Intro and van v Xtrail

vansam · Newbie

Intro and van v Xtrail

dogbox · Guru

i had an x-trail (manual)an thought that gearing was to high for any serious off road or slow driving. an auto may be better

hufnpuf · Senior Member

Hi, welcome to the forum.

Can you hire the vehicles you are considering and test them out that way? If you were to hire an X-trail and take it somewhere, you could assess whether you could be comfortable sleeping in the back of it or not. Also, you need to consider what else you'd want to take and how much room you have to pack it. Before I got my caravan, I went away with a tent. All of the "stuff" (bed, bedding, chair, esky, kitchen things, small gas bottle, portable stove, water containers) filled up the (IMO huge) rear of my Kluger without any of it being big or bulky. Whether you are someone who can live out of a backpack may affect your decision, as will what you want to do. eg, if you'll buy takeaways, you won't need cooking things, but you'll spend more on food.

vansam · Newbie

Thanks both for the thoughts. In terms of what I need I guess a bit dictated by what space I have too, but for shorter trips could get away with takeaway/basic gas setup and boiling water I think, just need to store it while driving and overnight if I sleep in the back. I will look at the hire idea, that's not a bad one and something I hadn't considered. I have gone to a car yard and lay down in the back of an x trail, I fit but not much in terms of extra length. The guy there actually told me forester's are better to go on beach in as they have non slip diff (I think that's what it was, something diff related that the x trail doesn't have). Moot point if I end up with a van though.

Whenarewethere · Guru

We have a Freelander, basically the same size as an X-Trail. We usually sleep inside but it is 20 minutes twice a day to rearrange the car & you need to have compact quality equipment, but once organised it works well.

I traveled from Sydney to Perth over two weeks to pick other half up from the airport. So I could leave the rear ready to sleep. Also a month in Tassie by myself.

If you have crap weather a car can get tiresome quickly. A van you will be able to sit & stand simply to stretch!

Three months is our limit in a car & we are glad to get home.

4wd you can get to more places vs a van where you have more creature comforts.

JeffRae · Guru

Vansam, link to modifications to iLoad by another member

https://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t66459481/newbie-with-hyundai-imax-iload-starex/

Jeff

travelyounger · Guru

vansam wrote:
Hi all, new member whos stumbled upon the forum from multiple sites and searches.

Im about to get a new car initially for weekends away to dip a toe in the water. The current dilemma is do I get a van (likely hyundai iload or imax) or a Nissan x trail.

X trail i can take on the beach and the 2008-2013 shape seats go flat so can take a mattress in the back and maybe a platform to slide boards under, but not much else space wise. Its also better to drive/smaller around town.

Alternatively a van, value for money and available parts I think the imax are more available but also looking at Iload. Would need to remove seats from imax too. Ive seen it done once on here and think I could get that done. If anyone has any thoughts on those options (or other vans that are good/which way to go 4wd v van, anything else) would love to hear them.
I know they are pricey but there is only one vehicle that will suit your needs and you can keep for life a Toyota factory turbo diesel Toyota troup carrier they have heaps of room will go any where and have one of the best engines ever made and can be fitted out with everything you will need and can tow large weights as well I would not buy a 2 WD as you will miss out on so much it would also be a good investment

cheers

Wannabe nomad · Senior Member

Hi
I bought a 2012 diesel manual 4x4 x-trail and just did my first solo (20days) outback trip, Murray Bridge to Alice and back.
The only other trip I've done so far is the 5days I took to drive it home from Newcastle to Murray Bridge in March then covid set in
Obviously i have only limited experience and everyone has different needs and I'm not technical person, but I did get some advice from this forum, cars advice website and the RAA . And I learned a bit along the way
I bought this particular model because
1. The cost to purchase and to run compared to a camper van, or bigger 4x4
2. the body shape was more suitable to sleep in than newer models( eg higher roof inside and seats go completely flat for sleeping).
3. It turns back into a car small enough for me to be comfortable going shopping and drs in yet big enough to ferry grandkids in.
4. I was advised that the diesel manual one of that eara is has a gutsy enough engine to to a trailer if I ever want too
Here is what I learned
1. (Negative) it does not have a full sized spare it's a 16inch not a 17inch, and there is no room to replace it with the 17inch. I was not comfortable putting another spare on the roof for cost, road handling, plus I'm not strong enough to get it off the roof anyway. So this trip i did not leave the bitumen (Whereas bigger 4x4s have them on the back door)
2. (Positive) as I was a sole traveller there was plenty of room to leave it set up permanently, (I found $29bcf air bed much more comfortable than I expected)
3.(negative) if you want to take full off road gear portaloo or shower, you will need to use a roof rack or tow, whereas you can shove a lot in a van or bigger 4x4.
4. (Positive) the room underneath the floor for extra storage
5) (positive) it was a dream to drive and camping for one sleeping was quite roomy enough

So I camped at places that had a loo, and did not go off road, but did it, I loved it and I now know what I will add for future trips and what to leave behind. And it's nice to know I have a car with good fuel consumption, that I'm comfortable to drive everyday. That should I want to has trailer towing capacity