U5000 and camper

[Lynn]

Just in case you missed it, Stephen Stewart's site also has his views on Choosing an Overland Campervan. A great read, but of particular interest to this thread; with regard to 4x4 trucks:

Take the case of the 4x4 version of the Mercedes 815D (an on-road truck) and a Mercedes U3000 Unimog (a true off-road truck).

In my opinion the extra cost of a 4x4 version of an on-road truck (if available) is worthwhile, but the extra cost of a true "off-road" vehicle is not.

I think that for him, with all his experience, to recommend the 4x4 815D over the Unimog says that a MB 1117 or MAN 4x4 is more than sufficient. As already mentioned, he moved from the Unimog platform to a MAN platform, and doesn't appear to have any regrets.

Depending on how you want to use it, where you want to go, etc.

Your mileage may vary

 

[Overland Hadley]

Just in case you missed it, Stephen Stewart's site also has his views on Choosing an Overland Campervan.

That is a great resource. It is one persons view, but one experienced person.

 

[dwh]

Yea, but let's not forget he also had to drag those 815s with the Mog a few times. (On the other hand, he had to have the Mog dragged by something bigger a few times as well.)

He also says somewhere that just about anything can go around the world - as long as there is at least one really capable vehicle in the group.

 

[MultiSmog]

Differentiation

Talking about Mogs you can easily recognize 4 categories talking about the diesel versions:
1. 416's. That truck is plain torture comfort-wise, powerless on the road and slow. Not an option in my opinion unless you are very short on budget, in that case I would get a 4x4 MB 815 or MB 1117.
2. SBU's. Truck is very reliable but the cab is still very noisy and warm compared to car. You can get a 240 HP engine which is plenty and you can get an automatic transmission if you are lucky enough to get a Twin-disc equipped unit. Typical fuel economy 5 km / l for a 156 hp unloaded truck. Still a MB 1117 would be a better option (Cab forward) and cheaper if you are not going to spend substantial amount of time off-road.
3. 3000-5000 UHN series. The truck has electronic engine and transmission. It is still very noisy and unless you get the most powerful one (214 hp) you will be under-powered but you will have great fuel efficiency, about 20-23% better fuel efficiency than the mechanical engines. Top performance off-road.
4. 400-500 series UGN. The best Unimog of all IMHO. If you get the U500 you will get the 280 hp electronic engine,automated transmission mechanical transmission. Very capable off-road althoug not "as much" as the UHn or SBU series. Who would risk their 250,000 EUR camper in hard core off-road? Pricey.

The last 3 mog types are CTIS capable but you can still fit CTIS to a MAN or any other vehicle by using external lines.

IMHO, for off-roading, you need at least two capabilities: clearance and traction. For clearance mogs are unbeatable, for traction the best ways are to keep your tires on the ground AND have proper footprint. For footprint you reduce tire pressure to increase the surface area to increase traction and floatation. The huge advantage of having CTIS is to be able to change tire pressure on the go.

I own Unimogs, I like them for their sturdiness and off-road capability but I complain all the way for their lack of comfort.

Saludos

 

[Iain_U1250]

I think Roberto is developing his own version on an auto trans AFAIK, his does not have the twin disc in it ( yet)

 

[charlieaarons]

I am aware that the UGN series has some European derivation of the Twin-Disc though.

Any clarification would be greatly appreciated

The UGN is available with a torque converter in front of the clutch but still the stock 8 spd behind the clutch. I think it is a WSK400. Also, I think the option list says that if one orders the torque converter you can't get EAS (electroautomatic shifting).

Charlie

 

[MultiSmog]

1450 UHNization

Hola Iain:

I will adapt an UGN automated transmission to a 1450 with a OM366LA engine. I am sure it can be done, the problems will be the amounts of time and money that the project will require.

