LR3 Packed Pics
- Thread starter uberhahn
- Start date
Dave Legacy
Adventurer
The cargo area in the LR3 looks bigger than in my D2, but it feels so limiting. I'm constantly trying to find more room. I'm thinking the only solution for road trips is a roof rack or roof cargo box. A roof rack is a pretty big commitment unless you go "nwoods-style" and install quick disconnects on the rack for an easy up and down. A roof rack with an all-weather cargo bag to protect your luggage from the elements would be great and you can even use the rack to carry accessories.
A roof box/pod from Thule or Yakima would be the most realistic method for on-road road trips. When you're not using it just remove it and store it.
A roof box/pod from Thule or Yakima would be the most realistic method for on-road road trips. When you're not using it just remove it and store it.
nwoods
Expedition Leader
The LR3 will hold a lot of stuff, but, you really should seriously consider getting a swing-away spare tire holder off the rear bumper. The stock location of the spare tire is not very helpful when you are likely to actually need it (in off roading conditions). For this reason, I always put the spare in the back of the truck, and that took up a LOT of room. If you can get one of the new swing-out tire carriers, you should have no problem fitting your kit in the back of the LR3.
Here are some photos of my packing or interior set up when fully loaded for a long distance (10 day cross country overland) trip.
I found that the cargo barrier (dog barrier) worked really well to separate the luggage from the people, and allowed me to stack higher, safely. You can also secure things to cargo barrier.
Interior shot with the kids in the back, plus the cargo barrier
And if you REALLY need more space, jetson the kids and use the middle row too:
(note, my middle row seats are different than yours)
I did need to use a roof rack on occasion:
Here are some photos of my packing or interior set up when fully loaded for a long distance (10 day cross country overland) trip.
I found that the cargo barrier (dog barrier) worked really well to separate the luggage from the people, and allowed me to stack higher, safely. You can also secure things to cargo barrier.
Interior shot with the kids in the back, plus the cargo barrier
And if you REALLY need more space, jetson the kids and use the middle row too:
(note, my middle row seats are different than yours)
I did need to use a roof rack on occasion:
stolenheron
Explorer
the White LR3 is gorgeous
Nwoods,
this is what I was hoping to find. thanks. you're right about the spare though... Very limiting if inside. I assume you use the night-vision cases for your camera equipment? I picked some up at our local army-surplus for $10 each. Still trying to figure out how to use them best.
I will be looking at an LR4 in the next week... If I can sqeeeze enveryone in with all of our stuff, we should be good to go.
this is what I was hoping to find. thanks. you're right about the spare though... Very limiting if inside. I assume you use the night-vision cases for your camera equipment? I picked some up at our local army-surplus for $10 each. Still trying to figure out how to use them best.
I will be looking at an LR4 in the next week... If I can sqeeeze enveryone in with all of our stuff, we should be good to go.
Dave Legacy
Adventurer
nwoods
Expedition Leader
As Dave says, it's Land Rover KIT. It's nice, has some good features (like easily removable/installable for trips), and theres no drilling or any thing permanent about it. On the flip side though, it's not super strong. I only attached lightweight items to it, and I really wish the bottom half was open to allow pass through or sleeping inside the cabin.
Dave Legacy
Adventurer
Does it attach to pre-existing anchor points or does it use pressure to stay in place? Would it be wrong to put someone in the third row behind the cage? =)
nwoods
Expedition Leader
You'll come across my name a lot in any internet searches related to the LR3. First thing you need to know is that I am extremely budget limited. My solutions are strongly effected by budget. The LR community has a few extremely vocal members who espouse all that is right and wrong of what I did. Generally speaking, their opinions are correct, but circumstances are what they are. You can start out the right way by buying your way into it, or you can learn what works for you the hard way. I kinda prefer the hard way. The journey is more informative than just reading some a-whole's opinion. When you ultimately end up with something good, or for fiscal reasons fall short of that goal, you will at least have the full knowledge and understanding and appreciation of what is good and what makes it better than something else.
Having said all that. The night vision boxes were my first foray into having something like a Pelican case, but way cheaper. What I learned was that they are heavy and cumbersome. Too many latches to quickly pop one open and access the contents, and they are really heavy. Also, the handles are not up to the task, and once those little metal handles come off, those cases are VERY difficult to transport. Have I mentioned that they are heavy?
I did not keep camera gear in them, instead I used them to hold tools. I've gotten better at that though. Now I keep most of my tools in very compact non-rattling canvas tool rolls. I love these things: http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/View_Catalog_Page.asp?mi=7059
All my tools now fit in many different sorts of containers, and what I use depends on what I'm driving, towing, or carrying, and how many people are on board. This varies a lot from trip to trip. I still don't own a Pelican case, but I would if I could afford them. For me, I had to choose between carrying $200 worth of tools, or an empty $200 Pelican box.
For LR3/4 related info, I highly recommend the sources listed on my LR3 Tips website: http://lr3tips.wordpress.com/top-sites/
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nwoods
Expedition Leader
It uses all the above. It mounts to brackets that are bolted to the tiedown anchors in the floor (you remove the anchor, install a bracket, reinstall the tiedown cleat). Then the top part is a push/pull sort of tension arrangement off the C pillar. There is another contact point near the seatbelt attachments on the side that is bolted in. My never rattled or bounced, though I have heard others complain of it. Once all the brackets are in place, it uses the equivalent of wingnuts to quickly install or remove.
Anyone in the far back seat would have to exit through the hatch, and since you can't do the magic unlock of the tailgate (door buttons on center dash) from the backseat with the barrier in place, I would caution against putting people there.
stolenheron
Explorer
Genuine Land Rover. There's an optional dog kennel too:
it also works for small children.
Dave Legacy
Adventurer
Thanks. I agree that it would be unsafe to have passengers behind the barrier, but if it's that easy to remove I might get one. I rather like the idea of cargo staying in the cargo area in a worst-case scenario.
MatthewThompson
Adventurer
I'd take it over nothing at all.