Hi,

I've been convinced by a friend that the vehicle I'm after is indeed a
landrover for the job I have (rigging & radio tower access - often
requiring remote / inhospitable working and some truly nasty terrain).
I've no doubt the vehicle is by nature capable of the task at hand, or
it wouldn't be used by the likes of BT or several utility companies;
However..

I'm more than a bit bewildered by the amount of variety on offer -
ideally it needs to be primarily comfortable and warm, while at the
same time giving ample room for tools, spares, and whatnot. Winches
would be a bonus to say the least, as would a crew cab.

Can anyone reccomend a landy which would be up to the job and not balk
at being thrown up a hillside in a snowstorm, or indeed, what options
would be open to me if I was to buy an off the shelf discovery or
similar?

Cheers,

Allan

"sith-lord" <allan@technolabs.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1160941736.569963.98960@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
>
> I've been convinced by a friend that the vehicle I'm after is indeed a
> landrover for the job I have (rigging & radio tower access - often
> requiring remote / inhospitable working and some truly nasty terrain).
> I've no doubt the vehicle is by nature capable of the task at hand, or
> it wouldn't be used by the likes of BT or several utility companies;
> However..
>
> I'm more than a bit bewildered by the amount of variety on offer -
> ideally it needs to be primarily comfortable and warm, while at the
> same time giving ample room for tools, spares, and whatnot. Winches
> would be a bonus to say the least, as would a crew cab.
>
> Can anyone reccomend a landy which would be up to the job and not balk
> at being thrown up a hillside in a snowstorm, or indeed, what options
> would be open to me if I was to buy an off the shelf discovery or
> similar?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Allan

I was not aware Land Rover had a new Discovery Commercial so thats out
and then we come to crewcabs
Defender
http://www.landrover.com/gb/en/Vehi...der_Defender_overview@__link__InfoBlockLink_1

Santana PS10
http://www.brucehopkins.co.uk/double_pick up.htm

and summat else for comparison

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=195
(its not a landy)

Derek

sith-lord wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I've been convinced by a friend that the vehicle I'm after is indeed a
> landrover for the job I have (rigging & radio tower access - often
> requiring remote / inhospitable working and some truly nasty terrain).
> I've no doubt the vehicle is by nature capable of the task at hand, or
> it wouldn't be used by the likes of BT or several utility companies;
> However..
>
> I'm more than a bit bewildered by the amount of variety on offer -
> ideally it needs to be primarily comfortable and warm, while at the
> same time giving ample room for tools, spares, and whatnot. Winches
> would be a bonus to say the least, as would a crew cab.
>
> Can anyone reccomend a landy which would be up to the job and not balk
> at being thrown up a hillside in a snowstorm, or indeed, what options
> would be open to me if I was to buy an off the shelf discovery or
> similar?
>

If you can justify it, and maybe you can, then a Discovery would be great
for what you want to do. However, it depends on the quantity of tools etc
that you need to carry. I imagine that a king cab [cab and a half] or a
double cab pick-up would be more suitable and cost effective for you
especially if you are self employed and VAT registered. Much as I would like
to point you in the direction of a 110 crew cab, it is not the most pleasant
thing to drive the miles you need to cover. Have a look at the modern crop
of pick-ups which are powerfull and refined and pleasant to drive. Examples
are the new models of Nissan Navara, MitsubishiL200 and my current
favourite, the Ford Ranger. All are available with three cab types and
various trim and equipment levels. The Mitsu has a superb four wheel drive
system on higher spec models that allows 2wd, full time 4wd or locked 4wd
but rather dubious styling and a smaller than average load bed. All have
standard abs and airbags, the Ford has standard electric windows and
mirrors, all have the usual car options including leather and trick cd
autochangers.

Do not dismiss the 110 crew cab, or any other version. The new four cylinder
revised version will certainly be worth a look when it is launched.

If you can make-do with a car type vehicle then the Discovery is pretty well
unbeatable in its combination of on and offroad dynamics and driving
satisfaction.

Huw

In message <1160941736.569963.98960@k70g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>
"sith-lord" <allan@technolabs.co.uk> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I've been convinced by a friend that the vehicle I'm after is indeed a
> landrover for the job I have (rigging & radio tower access - often
> requiring remote / inhospitable working and some truly nasty terrain).
> I've no doubt the vehicle is by nature capable of the task at hand, or
> it wouldn't be used by the likes of BT or several utility companies;
> However..
>
> I'm more than a bit bewildered by the amount of variety on offer -
> ideally it needs to be primarily comfortable and warm, while at the
> same time giving ample room for tools, spares, and whatnot. Winches
> would be a bonus to say the least, as would a crew cab.
>
> Can anyone reccomend a landy which would be up to the job and not balk
> at being thrown up a hillside in a snowstorm, or indeed, what options
> would be open to me if I was to buy an off the shelf discovery or
> similar?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Allan
>

It sounds like a 110 Crew Cab, or if you've a few bob extra a 130
Crew Cab. While the Discovery is more car like, you don't have the
option of chucking oily/wet/smelly/big/awakward stuff in the back!
If you have no requirement to carry more than one passenger then
a Hi-Capacity Pickup is worth a look as there is plenty of room in
the back for a tool locker.

If you've not driven a Defender (a 200Tdi onwards one that is)
recently, see if you can borrow or hire one for a while - the
driving position can take a bit of getting used too. A 200Tdi
onwards will give the likes of L200's a good run for their
money on-road, in terms of speed and economy, but with much
better load carrying ability and off-road ability.

I've no figures for maintinance cost to hand, but the MEB has
tried both the Ford Explorer based pickup and the L200's, and
are now back with Defenders, as are the Peak Park, who cited
(amazingly!) low maintaince costs due to off-road use as the
reason.

Hope that doesn't get you completely confused!

Richard

--
www.beamends-lrspares.co.uk sales@beamends-lrspares.co.uk
www.radioparadise.com - Good Music, No Vine
Lib Dems - Townies keeping comedy alive

Thanks for the reccomendations folks - me and my budget are now off to
have a gander at what's on offer. Interesting that the Navara was
mentioned, some boys at work drive it occaisonally and have it labelled
as a death-trap - the arse tends to accelerate faster then the front
from what I've seen. Comfy seats though

Cheers,

Allan