Trailering is a big part of overlanding, otherwise, we wouldn’t have caravans. It should be noted that the two major types are the single and double axle ones. Hence there is a single axle vs double axle travel trailer debate amongst haulers. However, the advantages of these trailers don’t narrow down to which one has more axles. 

The following is all you need to know about the pros and cons of single vs double axle travel trailers:

Single Axle Trailer Pros 

We start the single axle trailer vs double axle debacle by discussing the features of the former:

Lesser Costs

A trailer with a single axle should be easier on your wallet. It will also be cheaper to maintain due to fewer parts such as tires and bearings. You can also expect lesser fuel costs as the trailer will be lighter and your vehicle won’t have to work as hard. 

More Maneuverability 

This kind of trailer will be more maneuverable due to its comparitively shorter length. It will hence be easy to haul in narrower areas and easier to park as well.

Double or Tandem Axle Trailer Pros 

Next up on the single axle vs double axle debate is the double axled trailer. Below are its advantages:

Greater Weight Capacity

This is the main reason that people tend to go for these trailers. Due to the extra axle, these trailers are more rigid and the weight is distributed better as well. As a result, they can be loaded like there’s no tomorrow, offering up to tons in GVR. 

More Stability 

Let’s face it driving while hauling a trailer is not a piece of cake. You need to protect many things and the inexperienced person may not be able to handle it. Double axled trailers make your life easier by being more stable at high speeds, on long distances, and not swaying out of control.

Higher Safety

Of course, the previous paragraph does discuss some safety aspects. However, it doesn’t talk about the proper suspension on double axled trailers. These trailers don’t bounce around when you hit a rough patch of road or any potholes. They’re also safer in case you get a flat tire. 

Single Axle vs Double Axle Caravan

We’ve check out each and every single difference between a single and double axle trailer. So, how does that fit into caravans? Well, caravans are supposed to be sturdier and more stable on the road as well; so a double axled trailer will do better there. 

At the same time, a caravan on two axles will also offer you more in terms of room and storage. You can hence add more amenities to it that will improve the standards of living in it. But there might be an area or two where one axle may seem more viable. 

That should be the cost department as overlanding is something that can be done at any budget. Hence, a single axle caravan will be cheaper to buy and easier to maintain. Yes, it will be easier to store as well. 

Which Is Better, a Single or Double Axle Travel Trailer?

So, who wins the single vs double axle trailer debate? Well, a double axle trailer seems like the winner here. While both the trailers excel in various aspects, the one with the extra axle seems more competent and better at doing its job, which is hauling more. 

It can tow more and it can do it more effortlessly. This gives you more freedom to do what you want. You can also truly build something great with one if you want a caravan. And yes, it also makes the whole experience safer and comfier. 

But such a trailer does come with some cons which include difficulties in parking it and driving it around tight spaces. It is also pricier to buy and maintain. If these are your concerns, then you may fare better with a single axle trailer.

The Land Rover Defender is one of the most iconic SUVs ever. Alongside the Range Rover, it is responsible for putting the Land Rover brand on the map. This is a vehicle that defined the spirit of trailblazing and overlanding in Europe back in the day. It also had something for every type of consumer out there. With that in mind, let’s look back at some Land Rover Defender history. 

LandRover Defender history

The Defender made it to dealerships all the way back in 1983. It was known as the Land Rover or the Land Rover Defender original. This bad boy came with quite a pedigree as it traced its lineage back to the Land Rover Series I. This was a vehicle from the WWII era and it is regarded as one of the first SUVs in the world. 

Evolution of Land Rover Defender

Unlike its predecessors though, this was a vehicle that attempted to change the opinions of the consumers – it showed them that Land Rovers were more than just rugged boxes on wheels. This is because it came with more amenities and features that attracted families and casual offroaders. As time went on, it brought with it a sense of luxury. 

We saw upgrades to make its ride feel more upscale than before. For example, the biggest change to it in this regard was the upgrade from its leaf-spring suspension design to spring coils. We saw the Defender being available with roll-up windows, comfier seating, and higher-end interior trim pieces. They improved the engine options as well.

