I'm thinking about getting a small 4x4 for staling to avoid trashing the main car. How much of an advantage is a side opening door over a hatchback, for example a Rav 4 vs a Duster? I'm not asking about the merits of the specific vehicles, just the value of a side hinge door instead of a hatchback. It strikes me it would be much easier getting deer in and out with a side opening door.
Small 4x4 hatchback or rear door
- Thread starter SSN100
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Haggis Hunter
Well-Known Member
What kind of deer are you trying to get in the back of your car? I had no hassle getting a roe in the back of a Rav a few hours ago but wouldn’t fancy trying the same with a red stag these days.
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Haggis Hunter
Well-Known Member
With that scenario I’d guess you are right, easier with a side door with a bigger deer. Some side doors open wider than others and I think a previous owner modified the door on my Rav to open a bit wider than factory spec. I don’t think they like side doors covering lights when open. I’m not certain of this, just have vague memories of reading something like this re my Rav.
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@theroedeerguy
Well-Known Member
The ultimate dedicated stalking vehicle might be one of these…..
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A good point and I’m guessing side opening generally means lower loading height, but it might not always be the case.
I much prefer top opener like a hatchback rather than a side opener.
In the rain you can sit under the hatch. A side opener gets in the way if you have a trailer.
Basically, a side opener is a pain in the ass.
In my, ( I have had both,) personal opinion.
In the rain you can sit under the hatch. A side opener gets in the way if you have a trailer.
Basically, a side opener is a pain in the ass.
In my, ( I have had both,) personal opinion.
Essexsussex
Well-Known Member
Hatchback means that you can use a pole and hoist or Napier auto click to gralloch if that’s your thing
Bavarianbrit
Well-Known Member
Beware that when parked one only way sideways on a hill the side opener will try to close and break your hand. Park the other way and it will be harder to close.
TringSaint
Well-Known Member
My shogun has a side hinged door and I open it, then facing away from the car I sit on the edge of the boot and then take off my deer sack directly onto the boot floor (reverse that when taking out at the other end)
I could do the same with my disco which had a split tailgate.
I’ve a side opener 2005 Grand Vitara and wouldn’t want a top hinged type door… the side opener means I can use it as a mobile high seat … I attach those A1 Decoy camo nets around the car with those strong magnetic cup hooks, stand on the back bumper/rear floor/rear wheel and shoot off/across the roof…
That technique has accounted for many foxes and I’ve been known to stand there all night, it’s actually more comfortable than being sat in a seat. I’ve had foxes and deer within yards as they just think it’s a patch of bramble
Following this thread with interest..
Cheers
Fizz
That technique has accounted for many foxes and I’ve been known to stand there all night, it’s actually more comfortable than being sat in a seat. I’ve had foxes and deer within yards as they just think it’s a patch of bramble
Following this thread with interest..
Cheers
Fizz
Think of big deer in (weight wise) bags of cement/sand, In my day they were a cwt, now half that 25kg so a large fallow will be 3 bags and floppy.
with a side loader a plasters bath tip up the front get it on the low floor and launch it in
This is why I am thinking side door. I’ve managed this in the hatchback with a big fallow, but it was a bugger to get up and over.
smaller fallow then I will tip them up in the PBath to the D-Max tailgate and then slide them in.
the side loader should be lower also if it has a ply floor the PB will slide ok. We got a Red in my Vauxhall combo van so hot weight cleaned out (with head) would have been 120kg. Took it home to finish it off with my dear old Dad saying " you are just like your Grandfather" lol
To me the issue would not be side door vs tailgate, it’d be how high the threshold into the boot is. The lower the better if you’re lifting fallow into the back! The benefit of a side opener could be that you can fix a gibbit on the opposite side to the hinge to help you lift the beastie up by the back legs & then swing the front end in first - used to do this with my old Defender. Or use a tube attached to roof bars to do the same like I do on the Disco 2 (have a carrier on the D2 but the photo below shows the process). Couldn’t do either with a tailgate.
Good roof bars next to each other would be a (diy fix) for the side loader. I take big deer from the chiller into the P bath out to my hoist and use a stainless (gaff hook) I made which goes through the breast bone and lifts the deer up horizontal out and back in the PBath.
Most of these problems people get up against can be worked out with a bit of thinking.
Essexsussex
Well-Known Member
I think the duster doesn’t have a lip to worry about, pretty sure it’s flat despite it being a hatchback. I sold mine a year ago but I don’t recall any issues sliding the pb the way you’ve described.
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