Experiences of pickup-style vehicles L200, Navarra, etc

[busta]

Lefty said:

130" hi-cap double-cab...

Better. Now where are those comments about super tanker turning circles? A 130 hi-cap is nearly the length of a supertanker, so that doesn't come as much of a surprise!

[300bhp/ton]

busta said:

300bhp/ton said:

Tsippy said:

We're planning on switching to one vehicle and need something that can do everything basically (We do lots of camping which often takes us quite off-road, will need towing capability, plenty of storage for transport, kayaking etc) and we think that something like a Ford Thunder, Mitsi L200, Toyota Hilux etc would be a suitable vehicle due to the twin cab setups and the obvious storage at the rear with the options of the clip-on cabs.

Does anyone on here have experience of these? And if so what are they like in regards to reliability as I've heard a few 'horror' stories (although I guess it could be the same with most vehicles where the annoyed are the most vocal!) The fuel economy does not look too bad and the tax gas emissions are fairly low which also goes in the favour of the pickup vehicles.

Your opinions and experiences including a possible suggestion are much appreciated

Depending on budget I'd also look at a Defender double cab 110. Will hold it's money WAY better and be more fun.

Also if you want a truck, forget these watered down UK variants, look for a Dodge Ram, Ford F150 or Chevy Silverado. Diesel engines are available on some, or LPG petrol. All go better than the UK spec trucks, better equipped, better residuals and likely to cost no more to run overall, if not cheaper.

At 32", the load bed on a 110 double cab is a complete joke though.

Depends what you need to haul, but suspect for many it is sufficent.

[300bhp/ton]

busta said:

300bhp/ton said:

Tsippy said:

We're planning on switching to one vehicle and need something that can do everything basically (We do lots of camping which often takes us quite off-road, will need towing capability, plenty of storage for transport, kayaking etc) and we think that something like a Ford Thunder, Mitsi L200, Toyota Hilux etc would be a suitable vehicle due to the twin cab setups and the obvious storage at the rear with the options of the clip-on cabs.

Does anyone on here have experience of these? And if so what are they like in regards to reliability as I've heard a few 'horror' stories (although I guess it could be the same with most vehicles where the annoyed are the most vocal!) The fuel economy does not look too bad and the tax gas emissions are fairly low which also goes in the favour of the pickup vehicles.

Your opinions and experiences including a possible suggestion are much appreciated

Depending on budget I'd also look at a Defender double cab 110. Will hold it's money WAY better and be more fun.

Also if you want a truck, forget these watered down UK variants, look for a Dodge Ram, Ford F150 or Chevy Silverado. Diesel engines are available on some, or LPG petrol. All go better than the UK spec trucks, better equipped, better residuals and likely to cost no more to run overall, if not cheaper.

At 32", the load bed on a 110 double cab is a complete joke though.

Depends what you need to haul, but suspect for many it is sufficent.

[jon-]

To OP, you might find this an interesting read:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Lefty]

I'm 6'4" and manange to drive lwb defenders just fine...

However, I do struggle with 90's where the seat doesn't go as far back because of the bulkhead.

I love Land Rovers but, yes, they are a bit agricultural. The newer models are quite a bit better though. They do hold their value very well though and they certainly have "character".

[Tsippy]

jon- said:

To OP, you might find this an interesting read:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Lefty]

You should be fine in a 110 swerni, like I say the bulkhead behind the seats on a 90 restricts how far abck you can slide the seat. Some people take the bulkhead out and bolt a curved bar in its place.

Also, check:

http://www.mudstuff.co.uk/MUD_Seat_Rails.shtml

They will seriously restrict rear seat leg room though! I bought some when I got my first 110 a few years back but decided I didn't need them so flogged them on ebay.

[Scuffers]

busta said:

I've always found double cab pickups very compromised as a non work vehicle. Regardless of how much leather and electrical goodies you throw at them, they never convincingly hide the fact they are a commercial vehicle with leaf spring suspension designed to carry 1 ton. They also offer less practicality than a large estate car as the load bed isn't ideal for things like bags of shopping or anything valuable and although you can get a secure top, these are clumsy, require another key and make the truck look terrible. They also return woeful fuel economy.

Given your criteria, I'd be seriously looking at a used Volvo V70 XC or Audi A6 all-road. Both offer the AWD, practicality, space and towing capacity you need with the benefits of being refined, comfortable, economical, nice to drive and having proper rear doors and rear seat leg-room.

Just my 2 penneth worth!

whilst I agree you can't compare a Volvo with a pickup, you can;t compare their uses either!

no way would I tow a 2+ tonne trailer with a Volvo (especially a FWD one), and big as a volvo's luggage space is, it's nothing like the side of even a double-cab's bed space.

not, if you don't need the space or towing abilities, then buy the Volvo, however, if you do, it;s a no-brainier.

