Freightliner FL 70 4x4

[tallboy]

20' Expedition RV on Freightliner FL 70 with Mercedes Benz OM 906LA engine.

Looking for a suitable and affordable for my RV project based on a 20'shipping container, I found a Freightliner with MB engine in Europe which would be the starting point of my travel.
This truck has nearly everything I'm looking for, it has 4x4, automatic transmission, Mercedes Benz engine, air condition, low miles, a 20'8" bed and is affordable in comparison to others.

However, there are a few things I'd like to modify to get the rig perfect.

1, It has dual rear wheels on a single axle which aren't the best off the road.
Is there any chance to change them into single ones like Unimog and Zetros what specification and size would be required?

2, The drivers cab is a single one. I've seen extended cabs with high roof which would be perfect for more space behind the seats and to get easier to the container box. They should be available as spares?
Any recommendation on that?


A good day to everybody!

 

[charlieaarons]

First of all the truck likely has Euro emissions which would make it unregisterable in the US. find out for sure.
Second, replacing cabs is not a minor procedure, with all the wiring these days etc. And new cabs aren't cheap.
Third, you might need (highly undesirable) spacers or (less undesirable) different offset wheels F/R.
4th, changing to larger singles will alter the gearing*. Crank the numbers before spending money. Find the diff ratio.
5th, I don't think it will fit in a container, especially with a camper.
*365/80R20s are only 43.1", ~ taller than 11R22.5s (41-42"); but they may not have sufficient load capacity for the rear (only 7100kg/axle). 425 or 445/65R22.5s are taller (44.8", 45.9").
My Michelin truck tire database is ~768kb so I can't attach it.
Look at the used Unicat site for perspective:
http://www.unicat.net/en/index2-Gebrauchte.html

Charlie

 

[haven]

Welcome, Tallboy!

I'd measure the height of the cab before choosing the Freightliner FL. The door of a high cube cargo container is approximately 100 inches / 2560 mm tall.

 

[Lynn]

based on a 20'shipping container

Or did you mean you are going to turn a 20' container into a cabin, and put it on the Freightliner?

 

[haven]

Ooops! OK, no problem mounting a 20 ft shipping container on the back of a Freightliner!

 

[tallboy]

Freightliner modification

Firstly, thanks to everybody.
Charlie, the truck I found has a US title due it has been a US government truck in Europe. That's why I can use US plates for my trip.
I agree, the cabin modification isn't easy and I found used ones for about 3k.
The truck has less than 10k miles, so I guess its worth the effort?
Well, the wheel issue is indeed complicated and I've to learn more about it.
Especially the requirements to get it approved. But again the vehicle is virtually new and I still believe that single wheels are more suitable when off road.

The truck will not fit into a 20'container it should carry one modified into a camper.

 

[tallboy]

used Unicat

Ooops, I forget to mention that the good Unicat cabins don't fit into my budget and MAN has spare part supply problems especially here.

 

[tallboy]

used Unicat

Ooops, I forgot to mention that the good Unicat cabins don't fit into my budget and MAN has spare part supply problems in some parts of the world especially here.
The Freightliner has a Mercedes Benz engine and this branch guarantees a worldwide (not cheap) spare part supply.

 

[Lynn]

For those in the know, would the OP gain valuable info by searching big rig sites and forums for the pros and cons of super singles? I believe there are a lot of trucks in this size class that have been running super singles for a few years, and there should be a pretty large data set out there, right?

I know there has been at least a little discussion on here regarding super singles, but I'm ignorant on the subject.