How to choose the right expedition vehicule

[LukeH]

Volvo??

I recently bought a Volvo FL6 M44R
14 tonnes 4x4, 8 metres long 210 hp, 700NM torque.
part time 4x4 and actually I'm really quite impressed.
I, like you and Charlie, would never have thought of Volvo.
But when I saw this one I was rapidly convinced.
Volvo have as much if not more global presence as Iveco.
(remember Renault Volvo Mack are the same entity, so that means three times the coverage)
In extended Europe to Russia the FL6 is everywhere so spares are really easy to get, the only difference is t-case (STEYR), axles (ROCKWELL Italy) and leaves.

I was amazed by how civilised it is to drive, the Euro speed limiter is great as a cruise control, on the motorway it sits on the limiter at 90km/h absolutely regardless off the gradient. On the climb up to my place (850 m altitude gain in 15 kms) it sat happily in 5th (out of 6) on the straights. Diff locks everywhere, it happily crawled up a 1 in 4 slope that had 15 cms of fresh snow on it.
(friend's modern Pajero with snow tyres and traction control couldn't without a fast run up; scary!)
I've got the back off, I'm currently in the process of extending the cab to seat all the family.

 

[EuroJoe]

Build thread LUKEH?

 

[LukeH]

Build thread LUKEH?

I know I know!
I really must get one together.
Soon!

 

[dzzz]

Hi,
Just posted in your other Thread.
We have chosen a heavier Truck. A Mercedes 917 AF.
This is a 9T Model, which has another 2T reserve.

I like that truck, especially in tan. desert tan. Then you can visit North Africa and drive around like Rommel............... preferably without the killing

 

[Ford Prefect]

I would look around a bit...

For instance, read, on here, the thread "fg in a box" it is about fitting an FG into a shipping box, something you really can not do with a heavy rig. It cuts down on the shipping costs, but the you have to consider at what cost to personal quality of life?

The fuel economy and other related expenditures should also be a consideration. If money if no object then that is a consideration as well, heck go big, the bigger the better, then tow a smaller 4x4 rig, but if you care how much money you are spending you should weigh all that out.

Another thing, for a MAN type truck, you need to consider where you can drive them. They are not going down the back roads in Europe, for instance, but could fit most anywhere in the USA. If you are going with a MAN type truck and live in the USA then you have to get one AT LEAST 25 years old, or you can not register it here in the USA, nor store it here.

SO if you go with a new FG vs an OLD MAN what are the differences in dependability, as well as what work will be required of you to fix any problems? SUCH as... Will you need a computer to fix your FG in the middle of Africa?


Obviously not something to jump into lightly.

Best advice is spend a LOT more time on here reading everyone's experiences, and learning from their mistakes.

Also, if this is just a troll to waist our time then I am annoyed with having typed so much!

 

[Quintin]

Horses for courses......

I couldn't agree with the previous poster more. It all depends on where you're taking the truck and how much time you're going to spend in it.

I spent 4 months in W Africa in my Merc 917 AF which has a 7 metre box and a 9 metre overall length. As a living space it was perfect-separate bed space, kitchen area, living area and shower/loo. As a means of transport it was iffy. It is just too big to turn off and head along a dirt track in the middle of nowhere just on the off chance. If the track peters out and you've got nowhere to turn, you are really in the poo. So a big truck limits where you can go. It's fine for heading across the desert-though no fun at 9 tons to dig out-and it's great on the open road but get into a remote village then it overpowers the place and boy do you stand out. It is even difficult down narrow country lanes here in the UK and I've been driving much bigger trucks than my Merc on and off for over 35 years so I'm more than capable of getting it into and through the smallest spaces. Because it's so heavy it also limits where you can go; for example all town centres in France have a weight limit of 3.5 tons.

What I do suggest if you go for a big truck is get a small motorbike that you can winch onto the back; that really increases your flexibility.

And research and research and above all plan your interior layout.

Q

 

[Allroader]

Hi Again,

The Last 2 Post, sum it up. Here are my thoughts.

The weight Limit will be in some areas in europe a problem. But to be realistic, even a VW Syncro (Vanagon) fully packed for a vacation trip will be pushing the 3,5t Limit.
The golden Rule, should always be: Go as big/heavy as you need to and stay as small/leight as you can.
So think about what you install. Gadets are cool and neat, but do you really need them.
Digging out our Trucks is not the fun part of the trip, but as long as we can get it out.
If you have any questions, just post them.

What I do suggest if you go for a big truck is get a small motorbike that you can winch onto the back; that really increases your flexibility.

We can only second that motion.


@ Quintin
I have not forgotton about you. Will just take a little longer then expected.



Mike

 

[haven]

Before we can recommend a vehicle for your journey, we need to
know more about how large your group is, what sort of cabin (the
camper part of the vehicle) facilities you want, the terrain you'll
drive through, and so on.

An excellent discussion about overland vehicles can be found here
http://www.xor.org.uk/silkroute/equipment/choosevan.htm
The author is Stephen Stewart, who has spent years traveling all
over Europe, Asia, Central America and South America.

Take a look at these threads to see a wide range of cabin styles
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9299
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20313

When discussing truck carrying capacity, three categories are used:
light, with GVWR up to 14,000 lbs
medium, GVWR 15,000 to 26,000 lbs
heavy, over 26,000 lbs

The vehicles you listed (MAN, Unimog, Iveco and Isuzu NPS 300) are
all considered medium class, just at opposite ends of the range!
Heavy trucks have air brakes, while most medium trucks use power
assisted hydraulic braking. You need a commercial driver license to
operate a vehicle equipped with air brakes.

Chip Haven

 

[dzzz]

You need a commercial driver license to
operate a vehicle equipped with air brakes.

Chip Haven

With RV plates it doesn't take the full CDL. Just the air brake written test. At least in Illinois.
Most of the Unimog U500 in the U.S. are GVWR 33,000. I believe all U500 have air brakes.

 

[Allroader]

Hi,

Question:
We will be coming back to the USA with our Truck and stay for good. Wanted to register it as RV, then I have to do a extra test (what, questions how to fix it or what) to drive the rig?

Our truck will be 25+ years old so no problems with the other stuff.

Thanks

Mike

 

[charlieaarons]

AFAIK in all of N. America one can drive any RV, air brakes or not, on a private licence. This is not true of certain other countries; Australia for sure, possibly parts of Europe.
So I obtained a CDL here in the US so I can can get an IDP for heavy vehicles w/air brakes.

Charlie

 

[karoja]

Do a search for "Bremach" images, and you will see my favorite vehicle... Or check www.bremach.it or www.bremach.at.

 

[haven]

I combined several similar threads started by hl3g into this thread.
There's no need to ask the same question several times!