Mag

My Patriot rack has a thin aluminium chequer-plate floor, black powder coated, which is riveted on but it has rubber matting underneath the chequer-plate on each of the rack "planks". I have two 5ft waffle boards up there and my spare wheel full time, and occasionally; mountain bikes, roof bag and water tanks and anything I find that I want to take home!!

Yep, I think that's the best bet Paul - thanks.

If you meant "why" would I want to change it is for the reasons stated with reference to the Leonberger pup. As I've said I already have a very smart coloured matched aluminium Trojan Top as per this pic The Trojan top isn't the problem, it is the fact that a tailgate has to be dropped and the back window lifted up at the same time that the dog would need to be held and at the same time that a ramp needs to be unfolded and offered up to the tailgate. A SW would allow me to have an internal mesh gate so the door could be opened and the ramp put into position BEFORE the internal gate was opened. I think the answer may be some sort of chopped down internal gate combined with the hinged tailgate door opening sideways. Also, as you can see; the spare wheel is already out of the pick-up and on the roof. Thanks for all the advice chaps, I appreciate it.

Brilliant! I didn't even know that was possible. I will try to find out who would do that. Thanks

Thanks - I actually have a really swanky colour-matched Trojan Top on the back with sliding side windows and a roof vent for the dog. The problem is that when you open the back window (lifts up) and then the tailgate the dog will jump out before you can get a ramp to the truck. Not a problem with our German Shepherd that could have jumped over the bloody thing but a new Leonberger pup needs to be prevented from this sort of thing for 18 months or so. I only thought of the conversion to a station wagon because there is an internal dog gate which fits that but not the Trojan top. I am also a little hacked off with the DCPU tailgate - it's a bit cumbersome really. I bought a DCPU because as a company car it's classed as a Commercial and therefore co car tax is minimal, a SW is classed as a car and VERY heavily taxed.

Does that still apply if the vehicle is a 2.4 Puma? Anyone know any companies that would do this in Yorkshire / the North East?

I'm only just toying with this as an idea but I need to know if it is possible to convert a Double-cab into a Station Wagon. I love the DCPU but there are some issues when it's being used mainly as dog transport! Any thoughts on whether it's do-able and the cost? Thanks Mag

There has only ever been one pro green laning Act of Parliament (1981 Countryside Act) which was introduced by the Conservative government. The 1949 Act, the 1968 Act and the infamous 2006 Countryside Acts were all Labour government laws heavily influenced by their friends the Ramblers Association. The RA are presumably now very pleased with their Labour Party connections. I wonder; how many of you green laners have voted for the the errosion of our rights yourselves?

Thank you. I will do some more digging with the names you've provided. Mag

Driffield off road course at the show in May, didn't miss out any sections and managed to get up a particularly difficult climb (failed by a prepped TD5 in front of me) by using the close your eyes and nail it technique, finished it caked in muck - brilliant. Since then it has been off road for fun twice and for "work" (helping a mate) once. A few minor battle scars but I love it!

It's a big of an odd one this...... I have a 2008 Double Cab which I used to transport my German Shepherd around in - I had a Trojan back made for it so he couldn't chew his way out of the std canvas back. Cutting a long story short I lost my dog to a brain tumour about a month ago and we are now looking at getting a Leonberger pup. These dogs are massive when fully grown but need to be protected / prevented from jumping up and down into vehicles until they're about 18 months old. I have ordered a "dog door" to fit inside the Trojan so the tailgate (and window) can be opened without the dog getting out but I would like to incorporate some sort of steps or ramp onto the tailgate which would fold away when the tailgate is raised. The dog could weigh iro 75kg. Has anyone seen or heard of a solution to this or is it just a case of speak to fabricators and see what they can come up with? I have about 3 months before the pup arrives. Ta Mag

Thanks, I'll give that a try next time I'm in Driffield. Did the lane survive NERC though, that's the question?

Well I took my 3 month old XS Double Cab around the army off road course at Driffield show on Saturday and had a whale of a time! No damage except for a bit of a gouge out of the rock slider/step thingy. I didn't miss out any section, didn't get stuck and didn't have two attemps to get over / through anything. It would seem that the course is not particularly difficult but for a newbie like me it was bloody good fun. I am determined to get off the tarmac whenever possible from now on...

Glad to see that blind inverted snobbery is alive and well.

Well - the knocking was worse than ever last week so I demanded satisfaction at the dealership - no-one wanted a duel to the death so they fixed it instead! It would seem that the problem was the handbrake drum. It was replaced and she knocks no more......................yet!