Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Camping under canvas

Topic: Anyone got double cab pickup?

Mischiefsmum

26/8/2015 at 9:21pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Tripstein Super & VW Camper

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 05/6/2015

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 219

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Looking at replacing our Toyota avensis estate and have always wanted a pickup. I'm telling hubby its the ideal camping vehicle as for wet pack up can lob everything in and wet tent last...instead of having to get tent just so in car first now.
We only have one car and will have to be the family run around too for a stay at home mum and 3.5yr old (I know she'll love it)
So...what's the load bay really like? How much does it really cost to run? How much does it really cost to maintain, insure, tax?
How easy it it to use around town? Park at the supermarket, local shop, doctors surgery?
I know a lot of these are subjective (and make/model dependant) but how else do you find these things out? And yes we will do more research and test drive if we feel it's looking like a contender.

Many thanks you wonderful people

Oh, and what's the best pick up?

RTS5

26/8/2015 at 10:36pm
Location: North Wiltshire
Outfit: Elddis & 3 tents

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/8/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3410
Tent Reviews: 4

Site Reviews Total:	15

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Had a double cab MK5 Toyota Hilux Pickup and loved it. The ride is quite hard as it has leaf springs but not horrendous, and to be honest you get used to it. Cost about £350 to insure fully comp. Tax was around £220. I was getting about 30mpg. I do a lot of short journeys though. Maintenance costs will depend on how much mechanical knowledge you or hubby have. Mine never really needed anything other than basic stuff, and DH did it.

The tub is okay for most things but you will need to tie stuff down. I had a mountain top that keeps the look of the pick up but gives you dry storage. Great for everyday, but not so good if you had something tall to put in the tub as the lid won't go back down. We camped with ours and there wasn't much more space than a decent sized car boot. However with the mountain top it meant stuff could be tied down to the top of it. We put the chairs and tent there. If you get a truckman top for the back it will give you dry storage and LOADS of space as the top of it will be level with the top of the cab.

I used mine as a daily driver, school runs, shopping, etc. I loved the height and the size never bothered me. DH did fit a reversing camera which helped a lot with getting into spaces, though after a while I often didn't need it as I'd got used to the length.

I'd have no qualms about having another Toyota, possibly a MK6 though as they are a bit more refined.

I'd recommend having a look on the Hilux Pickup forum. Lots of info on there and a really friendly bunch of people too. Search on HPOC.

Ewen c

26/8/2015 at 10:46pm
Location: County Kildare Ireland EU.
Outfit: Tents

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 22/8/2013

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3012
Tent Reviews: 12

Site Reviews Total:	21

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	1
Site Reviews 2021:	5
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	1
Site Reviews 2018:	6

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	1
Site Nights 2022:	1
Site Nights 2021:	7
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	3
Site Nights 2018:	9

I'd like a ssangyong korando sport with the hard top. Car type suspension and a decent size double cab.

-------------
Hypercamp Alaska
Vango Force 10 mk3
Vango F10 Helium 1
Coleman Cobra Pro 3
Coleman Cobra 2
Naturehike Star River 2
Eureka! Solitaire
Dutch army goretex bivvy bag

BRYANMITCH

27/8/2015 at 12:45am
Location: GATESHEAD
Outfit: Shiney new ALASKAand tent collection

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 17/7/2011

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 663
Tent Reviews: 5

Site Reviews Total:	3

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I run a Ford Ranger doublecab...mainly because of my love of camping.It has a hard-top and can carry an immense amount of gear without ever being overloaded.Large tent, gazebo,large gas bbq.2 gas bottles, toilet,huge table and chairs.windbreaks and occasionally a crate of lager

.As we camp in a group..there are usually items belonging to others as well.I never worry about a wet pack-up and use those large builders buckets(trugs?) to carry wet tents etc.The hard top doesnt have side windows..no point really..and can be unclamped and lifted off in minutes by 2 people.It handles any snow or mud without problem and thats with normal road tyres fitted.
Tax is £220 and fully comp with all the extras
under £300.Dial direct is my latest insurer-cheapest quote ever.
Practicality? Comfortable to drive--around 30mpg--not the fastest on the road but will sit at the limit all day

