Member Since: 16 Jan 2013
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 56
Sleeping in a commercial D3 for 2 weeks...
We're taking our D3 Commercial to Morocco in September / October and the current plan is to sleep in the back (build a platform so there is storage space underneath then sleeping on the platform)
Has anyone tried this before? Is it going to be hell and will my wife, who it has taken a year of persuading that this is a good idea, end up killing me half way round Morocco?
We don't want to sleep in a floor tent as we have heard of issues with this in Morocco and roof tents seem far too expensive (we've got a trailer tent for European holiday's, so, won't get much other use from it)
I would look at removing the bulkhead to give a bit of extra length (i'm over 6ft) and also to make it easy to get to the front and drive if (in the very unlikely circumstances) something goes wrong.
16th Jan 2013 11:19 am
Bump
Member Since: 16 Jan 2013
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 56
Also, any suggestions for Jerry can storage which isn't inside the vehicle or on the roof?! (thinking i'll probably end up with a roof rack, but, someone might have a cunning suggestion!)
16th Jan 2013 11:22 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Fuel is heavy so most resist the temptation to put large amounts on the roof and carry it as low as possible - same goes for water. Not only can it hit the weight limit pretty quickly is does impact handling and off-road stability.
I'm not the tallest of guys so found sleeping in the D3 to be ok. Could have done without the air suspension farts thought. But the main reason people don't do it on expedition is that it gets too darn hot at night in places such as Morocco. Even with all the windows open and meshed the car absorbs heat during the day and just loves to pump it back into you at night time. There is a reason why people pay serious money for roof tents.
Just my thoughts.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 16 Jan 2013
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 56
Ah, hadn't really thought much about the temperature issue, being a commercial it doesn't have opening rear windows either which would make it worse. Guess i'd better start saving up for a roof tent then
16th Jan 2013 11:38 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
We got caught in a very severe sandstorm in the Morrocan desert in the middle of the night ...at 2am it was still 32oC ...after an hour of fighting to keep the tent up we got into the D3 and slept in there with the engine ticking over and the air-con on ..twas heaven 8)21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
16th Jan 2013 11:46 am
Bump
Member Since: 16 Jan 2013
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 56
DG wrote:
We got caught in a very severe sandstorm in the Morrocan desert in the middle of the night ...at 2am it was still 32oC ...after an hour of fighting to keep the tent up we got into the D3 and slept in there with the engine ticking over and the air-con on ..twas heaven 8)
Slight issue that I don't have Aircon...
How did you find the D3 for Morocco? Did you have to do any modifications to it or just take it as standard?
What did you do for spares? I understand it's not easy to find spares for the D3 in Morocco as they're "a bit new"
What time of year did you go?
16th Jan 2013 11:55 am
B16 KJR
Member Since: 10 Jul 2006
Location: Rosyth, Fife
Posts: 3005
Quote:
Slight issue that I don't have Aircon...
Thought all D3 had aircon ?
16th Jan 2013 12:37 pm
Bump
Member Since: 16 Jan 2013
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 56
B16 KJR wrote:
Quote:
Slight issue that I don't have Aircon...
Thought all D3 had aircon ?
A few people have said that to me... guess i'm the exception to the rule!
16th Jan 2013 12:45 pm
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18452
Post up a pic of your heater panel and we can confirm either way 06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
16th Jan 2013 12:47 pm
JDB
Member Since: 25 Mar 2010
Location: NW Hampshire
Posts: 2485
Bump wrote:
Also, any suggestions for Jerry can storage which isn't inside the vehicle or on the roof?! (thinking i'll probably end up with a roof rack, but, someone might have a cunning suggestion!)
I am currently looking at putting one or two tanks under the commercial load floor - you can get one 100l tank in if needed. It keeps the weight low and secure.
I am off in May and have built a spares pack up - I suppose I could "hire" it out on sales or return!
Ref sleeping - I would leave the lower half of the bulkhead in and use it as the support for yor platform if you went down that route.
I will be taking a roof tent though to Morocco.
16th Jan 2013 12:50 pm
Bump
Member Since: 16 Jan 2013
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 56
Click image to enlarge
ive just looked in the manual... it's the ECON button isn't it...
Well that's a pleasant surprise :
Wonder what other features I have i've not realised? (only had it a week and used to much older, simpler Land Rover's)
Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated
16th Jan 2013 1:00 pm
Martin Site Admin and Owner
Member Since: 06 Nov 2004
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 18452
ECON turns the air con OFF - otherwise air con is on all the time 06 D3 SE / 15 LR D90 XS SW / 88 LR 90 Td5 / 68 BMW 2000 ti
Any issues with the site let me know!
16th Jan 2013 1:02 pm
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
We went in August Day temps were 52oC
As for the motors ...fairly standard apart from expo rack, ladder, sump guard and MTR tyres. A fridge is a must.
As for spares -
Spare Wheels: one under and one on the rack
Fuel and air filters, ride height sensors ...but nothing major really as it was going to be fairly easy for the likes of Nick (the large one) to send us parts next day. There were 3 D3's in our group so we could always rely on a tow to a major town if it came to it.
The country has a reasonable road network now compared to when we were there in 2007 so you are never too far away from some sort of civilisation tbh 21 year LR veteran > D2 GS 2003 > D3 S 2006 > D3 HSE 2009 > D4 HSE 2013 > D4 HSE 2015 > D5 HSE 2018 > DS HSE R-Dynamic P300e 2021
16th Jan 2013 1:04 pm
B16 KJR
Member Since: 10 Jul 2006
Location: Rosyth, Fife
Posts: 3005
Quote:
Well that's a pleasant surprise :
16th Jan 2013 1:10 pm
Bump
Member Since: 16 Jan 2013
Location: Northamptonshire
Posts: 56
DG wrote:
We went in August Day temps were 52oC
As for the motors ...fairly standard apart from expo rack, ladder, sump guard and MTR tyres. A fridge is a must.
As for spares -
Spare Wheels: one under and one on the rack
Fuel and air filters, ride height sensors ...but nothing major really as it was going to be fairly easy for the likes of Nick (the large one) to send us parts next day. There were 3 D3's in our group so we could always rely on a tow to a major town if it came to it.
The country has a reasonable road network now compared to when we were there in 2007 so you are never too far away from some sort of civilisation tbh
Would the "cubby box fridge" be good enough or is a stand alone unit better?
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Day temps were 52oC 