Land Rover Defender model history

Over the years, we’ve been used to looking at the boxy Land Rover defender that we all know about and love. However, there are many differences between these vehicles. There are millions of these vehicles on the road but their interiors and amenities are quite different when you get to observe them. 

1983-90

The Land Rover was released in three versions: the 90, the 110, and the 130. These numbers denoted the wheelbase sizes of these, with the 90 being the smallest at around 90mm; the 130 (or the 127 as it was previously known), was about 130mm long. These vehicles were available in 3- and 5-door versions, plus a pickup version. 

1990-2016

Then came 1990, and the Land Rover was officially rebranded as the Land Rover Defender. This model series, and hence the boxy shape that we all know and love, lasted all the way up to 2016. After this, the Defender was retired for an approximate period of 4 years. It was brought back in 2020, as the Land Rover Defender (L663) – a completely modernized version of it. 

2016-Present

This new model is a whole different animal. It is one of the most sophisticated SUVs today; a little bit lower on the plushness hierarchy as compared to the Range Rover. The model names are similar; the Defender 90 is a compact SUV, the Defender 110 is a mid-size SUV, and the Defender 130 is a full-size SUV. You can get this new model in 3- and 5-door options. 

The engine options tend to provide an awesome mix of fuel efficiency and power. You are offered 4-, 6-, and 8-cylinder engines, that give you the right amount of oomph for off-tarmac driving. Combine this with a solid 4WD system and a set of driver-assistance systems, and you’ve got quite the overlander on your hands. But it’ll cost you a lot more than the old models. 

Want to know abou the Land Rover Defender camper price? Check out the listings at Expeditionmeister here: 

Land Rover Defenders for sale

The Toyota Sequoia is the biggest vehicle offered by the world’s largest automaker. In North America, it has recently oversold and replaced the mightiest of them all – the Toyota Land Cruiser. The Toyota Sequoia vs Land Cruiser debate has been ranging on for decades though. 

The following pits the two behemoths against each other for the trail:

Toyota Sequoia vs Land Cruiser: Powertrain 

Both of these monsters have had large engines over the years, fit for the trail. The Land Cruiser gets the win here as it has offered a bigger variety of engine options, no matter the generation. You could get a V6 or a V8; even its diesels are some of the best ones ever made by Toyota. 

On top of that, you also got to choose between manual and automatic gearboxes, with the former being preferable to overlanders. As far as the drivetrain is concerned, both these SUVs offer rear- and 4-wheel drive setups. 

Toyota Sequoia vs Land Cruiser: Numbers 

Power

The Sequoia has always been more powerful than the Land Cruiser in all of its generations except the current one. The Land Cruiser 200 series still managed to catch up to it, but only in on its top-spec model. 

Hauling

Both of these vehicles are excellent for towing trailers but the Land Cruiser has generally been on the longer end of the stick. Take the LC200 for example, it can tow up to 8200 pounds while its Sequoia counterpart could do up to 7400 pounds. 

Mileage 

As they’re full-sized SUVs, you shouldn’t expect much here. However, it should be noted that both of these vehicles are quite similar when it comes to fuel consumption. The current gens do well but the older ones won’t deliver more than 15 mpg. 

Acceleration 

This class of vehicles isn’t known for its high accelerations either. However, you can expect decent 0-60 mph times from most of their models in the past 20 years to be in the 7- to the 9-second range. The Land Cruiser has been observed to be quicker overall. 

Enjoying the read? Check out the Land Rover Defender vs Toyota Land Cruiser battle here:

Land Cruiser vs Defender

Toyota Sequoia vs Land Cruiser: Interior

You can expect both of these larger-than-life vehicles to be spacious and comfortable with plenty of room for storage. However, the Toyota Sequoia is the bigger car overall so if you want more room in your SUV camper, it should be the better choice. As far as luxury and build quality is concerned, the Land Cruiser wins. 