They do fill a parking space and I am always worried about being hit by others trying to reverse out of spaces so I tend to park away from the crowd.Maintenance costs have been minimal for me so far--if you think about it as a commercial vehicle they are quite simple mechanically and built to last--not so much of the fancy electronics to go wrong!
As for the shopping..wel you can get plenty in! your local shopkeeper will be asking you to "nip to the cash+carry" for him..mine does when I pop in for a paper. cant comment on the Drs surgery..Im sure it will be frowned upon..people wont be able to get out of their motability cars to collect another sick note (not all obviously...but I know a few!)
All in all--best thing I have ever bought.

-------------
Bryan- TENT CAMPER...by choice!

damo H

27/8/2015 at 8:52am
Location: Preston
Outfit: Bear Lake 6 Croyde Classic Air

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 10/11/2010

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 42
Tent Reviews: 4

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I had a Toyota Hilux Invincible automatic pickup until last year, didn't want the hardtop as in my opinion spoils the look of a pickup.
Really nice to drive, easy to park once used to size. The problem we had was we kept buying more camping gear, the hardtop would have made packing so much easier but probably wouldn't have been enough room.
Average just over 30mpg, insurance under £250

Mischiefsmum

27/8/2015 at 10:10am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Tripstein Super & VW Camper

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 05/6/2015

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 219

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Thanks for the replies guys. Will pass all the info on with a 'see, it'll be perfect' ;) I don't generally mind driving something big but don't feel confident enough to tow and we have nowhere to keep a trailer anyway.

Damo and RTS5 how come u changed and what do u have now?

For some reason the thought of a wet pack up makes me really anxious and I've got it into my head that this'll be the answer to my woes. I know, I have crazy reasoning!

Seriously tho, since hubby's brain tumour was diagnosed i don't want to put things off anymore and I want to go camping as often as poss, weather or no. We don't have a huge amount of money so want as many informed opinions as poss so help us minimise making a costly error. I'm already wondering if our tent was an error as so heavy and time consuming and the worry of wet tent on top of this is putting me off our planned mid sept camp. So it already looks like we will need a 'weekender' and I'll have to look for an easier option when he's less able to help.

I'm sorry, I'm a perennial waffler...

RTS5

27/8/2015 at 10:29am
Location: North Wiltshire
Outfit: Elddis & 3 tents

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/8/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3410
Tent Reviews: 4

Site Reviews Total:	15

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Long story short hubby has mine now. I've got a car again but missing the Hilux. Will probably get a Hilux again in the future. I at least still get a chance to drive my old one from time to time.

Wet pack up can be achieved in a car. Many do it by putting the tent in plastic bags. You would still have to do that even with a pickup as otherwise everything around it will get wet. Unless it was on a mountain top.

Good luck with the search. I hope you find some good weather in September, and that your DH health improves.

Mischiefsmum

27/8/2015 at 4:04pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Tripstein Super & VW Camper

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 05/6/2015

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 219

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Hey, thanks.
It's not so much the tent as everything else as the tent takes over 2/3 of the boot and has to go in first with everything else strategically packed on top. Even chucking everything in the car first that's a lot of shuffling. I'm thinking mountain top and then everything can go in first nearest the cab and wet tent humped in last in plastic sacks, job done!

Another question, does the fact theyre commercial vehicles have any implications for the domestic user? Tax or otherwise?

Oh, and do any have isofix?

Thanking you all again.

RTS5

27/8/2015 at 5:12pm
Location: North Wiltshire
Outfit: Elddis & 3 tents

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/8/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3410
Tent Reviews: 4

Site Reviews Total:	15

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Packing in a pickup can still be a game of 'where does this fit'. Though with a mountain top you could dump the tent and any other large bits on top of it. They would need some plastic over it if there was a chance of rain on the way to your destination. Nothing worse than starting with a wet tent!

No isofix on the Hilux unfortunately. No problems with them being commercial vehicle as tax is based on emissions/engine size now.

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Camping under canvas - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

9241 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder