I've got a seat ibiza 2011 reg. I seem to struggle to get my gear in it now. Most of the time I don't take all my gear. I.e 3 normal rods then spod rod and marker. Then a bucket of bait and all normal stuff. I try 2 pack car as best as I can using foot Wells and so on. How do you guys get on with smaller cars ? And how do you find packing them it seems like a game of tetras when I go.r
In reply to Post #1
Ow. And happy new year to all that reads this post and tight lines.
Ow. And happy new year to all that reads this post and tight lines.
Iv got a bmw 1 series, similar sized car. Can get a weeks gear and the inflatable boat in it easy enough. Just got to think about it, can't chuck it in like a van or my old estate car unfortunately.. iv had 2 peoples gear in a 3 door vauxhall corsa before.. Think you need to thin out the gear 
In reply to Post #1
Take back seats out and get roof box.
Take back seats out and get roof box.
Get a bigger vehicle, lol....my old carp mobile is going to be changed soon ,had it near 10 yrs ,cost 1,500...quid...had my moneys worth..
Anyone got a Volvo xc 90,2.4 diesel,if so ,are you happy with it ,been offered one! at a great price ...
Anyone got a Volvo xc 90,2.4 diesel,if so ,are you happy with it ,been offered one! at a great price ...
In reply to Post #5
They're good cars and if looked after will go for years. Boot catch mechanism is a bit of a weak point in my experience of having one. Other than that I loved it
They're good cars and if looked after will go for years. Boot catch mechanism is a bit of a weak point in my experience of having one. Other than that I loved it
Got a Ford Kuga. No problem getting all my gear in and with a roof box I can get 2 loads of gear in when we go to France.
You have to make the gear suit the car. I used to manage fine in a MK1 Golf GTI, including a two man bivvy, an extra bedchair and bag as my son used to tag along. Ive had a couple of days stalking/floater fishing in a Caterham7, not ideal, but it was a great drive there and back.
Nowadays my rods and bivvy go in the passenger footwell/seat, the rest on the back seat, including a power barrow. The dog gets the boot.
Nowadays my rods and bivvy go in the passenger footwell/seat, the rest on the back seat, including a power barrow. The dog gets the boot.
In reply to Post #5
They can eat brake pads and have been known to have issues with the discs too
They can eat brake pads and have been known to have issues with the discs too
In reply to Post #9
Cheers for info....
Going to find out when cam belt was changed,that's what it hinges on..👍
Cheers for info....
Going to find out when cam belt was changed,that's what it hinges on..👍
Got a 2013 Skoda Superb estate, but discovered you can get more gear in a Skoda Yeti.
Had to take gear out of my car and use mates Yeti
Was a bit of a shock
Had to take gear out of my car and use mates Yeti
Was a bit of a shock
Lot of the time with me its a game of tetris and how much i really need to take, but usually get it in my Focus with room to spare. Back in the day i used to have a Fiesta and remember getting me and my mates gear in for two nights on the bank, still wonder to this day how we did that!!
In reply to Post #12
Tetris is a good analogy, with a little bit of thought it's surprising how much you can fit in.
Three of us used to do 2 nights in a Ford Orion. All the gear went inside except for the rods, they went on a roof rack. But in those days bedchairs were small, bivvies consisted of an umbrella (that went in the rod bag) and the overwrap was next to nothing, just leaving a couple of bags/rucksacks each.
Tetris is a good analogy, with a little bit of thought it's surprising how much you can fit in.
Three of us used to do 2 nights in a Ford Orion. All the gear went inside except for the rods, they went on a roof rack. But in those days bedchairs were small, bivvies consisted of an umbrella (that went in the rod bag) and the overwrap was next to nothing, just leaving a couple of bags/rucksacks each.
In reply to Post #11
Wow, that really surprises me. My wife's got a Yeti, and whilst I've never used it for fishing, I thought it would be adequate. But the Superb looks cavenous in comparison.
Wow, that really surprises me. My wife's got a Yeti, and whilst I've never used it for fishing, I thought it would be adequate. But the Superb looks cavenous in comparison.
In reply to Post #14
I've considered one of those Yeti cars,...they certainly tick some of the boxes for me ,4x4,nice clearance off the ground ,they really hold the prices as well..not cheap to buy if you find a nice one.
I might be incorrect but they have stopped making them I believe..?
I've considered one of those Yeti cars,...they certainly tick some of the boxes for me ,4x4,nice clearance off the ground ,they really hold the prices as well..not cheap to buy if you find a nice one.
