getting cold feet...

[dvorocks]

I been fixing up my mercedes motorhome built on the 613 bus chasis for the past year..the past 4 months I been on 4 trips of 3-4 hrs..been pretty happy with how she preformed overall..one trip I blew a tire and luckily I had a spare but trying to replace the spare with the correct tire was not fun...finally just decided to use a tire that was a close fit since they size I needed wasnt availible anymore. This got me thinking what happens if I break down and I need a starter? Wheel hub? Or something I cant track down for weeks...has this happened to anyone else ?
My plan is to travel 6 months in the us(working) and 6 months in central america
Exploring... hope to do this for the next few years...im almost rethinking the mercedes bus and converting a ford small bus I have...
what do you guys think

 

[Iain_U1250]

Making sure you can get spare parts is important. FEDEX, UPS or DHL can get parts from anywhere in the world to you pretty quickly, you just need to know where to buy them from, and have the money to pay for shipping. Mercedes 613 buses are common over here in Australia, and in Europe.

If you are in just travelling the US, you would be better off with a US based vehicle, but once you go to South America, then you need make sure that parts are available for your bus. Mercedes Benz have a good reputation of being able to supply parts all over the world, and you don't often get a "No long available" from them like you do with many other manufacturers.

On our trip around Australia last month, we had to order tyres two weeks in advance of where we were going to be as 255/85R16 are not very common. If we had completely destroyed a tyre, then we would have had to wait, or pay more money for express freight, or change all the tyres to a different size. I also had a old spare in the shed as a last resort.

 

[Joe917]

I am updating a Mercedes 917 AF in Ottawa Ontario. I can confirm that Canada and the US are the two worst countries in the world to get Mercedes Truck parts and service. When I show up at a garage the mechanics all run and hide! Once you get to central America service and parts will improve dramatically. If you are lucky enough to continue to South America or the rest of the world you will find Mercedes is the best manufacturer for parts and service. Good luck getting service for an earthroamer in Brazil. North American vehicles are the best supported in NA but as soon as you go south of Mexico things change. You will have the same problems in the rest of the world with a NA vehicle that you are having right now with the Merc. Pick your poison.

 

[kerry]

You should carry basic spares like starter and alternator, water pump etc. Here's a source: http://www.eurotech-services.com/index.html Mercedes truck parts aren't easy to find in the USA.

 

[dvorocks]

I have run into the same problem with mechanics...all are scared of it. My rig just hit 30k runs like a top but still worried if I break down. On the last 2 trips ive taken ive gotten a flat tire each time. The first one was on my motoroam and second was on the trailer I was pulling. Both were no fun..but if all that breaks is a tire I would be happy..

 

[Joe917]

I would not compromise on tires. Get the correct tire, close is not good enough. you need 4 matching tires (plus a spare) that meet or preferably exceed your load requirements.
I do not carry a spare alternator or starter. They are heavy and expensive. They are not prone to failure and when they do fail they almost always give plenty of warning. I do carry spare filters,odd fuses and bulbs and a spare throttle cable. I also have a spare set of springs and two full size spare tires.
Eurotech are very helpful, also check: http://www.unimogcanada.com/parts.php

 

[dvorocks]

All my tires are the same size right now.. The spare is the one that is not the exact size...I plan on running the tires till one goes since they are in good shape..
I sell food at fairs and festivals all around the country so thats my worry if I break done on the way to an event im in big trouble...there is no waiting a week for parts..

 

[redneck44]

Before I go any furtherplease read this- I am an American car fan, having owned several over here in the U.K. if you think owning a Land rover in the U.S is difficult try running a 60's Buick in the U.K.

However the only vehicles I have ever had a problems with starter motors on have been U.S. built vehicles, I don't know why but U.S. starters do seem to fail far more than the european/far eastern starters, same goes for alternators.
I really wouldn't worry about the Merc leaving you stranded, just look how many wander about the World without major problems.

 

[kerry]

If you're on a tight schedule, any breakdown, of a US or foreign vehicle could be a problem if you can't wait for parts or repairs. You need a plan--such as getting towed to the event as opposed to driving or renting a van to continue the trip. I've owned a Mercedes van in the USA. Some parts are very hard to find. For instance the 616 or 617 engines in the 84-85 201 series vans have engines that are very similar to the ones in US MB autos but the water pump and fan clutches are specific to just those two years of van. Nothing else will directly interchange. A part like that has to come from Europe. Whether these facts are good reasons not to drive your Mercedes in your situation is a different question though. I always assume that any vehicle I'm driving has the possibility of breaking down and have some kind of plan to deal with it.
I do agree that Mercedes starters seem far more robust than US starters.

 

[dvorocks]

I think the part is only half the problem. Getting a shop to work on it is also difficult..

 

[kerry]

If you keep a copy of the shop manual in the truck, you might find more willing mechanics. The shop manuals for non-regularly imported MB trucks are not cheap but are available. I got mine from schiffeuropean.com