Toyota Sequoia vs Land Cruiser: Driving 

The Land Cruiser wins here by a long shot. Sure, both of these vehicles are very commanding and quick on the road, but the Land Cruiser is more agile. And yes, it is also a lot better at offroading, which is the case whenever you compare it to anything else. 

Toyota Sequoia vs Land Cruiser: Price

This one should be a tie since both these giants hold their value pretty well. You can find a better range of cheaper Land Cruisers though. 

Toyota Sequoia vs Land Cruiser: Verdict 

So, who wins the Toyota Sequoia-Land Cruiser? Well, it would be the Land Cruiser since it is quicker, better to drive offroad, and cheaper in the used market. The Sequoia does gain some points back in terms of power and spaciousness. 

If you take apart the offroading abilities and build quality, the major difference between Sequoia and Land Cruiser is just the size. 

To get your Land Cruiser camper or Sequoia, click here:

Land Cruiser for sale Sequoia for sale

The Land Rover Defender is on a roll, having competed against the Land Cruiser and the Jeep Wrangler. Here, we put it against its younger sibling, the Land Rover Discovery. The Discovery was launched years after the Defender and it made quite a name for itself as the flagship model. That being said, let’s indulge in the Defender vs Discovery debate to see who wins.

Note: We’ll only be looking at the first two generations of these legends as those make the best overlanding machines. 

Defender vs Discovery: Powertrain 

Both the Land Rover Defender and Discovery have been known to offer a range of engine options ranging from 4- to 8-cylinder engines. You can also find these SUVs with turbodiesel engines. 

It should be known that the onwards from their first generations, the Defender has more diverse engine offerings. The Discovery ditches the 4-cylinder and you only get V8 petrol engines and 5-cylinder turbodiesels. 

Both these vehicles offered manual and automatic options and they come with 4-wheel drive systems. 

Defender vs Discovery: Numbers 

Power

In terms of horsepower and torque, the Land Rover Discovery beats the Defender in every generation. 

Hauling

The first-gen Discovery beats the Defender when it comes to the towing capacity. But on average, both of these vehicles can tow pretty much the same at around 3500 kgs. 

Mileage 

This is where the Land Rover Defender pulls one back as the decade-old models do 10-11L/100km whereas the Discovery can only manage half of that. 

Acceleration 

Both the Defender and Discovery have always been able to manage a 0-60 mph time of around 10 seconds, if we look at their top-spec models. Overall, the Discovery is quicker. 

Enjoying the read? Check out the Land Rover Defender vs Toyota Land Cruiser battle here:

Defender vs Land Cruiser

Defender vs Discovery: Interior

The Land Rover Discovery has been known for its stellar interior design and amenities, while the Defender has a reputation of being more rugged. The Discovery’s interior has often been compared to that of the Range Rover. 

The Discovery is much more quieter and it is also a lot roomier when it comes to comfortable seating and stowage. It is built for families which is why it’s more sophisticated. 

Defender vs Discovery: Driving 

The Land Rover Defender has a more comfortable suspension and it is more powerful. This makes it a lot more fun to driver. but which is better offroad in the Defender or Discovery battle? Well, that honor also goes to the Discovery, despite the Defender’s credentials. However, the Defender does have better height clearance and its approach/departure angles though.

Defender vs Discovery: Price

The Land Rover Defender holds its value better as older Discovery models tend to cost half the price. As a result, the Dicovery gets the win here if you’re looking to convert one to a camper. A 20-30 year old model will be quite cheap. 

Defender vs Discovery: Verdict 

By the looks of it, the Discovery completely demolishes the mighty Land Rover Defender. This shouldn’t be a surprise since its a more luxurious version of the legendary offroader. The Defender wins in the power, acceleration, interior, driving and pricing departments. 

Meanwhile, the Defender manages to grab a win in the fuel economy race, and the two Land Rovers tie together when it comes to towing capacity and engines. Overall, they’re both spectacular overlanding machines. 