I went from running Jeep Grand Cherokee's to the Navara, and the difference is space is HUGE, both luggage and rear seat space is a different planet, and yes, it does not ride as nicely with leaf rear springs, but it's really not that bad, and the equipment levels (on the adventura's) is very simmilar (full leather/heated seats/satnav/blutooth/etc./etc.) then look at the cost difference and it's really a no-briner.

Fuel bill is really not that bad (compared to something of equivalent size) - although the older D40's to EU3 were markedly better than the latter ones to EU4 (although apparently the new ones to EU5 are much better than both).

got this one for another year, and I suspect I will be replacing it with the same (again), it does everything I need it to do, and I really don;t miss the Jeep's apart from the V8 engine.

edit.. just read the bit about 32" of bed on a LR, that's a bit pathetic I have to agree, for ref, Navara double cabs back is 1.56M wide and 1.51M long, and with a top on it, ~1.2M high

Edited by Scuffers on Monday 13th December 16:18

[RobM77]

Tsippy said:

plenty of storage for transport, kayaking etc) and we think that something like a Ford Thunder, Mitsi L200, Toyota Hilux etc would be a suitable vehicle due to the twin cab setups and the obvious storage at the rear with the options of the clip-on cabs.

Unless you've got a very short kayak that can go in the back section, you might struggle due to the height and inaccessibility of the roof rack on such a car. Having said that, with a truck you could at least rest one half of the boat in the back section and then jump up there to load it onto the roof rack, so that halfway step would make it easier than a 4x4 such as a RR or similar. It's still far simpler (and less hazardous) to get a kayak onto a low slung car like a 3 series though, or even better a specifically designed trailer (which is your other option, but personally I find towing a hassle that I'd rather avoid).

As a general note about these sorts of vehicles, don't many of them have cart springs like a pre 1950s car? (cue 300bhp/tonne telling me how good they are! ).

[busta]

300bhp/ton said:

busta said:

300bhp/ton said:

Tsippy said:

We're planning on switching to one vehicle and need something that can do everything basically (We do lots of camping which often takes us quite off-road, will need towing capability, plenty of storage for transport, kayaking etc) and we think that something like a Ford Thunder, Mitsi L200, Toyota Hilux etc would be a suitable vehicle due to the twin cab setups and the obvious storage at the rear with the options of the clip-on cabs.

Does anyone on here have experience of these? And if so what are they like in regards to reliability as I've heard a few 'horror' stories (although I guess it could be the same with most vehicles where the annoyed are the most vocal!) The fuel economy does not look too bad and the tax gas emissions are fairly low which also goes in the favour of the pickup vehicles.

Your opinions and experiences including a possible suggestion are much appreciated

Depending on budget I'd also look at a Defender double cab 110. Will hold it's money WAY better and be more fun.

Also if you want a truck, forget these watered down UK variants, look for a Dodge Ram, Ford F150 or Chevy Silverado. Diesel engines are available on some, or LPG petrol. All go better than the UK spec trucks, better equipped, better residuals and likely to cost no more to run overall, if not cheaper.

At 32", the load bed on a 110 double cab is a complete joke though.

Depends what you need to haul, but suspect for many it is sufficent.

Well, for example, carrying a bicycle in a 110 double cab is difficult. It won't fit in the bed or the cab without dis-assembling it partly. That's pretty hopeless when you consider it would fit in the back of a focus/golf sized car with the seats down no problem. Oh, and half of that 32" bed is taken up by the spare wheel.

[davepoth]

Cart springs are great for trucks, as they work well with a wide variety of loads.

[busta]

Scuffers said:

busta said:

I've always found double cab pickups very compromised as a non work vehicle. Regardless of how much leather and electrical goodies you throw at them, they never convincingly hide the fact they are a commercial vehicle with leaf spring suspension designed to carry 1 ton. They also offer less practicality than a large estate car as the load bed isn't ideal for things like bags of shopping or anything valuable and although you can get a secure top, these are clumsy, require another key and make the truck look terrible. They also return woeful fuel economy.

Given your criteria, I'd be seriously looking at a used Volvo V70 XC or Audi A6 all-road. Both offer the AWD, practicality, space and towing capacity you need with the benefits of being refined, comfortable, economical, nice to drive and having proper rear doors and rear seat leg-room.

