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| Def90Ian Member Since: 05 Jul 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 6   
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Guys,
I would like to kit my 90 out for some camping trips in UK and mainland Europe. I have been toying with the idea of getting either a roof rack or trailer and wondered what are the benefits of one over the other. So my question is if you had to choose between roof rack or tent what would be your choice and why? Cheers, Ian Defender 90 HardTop in Keswick Green |
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7th Jul 2012 10:57am |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324 
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I've done both and can say that each approach has its' pro's and con's.
A trailer is great in that it enables you to set up camp and leave the vehicle free for exploring, carry more creature comforts and keep the towing vehicle relatively clutter free for passengers. On the other hand, they can reduce your cruising speed on motorways, slightly reduce manoeuvrability and can be a liability if entering the seriously rough stuff. A roof rack can enable you to carry all of the gear you'd like on the one vehicle, but raises centre of gravity, increases wind resistance and can be a pain to get stuff on and off of. A rack also has its' uses beyond camping, of course. A trailer might too but that would depend on the design - essentially whether it's just a cargo carrying tub or something more dedicated. You also need somewhere to store a trailer when not using it. Darren 110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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7th Jul 2012 5:23pm |
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| landy andy Member Since: 15 Feb 2009 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 5698 
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Rack for me.
A trailer would be a complete PITA when it comes to parking in a city or touristy place. Also as mentioned the higher ferry cost and limited top speed. Andy |
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7th Jul 2012 8:26pm |
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| TR51 Member Since: 17 Apr 2012 Location: Dorset UK Posts: 333  
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My 2 pence worth...
Having a roof rack has its advantages as its always there for kit etc, BUT I have found I can't fit under height barriers at council car parks / shopping centres. Not a major issue with a bit of forward planning but can be a pain (especially if it's raining!!). |
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7th Jul 2012 8:30pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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I guess like a lot of things 'it depends'. It depends where you are going and what you're planning to do when you get there.
For a few years my wife and I used a Desert Wolf trailer behind a Discovery I. It went everywhere I needed it to from the mountains of Norway to an Ikea car park in northern Italy. The only time I had an issue was when I inadvertently ended up in a multi-storey car park whilst looking for a glacier in Austria. Couldn't find a suitable place to park in there and had to drive straight out again, but on the other hand, I wouldn't have even made it inside with a loaded roof rack. Darren 110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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7th Jul 2012 8:40pm |
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| Go Beyond Member Since: 30 Jan 2012 Location: Headcorn, Kent Posts: 6678
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I'd have though there weren't many glaciers to be found in multi storey carparks .....
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16th Aug 2012 10:04am |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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It caught me by surprise too
 We were driving the Grossglockner Pass, which features a glacier part way along. I guess it had become such a congested stop off point that a car park had been built nearby. Unfortunately for us though, the signs to the glacier took you straight into the car park  We did eventually manage to find somewhere outside big enough to park in though. Darren
110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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16th Aug 2012 10:12am |
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| MartinK Member Since: 02 Mar 2011 Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border) Posts: 2665 
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Agree - I have both. Trailer is perfect for heavy messy loads, building projects around the house, stuff to the tip, carrying awkward stuff (fridges, washing machines). Roof Rack for kayaks and occasionally ladders, but heavy stuff is too hard to get up there (and I have a kari-tek...)  Click image to enlarge Also - do you have space to safely and securely store a trailer when not in use? The roof rack takes up less room (and a lot cheaper) when not in use. As others say - parking with both can be tricky. You need 2 spaces with a trailer on, but many car parks also have height restrictors (2.1m round me) and I can't get in with the roofrack on... 
I would start with a roofrack (mine was 2nd hand) - a cheaper alternative with less storage needed... You can always hire or borrow a trailer for the odd ad-hoc usage...? Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's) |
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16th Aug 2012 10:29am |
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