Looking to buy a Land Rover Defender or a Discovery camper? Buy yours here:

Defenders for sale Discovery for sale

The Jeep Wrangler vs Land Rover Defender debate is as old as these two vehicles are. This is because they both trace their respective lineages to two of the very first off-roaders ever – the Willys Jeep and the Land Rover Series I. Because these are two excellent overlanding options, and they represent the US vs UK dynamic, let’s compare the two.

Defender vs Wrangler: Powertrain 

We start by comparing the powertrains of these two icons. The Land Rover Defender has always offered a wider range of engines and cylinder options. You can find 8-, 6-, and 4-cylinder variants, including turbodiesel ones on the brit. 

In contrast, Jeep never offered more than 3 engines on the Wrangler. However, the ones that it did were pretty great. On recent models, you can even find plug-in hybrid setups – so yes, the Wrangler has had more modern engines, which will be a factor below. 

On the older Defender models, you get manual transmissions but the Wrangler offers automatic ones as well (autos were added after 1990). Also, the Defender has always had standard 4WD but it was part-time on the Wrangler. 

Check out the Land Rover Defender vs Toyota Land Cruiser battle here:

Defender vs Toyota Land Cruiser

 

Defender vs Wrangler: Numbers 

Power

The Wrangler wins this one. Despite the Land Rover offering bigger engines, all of the Wrangler models except the YJ offer more power. This changed with the current Land Rover Defender which is one of the most powerful SUVs today. 

Hauling

The Defender pulls one back as it has the higher maximum towing capacity when you look at all the models. You can expect it to haul as much as 3500-4000 lbs. Meanwhile the Wrangler has a better minimum towing capacity at 2000 lbs. 

Mileage 

Both these vehicles are known to be gas guzzlers, unless you pick a super recent Jeep with a hybrid engine, or the current Defender – both will get you around 18 mpg. 15 mpg is the most that one can expect from both the models available for camping. 

Acceleration 

Acceleration isn’t a strong point for these two and you can expect a 0-60 mph time of around 10 seconds for most of the model years. If we compare the current models, then the Defender wins by a long shot with its 5-second acceleration. 

Defender vs Wrangler: Interior

On the inside, it is the Jeep Wrangler that gets the win since it was always more modern and comfortable than the Defender. It took the Defender a while to catch up with the American beast. If we look at today’s models, the Defender is posher. 

Defender vs Wrangler: Driving 

The Land Rover Defender is the winner simply due to its amazing offroading ability. There are a few vehicles that can stand up to this monster (the newer model is quite soft). The Wrangler is also good if you equip it right, but the Defender doesn’t need much to be great. 

Defender vs Wrangler: Price

The Land Rover Defender should be pricier than the Wrangler as it tends to hold its value better. 

Defender vs Wrangler: Verdict 

So, who wins the Land Rover-Wrangler debate then? Well, that would be the Land Rover Defender. This is because it is the better choice when it comes to engine options, towing, offroading, and also due to its choice of engines. The Wrangler is also quite respectable here as it gets the best of the Defender in terms of power, comfort, and pricing. 

Defenders for sale Jeep Wrangler for sale

After battling the Nissan Patrol in a fantastic skirmish, the Land Cruiser is now up against the mighty Land Rover Defender. The two vehicles have a spectacular reputation amongst all the overlanding enthusiasts of the world. So, who wins the Land Rover Defender vs Toyota Land Cruiser debate then? To find out, let’s put these trailblazers against each other. 

Land Rover Defender vs Toyota Land Cruiser: Powertrain

We start with the engine options and both of these vehicles tend to do well here. In the olden times (1980s and 90s), the Defender had the edge with its V8s, and its efficient turbodiesel 4-cylinder. Of course, the LandCruiser’s I6 engines were no slouches and they offered a lot of power. It also came with diesel versions which had 6 cylinders on them. 

In the 2000s, the Land Cruiser got its high power V8 engines, which it would continue to have for two generations. It also offered V6 engines and these also generated great numbers. Meanwhile, the Defender offered a set of similar engines as before, but they did get a bit modernized as time went on. 

Today, the Defender offers V8, V6, and I4 powertrains, while the Land Cruiser gets a turbo-charged 6-cylinder. While the V6 on the Defender is similar to the one on the Toyota; its top V8 engine truly crushes the one on the Land Cruiser when it comes to athleticism. So, the Defender does offer better engines in general.

