DarkBladeRunner
Active member
Hi everyone,
I've been lurking around these forums for a while now, asking questions, exploring many (many) options. I've managed to get the wife onboard with the idea of a large expedition camper. Actually, a long family road trip was her idea. Well... sort of. A bit of background context is required here I think:
Initially we were planning on purchasing a 45+ foot sailboat to cruise the world as a family. We bought a test-boat (a small 26 foot tanzer) 3 years ago and quickly discovered that sailing with 1 young child is difficult, and since we now have 2, my wife and I agreed that the project would have to wait. I somehow got talked into purchasing a 28 foot c-class motorhome as a test to see if we could live in a camper and travel, hence allowing us to have a world-exploring experience with the kids sooner rather than later. We did the whole motorhome thing for a year, going out on regular weekend trips and occasional 5-12 day road treks. We loved it! The kids loved it too! Of course, a couple with young children whom we are friends with purchasing a (gorgeous) westfalia at the same time might have helped make the summer more enjoyable.
However, we quickly realized that the motorhome was going to disintegrate if we took it to the places we wanted to go. We live in Québec and the best places (outside of Montréal, of course) often are at the end of gravel or dirt roads, sometimes with some washboarding. The Motorhome did not like this. Nor did it like slightly humid grass, apparently. My wife also discovered that standing directly behind the wheels of an RV trying to get out of a muddy hole is not a good idea.
One of my colleagues at work introduced me to the concept of an overland camper at some time during the summer, which made me realize I had seen this type of camper a few times in my life, including during my honeymoon a few years prior. I managed to find the photos I had shot of this (to me at the time) curious truck. Thankfully they had a website : https://www.two-vagabonds.de/ As it turns out, they converted a Magirus Deutz 170D11. By this point I had already conducted quite a bit of research and had concluded that the best truck for our needs and wants was probably a European cabover ex-fire truck. A Magirus Deutz or a Mercedes.
So far, I've had a few close calls: trucks I wished to purchase but was unable to agree on a price or where I was "second in line" (due mainly to being a remote buyer).
Well... it's finally happening I think. I'm buying a 1981 Magirus 170D11 from Germany. Inspection is this week, but is probably a formality since I've already spoken with the mechanic that does the regular maintenance. Nevertheless, before flying out I'm getting a full report on all of the truck's systems.
-Seriously, it's hard to believe that I might finally get my big-ass truck. Because let's not kid ourselves. I could have found another suitable vehicle for my family. This isn't about NEEDING a 4x4 doka. It's about WANTING one.-
The truck is going to need some work to meet my family's needs. Cosmetic because I'm a designer so it has to be pretty, Mechanical because it's almost 40 years old and... camperical? Well, the camper needs some work for my family to live in it full time. Needs refinishing, and... other interesting items.
So here is where I'd like to enlist your help. I've done a lot of research but I thought I'd consult the crowd once more just to see if anyone has some more information I haven't found yet.
And yes I'll post pictures as soon as I can.
I've been lurking around these forums for a while now, asking questions, exploring many (many) options. I've managed to get the wife onboard with the idea of a large expedition camper. Actually, a long family road trip was her idea. Well... sort of. A bit of background context is required here I think:
Initially we were planning on purchasing a 45+ foot sailboat to cruise the world as a family. We bought a test-boat (a small 26 foot tanzer) 3 years ago and quickly discovered that sailing with 1 young child is difficult, and since we now have 2, my wife and I agreed that the project would have to wait. I somehow got talked into purchasing a 28 foot c-class motorhome as a test to see if we could live in a camper and travel, hence allowing us to have a world-exploring experience with the kids sooner rather than later. We did the whole motorhome thing for a year, going out on regular weekend trips and occasional 5-12 day road treks. We loved it! The kids loved it too! Of course, a couple with young children whom we are friends with purchasing a (gorgeous) westfalia at the same time might have helped make the summer more enjoyable.
However, we quickly realized that the motorhome was going to disintegrate if we took it to the places we wanted to go. We live in Québec and the best places (outside of Montréal, of course) often are at the end of gravel or dirt roads, sometimes with some washboarding. The Motorhome did not like this. Nor did it like slightly humid grass, apparently. My wife also discovered that standing directly behind the wheels of an RV trying to get out of a muddy hole is not a good idea.
One of my colleagues at work introduced me to the concept of an overland camper at some time during the summer, which made me realize I had seen this type of camper a few times in my life, including during my honeymoon a few years prior. I managed to find the photos I had shot of this (to me at the time) curious truck. Thankfully they had a website : https://www.two-vagabonds.de/ As it turns out, they converted a Magirus Deutz 170D11. By this point I had already conducted quite a bit of research and had concluded that the best truck for our needs and wants was probably a European cabover ex-fire truck. A Magirus Deutz or a Mercedes.
So far, I've had a few close calls: trucks I wished to purchase but was unable to agree on a price or where I was "second in line" (due mainly to being a remote buyer).
Well... it's finally happening I think. I'm buying a 1981 Magirus 170D11 from Germany. Inspection is this week, but is probably a formality since I've already spoken with the mechanic that does the regular maintenance. Nevertheless, before flying out I'm getting a full report on all of the truck's systems.
-Seriously, it's hard to believe that I might finally get my big-ass truck. Because let's not kid ourselves. I could have found another suitable vehicle for my family. This isn't about NEEDING a 4x4 doka. It's about WANTING one.-
The truck is going to need some work to meet my family's needs. Cosmetic because I'm a designer so it has to be pretty, Mechanical because it's almost 40 years old and... camperical? Well, the camper needs some work for my family to live in it full time. Needs refinishing, and... other interesting items.
So here is where I'd like to enlist your help. I've done a lot of research but I thought I'd consult the crowd once more just to see if anyone has some more information I haven't found yet.
- The truck is in Germany. I'm going to get 5 day temporary plates to drive it myself to Hamburg. I have a Québec driver's license which says I can drive Motorhomes. The truck is registered in Germany as a motorhome. However, in Germany, since it is over 3500 kg, you need a truck license. I am in the process of getting said truck license, but won't have it at the soonest for 40 days. Is there somewhere I can confirm that I am allowed to drive it in German with my license? I have an international license too if that helps with A,B and E class stamped (and the wording/punctuation on B class is weird. It could be interpreted either way). My Québec license allows me to drive any motorhome, regardless of weight or airbrakes.
- I want to import directly to Montréal if possible. It looks like only Flatrack is possible. I'm getting multiple quotes. It looks like a freight forwarder on the European side can handle all of the paperwork for the export. It's the import that has proven less clear. Some forwarders are saying I should use a local agent and to expect to pay 1500$ for the Montréal agent. Can someone elucidate this point/indicate a good source of information on how/what exactly I need to do here?
- On the subject of shipping, anyone recommend any shipping companies?
- Insurance. Well, my insurance doesn't seem to want to insure the vehicle on European soil. Any companies out there willing to do short-term insurance that you recommend?
- Spare parts. Anyone have a north American source for spare parts? I'm planning on buying some in Germany, but you never know what you'll need once you start work on a vehicle.
- The camper right now is a modified s-280. an aluminium army shelter. I'd like to add some storage hanging off of the back and a rigid pop-top mezzanine level. I've found 1 or 2 threads on the forum but not as much construction information regarding the framing options. I'd like to build with aluminium. Anyone out there have good projects and DIY sites to point to? I've been looking into 80/20, amongst other things.
And yes I'll post pictures as soon as I can.
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