Defender as a tradesman /sparky vehicle

[Mittsy]

Hi guys I'm currently in the process of purchasing a 110 as a work truck as I'm a sparky " and camping and surfing trips with the family". I work around the suburbs and city and will have the back loaded with close to 500kg most days, any issues with that. I'm thinking of drawers down the middle with shelving both sides and power tools and bits and bobs in the middle. Does any one use there's all day everyday as a trade vehicle ? Any input positive or negative is helpful. Thanks in advance .⛺️😀

[XSiV]

You might want to look into the gull wing rear window replacement so you can access your stuff in the rear through the sides. Or you could just get a 130 crew cab chassis.

[County4.4]

Yep i had a 110 county v8 for five years, loved it but got sick of putting tools in and out of the back (drawers would have been handy)so i sold it.

Replaced it with a 130 tray and am loving it. Toolboxes in the back and so much easier for picking up materials.
Just about to get a new removable aluminium canopy for the back.
The only drawback with defenders is putting timbrrs up on the roofracks- Bloody high
Enjoy it

ent from my SM-T310 using AULRO mobile app

[DazzaTD5]

Cant help but just mostly IMHO....

Do you mean like as a single cab with a workmate or such? or using a wagon?

When I worked up north I would have loved a Defender as such a work truckster! but alas sites I would do call outs required airbag compliance etc. So I had a Toyota Hilux, While I consistently had 1 ton of tools/equipment on board and it was comfortable and plenty of power, it wasnt economical and overall prolly not as tough as Toyota like to advertise...

I'd say.....if you are looking at a 2007 on model Defender TDCi (puma)...
Cons;
*not the most traffic friendly gear changes.
*Big big turning circle.

Pros:
*In that Land Cruiser load carry capacity.
*Economical.
*Gets far better road respect than a Hilux sized vehicle (with a bullbar fitted, you drive like all the other idiots on the road and just move where/when you want)
*Way cheaper than any Land Cruiser for the same year/model.
*Very cool..... awesome

Saying that... my Dad has been using Land Rovers as work vehicles for over 46 years that I know. Now he has retired he still has a Defender.

Regards
Daz

[Bobby D]

I use my TD5 crew cab 130 everyday for work. I'm a Carpenter / Builder and I absolutely love the beast.

The tray is bigger than other duel cabs, and having nearly a tonne and a half payload capacity is a huge advantage.

Load it up and tow a trailer and it doesn't break a sweat. I loaded my business partners Triton up, with what I thought, not much and it really didn't like it. The body roll was very unnerving!

I've seen a few 130s getting around with the fully enclosed and secure service canopies, I think that would be the best set up for a sparky.

But yes, as someone said, the ladder racks are quite a distance off the ground with a Defender.

Put some tasteful signage on your Defender and you may even find it get you work! They are a real head turner, particularly ones kitted out for work.

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app

[XSiV]

The only issue I can think of, is if you work in the city and you have to use underground car parks you might find the height an issue. As a rule I just never even attempt to us a covered car park but my 130 is lifted and has taller tyres.

Here's a pic of mine camping but just imagine it without the tent. You could fit a lot of gear in the rear pod.

[stewie110]

The only issue I can think of, is if you work in the city and you have to use underground car parks you might find the height an issue. As a rule I just never even attempt to us a covered car park but my 130 is lifted and has taller tyres.

Here's a pic of mine camping but just imagine it without the tent. You could fit a lot of gear in the rear pod.

I do not know about other cities. However when I lived in Sydney parking in the cbd was a pita. Many of the parking stations that allowed the height had tight turns that made driving the defender a challenge. That was in a td5 110 with only a mild raise and stock tyre sizes.

[juddy]

A 3 door hard top with side roller shutters would be a very good work truck .

[MLD]

The rear door design of the 110 wagon will send you bonkers getting bits and bobs in and out. Even with a well sorted storage system getting access to all and the amount of compromised space will, again, send you bonkers.

Then think of the PITA factor to strip out the work stored stuff when you go camping. Or worse still, strip out the storage system to go camping (because the system has been designed for work needs not camping needs).

As a former 110 owner and a current 130 owner, the 130 wins hands down on functionality, practicality and cool factor. A alu canopy is the best of both worlds.

Access to Sydney CBD parking stations is a struggle for both height access and manoeuvrability in tight confines.

Adding to Juddy's thought process, perentie with custom roof and hard sides that hinge like a canopy pod or roll up like Juddy suggested. Won't be able to use your phone while driving unless you buy aeroplane comms.

MLD

[karlz]

You might want to look into the gull wing rear window replacement so you can access your stuff in the rear through the sides. Or you could just get a 130 crew cab chassis.

Second that.