Sweet Unimog

[Hafwit]

There is a vehicle on ebay that makes me salivate, but it would be nearly impossible for me to have it where I live (CA). That doesn't mean that somebody else couldn't get it.

Here it is:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-/330613990875?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4cfa2125db

If somebody here buys this, I envy you. I have no connection with the sale.

Cheers,
Greg

 

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

That is one beautiful rig.

Wonder what the cost would be to get it in WA state and legal?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

The seller is known for owning bad ***** rigs

 

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

Wow, that is ************

 

[SCRover]

quite the specimen. did you guys see the other one parked down the street? you can see it in one of the first few pics.

 

[Hafwit]

You mean the U500 parked down the street? The double cab IMHO would be more desirable since the U500 is huge and is not as offroad-capable. If it were a U5000, that might be a different story, but those aren't available in the US or Canada.

Cheers,
Greg

 

[SCRover]

You mean the U500 parked down the street? The double cab IMHO would be more desirable since the U500 is huge and is not as offroad-capable. If it were a U5000, that might be a different story, but those aren't available in the US or Canada.

Cheers,
Greg

yessiree! don't know my mog models too well yet, but knew it was one and that it was newer than the one being sold. appreciate the mog 411.

 

[dzzz]

You mean the U500 parked down the street? The double cab IMHO would be more desirable since the U500 is huge and is not as offroad-capable. If it were a U5000, that might be a different story, but those aren't available in the US or Canada.

Cheers,
Greg

But with the double cab there's no room remaining for the camper. Which is why unimogs don't make good family campers.
I do like that truck a lot, but that's a big price he's asking unless it's near perfect on close inspection. If it's near perfect no ones going to be bashing it around off road.

 

[mk216v]

Wow, awesome DoKa! Put some faster axles in it and off you go.

 

[Hafwit]

If the intent is to make a camper for two or at most 3 people, the Unimog U500 is an excellent platform. It (or other Unimog models) is the basis for many European custom campers such as those built by Unicat. It was used as the basis for one US manufacturer (Global Expedition Vehicles), but since the U500 was discontinued in the North American market, they have ventured into using other vehicles. Since the Unimog is also a Mercedes vehicle, there is global support for parts and maintenance as well. I personally like the DoKa because I have a wife and two kids and I need the extra space. The U1250, U1450 and other DoKas have a number of proponents who can go in depth on their virtues both on and off-road. The U500 is more of an on-road than off-road vehicle from what I have seen. The U5000 has more offroad capability such that it is being bought for military use as well.

Cheers,
Greg

 

[dzzz]

The U500 would be tight for 3 people. The passenger side losses the air seat in that configuration. Lots of cabin room for two, however. The off road differences between a U500 and a U5000 are trivial when it comes to expensive campers. The U500 is bigger, more comfortable, and has more electronics to potentially break. Not that there's any choice of modern unimogs in North America.

 

[Expedition.Report]

Thats only 6 hours from where I live!... too bad I don't have the money, or time to but that beaut to work!

 

[cwsqbm]

The U500 would be tight for 3 people.

Unless its a U500 Doka. (listed on Unimog Exchange for $175,000)

 

[dzzz]

But that truck can only take about a 16' camper. Which is small for three people, especially for the money that would be spent on the total project. With three people it might work better to get a large cab non-doka truck and do custom seating.
For example, the center console on the U500 can be moved towards the driver, and two narrow air ride seats might be placed for the passengers.
An ~$85,000 premium for a doka for one person is a big premium, especially as it reduces camper space.
At more than three people I don't think I would consider a build on a unimog or similiar rugged 4x4 medium duty truck. More conventional RVs have a lot of space for families. A very long 4x4 isn't particularly back road capable anyways.