I might be incorrect but they have stopped making them I believe..?
In reply to Post #15
Yes, you're right Adam. They stopped making them around 2016/2017, I think. Ours is a 2015, we bought it late 2016. It's been really good, just one problem last year when the dashboard lit up with loads of warning lights. Ended up costing the best part of £600 to sort out.
If you look at any, make sure it's a 4x4, if that's important to you, as most are just front wheel drive.
Yes, you're right Adam. They stopped making them around 2016/2017, I think. Ours is a 2015, we bought it late 2016. It's been really good, just one problem last year when the dashboard lit up with loads of warning lights. Ended up costing the best part of £600 to sort out.
If you look at any, make sure it's a 4x4, if that's important to you, as most are just front wheel drive.
In reply to Post #12
20 years ago I had a Megane coupe and got 3 of us plus all our gear for 4 nights in it, drove Sheffield - Willow Park in a very cramped position
20 years ago I had a Megane coupe and got 3 of us plus all our gear for 4 nights in it, drove Sheffield - Willow Park in a very cramped position
In reply to Post #17
I had a Mercedes E220 estate and it was unreal how much tackle I could get into it, it was so long I had a problem with it fitting on my drive, about 6” stuck out onto the path and I thought someone is going to walk into it and do a Claims Direct on me so I sold it and purchased a Ford Kuga which although it a crossover it does not have that much room in the back, once my barrow and bedchair is in it does not leave much more room so I have to squeeze things in around them
I had a Mercedes E220 estate and it was unreal how much tackle I could get into it, it was so long I had a problem with it fitting on my drive, about 6” stuck out onto the path and I thought someone is going to walk into it and do a Claims Direct on me so I sold it and purchased a Ford Kuga which although it a crossover it does not have that much room in the back, once my barrow and bedchair is in it does not leave much more room so I have to squeeze things in around them
I STILL ! got my Peugeot 406 rapier estate I can wheel my level load Fox Explorer straight in the back rods and bed etc go down the side everything so easily fits in and total comfort on long runs
And now than w***er Khan is bringing in a ULEZ area round here but I wont be changing it
And now than w***er Khan is bringing in a ULEZ area round here but I wont be changing it
In reply to Post #19
Managed ok with my yaris,needed some thought and couldn't see where I was going but was good, been off the bank in any quantity last few years but making a comeback in my t roc this year.
Managed ok with my yaris,needed some thought and couldn't see where I was going but was good, been off the bank in any quantity last few years but making a comeback in my t roc this year.
In reply to Post #1
you could say i'm in a small motor...
I've a 16 plate Suzuki Jimny
i can get all my gear in it for an overnighter including my barrow with just the handle removed & if my lad comes with me its got a tow bar so we hook up our small trailer and get shed loads of gear in
another bonus with it - you'll never get stuck
you could say i'm in a small motor...
I've a 16 plate Suzuki Jimny
i can get all my gear in it for an overnighter including my barrow with just the handle removed & if my lad comes with me its got a tow bar so we hook up our small trailer and get shed loads of gear in
another bonus with it - you'll never get stuck
In reply to Post #19
My neighbour has one of those estates,massive inside ,most likely you'd get Johnson Ross shop in the back ...lol
(All the londoners need to get rid of Khan ,what a woke piece of excrement ) that individual is ...
My neighbour has one of those estates,massive inside ,most likely you'd get Johnson Ross shop in the back ...lol
(All the londoners need to get rid of Khan ,what a woke piece of excrement ) that individual is ...
In reply to Post #22
its now impossible to get rid of Khan sadly almost ALL of London properties are not owned by Londoners any more they have been bought up by Foreigners so they vote for him
its now impossible to get rid of Khan sadly almost ALL of London properties are not owned by Londoners any more they have been bought up by Foreigners so they vote for him
In reply to Post #23
..not good.
I always thought my old 940 se ,was big but ,those Rapiers are bigger I always thought
..not good.I always thought my old 940 se ,was big but ,those Rapiers are bigger I always thought
In reply to Post #1
Piece of piss. I've got a focus hatchback. Brolly and barrow on roof rack and rest in the car with seats folded flat. And room to spare. You probably take to much gear
Piece of piss. I've got a focus hatchback. Brolly and barrow on roof rack and rest in the car with seats folded flat. And room to spare. You probably take to much gear
I take all my gear in a new Astra fits in very easily everything including bivvy, rods, bedchair, normal chair and all the gear that goes with it with plenty of spare room so I don't see how some struggle to get it all in same size cars they must be taking loads of gear
In reply to Post #23
Even with a Mrs and two kids, I've got a 3 seater van as my daily drive. I barely have the need to have a 5 seater car due to having the Mrs car which is the "family" car. She barely does 10 a year whereas I do 20k a year. For practical reasons, just having a van in the family massively helps for angling, moving large items, plus the extended family use it for moving their own bits and bobs.