Just my 2 penneth worth!

whilst I agree you can't compare a Volvo with a pickup, you can;t compare their uses either!

no way would I tow a 2+ tonne trailer with a Volvo (especially a FWD one), and big as a volvo's luggage space is, it's nothing like the side of even a double-cab's bed space.

not, if you don't need the space or towing abilities, then buy the Volvo, however, if you do, it;s a no-brainier.

Why not tow 2 tonnes with the Volvo? The XC D5 is AWD, 185hp and has a towing capacity of 2100kgs.

A Hilux is rated at 2250kg, which is pretty similar, and an L200 at 2700kg. Both are around 160hp and only about 200kgs heavier than the Volvo.

I've towed trailers behind everything from a 50hp Peugeot 106 to V8 Landcruisers and 4.2 litre Nissan Patrols. I'd much rather tow with a decent AWD estate than a pickup. The only time a pickup tows nicely is when you have close to a ton in the bed, but then you feel you need twice the power and brakes the size of dinner plates.

As for useable space, and estate with the seats down can take a longer load than a double cab pickup, and with the seats up you have a sensible area to put shopping and stuff. In a pickup, all the shopping ends up right up against the bulkhead and you have to climb in to get it out again. Yet if you want to carry anything big like a sofa you have to have the tailgate down and lash it on with ratchet straps.

[RobM77]

davepoth said:

Cart springs are great for trucks, as they work well with a wide variety of loads.

The OP did mention it would be his only car though, and cart springs aren't known for ride comfort, grip and handling, which is why we moved on from them on cars in the 1950s!

[Stu R]

RobM77 said:

davepoth said:

Cart springs are great for trucks, as they work well with a wide variety of loads.

The OP did mention it would be his only car though, and cart springs aren't known for ride comfort, grip and handling, which is why we moved on from them on cars in the 1950s!

Yet American pick up trucks are. Paradox, I believe is the term.

[Scuffers]

busta said:

Scuffers said:

busta said:

I've always found double cab pickups very compromised as a non work vehicle. Regardless of how much leather and electrical goodies you throw at them, they never convincingly hide the fact they are a commercial vehicle with leaf spring suspension designed to carry 1 ton. They also offer less practicality than a large estate car as the load bed isn't ideal for things like bags of shopping or anything valuable and although you can get a secure top, these are clumsy, require another key and make the truck look terrible. They also return woeful fuel economy.

Given your criteria, I'd be seriously looking at a used Volvo V70 XC or Audi A6 all-road. Both offer the AWD, practicality, space and towing capacity you need with the benefits of being refined, comfortable, economical, nice to drive and having proper rear doors and rear seat leg-room.

Just my 2 penneth worth!

whilst I agree you can't compare a Volvo with a pickup, you can;t compare their uses either!

no way would I tow a 2+ tonne trailer with a Volvo (especially a FWD one), and big as a volvo's luggage space is, it's nothing like the side of even a double-cab's bed space.

not, if you don't need the space or towing abilities, then buy the Volvo, however, if you do, it;s a no-brainier.

Why not tow 2 tonnes with the Volvo? The XC D5 is AWD, 185hp and has a towing capacity of 2100kgs.

A Hilux is rated at 2250kg, which is pretty similar, and an L200 at 2700kg. Both are around 160hp and only about 200kgs heavier than the Volvo.

I've towed trailers behind everything from a 50hp Peugeot 106 to V8 Landcruisers and 4.2 litre Nissan Patrols. I'd much rather tow with a decent AWD estate than a pickup. The only time a pickup tows nicely is when you have close to a ton in the bed, but then you feel you need twice the power and brakes the size of dinner plates.

As for useable space, and estate with the seats down can take a longer load than a double cab pickup, and with the seats up you have a sensible area to put shopping and stuff. In a pickup, all the shopping ends up right up against the bulkhead and you have to climb in to get it out again. Yet if you want to carry anything big like a sofa you have to have the tailgate down and lash it on with ratchet straps.

Having towed all sorts of stuff with all sorts of cars, Personally, I would rate the Navara as the best tow car so far, this has nothing to do with engine power, and everything to do with stability etc.

also, never had the issue of running empty load bed with heavy trailers either, yes, it does make a difference, but it's not catastrophic or the like.

ideally, when towing heavy stuff, having a live rear axle positively located wins hands down against something with IRS and 'road car' bushes.

Back to load space, rough calc, Navara has something like 2.8 cubic meters of space without resorting to the back seats, not sure *any* Volvo can match that even with all the seats down (V70 is something like 1.6M3 and the XC90 is 1.84m3)

[chrissyr32]

Opulent said:

I've got a 2010 Hilux doublecab. Work vehicle - spends at least 80% of it's time off road.

