wagon or ute

Submitted: Sunday, Oct 02, 2011 at 14:28

ThreadID: 89342 Views:3608 Replies:9 FollowUps:10

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Member - Desert Storm (QLD)

I am in the market to change vehicles and was wondering if anyone has made the change from having a wagon and converting to a ute. I have had Nissan wagons for the past15 years, and with one kid going his own way soon, and the other one still clinging on. Eventually its going to be me, the missus, and the dog and ultimately i would like to carry a quad on the tray, and maybe a boat on top and towing a camper trailer.
If anyone has made the change over to a ute, did you wish you hadn't or glad you did?
thanks,
John

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Reply By: feathery - Sunday, Oct 02, 2011 at 14:59

Reply By: Notso - Sunday, Oct 02, 2011 at 16:22

Reply By: drjfly - Sunday, Oct 02, 2011 at 18:22

Reply By: Fatso - Sunday, Oct 02, 2011 at 22:15

Sunday, Oct 02, 2011 at 22:15

to Hilux 2 seater.
The kids have their own cars & now it is just the wife & I.
Sometimes miss the 7 seats for group push-bike riding, but we have a far greater demand for the tray. Whether it be going to the dump or getting garden materials or taking the dogs somewhere, it is used a hell of a lot more than a second row of seats.
The ute is easier to drive around town than the wagon as well. The visibility out the back when reversing is great. You can see exactly where the rear of your car is.
I have built a lockable box type canopy that has its own floor & I lift it off with a chain block & drop on castors when not using it . That's how I unpack & store my camping gear. At 2.6m long 1.8m wide & 1.1m high it is big enough to carry 2 bikes, all our camping gear & with a bit of rearranging we can even sleep inside with all our stuff.
I have always thought that nearly every couple caravanning or just travelling around should have a ute, except for the overloaded ones that should have a medium rigid.
Utes a far more versatile than wagons.
We are not going back.

AnswerID: 466616

Follow Up By: Fatso - Sunday, Oct 02, 2011 at 22:18

Sunday, Oct 02, 2011 at 22:18

Sorry, that was supposed to read Patrol Wagon to Hilux 2 reater.

FollowupID: 740723

Follow Up By: Member - Desert Storm (QLD) - Sunday, Oct 02, 2011 at 22:22

Sunday, Oct 02, 2011 at 22:22

gday fatso,
would you happen to have any photos of your box canopy?
John

FollowupID: 740725

Follow Up By: stoney123 - Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 06:01

Monday, Oct 03, 2011 at 06:01

hi Fatso,

yeah i would like to see it too, i am thinking of going ute/tray style, but initial research shows about $4,500 for a tradies style lockup on the back (for camping gear) , am thinking of just buying a couple of those lockable tool boxes to store stuff, or perhaps a wire cage with canvas top/sides?

FollowupID: 740744

Follow Up By: Fatso - Wednesday, Oct 05, 2011 at 18:53

Wednesday, Oct 05, 2011 at 18:53

I should the box on the Hilux this weekend.
I will take some photos & try & post them.

FollowupID: 740983

Follow Up By: Fatso - Sunday, Oct 09, 2011 at 17:38

Sunday, Oct 09, 2011 at 17:38

I got a few photos fellas, but I can't post them. I am not a member.
I tried to send you them in a message Desert Storm, but that won't work either.
I'll give you a bit of an idea of what I built.
The frame is of 40 x 40 x2 SHS with 25 x 25 x 1.5 SHS ribs.
The2 doors are 2100 x 1100 & are framed with 25 x 25 x 1.5 SHS
The floor ribs are 25 x 25 x 1.5 as well & the floor its self is 10mm ply.
Walls & doors are sheeted in 2.0 mm alluminium
Roof is 3.0 mm alluminium.
Not vsure how much it cost but it must be close to $3000 & I payed no labour.
The waterproof hinge, seals, locks & struts were about $900.
The aluminium, which was 4 sheets of 2 mm 2400 x 1200 & 2 sheets of 3 mm 1500 x 3600 cost somewhere around $950 I think.
It has taken about 6 tubes of Sikaflex (probably a bit watefull) & a few hundred rivets.
I calculated a weight of 225kg before I started but tend to think it might be up a bit more. I didn't allow for the handles, hinges, struts, sikaflex & carpet & that stuff.
The marine carpet cost $125 as well.
Hope that give you an idea.
Oh as well. I should have paid the $6000 I was quoted over 12 months ago for a top quality one from Blairs Mufflers in Tully. I would have had it 12 months ago instead of taking 12 months to build this one.