90 or 110 For Touring

[tonyci]

Hi everybody

SHMBO and my good self are considering a Defender. We have owned a 110 before so are aware of their brilliance and oddities.
The question is has anybody found the 90 large enough for outback touring, clearly the 110 is, but the beast will also be used in the burbs.
Also can you throw a bike in the back of the 90 (with rear seats removed) SHMBO is into bike riding.
There will only be the two of us touring, by touring I mean central Australia, Flinders , Kimberly,s etc.
Cheers for any insights.
Tony

[Psimpson7]

Hi Tony,

If you pack sensibly the 90 will be ok for touring.

My other half and I have done extensive travelling in our 90, including the Cape, Simpson Desert, Northern Territory, High Country, Tassie etc etc as well as dozens of weekend type trips.

A bike will not fit with the wheels on.

The 110 is obviously larger, but I believe with the rear seats up in the 110 the load bed is no larger than the 90, in fact from memory it may be slightly shorter.

Rgds
Pete

[carlschmid2002]

I have a 90 and I decided the money I saved over the 110 would pay for my trailer. There is definitely a severe lack of room. My mountain bike does fit in the back but it doesn't leave any room for anything else. I would suggest a good roof rack or carrying it on the tow bar. I love my 90, but it is very tight for space. I have wind heater roof rack and an external carrier from Rijidij for fuel and water.

[chook73]

I would also suggest that the longer wheelbase would mean more comfortable touring. Ultimately it depends on how much you are prepared to leave at home. I would think that the 90 would mean a lot tighter pack and more effort involved each morning and afternoon.

[Vin Rouge]

My wife and I have a 90 with a roof top tent. We find it quite large enough for two, although there's not much spare space. If there's a downside, I'd suggest it's to do with the lack of directional stability on dirt roads. However, with a little care that's not a major problem.

On the plus side, the 90 gets a lot of attention. It's amazing how many conversations are started with a question about the 'shorty'.

Roll on the 90s, they're fun.

[tangus89]

we use a 90 for touring around africa, (pics in trip reports) my parents travel around with all their gear and a mountainbike each comfortably. I would invest in a 90 and roof basket.

[justinc]

Having seen Pete and Sams 90 on tour down here recently I would say if there are 2 of you, and you pack sensibly it will be fine, BUT I would suggest some decent size fuel capacity/ tanks, and if taking a bike then yes either on a decent roof rack or on one of Murray (Rijidij) 's rear wheel carriers.
I'm sure Murray could make a bike carrier attachment, he seems to be able to do anything with these!
Home - Rijidij Off Road

JC

[tonyci]

thanks for all the replies. The bike issue would only be on weekend camping trips and bike rides transportation whilst at home.
Cheers.
Tony

[manic]

For a cosy twosome, the 90 is great IMO. Because you are only two you do not need seats in the back and with seats removed there is a ton of space for packing in kit - setting up a drawer system or stacking.

There is no sleeping in the back or bikes but if you are happy with bikes on a spare wheel or towbar rack and happy with roof top tent camping you can travel comfortably up front with a lot of kit in the rear and nothing but a tent/awning on the roof.

A 110 rear tub is about the same size as a 90, the extra space inside a 110 is taken up by a middle row of seats.. so if a 110 is touring with kids in the middle row they really only gain on roof space.. but then they need it if packing for the whole family!

Just the two of you, go 90.. you will be lighter, engine pulls better, fuel economy better, air con cools the space quicker, parking is easier, more fun off road!


-edit: just read comment above.. yes fuel tank size is a pain for touring! So extra tank will be required.

[mudder110]

hi my wife and i came back to cairns after 4 years traveling queensland yes queensland but we did have a campertrailer most was offroad and we worked our way around, we have a 98 300tdi the 110 wins hands down i think it depends on how long you intend to go for our next is the west after the wet for 2 years 90s are great but the lack of room and the corugations can be a pain but if you even it out it all adds up to FUN