Land Rover Defender vs Toyota Land Cruiser: Numbers

Power

Both of these vehicles are known for offering high power and torque. But if we look at the top models, the Land Rover Defender has always been on the longer end of the stick. It has always been more powerful than the LC. 

Hauling

Both vehicles are excellent for hauling due to their construction and power outputs. However, the Land Rover has also had the edge over the Land Cruiser here, as its maximum towing capacity has always been higher. 

Mileage

These vehicles aren’t exactly known for going easy on fuel budgets. However, you can expect most of the models of the Land Cruiser to do better here. 

Acceleration

The Land Rover Defender wins in this category as today’s model is one of the quickest SUVs in the world. Even during the older days, its top-spec model got the best of the Land Cruiser. 

Land Rover Defender vs Toyota Land Cruiser: Interior

The Land Cruiser demolishes the Defender here as it is probably the most well-built SUV on the planet. Even if we compare the 80 series against the Defender from the 1990s, the LC is more luxurious and comfortable, plus it is loaded with gadgets. If you opt for the Lexus LX, the upscale meter just goes through the roof. 

Land Rover Defender vs Toyota Land Cruiser: Driving

The Land Cruiser has always been better to drive whether it is on or off-tarmac. Since this is an overlanding website, we should discuss the offroading nature of these two cars. It can safely be said that the LC is the best offroader on the planet, while the Defender is also one of the GOATs in this regard. 

Land Rover Defender vs Toyota Land Cruiser: Reliability

There’s not much that can be more dependable than a Land Cruiser, as Toyota simply builds them well. On top of that, you can also find genuine Toyota spares everywhere. 

Land Rover Defender vs Toyota Land Cruiser: Price 

The Land Rover Defender gets the win here as Land Cruisers don’t lose their value that easily. 

Land Rover Defender vs Toyota Land Cruiser: Verdict

So, who wins the Land Rover Defender vs Land Cruiser debate then? Well, the Land Rover Defender barely gets the win here thanks to its affordability, higher power output and speed, and better towing capacity. 

The Land Cruiser should be preferred for off-roading, comfort, features, and reliability. Some may find it to be the better option for overlanding – for that, they must have a higher budget though. 

We can safely say that the Defender vs Land Cruiser battle was a close one. To view a similar battle, check out the Land Cruiser vs Toyota Hilux. 

Defenders for sale Land Cruisers for sale

Land Rover campers are some of the best overlanding machines that money can buy. The Defender, aka the OG Land Rover, is one of the most demanded offroaders. However, when you search for a Defender camper, you come across three different models: 90, 110, and 130. But which is best? Let’s look at the Land Rover Defender 90 vs 110 vs 130 debate to find out.

Note: We will be observing the original Land Rover that was available from 1983 to 2016 since it is the choice for most overlanders; not the Land Rover Defender (L663) available from 2020 and onwards. 

Battle 1: Defender 90 vs 110

We begin this debate with the Land Rover Defender 90 vs 110 discussion. As you may be aware, these two vehicles are the first two Land Rover models in existence. They were released within months of each other, and there are a couple of differences between them. 

The major difference between the two is the length of the wheelbase. The Land Rover 90 has a wheelbase of 93mm while the 110 does a bit better with 110mm. This makes the latter roomier, so that you may pack it with more essentials for overlanding. 

As far as the maneuverability is concerned, the longer length of the wheelbase doesn’t ruin it by much if you opt for the 110. However, as the 110 was launched prior to the 90, you’ll find that its very first models will be less modern. Therefore, you’re recommended to go for the later models.

The plus side of the 90 is the better power-to-weight ratio that you’ll be getting. Plus, it will be easier to park whenever you need to take a break from the trail. However, adding that 20mm length shouldn’t be a problem for even the most careless drivers. 

So, who wins the Land Rover 90 vs 110 debate then? Well, the 110 is the clear winner here due to the better opportunities to customize it according to your needs on the trail. The 110 should be pricier but you get more value from it. Moving on. 

