There are always a large number of 4x4s at the mart in Kilkenny and last week it was the Toyota Land Cruiser that was the most dominant vehicle in the yard.

While most of these were commercial models, there is an increasing number of twin-cab 4x4s now in use. This too was evident in Kilkenny. Twin-cab 4x4s offer more scope to transport extra passengers. This can be important for farmers with families or those who need to have transport for extra staff from time to time.

Many farmers buy their 4x4 in the secondhand market, where there is better value available. Only one of the five farmers that we spoke with had bought his 4x4 from new.

Invaluable towing machine

All agreed that the 4x4 was an invaluable towing machine. They all liked their ability to handle large cattle trailers as well as the ability to tow across fields.

Moving cattle on the road is no longer a feasible option, so these farmers use their 4x4 and trailer for safely moving animals between fields on fragmented farms. Some also use larger tractor-towed cattle trailers, while using the 4x4 for much of the day-to-day herding and general farm driving.

Here we bring you the views of five 4x4 owners, who we met in Kilkenny Mart. They are all trailer users and have considerable experience with 4x4s as trailer towing machines.

Adrian Walshe – Nissan Navara

Adrian Walshe from Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny, has owned his 08-registered Nissan Navara seven months and while he’s happy, he would like to have a little bit more engine power. The 2.5 litre turbo-diesel engine is a little short on power, he feels, but with sensible use of the six-speed gearbox, especially on hills, he has grown to like Nissan’s twin-cab pick-up.

Beef and suckler farmer Adrian bought the Navara secondhand and traded in a 04 Mitsubishi Pajero as part of the deal. So far he is very happy with the Navara. “It’s comfortable and relatively light on diesel,” he said, “and if you drive it sensibly you can get similar economy from the Navara to my wife’s Volkswagen Passat.”

Adrian has a 14ft Ifor Williams trailer on behind and finds the combination easy and comfortable to drive. With two small children in the family, Adrian has fitted child seats in the second row, which allows him some child minding flexibility while carrying out his farming work.

Geoff Brennan – Long-wheelbase Toyota Land Cruiser

While Geoff Brennan from Knocknadogue, Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, likes the reliability and towing ability of his 2001 Toyota Land Cruiser D4D, he said that with a full of cattle in his Ifor Williams trailer, it is a little heavy on fuel. He likes the reliability and strength of his long-wheelbase commercial Land Cruiser, which is used regularly to pull his three-axle cattle trailer to and from Kilkenny Mart.

“The Land Cruiser is strong and steady on the road with a full load of cattle, but it’s very thirsty,” said Geoff. “We have to put up with that when we have the trailer full.” He said that despite the relatively poor fuel economy, he would opt for another Land Cruiser in the future.

James Holohan – Short-wheelbase Toyota Land Cruiser

James Holohan from Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny, drives a 2014 short-wheelbase Toyota Land Cruiser commercial. “This is my fourth Land Cruiser and I don’t see a need to consider anything else. The Land Cruiser is comfortable and reliable,” said James, who drives over 30,000km per year, a lot of which involves trailer work.

“I prefer the short-wheelbase version as it’s easier to manoeuvre,” said James. “The 3.0 litre Land Cruiser has good pulling power and is well able for my 18ft Ifor Williams trailer and I find it reasonably economical,” added James. “The Land Cruiser does what I want it to do – pull a large cattle trailer in comfort and safety.It’s good on the land and can cope with most conditions.”

John O’Brien – Land Rover Discovery commercial

This 2008 Land Rover Discovery Commercial is the second Discovery version that John O’Brien from Kilree, Bennettsbridge, Co Kilkenny, has owned. He bought it secondhand having used the previous model for his trailer towing duties for 14 years.

“My first 4x4 was a Toyota Land Cruiser. I then moved to a Land Rover Discovery 17 years ago and changed to the current 2008 model three years ago,” said cattle farmer John. “This version with the V6 engine has great power and the long wheelbase means it is well able for my 14ft Ifor Williams three-axle cattle trailer”

He has achieved great service from his Discovery models to date. “With my last Discovery there were no engine, clutch or transmission problems. I only had to change the Hardy Spicers on the drivelines, which is relatively low cost. Other than normal service, I’ve had no other costs with the current version. And the newer version is a huge improvement in terms of comfort and pulling power.

John brings up to 6 x 500kg cattle in the trailer and finds that the Land Rover Discovery is very steady with a full load. “I drive steadily,” said John. “If you drive any 4x4 too hard you’ll pay for it in diesel consumption and wear and tear. I use the gears to get the best from the Discovery, even if first gear tends to be a bit highly geared, especially when pulling off with a full load.

“I believe that if you treat your 4x4 well, then it will treat you well in terms of pulling power, economy and running costs. They can all be very thirsty if you drive them hard, so that’s why I try to take a steady approach for economy and I always feel safe on the road when I take this approach,” said John.

Noel Delahunty – Short-wheelbase Toyota Land Cruiser

The Delahuntys from Castlelynch, Co Kilkenny, have driven Toyota Land Cruisers since 1999, says Noel Delahunty. He pulls a 12ft twin-axle Dooley cattle trailer behind the 2007 registration short wheelbase Land Cruiser which they bought secondhand.

“The Land Cruisers are very popular around the marts,” said Noel, “and we have stuck with it for reasons of reliability and towing ability,” he added.

Noel does not consider it too hard on diesel and finds that its strength makes trailer towing easy for the size of their trailer.

“If we were to change in the future, I think that we would stick with the Land Cruiser,” said Noel.