Opinions on forestry tow vehicles

[Blah]

I have a Colorado (the non-import Prado) and it does me well. Mine has a 2.7 ton towing limit, and you definitely feel it if you're towing that kind of weight.

 

Of note for towing is that selecting low range is the same as locking the center diff, so not ideal for road use. This is the single one thing I preferred about the Defender I had before this.

 

Mine's done 230k miles and has no rust to speak of on the chassis and everything just works. If I needed to tow heavier, I wouldn't need to think about it, I'd go straight for the Amazon.

 

I get 20mpg at best for mixed use. A little better on a run, a little worse just towing. It's always going up and down hills though.

[Big J]

I reckon the Prados might just be a bit low on power for day to day use with 2.8t plus tools in the back. Even the newest versions only have 171bhp. I'll be working on some pretty hilly terrain with it and don't want to drive the vehicle into the ground stressing it with a full load all day, every day.

[Blah]

I wouldn’t want to be towing 2.8t every day with mine on the hills.

[Bustergasket]

[Bustergasket]

maybe not so blinged up, they seem to have good residual but may need a bit of work if 7k

[Big J]

I do like a G Wagen, but that one is hideous. Hate it when they get pimped out like that. 

 

It's really cheap too - it's been ages since I saw one for under £10k. They make daft money now.

[arbogrunt]

work - landrover defender

work/pleasure - landrover discovery

pleasure/posing - jeep/rangerover

pick up - Hilux

I've driven a good selection of Jap pickups...more comfortable, mostly poor off road capability, some have been great for towing, some not and open backs encourage tool sharing with uninvited guests.

I managed to pick up a Landy 90 with only 2,300 miles on the clock and its been faultless.

If I had to replace my andy 130 tipper (which wont be for a while...I've just put a new TD5 in it at 206,000 miles)....I'd like a Landcruiser tipper...BUT I've never seen one in the UK

 

 

[Big J]

3 hours ago, arbogrunt said:

work - landrover defender

work/pleasure - landrover discovery

pleasure/posing - jeep/rangerover

pick up - Hilux

I've driven a good selection of Jap pickups...more comfortable, mostly poor off road capability, some have been great for towing, some not and open backs encourage tool sharing with uninvited guests.

I managed to pick up a Landy 90 with only 2,300 miles on the clock and its been faultless.

If I had to replace my andy 130 tipper (which wont be for a while...I've just put a new TD5 in it at 206,000 miles)....I'd like a Landcruiser tipper...BUT I've never seen one in the UK

 

 

I'd never fit in a Defender. I've driven one half a mile down the track and almost needed physiotherapy afterwards. I'm way too tall and getting to be too wide now too. 

 

Love Discoveries from a comfort point of view but didn't enjoy the towing experience too much. Long overhang on the back meant it was a bit wallowy compared to towing with the van.

 

Wouldn't have any form of Japanese/Ford pickup either as they all have their reliability issues, they are all massive as well as having cramped interiors. 

 

If money were no object I'd get a top not Landcruiser Amazon, but it looks very likely to be a Jeep Commander or if I find a really good example with the optional rear diff lock, possibly the V10 TDI Touareg. 

[richy_B]

I used a defender 110 for a while and it was hugely uncomfortable and I'm only 6'2.

 

I doubt any vehicles are going to suit you as they of course build for the average user, which for men is something like 5'10. They probably have leeway of 6" either way but wont help the very large or very small.

 

Is there a way of perhaps getting a custom seat/playing with the seat base etc to suit you? Not for this instant but having seen recaros being fitted in a track 330i the seat height drop considerably. If you could do that and perhaps move the base 50mm back it might work?

 

 

 

 

[richy_B]

A quick Google brought this up :

 

http://extendmyseat.com/about-us/

 

This German company seems to do exactly this as well. Advertised for taller drivers.

 

gmbh.de/en/traffic/aftermarket-seats/vario.html