2025 International HV Bliss Mobil 15ft - Standard Layout
- Thread starter Eizenjin91
- Start date
Eizenjin91
Member
Hello Joel. We do think this is a great size for a solo traveler or a couple. Still fits anywhere but roomy and comfortable inside.
I appreciate the offer! Unfortunately the reason we are selling is that our travel plans won’t allow us time to use a USA based rig. Thank you
Eizenjin91
Member
Hello Smurf! They are both great but very different from one another. The MAN was great for Europe with the cabover and short wheelbase. I actually really enjoy a cabover and would say prefer it for the right situation. The MAN uses a ZF12 transmission which is a 12 spd automated manual. No clutch but not an automatic. Good for the road and fuel economy. Have to actually drive it versus just drive. Coming to a stop if youre in 10th gear and slowdown without using the brake itll go to 8th but then light turns green and you stomp the pedal it can stall the truck. In reverse it will roll forward like a manual. So when you are doing an austin powers uturn on a trail on a cliff it gets a bit sketchy. Same as being stuck in snow or sand the ZF12 cant really rock back and forth to get you out without stalling or having a computer delay long enough to negate the concept of rocking. Great rig on road less so offroad. The international with the Cummins L9 is night and day more powerful and pulls up mountain passes like a freight train. The 6spd Allison makes it feel like driving a Ram pickup just punch and go. Offroad its..I won’t say more capable but perhaps more confidence inspiring? I would compare it similarly to an MB Zetros. Same wheelbase (189”), same transmission and drives ver similar on and offroad. For Europe and even most of the world I would pick the MAN. In almost all of Europe HGV’s have a maximum legal speed of 80kmh (~50mph). Thats what they are designed for. Across Canada at 110kmh (~68mph) on highways we burned almost double the amount of DEF as at 80kmh and double what the International burns at 70mph. Living on I70 in the rockies I see semi crashes and the aftermath almost everyday in the winter at high speeds. The speeds in the USA for large trucks is considerably different than the rest of the world. The longer wheelbase is noticeably more stable at high speeds and in wind. In North America I feel a lot safer in case of an incident with a large engine in front of the cab than with no crush zones between me and the other vehicle in a cabover. Just my opinion.
Oh man hahah sorry this got so long! Meant to give you a quick answer and ended up with a paragraph.
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Eizenjin91
Member
Hello Gator! It is on the 4 corners. There are large bolts (1x) per corner to the subframe. They are then captured by a lock not allowing the bolt to turn to loosen. Similar to a FWC flatbed. Simple but durable and stupidproof.
Yes it uses a grey water pump that is behind the trash can in the kitchen. Bliss recommends to clean it once a year or every two years depending upon use. We replaced it November 2024 for the first time. It is not switched it automatically pumps when it recognizes being however full.
Hello Travr! There is no pass through. We had discussed it originally however we always knew that we eventually planned to change Chassis’. A passthrough for one chassis (IE MAN) would not line up with any other chassis or cab configuration (International). My personal opinion is not in favor of them anyways. Passthroughs are like sports or politics everyone is very passionate about them and there is no right answer and its a good way to cause an argument over beers 😂.
That being said, Bliss Mobil USA can add a passthrough if desired by the buyer.
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shortbus4x4
Expedition Leader
If you want an automatic go with an Allison. If you want a manual get one with a clutch pedal and shifter. I loathe the automatic manual transmissions, and they suck off road.
smurf40
Observer
I love the long winded feed back 👌 Thanks! We have a 2011 MAN TGM 18.340 crew cab (we are a family of 4) The wheel base has also been extended 1 m which is a blessing for the box, but can end up feeling too long - certainly in Europe. Ours is a Euro 5 without def and is a manual. I quite enjoy driving it - except it can get old on North American high speed mountain passes etc where much more power would be nice. I am always dreaming of what a great North American chassis could be (as Europe certainly seems to dominate the 4x4 6x6 heavy truck categories. I do love the ease of say a RAM or such, but I’ve always liked the older international 5 t chassis as well. It’s great to see an expo build on a new one. Nice job. Does the new International chassis have lockers? Did your MAN?
You guys on Instagram? I’d love to follow along.
Eizenjin91
Member
I think I recognize your MAN? Unicat Box? Do you also have an FJ40?
The 1m extended wheelbase probably feels great on the box. What is your overall wheelbase now? Our MAN was 3900. It was great in towns and could almost turn in its own footprint but felt not as stable at highway speeds.
Yes its amazing the difference in North America with the speeds and the distances. We love western Canada and spend a ton of time there winter and summer. You get in to the canadian rockies and thats when you can really feel the difference in a European chassis and North American Chassis’. BC highway 97C is a gorgeous drive but steep as hell. The International plugs along no issues while the MAN stayed floored and could do maybe half the speed limit.
The internationals offer both a rear and a front locker. We have a rear locker in this truck. I think its one of if not the best factory 4x4 chassis in North America without getting in to any third party 4x4 conversions.
smurf40
Observer
Thanks for the response. The international seems like a dream compared to a conversion of say a kenworth or such. Yes, we have the fj40 and the Unicat. Our 340hp MAN can’t get out of its own way on big passes such as 97c. I find it frustrating in North America, but abroad I try to stick to under 80kph rule as generally we are not fully insured abroad and as we are on a trip - I need to tell myself to slow down
- as hard as that can be! The 1M extension is really great for living (box comes in at 5.9m) for a family of 4. The wheel base is 5.1M. The truck is absolutely perfect on the highway and feels stable and more like a VW car than a big 18T truck, but comes with the draw back of a multi point turn often. Trades offs for everything I suppose! I really do like the International…If you are ever out in B.C. reach out on IG @weshouldbeadventurers