Good driving position, woolly steering. Very tail happy on damp roads, coming off roundabouts in 3rd is fun. Smooth enough at lower motorway speeds, noise gets a bit much at prolonged 80mph+. Feels very safe, very well built. Well specced - A/C, iPod connector, no leather but it's a work slag. Never, ever got stuck, not even in alluvial clay below sea level and half covered in ice. Truly a go-anywhere vehicle. And I've not yet had need to engage diff locks.

I like it - but then I don't have to pay for it...

Good stuff....ive got a 2006 Hilux twin cab...work slag!! I drive it everyday...off road it at least 3 times a week(railway maintenance) and do fast motorway drives. I rag it within a inch of its life everyday...she has 101000 on the clock now...only thing that went was a wheel bearing (under warranty).
Never let me down..and boy does it get abused.Mind she gets serviced every 10,000 miles.
Mines a 2.5 diesel only downside is shes a little slow when you want to set off quickly at a junction..you have to rev it a bit.

I love mine never been stuck..use th gearbox,high low ratios and locking diffs as you should and it will go anywhere..

Pulled allkinds of maintenance vehicles out of the snow last two weeks including a 30ton wagon!!!!!!

Again i dont pay for it but i wouldnt hesitate to buy one with my own cash if i needed one.

[Robbo1969]

Sixpackpert said:

I have an L200 Barbarian and before that had one of the first new shape L200 Warriors.

Smallest turning circle of any pickup, never had a problem parking in multi storey car parks.

The Warrior did 65000 faultless miles before being changed and the Barbarian is so far bullet proof as well.

You will always get the jittery ride, you can't get away from it as they are designed to have a tonne payload. You could always stick a few hundred weight of sand bags in the back! The traction control on the L200's is excellent and it's very rare you get a fish tailing moment.

The new shape L200 has the Shogun transmission which means you can run it in 4wd all the time without any transmission wind up, you can also shift from 2wd to 4wd on the move.

If you can afford a new shape L200 it is much better truck than the old classic shape.

Hi, I’ve just bought a 66 plate Mitsubishi L200. All I am concerned about is the constant jittery ride on the smoothest of roads. It’s good at 80 mph on the motorway, it’s just driving around at normal speeds, I’ve never experienced the little bumps it sends through the steering wheel in any other vehicle.I’ve sent it back once to Harratts of Darton and they have put new wheels on and it’s still the same.

Someone please tell me this is normal then I’ll just sit back and get used to it!

Cheers!

Robbo

[Mammasaid]

Robbo1969 said:

Sixpackpert said:

I have an L200 Barbarian and before that had one of the first new shape L200 Warriors.

Smallest turning circle of any pickup, never had a problem parking in multi storey car parks.

The Warrior did 65000 faultless miles before being changed and the Barbarian is so far bullet proof as well.

You will always get the jittery ride, you can't get away from it as they are designed to have a tonne payload. You could always stick a few hundred weight of sand bags in the back! The traction control on the L200's is excellent and it's very rare you get a fish tailing moment.

The new shape L200 has the Shogun transmission which means you can run it in 4wd all the time without any transmission wind up, you can also shift from 2wd to 4wd on the move.

If you can afford a new shape L200 it is much better truck than the old classic shape.

Hi, I’ve just bought a 66 plate Mitsubishi L200. All I am concerned about is the constant jittery ride on the smoothest of roads. It’s good at 80 mph on the motorway, it’s just driving around at normal speeds, I’ve never experienced the little bumps it sends through the steering wheel in any other vehicle.I’ve sent it back once to Harratts of Darton and they have put new wheels on and it’s still the same.

Someone please tell me this is normal then I’ll just sit back and get used to it!

Cheers!

Robbo

As above, it's normal if you don't have any weight in the back, put 100kg in there and it does settle down. My Series 5 has a hardtop on and that helps, and after 17k miles I don't notice anymore.

In any case, the roads in this country are abysmal, at least you know when hitting a pothole, you won't have a blowout/fractured alloy...

[Robbo1969]

Mammasaid said:

As above, it's normal if you don't have any weight in the back, put 100kg in there and it does settle down. My Series 5 has a hardtop on and that helps, and after 17k miles I don't notice anymore.

In any case, the roads in this country are abysmal, at least you know when hitting a pothole, you won't have a blowout/fractured alloy...

Thanks very much for your reply Mammasaid.
Yep, I guess I’m just going to have to get used to the juddering! I don’t know why the dealers didn’t just tell me this is how it is rather than having it back for a day and putting new wheels on. Plus, you’re right, the roads are awful, particularly after the recent arctic weather!

It’s my first pick up, got it to tone down my monthly company BIK tax! Loving being high up!

Cheers all!