Today was one of the few days I wish I had a 130 instead of a 110. Or wishing I could roll down the rear window like a 4Runner. Or maybe just missing the LR4's amazing split tailgate. Just drop the LR4 bottom tailgate and 10' lumber fits easily. Looking back, the LR3 engineers that created the split tailgate and packaged the full size spare tire and spacious fold-flat third row seats into the rear cargo area were geniuses. Or maybe I should buy the $3500 LR4 listed in the marketplace for hauling home repair supplies but the last thing we need is another vehicle in the crowded driveway.

 

Agreed; the L319 was an excellent platform. Nothing beat the split tailgate. It was genius. Great for hauling, you could still open it in tight spaces, and perfect for tailgating. I regret selling mine and I'll own another sometime.

 

Don't forget being able to duck under it when loading grocery bags in the pouring rain. Maybe that LR4 in the marketplace is for you. I can't believe it has not sold yet at that price.

 

Last night I went out to dinner with a couple friends at a restaurant that only offers valet parking, which I hate. It reminded me of a time I was at the same restaurant last summer, where they had two Defenders parked right in front, and I told the valet to park my Defender next to the others. He didn't because it was muddy after a day of off-roading, so I slipped him a $20 bill and he parked mine next to the others. Whether clean or dirty, the Defender looks great parked up front!

 

Seriously most people would have a set of cross bars for the roof rails for these occasions ...

 

I have both a set of OEM cross bars (for the roof box) and a set of Thule cross bars (for Thule bike racks). But that PVC trim board is like a wet noodle. At 10' it would be hanging down and hitting the hood. (Even if I put all 4 cross bars on one roof)

 

All of those vehicles crowding your driveway and you don't have an old beater pick-up truck?

 

I wish. And if it was old it would be long bed. Ever see all the contractors/carpenters at Lowes and Home Depot with the short bed quad cab pickups trying to load lumber? The Defender is better at hauling lumber than the quad cab short bed pickups.

 

Pick-up trucks are a nice thing to have if you do any sort of home improvement projects. Mine has an 8 foot flatbed on it, and it's a load carrying beast.

 

I’ve used trucks in the past for home improvement but they are not nearly as useful as a good aluminum 7x14 tandem axle cargo trailer. Having the ability to load via a ramp, covered storage for your loads, and the payload capacity of 6000lbs is just better in every way. Plus I can unhitch it and drive a vehicle that fits in parking spaces.

Bonus — a load of Sheetrock doesn’t have to be unloaded right away and it won’t get wet in the rain.