130 or off road trailer?

[SimonM]

Hi all,

With the recent arrival of our first bub:D we are looking at our camping set up and wondering how we will fit everything into our Patrol. Basic answer is it won't. Originally I was looking at buying an offroad trailer but the thought about buying a 130 which would easily fit all of our gear in.

What are you thoughts, trailer or 130? Obviously I am leaning to the 130 otherwise I wouldn't be on this forum ;). It means I don't have to outlay for a trailer as I would try a straight swap or thereabouts. I should be able to get around $25 000 for my patrol which I figure would get me a reasonable Landy.

Anything specific I should look for in a 130?

Is there anyone with a 130 living near Harrington NSW? It would be nice to have a good look at a 130 and maybe a drive:).

Cheers

Simon

[justinc]

Hi Simon, congrats on the extention to the family and welcome to AULRO:)

I would have to agree the 130 is the best touring rig available, but yes you should drive one first:o. Coming from a Patrol, the ergononmics would shock you:(

Camper trailers are a good option though, set up a central camp and do day trips, coming back to a set up campsite and bed off the ground etc is a good thing....Our Rangie is no way big enough for us 4, having the camper is a real plus.

JC

[SimonM]

Thanks JC. I used to own a camper trailer and agree it was great, I would really love to try a 130 though. Both my partner and I kind of like things that are simple and a little off centre (like the defender ergonomics perhaps:D).

I do need to drive one first though.

[Michael2]

The 130 would win in areas of fuel economy and manueverability, over a Patrol / trailer combo.

I'd be happy to use the 130 as a daily driver, but depending on height & length restrictions where you work, you may find it unsuitable.

The 130 also lets you have all the kit with you. By that I mean, you'll always have your water tank and 240V Invertor handy. Your fridge will always be on hand, and the solar panels that may have otherwise gone on the trailer will now optimise the cars electrical potential.

Plus the 130 looks the part, so when your child grows up, and the Defender is finally replaced, they'll be able to show some camping photos and boast how dad had (or still has) one of those awesome 'old school' Land Rovers. Also women driving Defenders look really cool, so I think you're wife will appreciate the 130 too ;-)

Another consideration is that the 130 is a "Commercial Vehicle" by ATO rules, and as such, as long as you can legitimately claim vehicular expenses, when you drive a 'Commercial Vehicle' those expenses become 100% deductible, as opposed to "% of work use" for a non-commercial vehicle.

[SimonM]

All good points Michael and mostly the reasons why I am considering the 130. Plus my wife loves the look of the 130, she grew up driving an old troopy :cool:, which makes it alot easier for me to make the decision.

Luckily where I work parking will not be an issue.

Cheers

Simon

[camel_landy]

Hi Simon,

Go 110 or 130... If you're comfortable with a 110, the 130 is very similar.

The 130 does make a good touring rig but don't let that extra space lull you into packing too much... Be strict with yourself on the packing. ;)

M

[JDNSW]

A test drive in a 110 would be very similar to a 130, and it may be easier to find one locally. Main difference is the wheelbase, obviously, and the cab of a dual cab 130 is essentially a 110 wagon cut off behind the rear seat.

Note that child restraint points are not standard on a 130, and you would have to get one fitted and engineered. A search on this forum would give more information - I think there is something in the Good Oil.

The length and wheelbase of the 130 will give you problems with parking in many places - but nothing like the problems of parking with a trailer!

John

[gaz]

Hi Simon we live in Crescent Head and have a 130 with slide on camper, you would be welcome to come and look etc...

[SimonM]

Hi Simon,

Go 110 or 130... If you're comfortable with a 110, the 130 is very similar.

The 130 does make a good touring rig but don't let that extra space lull you into packing too much... Be strict with yourself on the packing. ;)

M

Thanks Camel_landy. My camping set-up is usually pretty basic and we keep things simple but with the addition of another bub and the intention of more on the way there is no way it will fit in a Patrol (unless I get a roof rack, which I don't want to). The 110 seems to have more internal space than the Patrol so that would probably fit our gear in, it's just that I like the versatility of having a tray to also do odd jobs for family carting stuff around etc. So the 130 seems to fit that equation.

I take your point with the weight and I do my best to minimise weight where possible.

Cheers

Simon

[SimonM]

Note that child restraint points are not standard on a 130, and you would have to get one fitted and engineered. A search on this forum would give more information - I think there is something in the Good Oil.