Learn more about the Land Rover Defender here.

Battle 2: Defender 110 vs 130

The winner of the Defender 90 vs Defender 110 debate will now face the 130. The Land Rover Defender 130 was previously known as the Land Rover 127. However, after the change of branding in 1990, it picked up the Defender nametag. 

As suggested by its name, the Defender 130 has a longer wheelbase than both of its aforementioned siblings. It is about 130mm long, making it even more useful for furnishing or storing stuff when you’re in the great outdoors. 

Combine this with a spectacular turbodiesel engine option that provides the right balance of power and efficiency, and isn’t available in the older models; you’ve got yourself quite the overlander. The only downside is that the 130 will cost you more than the other two. 

Verdict – Land Rover Defender 90 vs 110 vs 130

A Land Rover Defender 130 camper will be the best option for you. While the other two are great, the 130 has the longest wheelbase which is a better choice for overlanding as more room is often preferred. Combine this with the same engine options as the other two, and an additional TD5 engine, and you’ve clearly got the best value for money. 

Want to know about the Land Rover Defender camper price? Check out the listings at Expeditionmeister here: 

 

Land Rover Defenders for sale

Land Rovers are not just respected for their offroading prowess, but they also have a pedigree for trailblazing. This is because they’re the first SUV to come out of Europe. The Defender has been one of the strongest LandRover models to date. If you want a Land Rover converted to camper, you should consider a Defender camper. The following’s all you need to know:

Background behind the Land Rover Defender

Let’s start with a Land Rover Defender history lesson. It can be said that the Defender is the OG Land Rover. In fact, its original models, the Land Rover Defender 90 and 110 models are known in the used truck market as the original Land Rover Defender, or just the Land Rover. 

The LandRover Defender history goes back to 1983 as the legendary SUV was launched as a minimalistic approach to going off-tarmac. It was known as the Defender 110, and it was followed by the more compact Defender 90 and the tougher Defender 130. 

To the layman, there were a bunch of different body styles available. These were the 3- and 5-door SUVs, a 2-door pickup, and a 3-door panel truck. There was something for everybody which is why a Land Rover Defender can be an SUV or pickup truck camper. 

Over time, the Land Rover Defender became a more upscale offering. Land Rover offered more engine options and upgraded the suspension for more comfort. The company also added more amenities such as roll-up windows, high-end trim pieces, and comfier seating. 

These three models were made defunct in 1990 as the company introduced more makes. This led to them officially getting the Defender title as opposed to just Land Rover. But the highlights here were the improvements in the powertrain, including the new turbodiesel engine. 

Land Rover Defender camper 

A Land Rover Defender camper is a no-brainer due to the reliability you get. You can often spot these trucks on the road, no matter where you are – all of them are decades old and are still running. This is because they were built well and also because they’re easy to fix. 

Also, the older models are just so primitive that there’s not much that can go wrong with them. There aren’t many sophisticated gadgets and there’s nothing in them to showboat. As a result, they’re also quite light in comparison to their peers. 

The offroading abilities of these trucks are also some of the best. They are built by the same company that makes the mighty Range Rover so this is expected. These trucks have been used by militaries all over the world due to their impeccable capabilities off the road.  

Land Rover Defender campers 

Interested in getting a Land Rover Defender campervan? You’re not the only one. Generally, there are a few variants that are available in the market. Below are the models that you can expect while searching for a Land Rover Defender overland vehicle:

• Defender 90 camper
• Defender 110 camper
• Defender 127 camper
• Defender 130 camper

These models are available in various body styles for you to choose from. 

Land Rover Defender camper price

There is quite a wide price range for these beauties simply due to the various models out there. You can save money on a Land Rover pop-up tent camper from the 80s and expect it not to disappoint. Otherwise, you can also get a Defender with a shell that’s pricey. 

To find out the price range, check out the listings at Expeditionmeister here: https://expeditionmeister.com/expedition-overland-for-sale/pattern,Land+Rover+Defender