Member Since: 10 Mar 2015
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 140
Asymmetrical split tail-gate
With my D4 standing in a hail-storm under the top up split tail-gate, making a cup of tea, I know of no other designer that has come close to this feature in a life-style adventure vehicle. Sadly this category has been vacated by the D5.
25th Apr 2017 11:42 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
I'm not trying to be funny but wouldn't you have even more cover from the weather under the D5 tailgate in this instance? D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
25th Apr 2017 11:44 pm
Nikki
Member Since: 10 Mar 2015
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 140
Of course, the D5 and any other SUV offer shelter, but not with the D4's unique versitility.
26th Apr 2017 12:07 am
tayaste
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
Which versatility bit has been lost in regards to the shelter?
26th Apr 2017 3:05 am
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26779
It's not that bad! Quite comfortable actually!
26th Apr 2017 3:48 am
Bullova06
Member Since: 19 Apr 2017
Location: York
Posts: 23
Versatile.
My D3 split tailgate vehicle followed a D2 swing away door...which could be heavy to open for the missus.....blew shut in a wind.
If you've ever changed a wheel from a D2 lifting on & off is a heave - so a system that put the spare at a place where minimum up - down lfting reduced to me a real benefit.
The upper & lower door isn't just LR FFRR it's on quite a few other makes - but always been a feature of FFRR.
Using it.
Open top reach through goods in - out
Open both you have a substantial load platform that can rest the large shape goods capable of being put in or taken out. Being able to get to either side means a two of more person left is entirely possible - to me very important and used a lot.
The split tailgate It goes with the large rectangular load space, that is a massive feature if a D3 - why owners buy & have them.
The combination tailgate allow long loads (timber etc) to sit on the closed lower partly open (top but tied down) soemething I use ever other day almost.
The closed lower gate stops goods that have shifted in transit rolling out as they would if it were a one piece affair.
Other duties for the larger lower gate are:
that say bags or cases can be pulled 1/2 way out but not completely out to get to things at the back of the load space. I often use this saves lots of completely in out lifting.
It's a really good sitting area under the top gate, lower gate open on its own an access to the roof of vehicle as a viewing platform that is a few people on top strong - not possible on D5.
Working on the car - a tool platform that can be there with top door down - useful in bad weather say on fixed halt the passengers in side not exposed to inclement weather.
Are some of the ways I see it - it goes with & is part of a utility function - it's not style.
Many others may not use it this or other ways but not being there at all means a massive loss of versatility for a gain that can't be identified other than it looks different, the D5 one piece isn't coupled to the seven seats. Which is another discussion entirely.
This feature is there for the product life of this vehicle it can't be facelifted out. Versatile means multi use.
On a multi use utility vehicle an essential part I use every day.
So in my quest for a D3 replacement a big big factor.
Maybe hopefully the Defender replacement will provide.
26th Apr 2017 3:50 am
J77
Member Since: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Fife
Posts: 6272
Plenty of shelter and can still have a seat, so far I'm getting on with it ok but I've yet to carry long loads, but there is a way around everything.23.5MY Defender 90 X-Dynamic SE D250 MHEV Pangea Green
26th Apr 2017 1:24 pm
crews control
Member Since: 18 Mar 2007
Location: Dorset
Posts: 5011
I was actually with a Dealer yesterday who was trying to persuade me of the merits of the new design... couldn't help but laugh a little when he hit his head on the corner of the tailgate. No blood, but he did exclaim "thats a little sharp" !!!
2005 D3 HSE 2011 D4 Landmark 2016 D4 HSE Lux
2017 Ford Tourneo VR46
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26th Apr 2017 2:42 pm
J77
Member Since: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Fife
Posts: 6272
I haven't done it yet, just mastered getting in without banging my head on the A-pillar.23.5MY Defender 90 X-Dynamic SE D250 MHEV Pangea Green
Last edited by J77 on 26th Apr 2017 3:13 pm. Edited 1 time in total
26th Apr 2017 2:48 pm
Russell
Member Since: 23 Aug 2007
Location: Kent
Posts: 10564
crews control wrote:
I was actually with a Dealer yesterday who was trying to persuade me of the merits of the new design... couldn't help but laugh a little when he hit his head on the corner of the tailgate. No blood, but he did exclaim "thats a little sharp" !!!
Take a look at the FFRR, DS, RRS they are all exactly the same, I looked when in the dealers last weekMY17 D5 1st Edition Namib Orange
MY15 D4 HSE Kaikoura Stone
MY12 D4 HSE Nara Bronze Sold and gone
MY11 D4 HSE Stornaway Grey Sold and gone
D3 S spec Silver Sold and gone
Tow bar, full length roof bars, side steps, tow bar storage unit, surround camers.
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26th Apr 2017 3:05 pm
crews control
Member Since: 18 Mar 2007
Location: Dorset
Posts: 5011
If you mean they're all pointed then yes... if you compare the angle of attack, then no way!
Click image to enlarge
(I didn't think to ask the dealer if he regularly hit his head on other models )2005 D3 HSE 2011 D4 Landmark 2016 D4 HSE Lux
2017 Ford Tourneo VR46
Club Waitomo
26th Apr 2017 3:24 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
J77 wrote:
If you were on a hard shoulder etc. in the dark trying to extract tools/spare/etc... can you not see the tail lights or hazards from the rear when the boot is open?D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
26th Apr 2017 3:40 pm
J77
Member Since: 03 Mar 2008
Location: Fife
Posts: 6272
You can see them both. There's also two LED down lights in the tailgate, I would've liked two red lights on the edge of the tailgate, even perhaps a set of hazard lights.23.5MY Defender 90 X-Dynamic SE D250 MHEV Pangea Green
26th Apr 2017 3:49 pm
James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Riyadh, KSA
Posts: 3079
Fair enough, probably the angle of the photo! I'm surprised they didn't use some of the plastic surround in the boot to fit something like they have in the Vauxhall Insignia (!)
D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
26th Apr 2017 3:58 pm
JMack
Member Since: 02 Aug 2014
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 1517
James W wrote:
If you were on a hard shoulder etc. in the dark trying to extract tools/spare/etc... can you not see the tail lights or hazards from the rear when the boot is open?
I'm sure it's a legal requirement for cars in the UK to have visible lights when the rear door(s) are open, for situations just as you describe.
I wonder if the Insignia is modded for the UK(/EU) or is that feature in all markets?
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If you were on a hard shoulder etc. in the dark trying to extract tools/spare/etc... can you not see the tail lights or hazards from the rear when the boot is open?