The length and wheelbase of the 130 will give you problems with parking in many places - but nothing like the problems of parking with a trailer!

John

Thanks John. I have seen some of the posts re: child restraints and will obviously have to get them engineered, which I am happy to do.


Hi Simon we live in Crescent Head and have a 130 with slide on camper, you would be welcome to come and look etc...

That would be great Gaz. A good excuse to head up the coast. When we get settled in with the new bub I will let you know and see if we can meet up when it is convenient. Any comments you would make about the 130? What year model is yours?

[ashman]

Hi Simon

I have had my 130 now for 2 years and very happy with it, we are a family of 4 and go camping when ever we can, you will be surprised at how much you can carry in the back tray, when camping we take a fair bit of gear as you have to with 2 teenage girls as well we tow a trailer with 2 dirtbikes, we go to Mamar park a fair bit, as for driving I have no problems parking and very comfortable on long trips, my wife is only 5' and she has no problems with driving it as well, it is a bit harder parking in tight places but you get use to it, at the moment I'm building a top rack for the back tray, I will be carring 2 spare wheels up top and a solar pannel for the fridge as well a bladder water tank in the back seat storage box am setting it up for long stays in the bush and travel up to Cape York, we had a Landcruiser before the 130 and was the best thing I ever done, mine has a long range tank and is good for 1300 ks as well the maintenance is a bit more, mine has the TD5 engine...

If you want to know more I will be very happy to answer anythink you like to ask...

Cheers Ashley

[SimonM]

Hi Simon

I have had my 130 now for 2 years and very happy with it, we are a family of 4 and go camping when ever we can, you will be surprised at how much you can carry in the back tray, when camping we take a fair bit of gear as you have to with 2 teenage girls as well we tow a trailer with 2 dirtbikes, we go to Mamar park a fair bit, as for driving I have no problems parking and very comfortable on long trips, my wife is only 5' and she has no problems with driving it as well, it is a bit harder parking in tight places but you get use to it, at the moment I'm building a top rack for the back tray, I will be carring 2 spare wheels up top and a solar pannel for the fridge as well a bladder water tank in the back seat storage box am setting it up for long stays in the bush and travel up to Cape York, we had a Landcruiser before the 130 and was the best thing I ever done, mine has a long range tank and is good for 1300 ks as well the maintenance is a bit more, mine has the TD5 engine...

If you want to know more I will be very happy to answer anythink you like to ask...

Cheers Ashley

Thanks Ashley,

Sounds like a good set up. Any photo's? :D

The 130 is the go for me I think, even though my patrol is well set up for touring it just aint big enough for the growing family without a trailer being added. The good thing is I am in no rush so can wait for the right 130 to show up.

When you say "the maintenance is a bit more" what do you mean exactly?

Cheers

Simon

[gaz]

Hi Simon, just let us know when you want to meet, our 130 is being setup for touring, it's a 2005 mod td5 with the following already completed: EGR kit, 2.5 exhaust system with vortex muffler, toombie ECU remap, bigger intercooler, silicone hoses, engine saver, upgraded headlight wiring loom, dual battery with traxide unit, ARB front and rear diff locks, Maxidrive heavy duty axles and flanges, heavy duty CV's, ARB compressor, Wolf rims and wrangler MT/R kevlars, Icom 400 mounted in a Outback 4wd interior roof console....still to do list are Heavy duty king springs all around and Bistiens front and dual on back, plus a good set of hid driving lights...then hopefully off on our trip, talk soon Gaz and Georgie.

[SimonM]

Hi Simon, just let us know when you want to meet, our 130 is being setup for touring, it's a 2005 mod td5 with the following already completed: EGR kit, 2.5 exhaust system with vortex muffler, toombie ECU remap, bigger intercooler, silicone hoses, engine saver, upgraded headlight wiring loom, dual battery with traxide unit, ARB front and rear diff locks, Maxidrive heavy duty axles and flanges, heavy duty CV's, ARB compressor, Wolf rims and wrangler MT/R kevlars, Icom 400 mounted in a Outback 4wd interior roof console....still to do list are Heavy duty king springs all around and Bistiens front and dual on back, plus a good set of hid driving lights...then hopefully off on our trip, talk soon Gaz and Georgie.

Certainly sounds like another well set up 130. I look forward to seeing it in the flesh sometime soon.

[SimonM]

Hi Simon,

Go 110 or 130... If you're comfortable with a 110, the 130 is very similar.

