Defender 110 width

[pwc]

My truck is currently in the shop and I'm having trouble getting an accurate measurement. What I'm looking for is the width between the roof gutters. Not the absolute width (which I think include the wheel flares), but just how wide a rack would be if mounted directly to the roof gutters instead of the safety cage.

thanks!

 

[gjackson]

I can let you know when I get back to Colorado at the end of the week unless someone else get there first.

cheers

 

[Andrew Walcker]

On my 97 D-90 it appears to be about 55 inches from middle of gutter to middle of gutter, mind you it's night, freezing cold, windy, and I'm in my PJs perched on my rack with a tape measure

 

[Z O O R O P A]

Are you thinking the safet devices full length? I'd go with Rovers North before that

no worries pwc, its a Rover, it'll be in the shop again as soon as you can afford it! :Mechanic:

 

[pwc]

Andrew, thanks for the fortitude!! 55" would mean the best Eezi-Awn tent would be a 1400. Hmpph. I was hoping the 1600 would work as that makes it easier for 3 people to sleep (especially when one is a 5 year old who thrashes around a lot).
Currently I'm not thinking of a full rack, just mounting either directly to the cage or to singular gutter mounts.

 

[Andrew Walcker]

PWC, I went up against the same thing w/my rig. Being in a 90 w/ three little kids I went the Adventure Trailer w/ Tent on top of the trailer route. If I had decided to put the tent on top of the Defender, I had it worked out in my mind to remove the Safety Devices basket and fabricate cross bars that tied the front bars into the rear ladder and than mount the tent to the cross bars. I have seen a set-up on D-90 Source where somone cut a side out of the SD basket so that the tent could open to the side. It wasn't my cup-of-tea and I've seen how much $$$ the SD baskets go for Good luck!

 

[Andrew Walcker]

PWC-
OK, I feel like a complete bisquit :smilies27 ! Upon having my wife help hold one end of the tape, it isn't as cold tonight, the wind is not blowing and I'm not in my PJs and magically my Defender has increased in beam to 57.5" wide from rain gutter to rain gutter. Sorry for the bad information last night, but at least it's getting wider and not narrower! Hopefully that will get you to the 1600.

 

[pwc]

LOL!! Never trust a man in his PJs, I always say. :wings:

57" makes it the perfect width for a 1400, which is 57" wide according to the pages. the 1600 is 6" more. Maybe I'll try blocking off 6" of our queen sized bed and see how that works one morning. Or I could possibly have my daughter sleep side ways along the top (front) of the tent and my wife and I can fit on the rear 6.25'. That might work. Just gotta come up with some simple way to stop my daughter from flailing over and knocking us both in the head.

As much as I'd like a trailer, it's not in the cards this year.

EDIT: and not to be outdone in the inability to measure things accurately, our queen bed is only 60" wide, so the 1400 is only 3" less than that. That's entirely doable in either configuration. Ahhh....I can sleep well now. thanks again!

 

[Dmarchand]

PWC, I went up against the same thing w/my rig. Being in a 90 w/ three little kids I went the Adventure Trailer w/ Tent on top of the trailer route. If I had decided to put the tent on top of the Defender, I had it worked out in my mind to remove the Safety Devices basket and fabricate cross bars that tied the front bars into the rear ladder and than mount the tent to the cross bars. I have seen a set-up on D-90 Source where somone cut a side out of the SD basket so that the tent could open to the side. It wasn't my cup-of-tea and I've seen how much $$$ the SD baskets go for Good luck!

Let's see some pics of the trailer!

I went the route of having a separate basket made up that accomodates the tent and awning. Tent opens up the front and I can move the awning o either side or buy another and have both sides covered. The nice thing about the new basket is it has a standing platform of 5-bar aluminum by the ladder so you can pack, unpack or hang out up there. Makes a nice pee platform at night too.

Wish I had an Eezi awn though.

 

[gcec-uk]

A 1.4m tent is the widest you would went to put on a Defender. If you need the space of a 1.6m, mount it sideways at the front of the vehicle so it deploys over the passenger door. If you were to get a Hannibal tent with the All Weather/Jumbo kit you'll also benefit from a fully enclosed 1.6m x 2.2m room under the tent.

I have a Defender 110 with a 1.4m mounted in this way. I put two in the tent at night, and two (when necessary) on cots in the enclosure. Added bonus is when we sit down to breakfast one cot converts to a table, one becomes a bench. Aadd two chairs and everyone stays dry at breakfast

 

[pwc]

Steve and Dave, thanks!

I plan to put it out the back as I'll be getting a T-Top most likely. It sounds the same as the jumbo addition for the Hannibal and I'd like it for the same reasons you note. However we won't be bringing cots as those dang, clunky, space hogs are one thing I want to get rid of (my wife and daughter use one, I don't).

I do plan to make some kind of platform for the front like you did, Dave, as a patio and photo platform.

 

[Dmarchand]

Sounds like a great plan Peter. Having the tent further back will make the 110 drive less like a toaster. Any strong gust of wind at highway speed and the 90 is all over the place.

 

[Andrew Walcker]

David-

Great looking set-up! Really like the position of your tent in realtion to how it sits closer to the front of the vehicle and am jealous of your spacious porch out back! You went the right route by making a new basket for the tent instead of trying to get it to sit in or on top of the SD basket. Did you notice much difference after installing the tent with the CG? Are you still running the rear anti-sway bar?

Actually, my trailer was a Christmas present and the only pictures I could post would be it sitting in the driveway. I'm taking it out at the end of the month for her inagural voyage and will than post some action shots!:jumping:

 

[Andrew Walcker]

David-

Not to high-jack the thread, but what's up with the forward gas filler opening? Obviously you are running dual gas tanks, or maybe that is a water tank? Really cleanly done as it appears to be the stock opening and matches the rear gas filler opening perfectly.

 

[pwc]

And what's the address for the pictures of your 2.8 install? I can't find it and have a need for pictures.