Build your own Fuso FG6 4x4 based camper/overlander!

[biggoolies]

Excellent. What is the original wheelbase?

 

[Family Friendly 4x4]

Are you sure it will be big enough ?

Only slightly bigger than a long bed Tundra bud!

 

[Family Friendly 4x4]

Excellent. What is the original wheelbase?

The wheelbase on the standard ML150E24WS 4x4 is 4150mm.

Spec sheet attached if you would like to have a look.

In South Africa they are still supplying the Euro 3 spec Tector engine as our diesel is not the cleanest. This however suits me for traveling the rest of the African continent and probably some other parts of the world where ultra low sulpher diesel is not available.

 

[biggoolies]

Oh okay. The Man truck I am looking to buy has. Wheelbase of 4250mm. Being that my plans are similar with the motorcycle rack, what size box can I build on this wheelbase?

 

[biggoolies]

I would expect 5.2m?

 

[biggoolies]

According to my calculations I would have 6.3 metres total length with rack. That is according to Australian laws of 60 percent of the wheelbase Behind the rear wheel. Are the South African laws the same for overhang or are you going by the Australian laws if you are planning to overland there?

 

[biggoolies]

What is the length of the rack you are planning to build?

 

[Aussie Iron]

This 60% rule is only for Australian registered vehicles. I believe that if you bring a vehicle registered in another country you need to comply with their law so you may not have to worry about the 60% rule. Worth checking it out.

What I believe,
Dan.

 

[Family Friendly 4x4]

According to my calculations I would have 6.3 metres total length with rack. That is according to Australian laws of 60 percent of the wheelbase Behind the rear wheel. Are the South African laws the same for overhang or are you going by the Australian laws if you are planning to overland there?

I believe Dan to be correct, usually a foreign registered vehicle traveling internationally only has to comply with its own laws for a temporary visit.

But as it happens in this case the South African rule is 60% also, correct. In fact I am building strictly to this as the current plan is to try and sell our complete expedition truck in Australia upon completion of our 4 - 6 year global trip.

The truck would only have 60,000 - 80,000 km on the clock from new at that stage so it would be a great buy.

We would probably have to change the gas supply system at that stage but most other things I believe should comply for Aus. Any educated comments on this subject would be appreciated.

 

[Family Friendly 4x4]

What is the length of the rack you are planning to build?

Not decided yet. Was initially going to go with a full size tail-lift in order to cater for any unforeseen future plans. Might swop out the bikes for an ATV in the States or something who knows.

But it will more than likely end in a more compact framework for carrying 2x medium weight motorcycles.

Although the overhang will be way above the road in terms of departure angle I do not neccessarily want to use the max allowable distance either, the shorter the better!

I will however be building the tail-lift mechanism with an attachment option to change to a different platform in the future if need be. All you would need to do then is manufacture whatever platform suits your needs and attach it to the Lift.

Below is an example of a full tail-lift size platform on an Iveo built here in SA, but probably too bulky for my liking:

 

[Wyuna]

As for selling the truck in Aus after the trip, it might be worthwhile getting some written advise from the transport department of the state you plan to register or sell it.

Importing vehicles into Australia for sale is a pain, i don't believe you can bring it in on a Carnet and then sell it, you have to go through the process of importing it, which requires a permit just to ship it here.

The Euro 3 engine may be an issue if i recall i read something about you getting a euro 3 engine..., and it has to comply with our local regs, where as on a Carnet its all good.

 

[gait]

just a thought.

the pic of the tail lift reminds me of managing forklift operation and the desire to keep tines as close to the ground as possible while moving.

I wouldn't like to be the pedestrian hit by the tail lift as the vehicle turned, or be in the car that drove under it.

 

[mog]

just a thought. I wouldn't like to be the pedestrian hit by the tail lift as the vehicle turned, or be in the car that drove under it.

Good point. It defeats the whole purpose of the underride bar (Mansfield bar) that truck has.

 

[Family Friendly 4x4]

just a thought.

the pic of the tail lift reminds me of managing forklift operation and the desire to keep tines as close to the ground as possible while moving.

I wouldn't like to be the pedestrian hit by the tail lift as the vehicle turned, or be in the car that drove under it.

Indeed. Not my design, just an example.

I would definately go for something less obtrusive.

 

[Family Friendly 4x4]

As for selling the truck in Aus after the trip, it might be worthwhile getting some written advise from the transport department of the state you plan to register or sell it.

Importing vehicles into Australia for sale is a pain, i don't believe you can bring it in on a Carnet and then sell it, you have to go through the process of importing it, which requires a permit just to ship it here.

The Euro 3 engine may be an issue if i recall i read something about you getting a euro 3 engine..., and it has to comply with our local regs, where as on a Carnet its all good.

Thank you for the advice dually noted.

We will look into it in depth closer to the time. I would like to spend a good 5-6 months circumnavigating Australia at the end of our world trip and if selling the truck there does not turn into an option we will simply ship it back to SA afterwards.

Either way would not miss Aus for the world!