SUV or Pickup Debate

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Ronin

Ronin

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So, possibly done before but I wonder on the practicalities of replacing pickup with large SUV (I’m thinking Landcruiser Amazon)

Anyone “tickle reds, fallow, roe” and use one

I’ve been on the Jeep Cherokee route which failed the test a few years ago due to mechanical failings

Also needs to tow 3ton

Un interested in economy

Just practicality of dealing with larger deer using SUV over pickup

Think I know the answer but asking as always lusted after the real deal of SUV

Sure I may upset some RR owners by saying that 😂
 
Been through this thought process recently.

Pickups are great as trucks, but expensive to buy and heavy on fuel. And not that spacious inside, especially for rear seat passangers.

I went down the route of a Mk2 Touareg - awesome machine. Under £18.5k second hand with 45k miles.

3.5 tonne towing capacity and you hardly notice a fully laden trailer. 3 litre V6 with 272PS is silky smooth and effortless towing, overtaking, motorways etc. It’s very comfortable driving one end of the UK to the other.

It’s running on road tyres at moment - almost down to wear limits. In the snow its still been more than capable. Putting new Crossclimate 2 SUVs which will be even better.

For deer transport. Roe go in a carcass box in the boot. I am going to get a tow bar game carrier for bigger deer as don’t really want smelly red inside. Or will use a trailer with a quad.

MPG is about 34 overall.

I think the Landcruiser We get in UK is a tougher vehicle and would be my choice for serious long distance work on rough roads - ideal in Africa or Australia. But a bit agricultural on the road and not as fun to drive. They do pull big loads but the 4 cylinder diesel is kind of lacking power and definitely grunts under big loads.
 
Heym SR20 said:
Been through this thought process recently.

Pickups are great as trucks, but expensive to buy and heavy on fuel. And not that spacious inside, especially for rear seat passangers.

I went down the route of a Mk2 Touareg - awesome machine. Under £18.5k second hand with 45k miles.

3.5 tonne towing capacity and you hardly notice a fully laden trailer. 3 litre V6 with 272PS is silky smooth and effortless towing, overtaking, motorways etc. It’s very comfortable driving one end of the UK to the other.

It’s running on road tyres at moment - almost down to wear limits. In the snow its still been more than capable. Putting new Crossclimate 2 SUVs which will be even better.

For deer transport. Roe go in a carcass box in the boot. I am going to get a tow bar game carrier for bigger deer as don’t really want smelly red inside. Or will use a trailer with a quad.

MPG is about 34 overall.

I think the Landcruiser We get in UK is a tougher vehicle and would be my choice for serious long distance work on rough roads - ideal in Africa or Australia. But a bit agricultural on the road and not as fun to drive. They do pull big loads but the 4 cylinder diesel is kind of lacking power and definitely grunts under big loads.
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Was thinking V8 ,,,D

Toureg -hadn’t considered that does it share the same problematic chain driven trabsfer box that causes endemic faults in the cayenne ,,? Think I read something about similarity of units bettween the two cars

Run a SQ5 as daily but that remains deer free and will continue to do so
 
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I’ve gone from Disco to HiLux.
Fuel is better in the HilLux. Road tax is cheaper than a large SUV
The dead things are in a separate compartment. Bitter experience of trying to exorcise the smell of dead dog fox or rutty deer.

I only occasionally carry rear seat passengers and they don’t complain that much
The rear load space with a canopy is the perfect place for a Lintran for the dog.
AT tyres and it’s still good for long distance m’way driving.
 
Not going to comment on the choice of SUV but would definitely go for one over a pick up.

Personally I have 2 carcass boxes that can go inside - 1 will take Muntjac or Roe, the other is bigger & will take a fallow.

For the doe culling months over the winter I have a carrier that fits into a 2" square receiver hitch (genuine Land Rover NAS) to add to carrying capacity.

Also have a couple of roof bars with a short bar extending at the back with a lifting eye that allows a block & tackle to be used to lift heavier animals into the carrier.

The landlords son has a Land Cruiser & has a square receiver plate made up is bolted between tow ball & mounting plate.
 
I’m looking at getting a rav 4. My brother has one and it’s super reliable! Good motors but for bigger deer probably will require a trailer.
I mainly shoot muntjac so should be fine!
Some are 4x4 which would be a bonus
 
I’m currently using a Skoda yeti, tempted to go back to a pick up.

I have managed two Red stags, and a dog crate split between the boot and rear seats stags in Homebase large boxes. Not ideal but achievable.

I only want one car the Yeti gives a decent performance. Not the best off road on mud but fine on forestry tracks.
 
Not sure if a landcruiser has air suspension, but I think the ability to lower the car by several inches when lugging heavy things in / out on a regular basis is a massive plus.

More air suspension options in the SUV world than pick up world

Downside is expensive to replace when they go wrong.
 
As you know I loved my Disco. I don’t however miss the keds in the car or the stench when the carcass tray leaked into the carpet!! A few weeks later it was pretty rank 🤢
The pickup is great and I find the ability to hose out is priceless, especially when I’m stalking 3-4 mornings a week. As a towing vehicle I found the Disco to be better, probably down to the 3 litre V6 and more refined handling.
 
Going through a similar debate myself. Except mpg is a factor for me due to needing a 1 car to do it all with kids,dog and a 120 mile round trip when I go into the office.

Another consideration is road tax.

I am leaning towards a pick up and accepting a mid 30s mpg but the ability to throw everything in the back is a huge win
 
I'm using a Freelander with a heck basket on the towbar.
I have had a 55kg fallow in the basket.
Anything bigger I would be using a small trailer because I’m not having creepy things living inside my car.
I did have a pickup before. Happy with my suv.
 
Iamtheferryman said:
Going through a similar debate myself. Except mpg is a factor for me due to needing a 1 car to do it all with kids,dog and a 120 mile round trip when I go into the office.

Another consideration is road tax.

I am leaning towards a pick up and accepting a mid 30s mpg but the ability to throw everything in the back is a huge win
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Mid 30’s??? Not on many of them….my Isuzu is around 25-27, my friends hilux is around 22!

My last ranger was around 20! (Although it used more coolant than diesel!)

Regards,
Gixer
 
Some folk running manual Hilux/L200 that'd been remapped used to report far better mpg, but it's driving style/condition dependant. And as OP mentioned, he's not worried about economy.
Is it just me, or does anyone who has a Hilux really want a Land cruiser ?
My wife dismissed any notion of an SUV, rightly so, and I'm especially glad as the youngest dog occasionally gets over excited and poops....
 
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