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Everything is a compromise but there are certain things that stop being a compromise and start being a serious liability. IMHO, weight, height and overhang are all compromises to a certain degree but they can become a liability that defeats the purpose of the vehicle. Over weight or really tall...

In terms of seating, I've found the front seats good for two average sized adults and one kid / small adult. It works great with young kids. My son fits in the middle and it is actually nice to have him up front as opposed to by himself in the back.It was also great when he was in his kids seat...

It would be easier to drive. However, the vehicles in the mid 20 Euro range do not come with a valid German registration, TuV, tolls and taxes. That is extra, and not cheap with a MAN. Then you have to insure it. Not easy for a non EU resident. Then you have to have a HGV license. I'm sure some...

I am by no means an expert on MAN but I have exported/imported a lot of vehicles, especially odd ball vehicles. My point is you can import a MAN KAT1 into the USA but it won't be cheap and there are a lot of potential snafus that could greatly add to costs. I'm sure Franz, and several other...

Importing a 8x8 MAN KAT1 is not a simple endeavor. It is 25 years old so in that regard it is not a big deal - you are pretty much set with the EPA/DOT part. A lot of people think importing a vehicle is the price of vehicle in Europe + Ro/Ro shipping cost. Maybe for run of the mill old european...

I wasn't trying to get into which winch or type is better. Sorry if my post came off that way. I mentioned the Badlands to make the same point Metcalf made. I was just trying to broaden the thread a bit since it is about how different winches compare to each other. I was just trying to broaden...

Why not throw the badlands 12k winch in the mix? I've used lots of electric winches over the years and the badlands has proven to be the best value. It always gets me out and it has a low amp draw. Granted it is slow but for me recovery is not a race and I prefer to take things slowly anyway...

There really aren't any typical sizes and it depends on the cab. There are three common Doka cabs for fire engines. First is a sort king cab type where the rear doors are relatively small and narrow. The next size is the standard Mercedes Spec Doka and the next size is the larger 9 person double...

The Blissmobil are quite nice units. For people on a budget less than 6 figures, a Zeppelin Shelter makes a good alternative, especially since it costs about twenty times less. Granted you have to finish out the interior but they are probably a bit more rugged, a lot lighter (depending on what...

I've got four very slightly used Continental MPT81 335/80R20 for sale. All four have been mounted. One has never been used, one has been used to load a vehicle into a container and has less than a mile on it and two have about 100 miles on them. They are all in excellent condition and virtually...

I like the term "paralysis by analysis", never heard it before but it is quite apropos.

255/100 R16 are only going to get harder to find in the future. They are not exactly easy to source in Europe and ROW it is almost impossible to get them unless you spend a fortune in logistics. Forget it if you are in South America or Africa. I'd look into 275/80 R20 (10.5 R20). They are a bit...

Unfortunately gone are the days when you could show up at customs with a registration and some DOT and EPA paperwork and do everything yourself in an afternoon. The biggest catch is you now need to be bonded. In theory if you were bonded you could do it yourself but the bond usually costs more...

Importing a vehicle into the USA is not DIY but it is something you can arrange on your own. -First the vehicle has to be 25 years old and you have to have translated documentation to prove it. The registration is usually fine. If you want to legally drive it on-road this is not a general rule...

My first choice for an all round expedition tire is the Michelin XZL (not XL or XCL) but they are pricey and I'm not really sure they are worth the extra cost. I've run the 365/80 and 335/80 MPT81 on a U1300L in Africa and in the Northeast USA under most conditions. I've found them to be an...

The MaxiMog and KiraVan are both hugely successful for what they are - P.R. tools and ego amplifiers. Look at all the people talking about them and all the press. You certainly have to give Mr. Ferren credit for creating a truly fantastic vehicle. From an expedition point of view, the KiraVan...

I'm not trying to judge what you guys are hypothesizing, to each is own. I was just stating the obvious, that size comes at a cost. I'm not judging people who decide to go big, as I stated, I have done so by many standards myself. I'm sorry if you thought that was polemic. My point was the...

I'd say once you get into the really big vehicles like some of the 8x8 on this thread, two U1300L use less fuel, are cheaper and easier to ship, insure and get a carnet. An 8x8 MAN is not going to fit in a container or on a flat rack so transporting it won't be cheap or easy. Two U1300L...

Don't get me wrong, I drive a Unimog and people who drive Land Rovers, Land Cruisers etc always tell me my vehicle is too big. When I drove Land Rovers people on motorcycles always told me my vehicle was too big. I totally agree with you that everybody has different priorities and if it works...

A lot of this thread is interesting in theory, but on a practical level the bigger 6x6 and 8x8 vehicles are just too big to use in true real world expedition conditions. The MaxiMog and the Kiravan are both examples of theoretically awesome vehicles that can't really go anywhere in practice due...