Does anyone have a ute as their windsurfing car? I'm still wrestling with what sort of vehicle to get next. Utes are really useful for other stuff so have a lot of appeal.
Is anyone currently running a ute that they can lock their gear up under a hard lid? Some of the Japanese utes look like they might have a long enough tray to take a 245 board diagonally.
Is anyone successfully using a ute and can recommend make and model?
I own a Toyota Hilux workmate ute with a 2.6m tray with high tray sides, easily fits all my boards etc but only tarp over the top, when travelling usually take my trailer.
Thinking of getting a fibreglass canopy, they look great.
http://www.flexiglass.com.au/
Yeah,
a friend of mine has a Toyata Hilux ute he uses to carry his windsurfing gear. He fits a fair bit of stuff in the tray, three boards and all the rest of the gear he needs. It has higher sides than normal trays. A fabric cover keeps everything out of view. He likes it.
Full length Japanese utes will work, extra cabs only just depending on the gear and how you pack it in but forget dual cabs if you don't want gear hanging out of the tray. I used to have my boards sticking out the back of my Hilux dual cab.
Aussie utes, forget the new models. Holden have made the tray too short in the new model by giving over extra room to the cabin. VZ or earlier had enough room in the tray to get gear under a hard cover. Bit of fun to have a V8 machine to get to your favourite spot. Ford utes haven't had the tray length side the old XH which I think was up till about '99. Of course you could go a one toner in either the ford or holden and have a tray made up that suited.
Utes are good but vans are better. One of the best things about a van is using the back door as shade from the sun while watching the windsurfing. That's something a ute can't do.
ikw777 said...
Is anyone currently running a ute that they can lock their gear up under a hard lid?
Is anyone successfully using a ute and can recommend make and model?
Been using utes on and off for skiing, canoeing and windsurfing since 1978. Only ever used a tarp. In all that time only ever lost 1 beach towel. The risk of theft is overstated. Though I do mostly unload it rather than leave it on the street overnight. That's a time waster.
A ute is a lot cheaper than a comparable van, you could afford to replace a bit of gear if you were unlucky enough to get it stolen. A van does keep your boards out of the heat though.
I had a VY SS (2003) with a hard cover, used to put all my gear in it in October and leave it there until April. Worked well, all locked up, 2 boards fitted diagonally.
Now I've got a triton dual cab with a tray back, and a tarp. still good but the boards hang out the end and I cant leave all my stuff in it for 6 months. Happy with both
Utes are great. To make it better fit a roll top. Gives you the ability to fit large stuff in the back when needed. Im running a D22 navara with the roll top and its fantastic.
I guess a Hold crewman or Falcon ute (non tray) with a lock-able lid and a two roll bars would be ideal. As aus301 said, the dual cab won't take a board diagonally. On the other hand sails/masts etc. will fit inside the cabin of a crewman.
If you are considering vans the Hyundai iloads are relatively cheap and have a 3 or maybe a 5 year warranty.
check out jason's van with shelves fully loaded (JH2703).
Davage said... Utes are great. To make it better fit a roll top. Gives you the ability to fit large stuff in the back when needed. Im running a D22 navara with the roll top and its fantastic.
Davage said... Utes are great. To make it better fit a roll top. Gives you the ability to fit large stuff in the back when needed. Im running a D22 navara with the roll top and its fantastic.
I have a ve commodore ute with a hard cover and all i can fit under the cover is a 400 mast and at best 2 boards hanging out the back with the cover resting on top but its comfy and looks good so im happy with it , probably not the best choice if you want a very useful ute .
The only problem with the roll top is that you loose some length at the front of the tray for the box that the top rolls into. They work a bit like a garage roller door. I looked at these at one stage for a ute I owned, VU commodore, but once fitted I could no longer get my gear in the back with the cover locked closed.
You loose a little bit with the drum but my board goes in underneath it, so does my 460 mast on the angle.
I have 415mm clearance under the lid. Under the drum I still have 240mm clear.
In the over all scheme of things you dont loose that much.
Hi there, I used to wonder myself and could not find what I need.. wanted a roomy 4x4.. end up bying a Rodeo, single cab with a long tray, build up a wood shell for 800 bucks, slide it in the back and bold it down!! Been 3 seasons and still going!! full lockable 4-5 (4 in if needed, 1 out) boards, 4-5 sails, 6-8 mats, + all the rest of the gear.
There is a multi usage cavity above the shell access from outside (1200x2600x150) which I have fishing gear, or extra wishbone, or mattress, etc depend..
Still happy with it today, its aging, thinking to build another one in ali this time, something I could remove anytime.. not sure yet. anyway here it is
good luck on finding what you need...
Have not seen any utes that can drive off-road but I guess that dependes on whihc spots you need to drive to.
If you need to go off-road a Long Whell Base Delica will fit 4-6 boards, plenty of sails + masts and etc. And with a proper Tracklander or roofrack you should also be able to fit surfboards, SUPs etc
I just bought a Black Edition HSV Maloo and nothing fits in the back, but hey I couldn't give a rats
Mostly because I gave my wife my old car and use this when doing long trips
Best of both worlds
Actually fuel is a bit of an issue and so is the cost of tyres
However my wife and I are doing our bit to reduce our carbon footprints by choosing to not contribute to the worlds population.
Therefore I get to buy nice toys and still have less impact than others
Ive got a nissan navara d40
I dont like it for windsurfing kit. Its to small. If im going a distance ill strap it all to the roof. If not ill throw it all in the back and let it hang free.
Im selling it to get something more suitable.
I tried using a ute for windsurfing but it was terrible. Very slow to get on the plane and very difficult to gybe. Could handle a wide wind range though.
4-5 (4 in if needed, 1 out) boards, 4-5 sails, 6-8 mats, + all the rest of the gear.
There is a multi usage cavity above the shell access from outside (1200x2600x150) which I have fishing gear, or extra wishbone, or mattress, etc depend..
Still happy with it today, its aging, thinking to build another one in ali this time, something I could remove anytime.. not sure yet. anyway here it is 
However my wife and I are doing our bit to reduce our carbon footprints by choosing to not contribute to the worlds population.
Therefore I get to buy nice toys and still have less impact than others 