The 130 does make a good touring rig but don't let that extra space lull you into packing too much... Be strict with yourself on the packing. ;)

M

Well 'Mrs Earvin' has weighed up the pros and cons of the 130 from the info supplied here and we will now be seriously considering the 110. Whilst for touring the 130 is my preference as a daily driver for her she has a big say in the decision, and from what I can tell we don't necessarily miss out on too much with the 110.

So I will still be checking out the 130 but keeping a keen eye on the 110's due to more ease of parking, seemingly more suitable for child restraint fitting, and the cargo area seems bigger than the Patrol (am I correct that this is so?).

Cheers

Simon

[Michael2]

Hi Earvin,

We (family of five) recently did a 3 week camping trip, touring Kangaroo Island & SA Peninsulas in a 110.

We managed to fit a large Blackwolf tent, double swag, sleeping mats & bags, fridge, 2 tables, camp cupboard, 5 chairs, LPG bottle & Cooker, folding toilet, tools, spares, tarps, esky, beach shelter, dry food boxes, 5 pillows, x-large first aid kit... behind the cargo barrier. Some recovery gear was in the back too, some under the drivers seat.

Kayak, bikes, boogie boards, life jackets, sand toys on the roof rack, and some small items in a dirty gear bag on the rear wheel. Some low boxes also under the kids feet.

It was cramped, but no one was uncomfortable or complained.

We managed shorter trips when we had to carry a porta cot and pram (but obviously less gear).

So with only one child, it's definitely very do-able in a 110.

Items to consider are :

Water tank : makes cleaning hands & kids easy, and you don't have to risk lifting or spilling water containers. I have a 45 litre tank under the LHS wheel arch and a 50 Litre tank (only 8cm wide) up against the cargo barrier. Great for carrying drinking water, and you can use the local brackish water for cleaning.

Seat Organisers : for all those small items that crowd out the cabin area, such as phone & camera chargers, torches, tyre gauges etc.

Trinket Tray : a moulded tray that slips over the transmission tunnel and gives you drink bottle holders and a little tray. Land Rover Australia used to supply some, but I think they're out of production, but there are a couple of varieties available ex-UK.

H/Duty Side Steps : family access and side impact protection.

I try to keep weight down by having racks and draw systems all made of aluminium, rather than steel / timber.

[SimonM]

Thanks Michael. So I am right in that the Defender cargo area is bigger than the Patrol aren't I?

[isuzutoo-eh]

Hi Earvin,
My family went from a County 110 to GQ Patrol and back to a Defender 110, the 110s were much easier to pack and have a larger cargo area because of the vertical sides of the vehicles. I'm not sure about the later shape Patrols. The narrower door opening of the 110 means large items are harder to load but for camping that was never a problem.
The 110s would fit 2 adult and 2 kid bicycles in the back, with the Patrol we had to buy a bike rack.
Hope that helps

[Michael2]

Thanks Michael. So I am right in that the Defender cargo area is bigger than the Patrol aren't I?

I think it's bigger, otherwise I'm just got really good at playing Tetris. The Patrol does have a lower floor area and a wider back door, and you may need to adjust your packing style to suit the vehicle. I've got the ARB Cargo rails on top of my fridge box and I'm able to stack up to the roof and secure items from the top of the fridge box / draw system to the cargo barrier using elastic straps. This means that I can stack high, but still be left with "shelf space" near the back door.

Another thing I've seen in a Defender is using mesh security grilles that fit on the inside of the back side windows. Then the grille, like the cargo barrier can be used for securing loads.

I also think that the Defenders suspension handles loads a lot better, but I don't have a lot of experience with Patrols and my 110 has H/Duty springs. My comment comes only from the number of sagging Patrols I've seen.

Some photos of the draw system I've made are available on the following link :

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/99052-defender-fridges.html

[SimonM]

Hi Earvin,
My family went from a County 110 to GQ Patrol and back to a Defender 110, the 110s were much easier to pack and have a larger cargo area because of the vertical sides of the vehicles. I'm not sure about the later shape Patrols. The narrower door opening of the 110 means large items are harder to load but for camping that was never a problem.
The 110s would fit 2 adult and 2 kid bicycles in the back, with the Patrol we had to buy a bike rack.
Hope that helps

Cheers mate. That's what I suspected.

Now to check out a 130 and 110 and make a decision - win, win. The biggest hassle will be how to manage the timing of the changeover from Patrol to the Defender :confused:.