Saludos

 

[mogwildRW1]

What about this unit:

Google translation:

.. absolutely like new Bucher Duro 6x6 chassis _ ideal base for an expedition vehicle _ Year 2001 _ New vehicle 12.1 _ only 350 km mileage _ CTIS - CTIS on all 6 wheels _ Permanent all-wheel with lock _ el reduction _ DE DION portal axles _ TORSEN - Differential lock front and rear axles, coil springs _ _ up, inboard disc brakes _ DETROIT diesel engine with VM 642 LB brake (exhaust back pressure brake) _ max. Torque 400 Nm _ Allison 4-speed automatic gearbox _ air compressor _ second alternator bracket is prepared _ additional sound insulation in the cab and the passage is prepared _ tires 335/80 R 20 Michelin XZL _ Body length 5250 x 2250 mm is possible at three points is prepared (as UNIMOG) _ + 1,150 mm Wheelbase 3230 _ 99% _ tire gross weight 7490 kg - kg plus 500 (with the firefighters gain) payload to 4,700 kg _ _ Stuttgart site can be registered in the EU and Switzerland!

 

[DKM]

I think Victorian has a point. Maybe a 6x6 is too big/long. For the time being I think we will try to find a 4x4 that will suit our needs.

With that said, does anyone have an opinions on the Tatra 4x4?

Thanks Trev.

 

[EuroJoe]

I think Victorian has a point. Maybe a 6x6 is too big/long. For the time being I think we will try to find a 4x4 that will suit our needs.

With that said, does anyone have an opinions on the Tatra 4x4?

Thanks Trev.

No personal experience with any of these vehicles but these guys

http://www.overlandvehicles.co/

are building on a tatra 6x6 just now, I think for someone on this board.

 

[charlieaarons]

Being in Japan, are you (legally) tied in to buying a new chassis or could you buy something 10-15 years old?
Because as far as noise and comfort is concerned, there's little difference between a new U500 and new MAN or MB Atego truck.
In the older vintages, it is hard to beat the MB 1017 for parts availability and service knowledge worldwide.
Stephen Stewart might be happy to be out of his Unimog U1300 and into a newer MAN but I'd guess he'd speak differently about a new U500 vs a newer MAN.

Charlie

 

[dzzz]

I didn`t know that the MAN could even be fitted with CTIS. I received a brochure from Action Mobil on how the retrofit the system in the photos above. The air pressure is preset and then each hose is attached. When the pressure researches the preset it shuts of automatically. Which means that I wouldn`t have to air each tire up or down.
Set it and go off and do another task.

I thought before using my truck(U500) extensively that CTIS was a nice option. Now I think its very important for a truck with big tires. Airing down improves the ride on rough road. High inflation is necessary for speed. Jumping in and out of the truck as condition changes would be a big hassle with 395/85R20. Plus the vehicle will still require a large compressor.
I expect what happens in the real world without CTIS on bigger camper trucks is that people do a combination of running fast with low pressure and tolerating a bumpy ride on a rough road.
The U500 rides great with the right pressure. None of these trucks have much suspension travel. The tall sidewall needs to flex the right amount as part of the suspension.
On a UGN mog my minimum spec is low range gears and CTIS.

 

[charlieaarons]

I thought before using my truck(U500) extensively that CTIS was a nice option. Now I think its very important for a truck with big tires. Airing down improves the ride on rough road. High inflation is necessary for speed. Jumping in and out of the truck as condition changes would be a big hassle with 395/85R20. Plus the vehicle will still require a large compressor.
I expect what happens in the real world without CTIS on bigger camper trucks is that people do a combination of running fast with low pressure and tolerating a bumpy ride on a rough road.
The U500 rides great with the right pressure. None of these trucks have much suspension travel. The tall sidewall needs to flex the right amount as part of the suspension.
On a UGN mog my minimum spec is low range gears and CTIS.

And maybe EAS (electroautomatic shifting).

Charlie

 

[dzzz]

And maybe EAS (electroautomatic shifting).

Charlie

Yeah, I was trying to be minimalist.
I think I would rather shift manually than give up CTIS, however. But I don't know how gear selection is done in a U500 with manual transmission. If it doesn't skip gears easily that could be a PIA.
I really like the unimog EAS after learning it. In a long day of driving I flip between auto and manual selection many times. I do wonder how many wives are willing to learn it, however. I expect most are emergency only drivers.
As far as 6x6 U5000, I expect a 4x4 U500 has more capacity.

 

[charlieaarons]

I wonder what they used for the #2 axle in the 6x6 U4000? Maybe from a U2450L6X6, with its' torque splitter?
I pretty much use the "M" setting only for steep hills where it tends to over-downshift on "A". And of course rough roads that require the lower half of the road gear range.

Charlie