Defender load length

[LaserTam]

Wonder if some defender owners could help. Pondering on a purchase of a 2nd hand Defender 90 or 110 (not been to look at any yet), but trying to find out the load length available in the back for my fishing rods. Found a Land Rover PDF for 2008 models, which suggests the 'max box length' on a 90 in a hard top or a station wagon is just a little over 1m (HT is slightly more) - this doesnt seem right to me, surely there is more room in the back than that? Not expecting anyone to go out and measure, but a 'that sounds about right' (or not) would be helpful.

For the 110 the difference between the hard top and the station wagon is a fair bit different (HT is 1.7m, SW is 1.4m) Why might that be? Again excuse my ignorance, new to the model.

Ideally I am thinking station wagon, just for the possible flexibility of the rear seats, but if I can't get my rods in I may have to think again.

Cheers.

[jeremyc]

How long are the rods, and do you need to carry a passenger in the front when transporting them?

It's fairly easy to carry long, thin objects by having them pass between the front seats.

I'd say there was a load length of more than 1m, but I couldn't tell you exactly how much more without measuring.

[Ayahuasca]

In a 110 there is way more than 1m, and the rear seat folds forward making it even longer.

Hold on, will nip down and measure mine.

[LaserTam]

jeremyc said:

How long are the rods, and do you need to carry a passenger in the front when transporting them?

It's fairly easy to carry long, thin objects by having them pass between the front seats.

I'd say there was a load length of more than 1m, but I couldn't tell you exactly how much more without measuring.

Rod bag and some other paraphernalia is about 6ft (1.8m ish). Unlikely I will have a passenger, but whilst the rods are long and thin, the bag etc are not. Thanks though.

[Ayahuasca]

Tape measure says:

116cm rear cargo area length with back seats up

160cm with back seats folded forward

But you can slide rods underneath the back seats which gives you a length of 205cm to the rear door.

[Ayahuasca]

Hard top / station wagon - if the spare wheel on the hard top is inside the load area it will obviously reduce length. On the station wagon it hangs off the rear door.

[LaserTam]

Thanks 'A', appreciate your efforts - surprising, especially as thats in a 110. Perhaps they are just not as big as I thought they were. Rods under the seat is an option I suppose. I think I need to go and look at a couple to judge it.
Got to sell my other car first though

Edit after a bit of thought - forgive my lack of knowledge of the different variants, but having read your reply again, does yours have a 2nd row of rear seats running across? I was looking at the variant with seats facing inwards along the sides, as I thought this might be a bit more flexible for my fishing gear and occasionally carrying passengers. I am assuming the load length would be the 2 mtr length you have measured (which is would be perfect).

Edited by LaserTam on Friday 19th December 08:11

[Ayahuasca]

Mine is a 2008 tdci and has seven seats, but the two very back ones don't count as they are folded out of the way, the normal rear sears fold down and forward. You won't have a problem with rods; as well as under the rear seats they can go over them, or you could even fashion a ceiling hook to sling them from. If they won't fit into a 110, they won't fit anywhere!

I am pretty sure my rods are over 6 feet long (light spinning rods and a heavy boat road) and I just chuck them in the back, even though it is normally full of recovery gear and camping stuff .

[andyxxx]

In a Defender 90 You will easily get your rod case in - but it will be passing over the front passenger seat or for even longer loads into the passenger footwell

[LaserTam]

Thanks for the help. I really need to go and look at a couple.

[Bill]

A 110 is 6ft from the bulkhead to the rear door. How many rods do you want to carry? There's an internal ledge at roof height so you could have a box at roof height running the full length of the passenger cabin.

[LaserTam]

Bill said:

A 110 is 6ft from the bulkhead to the rear door. How many rods do you want to carry? There's an internal ledge at roof height so you could have a box at roof height running the full length of the passenger cabin.

Thanks Bill. Usually carry 3 or 4 rods in a holdall, but if its 6ft then that should be fine.

[Bill]

It seems a hell of a lot of car to buy just for four rods Pythagoras suggests a 90 is 1.70 diagonally across the rear tub, assuming a conservative 1.2m length and width. You could easily put a couple of struts across at gutter height and carry them lengthways in a 90 though.

[LaserTam]

Bill said:

It seems a hell of a lot of car to buy just for four rods Pythagoras suggests a 90 is 1.70 diagonally across the rear tub, assuming a conservative 1.2m length and width. You could easily put a couple of struts across at gutter height and carry them lengthways in a 90 though.

Thats what I am thinking, a 90 would be better, I just didn't quite believe the published dimensions. You should see what other stuff I take fishing, really should cut down! And a defender would better for a bit of off road fun when I am not fishing, better than a Mondeo estate

[LaserTam]

Eventually got round to going to view a defender today. Unfortunately its not for me. Driving position I found very uncomfortable and cramped. I am on the tall side and I could only just fit my knees under the steering column. And load space in the back (it had the two extra forward facing rear seats in the back) was not quite as I had hoped, mainly because of the two seats. It won't be used just for my fishing gear, so this is quite important.
So, unfortunately I will have to have a rethink. Salesman today suggested Discovery and we looked at a 3 and a 4 - that might be better suited. Shame, I was fairly set on the defender.
Discovery research required.

[AndrewIC]

LaserTam said:

Eventually got round to going to view a defender today. Unfortunately its not for me. Driving position I found very uncomfortable and cramped. I am on the tall side and I could only just fit my knees under the steering column. And load space in the back (it had the two extra forward facing rear seats in the back) was not quite as I had hoped, mainly because of the two seats. It won't be used just for my fishing gear, so this is quite important.
So, unfortunately I will have to have a rethink. Salesman today suggested Discovery and we looked at a 3 and a 4 - that might be better suited. Shame, I was fairly set on the defender.
Discovery research required.

I think you need to be in the right state of mind when it comes to a Defender, they are very different if you are not used to driving something like that. I'm 6'3 and just fit in a comfortable manner, with the seat all the way back.

You have a couple of options. You can remove the forward facing rear seats and get bench seats fitted, which will free up quiet a bit of room. You can get something like this for extra legroom http://www.mudstuff.co.uk/products/rails-and-bars/... don't forget there are various front seat options, as the standard ones don't offer much, if any support.

[LaserTam]

AndrewIC said:

I think you need to be in the right state of mind when it comes to a Defender, they are very different if you are not used to driving something like that. I'm 6'3 and just fit in a comfortable manner, with the seat all the way back.

You have a couple of options. You can remove the forward facing rear seats and get bench seats fitted, which will free up quiet a bit of room. You can get something like this for extra legroom http://www.mudstuff.co.uk/products/rails-and-bars/... don't forget there are various front seat options, as the standard ones don't offer much, if any support.

Thanks Andrew, but already decided its not to be. Forward facing rears are important to be for little people, so benches not an option (would have gone for an older model if that had been the case).
Mind is now firmly on a Discovery now.