Medium duty 4x2 possibilities?

[Czechsix]

Thinking CONUS here - what have you more experienced folks seen out there, expedition camper-wise, that's a medium duty chassis and not a 4x4?

I'm looking at my intended usage, and for now it's going to be something like 90% on-road, and the rest dirt road/gravel road. Nothing intense, but at the same time I've had plenty of experiences with gravel roads, wash board, etc destroying stuff over months. I'm looking for something that's durable, maintainable by normal humans (I'm staying away from the 14.00x20 tires, etc - BTDT, don't need any more back problems ), and reasonably priced.

The trade off for 4x4 - the additional cost, the additional maintenance, etc....just don't think I'll need it at this time. But the thing is that the normal "RV" type rig out there just isn't tough enough to last while traveling rough roads.

Has anyone seen any great 4x2, extended travel, rough road rigs? Bigger than a van?

And while I'm wishing for the moon, anyone know of any setups that have more easily accessed latrine facilities for those of us that can't move around too easily any more? Something that has a door that's larger than a pet door, is what I'm thinking about. And maybe a bit more room inside too, that'd be nice.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

4x2

Certainly opens your choices. This article by http://www.xor.org.uk/silkroute/equipment/choosevan.htm Stephen Stewart has been posted here and discussed before, but it has some thoughts on the necessity of 4WD.

Not needing 4wd would allow you to check on a variety of Fuso models, Ivecos, and Isuzus, not to mention the various domestics - F650 and such. For that matter many motorhomes might fill the bill.



Keep us informed

Jim

 

[kerry]

In the Mitsubishi forum here there are pictures of a camper on a Mitsubishi FE flatbed.

 

[fisher205]

How about a Bread truck w/ a 4BT and a NV5600. Not mentioned in here before but if you didn't need 4X4 it might be a good base.

 

[mhiscox]

Time to put in my (biased) vote for the MBz Sprinter van. With more appropriate tires, a few suspension tweaks and some recovery equipment, it is surprisingly competent. Only problem is the lack of 4WD.

 

[mog]

Do you need to fit a Rhodesian Ridgeback in the rig also?
As you can see from my avatar I think a 'service body' on any cab forward is a great starting point. My plan is to built it up and use it in 2x4 mode for a year and then convert to 4x4 if it works out. That way I don't have a ton of money invested if the size/concept/etc does not work out. Mine is an Iveco (so an oddball here in the US). With a service body you start off with a zombie/baboon proof body and tons of external storage, leaving the interior much more open for comfort and moving around. You can also just use the rear double doors as your access point if you need lots of room. Most of the service truck I saw were under 150,000 miles so plenty of life left in them.

 

[dhackney]

In addition to Steven's excellent overview mentioned, check out this site:
http://home.hccnet.nl/helmie.paulissen/

Click on the "our guests" links on the left.

What you will see are the vehicles that people are using to overland South America and the rest of the world. You will find a large number of 2wd vehicles.

You don't need 4wd to see most of the world. If you get somewhere that requires it you can hire a local truck, usually a Hilux (Tacoma), or donkey/horse/mule to take you there and back.

If you are staying in the U.S. the make/model won't matter much but if you are heading out here buy something that has good worldwide parts and service coverage.

The previously mentioned MB Sprinter is sold just about everywhere and would ride a lot better than a medium duty truck.

If you need more space than that be sure to get air seats and think about aftermarket shocks and springs. It doesn't matter much what your truck is capable of doing if you are too beat up by noise/vibration/harshness to do it or enjoy it by the time you get there.

Doug

 

[whatcharterboat]

2wd

Hi guys,
2WD's. Not something that we usually do but this Sprinter was a one off that we did for a local semi retired guy who builds 2wd Motorhomes at home for some extra cash. We only fabricated the floor frame and cut off the rear of the cab. There is a composite panel manufacturer in our street who supplied him with the materials for the shell and I believe it ended up with a timber fitout. Thought the pic was good cause it gives you an idea off what goes on underneath (or what should go on).

BTW Not sure about the in US, but there are a few 4X4 MBz Sprinter vans here. Many of the Ambulances in rural areas use them now (instead of Ford F trucks with canopies in the past). You can pick them out cause they sit at least 2" higher than the 2WD. So as they are sold off (sometimes with really low k's), guys have been converting them to motorhomes. Very good option. Of course nothing like an FG offroad but they make a fantastic vehicle all the same.

 

[whatcharterboat]

Doh Cant get the pic to load

.

 

[whatcharterboat]

Ahh!

 

[dhackney]

BTW Not sure about the in US, but there are a few 4X4 MBz Sprinter vans here. Many of the Ambulances in rural areas use them now (instead of Ford F trucks with canopies in the past). You can pick them out cause they sit at least 2" higher than the 2WD. So as they are sold off (sometimes with really low k's), guys have been converting them to motorhomes. Very good option. Of course nothing like an FG offroad but they make a fantastic vehicle all the same.

Unfotunately, that 4x4 MB Sprinter is not sold in the USA. There are many people hoping the 4x4 of the new generation Sprinter will come to the US market.

If I remember correctly from my research the 4x4 MB Sprinter sold in Oz is the lighter of the two chassis options and short wheel base. Is that correct?

Do you know of anyone in Oz who converts used RHD chassis to LHD for export purposes?

We see a lot of what appear to be ex-Japan market RHD trucks here that have been converted to LHD but I have not been able to speak with anyone with experience or real direct knowledge of the process or suppliers.

 

[whatcharterboat]

Hi Doug

I think you're right about the 4x4 in the SWB light Sprinter van. They are the only ones that I've seen anyway. Maybe they do a MWB in Euorpe. I'm sure you would be looking at importing one from there already in LHD.

Actually had a bit to do with LHD to RHD muscle car conversions many years ago. It was a pain (OT I know)There is a guy just near my house who has a business restoring Mopar muscle (mainly early 70's Barracuda's) and converts them back to original LHD for export back to the US.

So anyway, I'd be looking at Europe as a source of any LHD import. Ask some of those Euro's you're hanging with down there about what is available. Their FG's are surely LHD. The RHD to LHD conversion of an FG would be a pain too. The steering would be the easy part. It's all the dash and air ducting that would be the drama. Maybe if you could score a smashed LHD cab and ship .......... Nah. forget I even mentioned it.

Have a good day.
John

 

[whatcharterboat]

New FG 2wd

Don't know if this was worth a thread in the FG forum but....... While we are talking 2wd : maybe this will be the future. A Fuso FG / Canter Concept. Diesel elctric hybrid. 3 litre Diesel about 100kw and an electric motor about 40kw. The roof is an LCD screen that auto tints in the sunlight. The doors are hinged at the rear and are the whole side of the cab so that you can apparently egress in tight confines. The interior looks like an Italian supercar.

How could you not dream of what this would be like with a camper body on the back.