Having the van also has it's downsides though. I went from paying 20 quid tax to 250, and went from 68mpg to 50pmg, plus it costs me nearly 30 quid to travel into stabby city to visit my parents. I just can't be going back to the days of snapped rod tips, collapsed seats and having to break down barrows to get it in the motor.
If a van is a complete no-no, I've been to France in a Hyundai i10, it's achieveable if you have the mindset of using brollies and rucksacks instead of massive ridgemonkey bivvies with all the trimmings. Walled unhooking mats can store 4 or 5 bags, and it can be chucked over your shoulder whilst searching for fish on the walk round.
Even with a Mrs and two kids, I've got a 3 seater van as my daily drive. I barely have the need to have a 5 seater car due to having the Mrs car which is the "family" car. She barely does 10 a year whereas I do 20k a year. For practical reasons, just having a van in the family massively helps for angling, moving large items, plus the extended family use it for moving their own bits and bobs.
Having the van also has it's downsides though. I went from paying 20 quid tax to 250, and went from 68mpg to 50pmg, plus it costs me nearly 30 quid to travel into stabby city to visit my parents. I just can't be going back to the days of snapped rod tips, collapsed seats and having to break down barrows to get it in the motor.
If a van is a complete no-no, I've been to France in a Hyundai i10, it's achieveable if you have the mindset of using brollies and rucksacks instead of massive ridgemonkey bivvies with all the trimmings. Walled unhooking mats can store 4 or 5 bags, and it can be chucked over your shoulder whilst searching for fish on the walk round.
In reply to Post #1
For UK fishing I've been in 3 series BMW estates for the last 15+yrs - and whilst smaller than you think load wise (they're pretty much hatchbacks on steroids), can handle a long session even with big bivvies and a bucket fetish with careful packing. Brilliant for getting to the lake rapidly - not so good on potholed tracks / muddy fields. Was looking at wheelchair Berlingo conversions for super lazy barrow access pre lockdown but have now set my heart on a BMW X5 as doing way more river fishing (which usually means difficult access / semi off road) and still want a decent daily driver for work / business . . .prices are dropping, albeit slowly
For UK fishing I've been in 3 series BMW estates for the last 15+yrs - and whilst smaller than you think load wise (they're pretty much hatchbacks on steroids), can handle a long session even with big bivvies and a bucket fetish with careful packing. Brilliant for getting to the lake rapidly - not so good on potholed tracks / muddy fields. Was looking at wheelchair Berlingo conversions for super lazy barrow access pre lockdown but have now set my heart on a BMW X5 as doing way more river fishing (which usually means difficult access / semi off road) and still want a decent daily driver for work / business . . .prices are dropping, albeit slowly
I can get my Husky and all my gear for a week in a Mk4 Golf.
It is a case of putting it in in the correct order.
The barrow is in the boot, along with my chest waders, my lifejacket and overwrap at the bottom. On top of that goes a flat unhooking mat and my Sonik Recliner chair. On top of that is my Monster Cabrio unhooking mat. The mat then has my Korum Ruckbag (food and electronics inside), with my P1 pod in.
The single rear seat is folded down, in that space my Rucksack and my tackle box.
In the front passenger footwear I have 10litre water container, a bucket of dog food, and 2 5l buckets of bait. The rods and bivvy go from the boot to the front on top of the seats and my bedchair and sleeping bag are in the rear behind my seat
Sky then sits behind me on the rear seat.
It is a case of putting it in in the correct order.
The barrow is in the boot, along with my chest waders, my lifejacket and overwrap at the bottom. On top of that goes a flat unhooking mat and my Sonik Recliner chair. On top of that is my Monster Cabrio unhooking mat. The mat then has my Korum Ruckbag (food and electronics inside), with my P1 pod in.
The single rear seat is folded down, in that space my Rucksack and my tackle box.
In the front passenger footwear I have 10litre water container, a bucket of dog food, and 2 5l buckets of bait. The rods and bivvy go from the boot to the front on top of the seats and my bedchair and sleeping bag are in the rear behind my seat
Sky then sits behind me on the rear seat.
