I assumed it was tongue-in-cheek because all the rest is very wide of the mark - very capable off-road but not very capable in any other respect.Michael E said:
This could be because the Defender may be regarded as a commercial vehicle and using a commercial vehicle to tow will invalidate the warranty on many new caravans.Martin24 said:
- Mar 10, 2006
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Ok i accept your reasoning.Nigel Donnelly said:
But not your first comment.
To replace my xtrail, unless i get a deal again, will cost just under £29K.
So i am also considering a base X3 at just over £30K, and a Sorento at around £30K.
I looked at a Audi Q5, but a 80kg nose limit ruled it out.
I'm looking at a car with 4x4 and about the same size as the xtrail, some 4600mm long.
At present none on offer appeal over the xtrail, so i might be keeping it longer than normally.
- Nov 11, 2009
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The Defender 90/110 station wagon is not a commercial vehicle (DVLA V5) and when I had a 90 I had no problem with the warranty on my new van. Surely commercial needs to be defined as that could also rule out warranty if one towed with a twin cab pickup even if it was used soley for private use. What is the definition of commercial that caravan manufacturers use in their warranty conditions?
- Nov 11, 2009
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Below is the Eu definition. That is why I have read reports that some Defender 110s with 12 seats were difficult to insure as private vehicles. So by that definition I could not use a Disco (C) but can use a Disco. Seems nonsense as the van would not know whether it was being towed by the standard Disco or the commercial Disco with blanked out side windows.. Mind you if things keep going as they are the Eu definition might be replaced by a UK one!
A commercial vehicle is a type of motor vehicle that may be used for transporting goods or passengers. The European Union defines "commercial motor vehicle" as any motorised road vehicle, which by its type of construction and equipment is designed for, and capable of transporting, whether for payment or not: (1) more than nine persons, including the driver; (2) goods and "standard fuel tanks". This means the tanks permanently fixed by the manufacturer to all motor vehicles of the same type as the vehicle in question and whose permanent fitting enables fuel to be used directly, both for the purposes of propulsion and, where appropriate, for the operation of a refrigeration system. Gas tanks fitted to motor vehicles designed for the direct use of gas as a fuel are considered to be standard fuel tanks.
A commercial vehicle is a type of motor vehicle that may be used for transporting goods or passengers. The European Union defines "commercial motor vehicle" as any motorised road vehicle, which by its type of construction and equipment is designed for, and capable of transporting, whether for payment or not: (1) more than nine persons, including the driver; (2) goods and "standard fuel tanks". This means the tanks permanently fixed by the manufacturer to all motor vehicles of the same type as the vehicle in question and whose permanent fitting enables fuel to be used directly, both for the purposes of propulsion and, where appropriate, for the operation of a refrigeration system. Gas tanks fitted to motor vehicles designed for the direct use of gas as a fuel are considered to be standard fuel tanks.
/sites/practicalcaravan.com/files/images/IMG_4788_mini.jpg
I towed with a 110 Defender last year. I was very surprised at how rapid and how tall geared it was. I'm not saying it was blisteringly fast but it was not slow towing a caravan.
What I would say is that the time-honoured shortcoming of the Defender is the chronic lack of elbow room for the driver on the door side! I slammed the door and instead of closing, it just smashed my elbow very hard. Ride quality is light years better than the 109 County SW my dad used to run but that was running on cart springs.
Where it does score well is on image. I can't think of many towcars with anything like as much presence. I really like them and can forgive pretty much any shortcoming. I do worry that the much mooted replacement will be a bit of a 'gin palace' like many recent LRs...
I towed with a 110 Defender last year. I was very surprised at how rapid and how tall geared it was. I'm not saying it was blisteringly fast but it was not slow towing a caravan.
What I would say is that the time-honoured shortcoming of the Defender is the chronic lack of elbow room for the driver on the door side! I slammed the door and instead of closing, it just smashed my elbow very hard. Ride quality is light years better than the 109 County SW my dad used to run but that was running on cart springs.
Where it does score well is on image. I can't think of many towcars with anything like as much presence. I really like them and can forgive pretty much any shortcoming. I do worry that the much mooted replacement will be a bit of a 'gin palace' like many recent LRs...
Martin24 said:
- Aug 23, 2009
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As far as commercial or not goes I'm quite happy that the road fund is low. Managers at Coachman were impressed that we were getting one when we discussed it at the lawns show.
Nigel, I agree that the technology that is being discussed for the replacement is a worry! I was reading recently that early Disco 3's are reaching the scrap heap because they are beyond economic repair. I would much rather the basic than the complicated. Image? Yes completely classless and suitable for all occasions.
Nigel, I agree that the technology that is being discussed for the replacement is a worry! I was reading recently that early Disco 3's are reaching the scrap heap because they are beyond economic repair. I would much rather the basic than the complicated. Image? Yes completely classless and suitable for all occasions.
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