing air. It can replace the air as you drive (up to a certain size hole I guess) so you get a bit more choice of where you pull over to fix things. You also get the ability to change your type pressures on the go, which is great for corrugations and sand when you can air down and then air up without stopping.

[Sitec]

Thanks Sitec,


Our current setup in the truck has a queen bed, kitchen and headroom. Current set up or pack up takes less than 2 min. So I cant see any sort of trailer or roof top being an option I would be happy with.
I was thinking maybe dual cab with a tray and a slide on. Only considering change as I really need a ute for the times I am not travelling but cant afford or justify another vehicle.
Everyone will tell you that you need singles. I tried them and they are better on the highway, but trust me when a rear lets go at 100 you will wish you never had them. I have gone back to the duals without any regret. They take me everywhere, are cheaper on rubber, safer. At low speed 4wd situation they have even performed better than singles. We have done nearly 70000 km on tracks and off road in the last 4 yr. Singles are just a great example of good marketing, the driving force behind most 4wd equipment decisions.


Cheers
Evan

Sounds perfect..
Have you looked at the option of making your current tray removable, and a work tray/body slide on? The box I made to be removable on the 130 ended up being an hours work fitting legs, un latching and driving out.. It was time consuming, so whatever you do would need to be simple.

Re wheels, I'm with you on keeping the duals on the rear.. We were forever blowing tyres in Africa, and when you have 20 pax sat on the back, its nice to know you can have a red hot crack at keeping the whole show upright! I picked up 10 Alcoa Alloys for mine a few days ago.. They're a bit tatty, but at $75 each I couldn't go wrong. Gives me 4 spares to hang on the rear. :)

[Chenz]

I currently have a 130 Puma with a Trayon Camper and could not be happier.

I can stop and have it set up and out of the elements in about 5 minutes. As it is all on the vehicle it can go places a camper trailer can't and it still has the dual cab to store a second fridge or other items.

I put double shocks on the back and heavy duty springs with airbags inside and the ride is great both on and off road.

A guy we travel with has a 6 X 6 Ex Army which he has converted into a camper unit. Very capable unit but slow on the highway

A couple of photos of my rig

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/911/ZaUrPa.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/908/tQF3Kt.jpg