In reply to Post #28
BUT the tax on those BMW X5 are over £500 a year arnt they ?
BUT the tax on those BMW X5 are over £500 a year arnt they ?
I would never go back to using my family car for fishing .... I would strongly recommend getting a second vehicel (preferably a small van) for fishing
In reply to Post #31
Depends on how much fishing you do I suppose, also whether you have an expensive car you want to keep for 'best'.
Personally I'd never dream of getting another vehicle just for fishing, my car gets used for all sorts of jobs.
I did go to B&Q once and loaded it up cement, found that the suspension had bottomed out, had to unload half of it, took it back for a refund and had do it two trips
Depends on how much fishing you do I suppose, also whether you have an expensive car you want to keep for 'best'.
Personally I'd never dream of getting another vehicle just for fishing, my car gets used for all sorts of jobs.
I did go to B&Q once and loaded it up cement, found that the suspension had bottomed out, had to unload half of it, took it back for a refund and had do it two trips
I can get everything I need for any length of time in the vehicle,many years ago I was pretty nomadic and lived in a Thames 15cwt van, and back then quite comfortably too.
I have a much newer vehicle today,
my problem these days is getting it to the chosen swim, I find myself having to choose venues where I can get the vehicle reasonably close to the swims, wasn't a problem in my youth, or even middle age, but now at 70 its a big factor on where I fish.
I have a much newer vehicle today,
my problem these days is getting it to the chosen swim, I find myself having to choose venues where I can get the vehicle reasonably close to the swims, wasn't a problem in my youth, or even middle age, but now at 70 its a big factor on where I fish.
In reply to Post #32
Years ago I had 2 cars, one for work, and one for 'best'.
My Ford Sierra 2.0l Ghia was the best car that I used for going to do quotes, estimates and as the family car.
For work and fishing I had a Lada Riva estate, that I didn't mind getting filthy. The boot had been filled with garden waste, tree trimmings, rubble etc.
In the end I got rid of the Lada, not because it was a 'carp' (anagram) car, but simply because one would do and the Sierra was nicer to drive, as well as faster...
It just meant I had to regularly vacuum the boot to get rid of mud and smells.
Years ago I had 2 cars, one for work, and one for 'best'.
My Ford Sierra 2.0l Ghia was the best car that I used for going to do quotes, estimates and as the family car.
For work and fishing I had a Lada Riva estate, that I didn't mind getting filthy. The boot had been filled with garden waste, tree trimmings, rubble etc.
In the end I got rid of the Lada, not because it was a 'carp' (anagram) car, but simply because one would do and the Sierra was nicer to drive, as well as faster...
It just meant I had to regularly vacuum the boot to get rid of mud and smells.
In reply to Post #30
F15 model (2015 previous shape) is £220 pa and ULEZ compliant!
F15 model (2015 previous shape) is £220 pa and ULEZ compliant!
In reply to Post #31
Yeah, I have a little Vauxhall combo van I use for fishing, it's so convenient being able to wheel my fully-loaded barrow down a scaffold board, then just go direct to the swim..
I did have a Volvo XC90, it was large, but just a big school bus, I'd have preferred an estate to be honest.
Yeah, I have a little Vauxhall combo van I use for fishing, it's so convenient being able to wheel my fully-loaded barrow down a scaffold board, then just go direct to the swim..
I did have a Volvo XC90, it was large, but just a big school bus, I'd have preferred an estate to be honest.
Renault 5, Clio, Ford Focus hatchback, never had a problem getting stuff in but only only take the essentials.
I now have a van for work which is a luxury to use for fishing and makes the process easier but I could never justify an additional vehicle ( van) in the family just for fishing.
I now have a van for work which is a luxury to use for fishing and makes the process easier but I could never justify an additional vehicle ( van) in the family just for fishing.
You can buy and a run a van for very little money these days .... When i first bought a van (Berlingo) for fishing only i found i used it more than the family vehicle .... no more worries about supermarket car parks, dog walks, DIY, etc etc .... The relief it gave the nicer vehicle was well worth the extra expense
In reply to Post #38
I noticed that the tax has gone up this year on my van. £290 for a years tax on a euro 6 transit connect.
I noticed that the tax has gone up this year on my van. £290 for a years tax on a euro 6 transit connect.
In reply to Post #39
yeah, mine is £330 from this year
yeah, mine is £330 from this year
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